So far I've come up with:
It was actually 1931 that the Joy Brothers sailmakers of Milwaukee first make a front steering boat (there was an earlier, abortive attempt in 1899).
Walter Beauvais (with an "a", not an "o") of Williams Bay, Wisconson built the two seat, 75 square foot "Beau Skeeter"... the first "Skeeter". It had a 13 foot long hull and a runner plank of 9 feet.
The Palmer Boat Company of Fontana modified the Beau Skeeter design by increasing the hull length to 18 feet and the plank to 12 feet. They also built much larger bow steerers for the Class C and D during the mid 30's. I do not believe that Palmer was associated with Walter Beauvais.
I have some more info on this history packed away in the attic... I'll look for it, and if I have anything to add, I will. It sounds like you found a real classic... lucky guy! Rich.
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