"HuckFinn"

[northman]

Looking at the possibility of restoring an old fibreglass boat with the name HuckFinn. It looks like some type of a Boston Whaler knockoff with a nice deep V. It is about 18 feet or so and the major repair will be at the transom where the outer coat is cracked away from the transom. Has anyone heard of these boats. I'd like a little history before I get too tied up in it.

 

[Radioactive]

The USCG maintains a database of Manufacturer Identification Codes that are used in Hull Identification Numbers. Look on the transom for your HIN. I have listed below the two entries received when searching on "huck finn". One might be for your boat.

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Details for Manufacturer Identification Code HFN

MIC: HFN
Status: Out of Busines
Company: HUCK FINN INC
Company Official:
Parent Company:
Parent MIC:
Address: 8333 SUNSET RD NE
City: MINNEAPOLIS
State: MN
Zip: 55432
Country:
Phone: 0000000000
Fax:
In Business:
Out of Business: 4/19/1977 12:00:00 AM
Date Modified:
Type: Miscellaneous
Additional Address:
Comments:
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MIC: HUG
Status: Out of Business
Company: HUCK FINN BOATS
Company Official: DISON, JERRY
Parent Company:
Parent MIC:
Address: 2053 SATASOTA MAIN
City: HAYWARD
State: CA
Zip: 94545
Country:
Phone: 4155373426
Fax:
In Business: 3/10/1981 12:00:00 AM
Out of Business: 12/23/1982 12:00:00 AM
Date Modified: 12/23/1982 12:00:00 AM
Type: HouseboatsPontoon Boats
Additional Address:
Comments: DELETED FROM MLS 12/23/82

 

[northman]

The only manufacturers tag appears to be on the centr console and it identifies it as Model: 20' 200V O/B "Fisherman" and the manufacturer as Mark Twain Marine of Frankford Ill. The people that brought it here to Canada years ago were originally from Ill. I suspect that it is late 70's vintage. Was just wondering if anyone had an opinion on them. I like the hull design but time has taken it's toll . It is likely repairable but if the floatation was of the type that absorbs water it is likely fruitless to look at. Not knowing the dryweight of the hull I suppose the only way to make an educated guess would be to put it in the water and see how it sits,??

 

[Sandy]

Do a search of "Mark Twain Marine" and you will find some history ( & preservation forums) that may or may not apply to yours.

 

[northman]

Thanks. Did find the forums but not much on that particular model. Haven't gone through all the old forums yet but hopefully I'll find someone who has or had that model.

 

[george smith]

you might try fiberglassics.com its all about restoring old glass boats. hope it was ok to put the web site name here. good luck

 

[northman]

Well I went through all their forums last night and didn't come up with anything on the huckfinn but I did learn that it was only made in 1976 and that it is 19.6 feet long and weighed 1100 lbs dry. It is a model with few accessories that required attachment to the main hull so maybe there was little opportunity for water to get below. Haven't decided if I want to look at this boat seriously for a rebuild but I do like the hull. I prefer the deep vee to the whalers tri hull in rough water.