I'm hoping somebody might be able to help with this. Not sure if you can tell from the picture below, but when we were filling in the holes from where the previous tabs were, we sanded out what looks to be another HIN.

In the photo, the plate shoes HIN CRT280280373. In the area that was uncovered, it almost looked like the HIN was somehow impregnated into the mold. It was identical except for 1 digit. It reads CRT280280374, which I think makes this a 1974 model and not a 1973 as I thought it was. This seems to make sense, as all the NADA values I've seen don't show this model, a 28 Open, coming into Cigarette's production line up until 1974.

I contacted Cigarette, and Bud told me they don't have very good records from before the mid 80's, so they can't confirm anything.

Does anyone know if the HIN was part of the mold somehow back then and that what we uncovered is probably the real HIN?

I know 1 year won't increase the value of a boat this old, but it's just one of those things that you want to know, especially when selling it.

DD,

I had a 28 open years ago. Can't remember the placing of the HIN but my boat was a '72. I have a friend who had a '73 open. I believe there were 28 opens made before '72.

Thanks thedonz. Now I don't know what to believe. Anyone know about placement of the HIN back then???

My 1976 28SS has the HIN above the tow ring and below the reveal that goes around the sheer of the boat, neat the "higher" of the two locations shown in your picture.

I had a 1974 28SS and the HID was in the upper right as you show. It was not on a plate, but in the mold.

There is another member in the New Orleans area who has an open 1972 28. You may get his input, I think his screen name is Open72.

Thanks guys.

Elder president George Bush's 28 Cigarette open was a 1972.

does any one know how many total 28 opens were made. Also can anyone put some pictures up. Thanks

I haven't seen too many of them, but there seem to be a few folks on OSO who have a couple. There was Pres. Bush's, and a blue one on Anna Maria Island I saw in someone's driveway and another on OSO that was unfortunately stolen a while back. My guess would be no more than a dozen or two. I'll bet Brownie knows, he worked at Cigarette in the early years.

I believe that cigarette used to place the hull number behind the spot for the tabs. I remember a call I had with them when I was looking at an older 35' Awesome. I called the factory and they said that is the location for the hull number would be behind the tabs.