History and Research

Collecting information from various sources to document “originality” of the boat is a time consuming process.  Century production records are basically non-existent, most burned in a 1970 factory fire.  Our Sea Maid does not have an identification plate and appears to have never had one.  The transom plank is stamped with the hull number “49Q66”, 49 indicating a 1949 model year, Q indicating a 17.5’ Sea Maid, and 66 indicating the 66^th boat produced that model year.

Searching the Internet for information on the various parts has uncovered some interesting documents.  The engine is a Chrysler M-27 Crown.  The 1949 Century catalog lists 7 engines options were available, one being the Crown 115 hp with an advertised top speed of 38 mph.  The following service bulletin documents the production date of the engine between 2-9-49 and 1-21-50, appropriate for the boat.

Other locations for stamped numbers or identification marks have been found. The model identifier Q is stamped on various frame components, but no other serial number stampings are found except on the seat frames.  The seat frames are stamped Q along with a production number, the rear seat frame stamped 66 and the front seat stamped 70.  So, if 49Q70 is out there, can you check to see if you have 66’s front seat frame?