JS-6 Saint Pat

Year Built:  1960

Built By:  Joe Julian Sr.

Power: 

Resides In: Eustis, Fl

Photo and partial information provided by Doug Whichello, Chris Ziegler Bill Darby Jr. & senior, Bud Bender

This skiff the "ST. PAT" was built by Joe Julian Sr. in 1960. This is also the first or one of the first fiberglass skiffs ever built. Joe was the pioneer in skiff mold designs. The mold for this boat was a two piece mold, and believed to still be owned by Joe. Joe owned the boat for approximately a year, sold it to Bill Darby Sr.

The boat had green decks and Bottom plus a Red water line with White sides and Red letters. The St Pat originally was a v drive setup, but was found to be uncontrollable. Skip Gillam barrel rolled the boat in 63 -64  while owned by Darby during a testing a new rudder.  Shortly after that, the boat was changed by Darby to a center engine skiff. Darby renamed her Miss D Ann after his wife and daughter. Darby couldn't remember if he ever called it Wildcat.

 The boat because it was so heavy in those days 2200 lbs was also referred to as the white elephant  and was sold   to Bud Bender. The boat did receive honors in 1967 for the 5 mile competition record of 59.17 mph. The following year Chris Ziegler broke the record in Pure Two with 60.28 mph. I purchased the boat March 2007 from Chris Ziegler.  More history to follow.

Marty,
I remember Joe running that boat in 1960, first year it was finished I believe. It was a v-drive, I think it was a Hall
craft v-drive. The engine had a Chris-Craft conversion on it with the flywheel aft. I got my first skiff in 1960, a Forsberg, JS 22 Franita. We ran the boat at Red Bank. Frank Camp drove I rode, I wasn't old enough to drive. Frank scared the hell out of me. After that I knew I was a driver not a rider.
 In1962 Joe was playing around on the start caught the wash of the other boats and flipped over bounced on the deck and ended right side up. The transom was blown out and hanging, the engine mounts were bent and the engine  was pushed back. From what all the other guys said that was the first time a skiff went upside down. I was running my first boat the JS 22 Franita. I don't remember all the boats in the heat but Bob Perri and Al Wack were in the heat.
                            Frank Verga