The Washington times., 1903-07-19
SMALL POWER BOATS
ON The POTOMAC

are getting into gear, and the season
bids fair of being busy and prosperous
ono.
I'm no direction this year does there
seem tp be more decided stir and ten
dency as there is toward small power
boats. particularly of the gasolene and
kerosene type. 1t is really astonishing
to what an extent this boat has come
into favor, not only among the real boat
Ing community, but among the outsiders
people who have never before shown
an inclination toward aquatic sports and
pastimes.
The gas engine. though not by any
means perfect, having many serious in
herent defects and characteristics. is yet
well along in its experimental stage and
stands well on its feet, making it posi-
BILE, when we'll designed and properly
constructed and Installed. to be used
with almost absolute safety and with
very good results. Aside from their case
of operation. they do not require Gov
eminent inspection. no Government IL
cense is necessary, neither does it re-
quire mechanical training or special en-
cheering to operate one. All that is
necessary in the using and caring for
1t is to understand the principles of the
hn ID
principal parts, all Of which cen be ac-
quired quite readily They are so light
and compact, their whole installation
occupying so little space, as to make
them particularly desirable in a small
boat where one can easily find good use
for all the available space, and can be
run and maintained at very small cost.
Eliminating the boiler. they also do
away with the unslghtly coal bin and
consequent ashes and dirt from coal
dust flying around. which is a positive
nuisance in one of these small open
pleasure boats. In these boats II is pos
sible to have everything neat and clean
for lady passengers.
AS TO hulls. the launch with its easy
graceful lines and shapely body is
very popular boat, an ideal one for in
land waters. but for salt water and our
sea work, where heavy weather and
rough water prevail. the dory. as these
queer V-shaped. fat-bottomed boats are
called, that one sees in hosts on the
decks OF fishing schooners. are a strong
favorite. OF late many of these boats
have been fitted with gas engines. and
so serviceable. buoyant, and seaworthy
are they under all weather conditions
that the hardy bankers do not hesitate
TO put out in them in the toughest
weather, such as would simply kill any
other kind of a small craft Another
point In their favor is that. being fat
bottomed. they can easily be landed on
a shoal beach.
THE gasolene boats, though not a new
thing, are little understood by the pub
lie. and have had much to contend with
TO win recognition and much ignorance
and prejudiced opposition to overcome.
aside from a sort OF horror Of small
boats existing among many people
shown oy the old saying. Little boats
must keep near the shore Added TO
this is an almost universal dread of the
danger of gasolene. and which. though
erroneous and unfounded. as would ap-
pear from the following article. has
largely restricted its use
'Gasolene. either as liquid or a vapor.
is not only non-explosive. but is not even
combustible. and Will extinguish FIRE as
readily as water.
Another large-sized stumbling block.
for which the manufacturers and deal
ers are responsible, is their decided dis
position to belittle and condemn every
type of engine other than those
they manufacture or deal in themselves.
But Notwithstanding this array of criti-
cism pro and con, one should not be dis
couraged in making up his mind in pur-
chasing boat. It is a simple business
proposition after all. II you want a really
good article you have got to pay for it.
A small sum of money particularly for a
gas engine is a mighty poor investment,
says an authority OF more than thirty
years experience in machinery and me-
chanical lines. IL may be that there ex-
lists some object Of innate depravity that
is meaner and cusseder than a poor gas
engine. but we don't happen to know
what that object is. The proof Of the
pudding. says an old adage. is eating
it"
What such and such a manufacturer
or dealer says IN his catalogue. as TO
the merits and dement's of their respect
i've engines. especially among the IN
scrupulous should not be noticed. There
are quite number Of gas boats here at
home. wAich have been run. and run
successfully and satisfactorily. by their
owners who VIII no doubt give Just the
you want and desire. can
show you the real thing and save you
much expense and useless trouble. But
right here it would be well for the !
would-be purchaser TO get move on at |
once, for this Is truly phenomenal sea- !
son In this line. with so many orders |
aehad at this stage that 1t looks as |
.