In case Bud can't help try this.

Make a "rubbijng" with a piece of paper and a dull pencil.  Rub the pencil back and forth to "color" the area.  The letters should become visible. 

That is the method I used for DMV to get the HIN from my dinghy.

Craig,

I'm not sure what the CG regulations were back in 74, but for some time now they have required the hull number be placed in 3 locations.  The obvious one was on the stern which you have apparently found the other two were more obscure.  Check around the engine room on the fiberglass liner and around the engine bed liner.  Bud may recall where other locations might be.

Kevin 

As I've read it, HIN's in our vintage were not required nor standardized until late late production, if not until after production stopped or in the early 80's.  I venture to say that it is very unlikely to find a second or third HIN aboard a WS of any make. 

That being said, it is recommended to have your COD number in 3 locations.  1 may be decorative and readily seen, but then the other 2 ought to be possibly glassed into a bulkhead, floor-board, or keel so that it is extremely difficult to rid the boat of COD and makes it much easier for the owner to recover if stolen.

T. 

More good ideas! Yes, we have a Documentation Number and a FCC license for the vessel. Unfortunately we couldn't include the HIN in applications to USCG and FCC (because it's illegible on the hull) so the number isn't in their systems. You are catching what we are throwing out by stating that the COD should be a repeated and permanent feature of the boat. Before sailing out of our home country we are trying to make sure that the HIN also obvious and apparent. 

Craig: Welcome aboard -- Small World sure looks great  - the light blue color is distinctive.  I would ping Bud directly via email. 

Jay Bietz