Hi-Liner Windshield Info
I get a lot of questions about replacement windshields. The original Hi-Liner windshields were manufactured by Taylor Made Products. Taylor is still in business, but the original molds were destroyed in a fire back in the early 70’s. I spoke to Taylor a few years ago about trying to get a replacement windshield. They sent me to www.oceandynamics.com . This company will make a replacement for any boat. It helps if you still have the original frame. It also helps if you have a lot of money, they are not cheap.
I found an alternative if you are located in Massachusetts. Rob Allison, lives on Cape Cod and specializes in plexiglass and lexan. He made the windshield on my Fleetstart for half the cost of Ocean Dynamics, plus i was able to pick it up to avoid shipping costs.
Hiliner History Letter
I recently traded emails with Greg Grundtisch, a boat builder and writer from the Niagra, New York area. He has had pieces published in “Antique Mahogany” and “Messing About In Boats” magazines. He was nice enough to send me copies of some pieces that relate to Hiliner. I will try to scan them, but i’m not sure how they will turn out.”
One of the pieces was about the Hiliner Peapod. Greg had come across a 12′ Fiberglass peopod with the name Hiliner on it. In attempt to research its history he contacted the Fernald family in Newbury, MA. The following is the letter that Howie Fernald, Son of Bunny, sent to him.
” I am Howard (Howie) Fernald Jr. I was the skinny blond kid in the last Hi liner Catalogs. Now I’m 2. My dad bought into Hi Liner Boats in Ipswich, Massachusetts, around 1957. We moved operations to nearby Newbury in 1963. An offer we could not refuse at the time for the Hi Liner property allowed us to close the doors in 1967. All the boats, tools, etc. were auctioned off at that time. All but the name and trademark. We sold those to Dave Mosely who built the Ray Hunt design Hiliner 222 for several years. They had an extremely bad fire, had bad lawsuits, and one of the Boston banks would up with the name. Boston Whaler built two of the walk around cabin boats, very late ’60s or early ’70’s. Nothing else was ever heard about Hi Liner ntil a one man operation down the Cape started making th peapod. I don’t know if the name Hi Liner as used by chance or by rights. This was fun.”
Note: the Hi-liner trademark has been used by a fishing tackle company since 1998.
We have a name. www.hilinerboat.com
Thanks to all who sent in suggestions. This was the simplest and available name.
This site needs a real name.
I’ve been meaning to add a real domain name to this site. I’m looking for feedback. Please let me know which name you like best:
vintagehiliner.com
classichiliner.com
oldhilinerboats.com
hilinerclub.com
hilinerownersclub.com
These are available. Other suggestions are welcome.
1959 FleetStar in CT
This boat hails from Southington CT. It’s been customized with a cool Chris Craft windshield and has 1968 Mercury 500. The owner is looking to connect with other Hiliner owners in the CT Area.
Help Identify this Hiliner
Robert Henry sent in this picture of his fathers boat, taken in the early 60’s. Bob is looking for help identifying the model and finding plans. If anyone can help, please send me a message.
Two Hiliners on the Parker River (MA)
1960 Fleetstar went in today for a shake down. Only a few leaks.
My 1961 Seastar went in so I could swap the trailers. Thought this was a good time to take a few pictures.
Sea Star Marketing Photo
Bunny Fernald in a Sea Star, circa 1961. Note, this Sea Star has the optional rear bench seat.
1958 Brochure
The 1958 brochure was a foldout poster. These are the front and back scans of the folded poster. I don’t have a scanner big enough for the poster size portions. Also attached is the 1958 price list.
1961 Coast Clipper Comes Home
This is the homecoming to Newbury, MA of a 1961 Coast Clipper. I found this boat in a barn in VT. It took about four years of emails and negotiations before I bought her. The boat had not left the barn in about 30 years. During this time the local mice turned her into a nice hotel. A few of them actually made the move to Newbury.
This will be my next restoraton project. Very few 19′ Coast Clippers were built. The best information that I received placed the total build at around 20.
As this one gets restored, I will post more pictures.
1960 Fleetstar
This Fleetstar resides in Newbury, MA. It is owned by Jim Bowes (author of this site). It has a 55hp Suzuki motor. Paint scheme is not original. Prior owner removed the swoosh trim while refurbishing and decided to not put it back on. I liked the look of this pattern so decided to leave it as is. This triangle pattern was common to other boats of the era and I think it looks great on the Fleetstar.
Boating Magazine Cover September 1962
This was the cover. There was no further Hiliner coverage in this issue. I’ve been told that some older issues have Hiliner advertising.
1958 Weldwood Marine Plywood Advertisement
This ad was listed for sale on ebay.
In the picture is Bunny Fernald and one of his sons.
Link to 1964 Hiliner Star
Link to TheClassicBoatHouse.com
This is listed as a 1964 model, but that may be because of the registration sticker on the window. This was likely built in an earlier year.
1959 FleetStar
This one was listed for sale in CT back in 2008. Other than the missing windshield it looks great..
HilinerBoat.com 