Yellow Jacket 1949-1959

Yellow Jacket History

Yellow Jacket Boats was founded in 1949 in Denison, Texas, by R.A. “Mac” McDerby and his brother-in-law, Bill Conatser. Originally operating as the McDerby-Conatser Boat Company, the business began producing plywood fishing boats and runabouts before introducing its distinctive molded plywood Yellow Jacket models.

The company became known for lightweight, fast, and affordable wooden boats. Naval architect Richard Cole designed the innovative hulls, initially manufactured in Nova Scotia using thin layers of birch veneer bonded under heat and pressure. Wesley Theakston later established a hull-manufacturing operation in Denison, eventually switching to mahogany veneer in 1957.

Yellow Jacket produced numerous models, including the Capri, Riviera, Catalina, Monterey, and Fury, primarily in 12-, 14-, and 16-foot lengths. Their distinctive styling featured contrasting deck patterns, colorful graphics, and eventually automotive-inspired tailfins.

One of Yellow Jacket’s greatest marketing successes came when Hollywood cowboy Roy Rogers, an enthusiastic powerboat racer, became an investor, company vice president, and celebrity spokesman. His involvement helped establish Yellow Jacket as a nationally recognized boating brand.

Production peaked in 1957, when approximately 7,000 boats were manufactured. At its height, the company employed around 400 workers and distributed boats nationwide, including through Sears.

Unfortunately, the growing popularity of fiberglass boats challenged traditional wooden-boat manufacturers. Yellow Jacket’s unsuccessful transition toward fiberglass contributed to its closure in 1959.

During its decade of operation, Yellow Jacket produced approximately 20,000 boats. Today, surviving examples are prized by collectors for their innovative construction, distinctive 1950s styling, and connection to America’s postwar recreational boating boom.