Missing serial number

I saw an ad on Craig's list for a Tarpon that said the serial number had been removed because of warranty repair. This seemed odd to me so I thought I'd ask. Does wilderness remove serial numbers?

Kind of.
If they replace a kayak they ask that you cut out the serial # and mail to them.
It's cheaper than sending the entire kayak and for the most part renders the kayak useless.
Some people will patch up the giant hole and use it as a spare kayak since they usually have the new replacement.
Zilla got his kayak with the hole and he repaired it.
What you have described may be the case.

Of course it brings up the question of why the hull was replaced under warranty in the first place.  In other words, what else is wrong with it other than the serial # hole repair.  Furthermore, you should get a hell of a deal considering the guy got a new kayak reducing his cost of this one to basically free.

I got a new one that way about 8 years ago because the handle came off the bow.  Cut the sn out, covered the hole with a stainless tang & eagerly awaited my replacement yak.

Ok thanks. If the boat was replaced, I wonder about the repair to this one. The ad doesn't say anything about it. Ken

Traildad, check out this post.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=10494.msg94775#msg94775

and yes.  dude should give it to you for free or just about.  I gave away my hobie warranty hull for free.  To some chinese dude from daly city who worked in insurance.  He din't have a rack, tied the hull down on top of a mattress sitting on the roof of his company car lmao.  True story

On at least two of my 5 wilderness boats there is more than one number. My Ride has it on the "dash" console on the side. the hump in front by the cup holder.  My '06 Tarpon has it inside the front hatch on the bottom of the hull. I have not looked at my other boats to find a second ID number. I bet mine all have two. I'll look tomorrow sometime. I bet that boat has another location too. You could call Wilderness and they might be able to tell why the warranty was issued. The add I saw says he thinks it may have been patched. Why would he not know?

The impression I got was the fish finder mounting hole may have been patched. If it was his you would think he would know he patched it or not.