Vintage Herter’s Jon Boat??

[Mike Derenthal]

I’m in possession of a fiberglass / aluminum framed Herter’s boat. It measures 15.5’ bow to stern and 64” wide. 4 bench seats. I’m not sure if I want to turn this into a restoration project for someone else who might find the value in it, or if I want to customize (bastardize??) it for my own fishing boat. Anyone out there have any experience with these things? Thank you in advance!

 

[Carl]

Mike,
Welcome to the DHBP!
Where in FL are you located? I'm in Tampa.

These are pretty cool little hulls, I know some of the guys on here have experience with them. Hopefully someone will jump in soon.

 

[Mike Derenthal]

Thanks Carl. I’m over in Orlando. Yes, Google searches keep pointing me back to this forum, but I’ve been unsuccessful in finding any relevant threads now that I’ve joined. Curious to hear what I can learn about this cool old boat.

 

[Dani]

What kind of restoration is needed? And welcome to duckboats from another FL member! What places do you normally fish? Fresh water or will you also head over to salt water?

 

[Mike Derenthal]

Thank you Dani. If I restore it I'll clean it up and get it as close to an original paint color and such as I can. In that case trying to find some pics or insight. My other option (honestly my original intention) is to power it w/ as much as it can safely handle w/ a tiller outboard (looking for advice on that as well) and build out a casting deck over the front two bench seats (I think the added bow weight will be helpful actually), and possibly a floor deck in the remaining, and clean it up. I'd be using it mostly for inshore (bay, lagoon, ICW, etc) trout, red, snook fishing.

 

[Steve Sanford]

I’m in possession of a fiberglass / aluminum framed Herter’s boat. It measures 15.5’ bow to stern and 64” wide. 4 bench seats. I’m not sure if I want to turn this into a restoration project for someone else who might find the value in it, or if I want to customize (bastardize??) it for my own fishing boat. Anyone out there have any experience with these things? Thank you in advance!

Good morning, Mike~

Sweet vessel! I need more time to explore some of my older Herter's catalogs. Here is a similat boat from Herter's in 1966 and 1972.



This model is a bit beamier than yours.



More important, it does not appear to have the wonderful "tumblehome" of the hull aft. Tumblehome is a more traditional feature - in both boats and ships. Its practical benefit is that one can see the nets or fish or decoys that one is hauling aboard - where more modern flared hulls tend to hide all that.



I modified one very similar (but shorter) to yours that I got from my father-in-law. I have no "before" photo - but I removed all of the aluminum framing, cut off the entire transom, split the stem and cut the sheer lower. It became a 2-man "grassboat" or Sneakbox and served me well for many seasons.



In any event, others here on the site will know that I am notorious - as Commodore Stickler Fussbudget - when it comes to terminology. I would call your boat a "skiff" or a "cartopper". A jonboat (also jon boat) is a different vessel altogether. A typical jonboat has square ends and a flat bottom. Most are made of aluminum nowadays. (NOTE: Facebook Marketplace uses "jonboat" for any small, open boat - more properly called a skiff.)



Most are made of aluminum. They have great "initial stability" and are a wonderful craft on protected waters.

I will try to find your vessel in my older catalogs later today (once the rain begins and I have to halt my mowing et cetera).

Hope this helps!

SJS

 

[Mike Derenthal]

Good morning Commodore! And thank you for all of the above, especially the education on the tumblehome. I've since found this piece over at fiberglassics.com and it appears to be what I now own.

I gave her a good pressure washing last night and found remnants of a light blue color underneath (similar to a Miami Dolphins blue, with apologies to this boat). Once cleaned I was able to see that this boat is structurally rock solid, with what appears to be an original transom, benches, and support members throughout. It would appear that the foam flotation is original as well and not even waterlogged which surprised me. I was told the boat has been on the same lake here in Central Florida for decades, powered by a trolling motor, so I'm starting to believe that. I think I'm going to sand her down enough on exterior to create a primer surface and see if I can repaint her close to matching the original blue.

Any more info / insight you come across would be welcome of course.

 

[Steve Sanford]

Good morning Commodore! And thank you for all of the above, especially the education on the tumblehome. I've since found this piece over at fiberglassics.com and it appears to be what I now own.

I gave her a good pressure washing last night and found remnants of a light blue color underneath (similar to a Miami Dolphins blue, with apologies to this boat). Once cleaned I was able to see that this boat is structurally rock solid, with what appears to be an original transom, benches, and support members throughout. It would appear that the foam flotation is original as well and not even waterlogged which surprised me. I was told the boat has been on the same lake here in Central Florida for decades, powered by a trolling motor, so I'm starting to believe that. I think I'm going to sand her down enough on exterior to create a primer surface and see if I can repaint her close to matching the original blue.

Any more info / insight you come across would be welcome of course.

Good morning, Mike~

From the 1957-58 Herter's catalog, I am thinking you are the proud owner of a Model Quebec.... Note the color choices in the text on left.



Note the 4 seats - each with its pair of aluminum (Duraluminum in fact!) braces - and the slots in the cast quarter knees for handholds.



A better look at the dimensions. Not sure I'd put a 75 on her stern.....but then, I am an old man....

(And, I am fairly certain now that the boat I cut down for my 2-man grassboat was a Model Hudson Bay - which leaked through the rivets in the floor framing when I got it.)



A closeup of the Model Quebec. A good look at the Epofoam-filled flotation tanks.



This photo touting the optional foredeck captures the tumblehome.



All the best,

SJS

 

[Steve Sanford]

Good morning, Mike~

From the 1957-58 Herter's catalog, I am thinking you are the proud owner of a Model Quebec.... Note the color choices in the text on left.

View attachment 76724

Note the 4 seats - each with its pair of aluminum (Duraluminum in fact!) braces - and the slots in the cast quarter knees for handholds.

View attachment 76725

A better look at the dimensions. Not sure I'd put a 75 on her stern.....but then, I am an old man....

(And, I am fairly certain now that the boat I cut down for my 2-man grassboat was a Model Hudson Bay - which leaked through the rivets in the floor framing when I got it.)

View attachment 76726

A closeup of the Model Quebec. A good look at the Epofoam-filled flotation tanks.

View attachment 76727

This photo touting the optional foredeck captures the tumblehome.

View attachment 76728

All the best,

SJS

Here is info about the larger (wider and taller) Model St. Lawrence. (We here in the Empire State border both the Province of Quebec and the St. Lawrence River.)



Details:



Hope this helps!

SJS

 

[Mike Derenthal]

This is great! I've checked all measurements. I've got 56" width at the stern and 64" amid, 22" depth at the transom, and interestingly it looks like someone paid the extra $2.50 on my model for the upgraded 16" cut out (this $2.50 optional upgrade part of the story is one of my favorite parts so far!) So the verdict is in... it's a St. Lawrence. And even though I am guilty of typically pursuing maximum power on my vehicles, 75 hp feels ambitious for this boat.

The only structural issue I've found on mine is that the starboard aluminum L bracket (exterior, where the hull meets the transom) has broken and seems to have a gerry-rigged repair from years ago. The transom is solid, but replacing that brace would be a smart idea IMO. My engineering brain has me thinking internal L brackets that extend further in both directions would be smart. The fiberglass work on the inside corners of the transom MIGHT indicate that someone applied some after market layers of fiberglass cloth, but the fact that I can see remnants of the original paint color embedded in that cloth has me thinking it could also be original and perhaps just not as cleanly finished off as the glass work throughout the rest of the boat. Any thoughts you on this would be appreciated of course. Pics attached.

 

[Steve Sanford]

Mike~

Indeed - those dimensions nail it as a Model St. Lawrence. I have always loved Mr. Herter's penchant for pompous sounding names - with "Model" coming first. I shot my first goose over Model Supreme shells...



...and was transfixed by my Dad's Model Canada "Black Mallards".....



...and even make my own Model Perfect duckboat sponges.



Those L-brackets look corroded to my eye: "My engineering brain has me thinking internal L brackets that extend further in both directions would be smart." I concur. Getting the proper alloy - for both the ells and any fasteners is important - and beyond my expertise. Locating them inside seems wiser than re-installing them on the outside. I wonder if the ells should be bedded in 3M 5200 or other compound.

I look forward to your progress - and wonder "How high will he go?" with your power-plant....



Hmmmm????? I suppose things are different in the Sunshine State!



All the best,

SJS

 

[Mike Derenthal]

Ha! Good stuff there Steve. Appreciate it all! And yes, my home state tends to attract excessive horsepower for sure! I'll keep you updated.