New-York tribune., 1907-12-10
MOTOR BOATS POPULAR.
GREAT CROWD 1T SHoW'
No Lack of Business an Craft, Both
BIG and Little.

It may not be altogether fair to call the
power boat the newest toy, as its uses nave
Became too varied, not only from a pleasure
but commercial basis: but it has all the at
fractions of a new toy, judging by the crowd
al the National Motor Boat and Engine Snow
at the Grand Central Palace last night. Ihere
lacking. perhaps, the crush of the opening
night on Saturday but the aises and galleries
were more than comfortably filled and the sales
men and demonstrators were not sorry When
closing time came, as they were called on 10 an
thousand and one questions and explain
every detail from the battery switch to the
crank shaft.
In the afternoon there were fewer curiosity
seekers and more dyed -the-woo enthusiasts.
who went to examine closely. make a selection
and buy. There plenty of business eVen- for
early in the week, and number of orders
were booked, including one for fac-simile OF
the big 40-foot cruising launch, which is the
envy of nine out of every ten persons who only
go to see.
Those who interested in the show are not
alone wealthy sportsmen or milliOnaires, but
are largely men and women of moderate means
who find that they enjoy motor boating quite
much the wealthy, though much more
moderate scale. Any man who has substantial
rowbOat, even a canoe, and $40 or 500 10
spare can become the owner of power boat,
gasolene engines are. to use stock phrase.
within the reach of everybody. RoWboats,
small launches and even canoes driven by gas
olene power are shown at prices which are
of the workmanship and the service that may
be obtained considered A type of boat that
Is extremely popular as is indicated by the
number of spectators who gather around the
exhibits, is the dory with its seagoing qualities.
its natty appearance and its substantial con-
struction. These boats not only good to look
at but easy TO buy and readily driven at a
good speed by motors of moderate power
II is TO longer possible, even for the most
hard sheIled advocates of the steam engine, to
11si,,
reversible. One Of these engines is not only re-
versible but self-starting. The engine is built
steam engine lines, with an open base and
cylinders supported steel columns. with dag
cnal braces to add stiffness. The engine
looitiOn is connected with a source of compressed
air and is shown in actual operation running
forward backward, according to the position
of the lever manipulated by an attendant The
engine reverses with the certainty of the old, re-
liable steam engine. In actual service, using
gasoene. the engine is started by blowing air
through the supply pipe and carburetor which
furnishes the initial charge and, at the same
time gives the crank shaft the necessary first
impulse. after which the engine takes hold and
runs under its own power.
One of the most notable features of the show
is the total absence of freaks among the ex-
hbts of engines and accessories. Everything
exhibited. from the largest engine down the
smallest part is distinctly practical and useful.
The days when every manufacturer considered
it necessary 20 bring out totally models
every year else lose his standing as pro-
gressve builder have gone by, probably never to
return. Extremely light high speed auto
gines no longer advocated for use in cruis
ing boats. and their is confined to suitably
built light hulls for high speed purposes. Cruis
ing motors motors for use in launches Of
ordinary type. Of substantial construction.
comparatively heavy and of slower speed and
in this way longer life is obtained. The
weight is matter of small Importance in the
average boat; in fact, in many cases it is neces-
sary add ballast to bring the boat down TO
her waterline.
average man about anything that has taken
part in spectacular performance of any kind.
especially if il is something of mechanical
nature. For this reason great deal OF inter
est is taken in the racing motors shown. Among
them is the S0-horsepower high speed auto
boat Den which holds the American one mile
championship. This motor is mounted
aluminium crank of fine construction.
Advocates of the two cycle type of engine
interested In the motor which used in the
White Fox. This is four cylinder 75-horse-
motor to indicate excessive lghtness fraty:
nevertheless. il is remarka bly, light for the power
developed.