Bill, I've never seen a Montgomery without the hull number molded into the transom. I don't know what happened with the one you saw with the engraved plate unless it was a boat made by the person who had the molds for a while between Jerry and Bob Eeg. In 1981 Jerry made the wet locker in the stern and changed the cockpit drainage. Any Montgomery 17 before 1984 had aluminum toerails rather than the teak toerail on newer boats. In 1987 the centerboard changed from cast iron to fiberglass with a lead core. 1987 was also the year of changing from steel shot to lead ballast. Also the galley and 4 berth arrangements were replaced in 1987 with the 3-1/2 berth layout (a short 5' berth on port with the deep locker aft). Those are the changes that might indicate the general age of a Monty 17 of which I am aware. Hope that helps. Mark Dvorscak Former M17 owner -----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of bill safford Sent: Sunday, October 21, 2007 7:18 AM To: montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com Subject: M_Boats: Hull Number How can the build year of an M17 be determined with any accuracy if the hull number is missing? Isn't the hull number supposed to be molded into the hull in the case of a fiberglass boat? I saw one M17 with a little plastic engraved plate attached to the hull with seriously corroded fasteners. Is this common to Montgomery? The plastic plate had white letters and numbers on a black background. The galvanized Pacific trailer still had its maker's tag on the tongue (1999). I know that cabin layout changed over the years, as did the cut out transom. A magnet run across the keel would show if the ballast was steel of lead. Are there any other sutle differences that may give away what year the boat was built? Many thanks to any and all who answer with an opinion, facts, or otherwise. Willy _________________________________________________________________ Express yourself with the latest Windows Live Messenger! Get it free today! http://www.get.live.com/wl/all _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats