Owner of Herreshoff Steam Launch "Vapor" Crosses the Bar

[Jay Greer]

Yesterday, February 5, 2019 at Nine AM my dear friend of 60 years, Jon Martin passed on from complications associated with Parkinson's disease. I knew Jon since he was fifteen years old and he was the closest thing to a brother I have ever had!
Jon was the owner of the twenty eight foot Nathaniel Herreshoff Steam Launch "Vapor"which was the starboard launch for the steam yacht "Yacona". "Vapor" is a boat that I have been involved with for over fifty years. We were in the process of restoration of this surviving fine example of the genius of this form of a boat that could travel at a very high speed on the water. In essence we built an entire new hull and we were in the process of finishing the restoration of the engine when Jon passed on.
He leaves his wife and two sons who, hopefully will see fit to finish the boat which was lovingly restored by Boat Builder Ed Louchard of Port Townsend WA.
Jay

[Ian McColgin]

In one way it's sad that Mr. Martin could not see the finish of the project. But it's also noble to have a great cause underway, even as Parkinson's makes activity more and more difficult. I am sure that you and his family will find the right path forward in his memory.

[Stiletto]

Condolences on the loss of your friend Jay.

Looking at that boat is a fine way to remember him!

[StevenBauer]

Fair winds to Jon.

[Jay Greer]

Thank you all for your kind words and thoughts! Jon was a one of a kind guyl. He loved classic wooden boats!
Jay

[Lew Barrett]

Sorry to read this, Jay. Beautiful boat.

[Jay Greer]

Thankyou Lew,
Jon was also a top athlete! He skied Aspen Colorado in the early days and was also a top surfer. Jon was the surfer on a wave who played a Fender guitar for their most famous ad. When they shot the ad he slung the guitar over his back, paddled out, caught a swell, stood up, slung the guitar in to playing position and hit a silent chord. Jon rode that wave to the beach and stepped off the board. Neither he nor the guitar got wet! He was also a rock climber and once made the cover of Life Magazine.
Jay

[amish rob]

Jay,
I lost a "brother" to suicide last summer and I'm still not right.

If it's any consolation, reading these steam threads on the forum has piqued my interest so much, Quadzilla and I are investigating the possibility of building an r/c scale steam sidewheeler.
Of course, with feathering paddles.

Thanks for sharing this. Lovely boat, lovely man, lovely life. We could all be so lucky, eh?

Peace,
Robert

[Jay Greer]

Letting go, gives me a feeling of guilt! I always seek constructive ways to keep me from becoming morose or maudlin.

Rob Belive me I understand your loss!

What you propose is really interesting! What kind of model steam engine do you envision? I am planning to use one of the Sturat compound marine engine kits for a model of "Vapor" in the future! Here is their address: https://www.stuartmodels.com/
Jay

[amish rob]

Thanks for the link, Jay. We know almost nothing about steam, except how to bend wood and take wrinkles out of slacks, so that is as much of the adventure as anything. Oldest Son (he loves sci fi, and is as big as 4 gojira, so we call him Quadzilla) has also recently become fascinated my metal casting, which sort of lead to the idea of the sidewheeler, as he imagined casting the spoked portion of the wheels, and it spiraled from there.

All I know for sure is we plan to use one of my wee alcohol burners to boil water. After that, it's all wide open.

Now, off to that link. Thanks, again.

Peace,
Robert

[Jay Greer]

Stuart Models are some of the best on the market. They come in various stages of completion; either, fully assembled, a collection of machined parts or rough castings. If you are handy with a lathe and mill, the latter is the most economica way to go. The twin marine engine is the most prototypical. Their boilers are best purchased ready to go.
Cheers,
Jay

[amish rob]

Stuart Models are some of the best on the market. They come in various stages of completion; either, fully assembled, a collection of machined parts or rough castings. If you are handy with a lathe and mill, the latter is the most economica way to go. The twin marine engine is the most prototypical. Their boilers are best purchased ready to go.
Cheers,
Jay

I have neither the skills nor temerity to turn out anything of any esteem, anyhow, so we aim to go completely scratch. Why not bodge a botch job proper? The burner and boiler aspect give me the least pause, actually, at the size we're considering and the pressures we'll need.
I am sure by the time we get something that operates after a fashion, we will have acquired some familiarity with casting and machining.

That is the plan, anywho. Much study, practice, and failure is before us.

Peace,
Robert

[skuthorp]

Sorry to hear Jay, and especially so with such a stunning project well under way. And I am also sorry for your personal loss of a friend since your youth.

[Breakaway]

Sorry, Jay, for your loss. RIP, fellow mariner.

Kevin

[Hugh MacD]

A sad loss, but what an honor to have had such a friend.

[Bookmark]

Jay,

My condolences for your loss. A life fully lived.

Mark

[Jay Greer]

Again I thank you all for your kindness and compassion?
I am going to contact Jon's widow today and find out what the next plan might be for "Vapor".
Jay

[skuthorp]

I was going to put a model triple expansion engine in a 16ft canoe…..never got around to it….sold the engine. Made a long shaft outboard from a brush cutter instead.

[Jay Greer]

Who made that triple?
Jay

[donsmarine]

Again I thank you all for your kindness and compassion?
I am going to contact Jon's widow today and find out what the next plan might be for "Vapor".
Jay

Seven days ago the lady lost her husband and you're worried about the boat. I'd slow down a little bit.

[Jay Greer]

We are now doing what needs to be done. Jon's death was anticipated for some three years. This is why the boat has had no attention. His wife Carol and my wife Anne are very strong women! We all knew Jon's days were numbered and were surprised he lived as long as he did. His last days were made more tolerable by a morphine drip. Carol baked cookies and the aroma of them filled the house. Jon passed in peace with those who loved him. He wished the best for us all. He was that kind of a guy!
Jay

[donsmarine]

Your friends passing I feel sorry for. The boat plans hopefully were discussed with his wishes,before he passed. I understand life, my mother, yes I had one, passed 12/18 at 98 years. The last week was no water/food just morphine swabs and wetting her lips.

[Jay Greer]

Thank you Don. Saying good by to those who are close to us often takes a stiff upper lip!
Jay