I was trying to locate info on Nelson boats, specifically the 14' that looks like a Hi-Laker, when I ran across this article. Interesting story telling how Glas-Ply went from manufacturing fiberglass laundry tubs to building some of the finest fiberglass boats to "ply" Northwest waters. Didn't find anything on the Nelson boats.

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20130729/BIZ/707299996

I am not familiar with Nelson boats but do know about the Glas-Ply/Pacific Mariner boats. My boat, used regularly, is the Pacific Mariner Bayonet 17 utility model. I am the third owner, have owned it for the past 33 years. Check the link below for some potential leads on the Nelson boats.

Pacific Mariner Catalog

www.glasply.org

Go to general topics and there is a sticky link about the history of glasply.

[quote=CedarR]I was trying to locate info on Nelson boats, specifically the 14' that looks like a Hi-Laker,

Neat bit of history on Glas-ply boats! I think the Nelson that looks like a Hi-laker is a Hi-laker. My 82 shows Nelson Plastics as manufacturer on the paperwork.

SS- I never liked the looks of the tri-hulls, no matter who manufactured them. Been a fan of the Glas-Ply V-hulls for a long time, however.

WA1A- The link to the WA boat manufacturers was interesting. I visited the Glas-Ply factory, in Marysville, a couple of times. Always came away wanting one of their boats. I'd been happy with their basic kicker- the Moocher. On one visit, they were rolling out the prototype for a Glas-Ply with an offshore outboard mount on it. It's cool you've kept your Pacific Mariner for so many years.

NW- Those user group forums have a lot of info in them. It was interesting that Ken Smith did work for Glas-Ply, Pacific Mariner, Reinell, and Bayliner. That's a "grand slam" when it comes to NW boat builders.

PD-5- I found another reference to a Hi-Laker built by Nelson Plastics. The other Nelson boats I've seen on CL were tenders, or small sailboats. The article on Glas-Ply mentions a Ralph Nelson as working there. Maybe he had something to do with Nelson Plastics...

Thanks for the info and the links.