Herters boats

[John Ivins]

I recently purchased a boat built in 1957/1958 it's 15.7 feet long fiberglass and alluminum construction can you tell anything about this boat

 

[Scott Danforth]

Other than what you posted, no

 

[Scott Danforth]

Try here http://www.fiberglassics.com/library/index.php?title=Herters

 

[John Ivins]

 

[John Ivins]

 

[John Ivins]

Where can I go to research this boat by the numbers?

 

[Scott Danforth]

Where can I go to research this boat by the numbers?

You would have to create the info because it most likely never existed. Herters went out of business over 30 years before the internet.

 

[John Ivins]

Thank you ,and I'm going to enjoy fishing in this old craft

 

[Sprig]

Herters was like Cabelas or Basspro in the outdoor industry. They sold mostly hunting equipment and apparel, also fishing and some boats. They were best known for their waterfowl products. Their hunting products were top quality. I still remember them and still have a couple of their products including a Herters waterfowl parka. They went out of business around 40 years ago. Cabelas still offers some products with Herters name on them. I don’t know if Cabelas bought their name or what.

I don’t really know anything about their boats. Based on Herters reputation I would assume their boats were quality products for the time they were made and the type of boat or purpose they were built for.
I’d like to see pics of your boat after you get it cleaned up and fixed up.
The motor is ooooold. I personally wouldn’t want to depend on it to get me out very far and back.
The trailer is also very old and I’d suggest a very close thorough inspection before towing . 60 plus years of weathering and rusting may require trailer replacement.
I think you’ll find very little information on your boat due to its age and the company being out of business for so long.

 

[ski2rule]

Remove boat from trailer, Replace or clean up the rims, install new tires., replace wheel bearings, inspect, grind and paint trailer, lights and safety chains check, rebuild or temporarily replace front trailer jack - keep the original if possible. Find a 10 or 20hp slightly more contemporary engine while you work on the original. Then start working on the boat.
I don't mean that to sound overwhelming.

 

[dwco5051]

Search the internet for Herters catalogs from back then. Every old guy as at least one that is at least 50 or 60 years old. I found this in about 2 minutes on the internet from 1958. Most of what they sold was advertised in their catalogs as "World's Finest."

 

[mvn]

I remember my father had a Herters catalog from the early 60's. He also had that same outboard!

 

[JimS123]

Herter's products were probably better quality than anything you can buy today. With some TLC that boat will last a lifetime.

I second the comment about fixing the trailer. A thorough inspection and some new wiring, tires, rims and bearings and it will serve you well.

You could buy a new 4-stroke outboard and it would be a good choice. But the investment will probably be 4x what you spent now. There are a lot of old Johnsons like yours that are still running strong. They last almost forever if taken care of. Parts are available and they are a hoot to run. Post the model and serial number and we can better direct you.