'Registration Authorities' wouldn't be likely a factor, as some boats wouldn't have been registered. Here in Qld we don't have to register boats unless their mechanical power is greater than 4hp. Neither of mine are registered. And the Moreton Association was the strongest club in the beginning I think.
As I said in my previous post, I think 1985 is too late a build for # 111. The last one built was 172? and that was late 80s. It would be assumed as Ray has elsewhere posited that production would have diminished in the later years. So 111 is more likely early 80s I am guessing.
If you have an unbroken chain of boat and/or trailer rego it is more straightforward. My # 50 boat was registered, and the trailer registered too, in Sydney in 1976. I have even been given the names of the 4 previous owners. But I have broken that chain now, no rego on the boat and Qld rego on the trailer. But I can confidently provide a birth year because I have the old docs.
Different for 111. It was given a major makeover by the owner before the one who sold it to me. Was very likely unregistered, boat and trailer when the project started.
For insurance for the boat and for trailer rego, you have to specify a manufacturer and hear of manufacture. I suspect they best-guessed and plucked 1985 out of the air. No foul there, I have registered quite a few s/h unregistered trailers. Manufacturer is 'Homemade' and year is whatever I think sounds reasonable.
I guess what will give us the best indication is other owners close to our numbers who have some confidence in the year on their insurance and rego papers. Best of all would be ones who bought the boat new.
