How to determine year of manufacture?

Ray Bowles

New Member
I have an Omege/Capri 14 that was given to me last year for a youth sailing program we are trying to establish here in the frozen North.
It has sail #1977 on the sail and the plate on the inside of the transom says 1977. This is an open bow boat and all the mast, boom and sail measurements are approxamatly 10% smaller than the C14 schedule on this site. The mast is also designed without spreaders.
The boat is in very nice shape and sails and handles nicely. I have set it up as per the instructions provided on this site.
If you know how we can date the hull I would really be thankful for the help.
Thank you, Ray.
 
John Wallace: h**p://lonestarcatalinaomega.blogspot.com/ has hull no. 2029 and says she was built in 1983.

Scan to the bottom of his page and you'll find a copy of the Omega 14 manual.
 
It has sail #1977 on the sail and the plate on the inside of the transom says 1977. This is an open bow boat and all the mast, boom and sail measurements are approxamatly 10% smaller than the C14 schedule on this site. The mast is also designed without spreaders.
The boat is in very nice shape and sails and handles nicely. I have set it up as per the instructions provided on this site.
If you know how we can date the hull I would really be thankful for the help.
 
Chemprof, thanks for the lead.

Thanks for the help. I'm still working on finding out about the smaller size on all the factory rigging. It's smaller on every piece. boom, mast, standing rigging and sails. Sail bag and sail markings are all factory issue and marked for Hull #1977. I wonder if this might be an early model or some type of prototype.
The mainsail has a large roach and 3 battens. It has a large shelf foot and very deep belly at approx 50% back. There is no cunningham cringle and it is impossible to remove the depth of this belly with conventional sail controls. The sail is not blown out and based on the sails of the other boats appears to have about 50 to 60% life left. A full size 14.2 set of sails would have very little, if any, sail adjustment without a different mast and boom. This is a strange boat but the kids love it.
Again, thanks for your time and help. Ray
 
From my travels I would think your Omega is probably somewhere close to an 1980 model year . Does your registration have the model year ?

the Omega and the Capri 14 ( the Schock boat ) came from the same era and as you describe, the Omega carries a rig siimlar to the Lido - no spreaders , smaller cross section spars and less sail area compared to the Catalina 14.2 .

Do your sails carry the Omega insignia ? I have overheard people say "look at the mini-Soling"

Good luck and lets us know what you find.

Rob
 
The solution to birthday is in hand.

In the upper rear starboard corner of the tramsom, almost covered by the rub rail, I found a hand engraved ID number. The number was CPSE1977M82K.
The metal plate affixed to the inside center of the transom simply says CAPRI 1977.
I take that it is a 1977 year boat, possibly the 82nd boat of that year.
Not that it makes any difference, other than possibly finding any others with these smaller size sails and hardware.
Thank you to all of you that helped figure this out.
Enjoy the spring sailing weather. Ray
 
In the upper rear starboard corner of the tramsom, almost covered by the rub rail, I found a hand engraved ID number. The number was CPSE1977M82K.
The metal plate affixed to the inside center of the transom simply says CAPRI 1977.
I take that it is a 1977 year boat, possibly the 82nd boat of that year.
Not that it makes any difference, other than possibly finding any others with these smaller size sails and hardware.
Thank you to all of you that helped figure this out.
Enjoy the spring sailing weather. Ray

I believe your sail number is 1977 and it was made in June of 1982
http://www.catalina27.org/public_pages/Sail Numbers.htm
 
Azric is right; see the site I gave in my post above for explanations of HINs.

For yours:

CPSE1977M82K

CPSE = Catalina (manufacturer)
1977 = Hull Serial No.
M82K = Date of Certification, 1982, June
 
Azric is right; see the site I gave in my post above for explanations of HINs.

For yours:

CPSE1977M82K

CPSE = Catalina (manufacturer)
1977 = Hull Serial No.
M82K = Date of Certification, 1982, June

This...
Sorry chemprof, I didn't see the link in your post.
 
I think I understand....now.

You are so very right. Now that I understand the numbering system I just need to find some steriods to feed the undersized gear.
Actually the kids love it as it is and the gear on it will last a long time.
Now, as an addition to our little navy, I have accuired a Capri Cyclone. It is a 13 foot cat boat rigged sister to the Omega. Its # is CPSC1563M78H.
I take that to be boat # 1563 built in March 1978.
This boat looks like it could be challanging and wicked fast. I'm used to my San Juan 23 and its mild manners so I can see that I will be getting wet this year.
Again Thanks, Ray
 

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