Early boats are TSPXXSSSMMYY, with XX=30, SSS the hull serial number and MMYY the build date. So #259 is TSP302591080 built Oct 1980.
On or before January 1981 the format switched to TSPXSSSSMYYA with X=0 and a four digit serial number. M is for model year format with YY the year and a letter month where A=Aug, B=Sept, C=Oct_L=Jul; those built from August to December, like automobiles, are actually from the previous year. The first of that style I've seen is #270 is TSP00270M81F built January 1981, although there is at least one hull number higher than that #284 of the old format (TSP302841180). The last complete hull ID I have seen with my own eyes is #545 Bear Away TSP00545E687 built Dec 1986. I spoke to the original owner of #547 a few years back who convinced me it was the last of the breed. I've seen some higher numbers, but I'm fairly certain they were mistakes.
