herters goose and duck boat history needed

bob welsh

bob welsh

Well-known member
picked up a herters goose and duck boat the other day trying to gauge the year or decade of construction. it has the aluminum track type seats instead of the molded in glass ones. i dont know which ones came first. my guess is this one. it also has aluminum gussets to hold up the side decks.
 
Bob~


I have a bunch of old Herter's catalogs. I will browse through them later today - after the sun is down.


All the best,


SJS

 
I salvaged one of those several years ago left to decay from an island my older brother use to care take. Had the aluminum reinforcements which I removed as friend of mine made a mold from boat after replacing transom. I,m betting 60,s vintage knowing the history of hunting on that island. Made a great little calm water duck boat but not very good at handling any more than a mild boat wake.
 
Good morning, Bob~


I finally sifted through my old catalogs (earliest I have is '46).


Here are my "findings":


1954

Herter?s Famous Blueprints Boat plans)
7 gunning boats (6 double-enders, 1 transom stern) and Water Shoes

Completed boats of Mahogany, White Oak and Marine Plywood ? with enough Chrome fiberglass to cover the outside of them
4 models, including:
Model Sioux Duck Boat (12? LOA double-ender)
Model Winnebago Rice Boat (12? LOA square stern)

Fiberglas Boats
3 lengths of same hull:
Model Canada 12? LOA
Model Hudson Bay 14? LOA
Model Quebec 16? LOA

Cast aluminum (Duraluminum) nose piece, gunwales, spray rails, seat braces, transom supports, transom knees, transom plate,
Flotation: 2 sheets of Marine Foam Plastic fit under the seats


1955

Same Blueprints and completed wooden boats but more fiberglas models. They off er the Wilderness Model Canoe in 16? and 18?

1957-58 (Fall-Winter-Spring catalog)
Same Blueprints and completed wooden boats but more fiberglas models.

Herter?s Chrome Fiberglas Duck and Goose and Light Fishing Boat
Bow piece and transom cast aluminum. ?Flotation. Sealed in Navy Epofoam plastic gives permanent flotation. Guaranteed 10% more buoyant than other foam plastic. No air tanks to spring leaks or become punctured.?

1959-60 (Fall-Winter-Spring catalog)
Herter?s Chrome Fiberglas Duck, Goose and Fishing Boat
Specs same as in 57-58

1965
Herter?s Famous Chrome Fiberglas Duck and Goose, Light Fishing and Car Top 13 Foot Boat

A few more details and/or changes:

~ Anchor Pole Holes (not sure if this is new - or just highlighted now)
~ Bow Piece, transom (special core type duraluminum), oarlock sockets all aluminum.
~? Fiberglas air tanks: Strong fiberglas tanks that will last indefinitely. We use no false bottoms or so-called flotation chambers in any of our boats. It is much cheaper to do so than use fiberglas tanks.?

Here are the specs:
Length 13?
Seats 2
Extreme width 47?
Depth at ext. width 13 ??
Width stern 40?
Transom depth 13 ??
Max. H. P. 7 ?
Weight 120 lbs.
Price $179.00

Packing charge $6.00 All prices F.O.B. Waseca, Minn. Shpg. Wt. 175 lbs



Hope this helps!

SJS
 
some of the specs seem to indicate 1950s era boat. it has a hull i'd number etched in a piece of aluminum by the previous owner. Since boats made prior to 1972 were not required, the state assigned a number for the owner to affix permanently to the watercraft. Mine ends in ------82 which was issued when the boat was titled. The boat is much older than 1982 based on the features outlined in the catalog .
I've begun some in season mods by removing the forward seat and turning it into a marsh layout . I've decked it over and added a canopy. I used wire closet shelving covered in burlap for decking and bent some conduit in a hoop. I have room for the dog behind me.
 
It's got the sneakbox look but i won't call it a sneakbox. I have a hard time calling it a layout (that's what the punk kids are calling them nowadays) it's a skiff.
I'm going to use a pole to move it around but i have a Thai 3 hp longtail that might go on it
 
After looking at steves catalog specs I guess the one I had was late 50,s model 12'. No air tanks and aluminum bracing. When my buddy replaced transom I had him do it with 2 sections of 3/4 marine plywood which was glassed over inside and out. Actually ran a 8 hp merc 2 stroke on mine and it would move right along. Titled it as homebuilt. The ones he built from mold were nice little boats. My gunning buddy bought first one out and actually ran a Merc 15 on it. Had to keep a 50 lb. bag of sand in front to keep it safe but that thing would scoot.
 
Bob~


Looks great!


I've often thought of trying Little Bluestem for thatch. I have a nice stand here on the farm - but Big Bluestem belongs to you Midwesterners.


All the best,


SJS

 
Bob does your boat have the aluminum cross-braces, that Roy mentione? Initially, I removed mine when I pulled the seats, but the hull oil-canned quite a bit when under power without them in pace, so I reinstalled them./
 
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Steve, the big bluestem is stiff and durable but you don't want it around your face.
RL, i remove the seat from the boat framework and it has a post under the seat that fits into an aluminum flange and it provides the stiffness. I have a little bit of concern on that But damn the torpedoes for this season.
 
Just saw your post on Herters duck boats. I have one that I bought used, back around 1973ish. After studying the information from Steve I believe mine is a 1965 model 13' long. That boat could sure tell some stories of past duck hunts. I took off the long metal piece on the bottom years ago because it was always dragging in shallow water, ect. Later I had to reinforce the bottom. I used a Merc 9.9 on for a while and it was fast. Then started hunting an area that only allowed trolling motors. It poles pretty well too and it paddles decent, sitting on the bow, paddling backward with a long double kayak paddle. It will also carry quite a load. I can handle it alone loading and unloading and drag it quite a ways too if necessary. I can hide it very easy. Shoot out of it if needed. It has been a real work horse and a jewel for many, many years.View attachment HERTERS D B 2.jpgView attachment herters D B 1.jpgView attachment HERTERS DB 4.jpg
 
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