Was told my Excalibur is not an excalibur. Doing Detective Work.
 

Hey there. I'm hoping someone out there may be able to answer a few questions I have.. I have a 1974 Excalibur 24' that I have had up for sale for a couple years now. Just had someone come by to look at it and told me it was not an Excalibur.

The title information i have has it listed as a 1974 Excalibur 'PEDBOATC' (as the model), and after doing some research on the HIN, which is listed on the title (but nowhere to be found on the transom) it starts with PDC, which, when searching the manufacturers identification website, shows up as 'P & D CLASSIC INC' out of Miami.

I've never really thought about it not being what it says it is, and never gave it much thought otherwise. I've had a few people come to look at it that seemed fairly knowledgeable about those model boats and have never mentioned anything about it before.

From what I am reading, there is supposed to be another HIN somewhere on the boat, possibly somewhere hidden but accessible. Does anyone have any idea where that might be?

The guy said something about it being a Lancer, but from what I can find, the only thing that turns up for 1974 Lancer is a fishing boat.

Attaching a pic as well.. Probably not the most detailed shot.. Its the best I have without going out and taking another. Are there any other distinguishing features that I can check for to verify what it actually is?

Also going to call the Secretary of State to see if they have any back information on the HIN to see if the title was ever changed.

Any information anyone might have is very much appreciated.. i'm dumbfounded here.

http://i.imgur.com/hBLxW.jpg

Excalibur HINs begin with NAP

Here's a good place to start for more info.

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/c...her-boats.html

Looks like a P&D and obviously your title says it is. So my opinion is that it's a P&D. Very popular boat here in South Fl in the 70's and early 80's.

Are the gauges centered over the cabin entrance?

Wow.. crazy.. that just answered quite a bit looking at that.. I'm pretty convinced that the title I have is not for that boat.. It's a Michigan boat, and from what I have found it could be any of the "Lancer/Aero/Predator/Awesome/Dynamic Marine" boats.. Made by Jim Clem.

Next question would be, which one is it, and is Jim Clem still around, or is there anyone in the Michigan/Detroit area that would be able to tell what I have here?

I'm still hoping there is a hull number hidden somewhere on this thing aside from what should be on the transom. Wonder if there is a way to trace it back using the MC numbers/registration.

I'd like to get it all squared away with the proper documents before I continue to try to sell it..

I appreciate the link. Kinda crazy to find out you don't have what you thought you had years later. :)

Yes.. not sure how much of it is original though.

title also lists the hull type as "open" as well, and that is not correct.. so i'm not sure what I believe.

I'm going to try and get a title history on it.. Luckily we have those in Michigan.

The HIN checks out on boatfax as a P&D.. It's nowhere to be found on the hull still, and from what I have read, they were not required until '76.

I believe what you have is a Lancer built & sold by Jim Clem here in Michigan. Your boat had a Stern Power drive originally on it . [Jim used them exclusivly back then] Hidden numbers ,,,I dont think there were any back then on Jims boats.. As your hull was yellow gel originally it could have any number on the transom & redone. I dont think I would dig to deep into this as you may open a real can of worms for yourself. :party-smiley-004: This is not the first time this has come up on one of his boats were past owners change titles & hull ID ###.:eek::eek::eek:

Thanks for the advise.. sounds like you may have been one of the people to come out and look at it :)

How can I accurately represent this boat when trying to sell it though? I don't want to deceive anyone now that I know what it is.. Is the Lancer considered a decent hull or did I just end up with fool's gold? :)

All Lancer were rigged by Jim, some of the hulls were originally made in California, than the later hulls were built here in Michigan so quality can vary. If you want it gone, sell it for what you think the engine , drive and trailer are worth. This Lancer has been for sale for some time with no issues and hasn't sold, http://detroit.craigslist.org/mcb/boa/2393920723.html it's a tuff market today.

Seems once you know what questions to ask the story opens up a bit.. Just contacted the previous owner, and he seems to remember being told something from the guy he bought it off of about Jim Clem, and the Lancer, but seems to think the deck lid is off an Excalibur. Getting a phone number from him for the guy that he bought it from to ask some more questions.. He would have been the one to do the deck swap, etc.

We have always just gone off of what was on the title and never questioned it.. This boat has been a thorn in my side for ober 8 years (not because its a bad boat.. it was just a bad financial decision in my younger days that I can't seem to unload now that i'm married with kids.)

Should have come by here earlier to ask all these questions.. you guys have been invaluable with your responses. Very much appreciated.

I have heard some nasty stories about the (Clem) models some good but more that weren't so good,kinda like the Shults,Profiles. As said before all you can do is figure what you need for it and try. You never know you might get an offer you can live with, its a good looking boat at least. Very tough market out there for even the top name brands. Good luck.

If your HIN starts with the PDC - its a P & D Classic. search the forum for PDC or P & D Classic. I have one = 1978 - 24' with a stock 502 = 74mph / B1 drive. It's going on the market soon. Rumors around say it's an old Magnum or cig hull. similar to Pantera and Banana Boat's. Looks like a flat deck cig. gauges are across the middle of the dash above the cabin entrance. Front seats are the older "captain" style (not bolsters unless they were changed. Mine originally had a volvo, now 502 with Bravo 1.

I have pics if you want to see what it looks like.

Old post but shoot some pics .. Always good to see a nice boat.