Evening journal., 1910-09-26
GREAT INTEREST
IN POWERBOATS
Mere Than 100000 Now on
the Waters Of This
Country
is HANDY WAY TO
MAKE SHORT CRUISES

II has been estimated that there are
now more than 100000 motorboats
in this country. These figures we're
not assessed at, hut were reached
through a census made by an associa-
tion of builders of these craft not
long ago. The association tried 20
find out just how many craft there
We're in addition to those detailed i'm
the Yacht Register which takes into
account only vessels Of a certain size.
The figures rather surprised the man
ufacturers.
There is moi a piece of water naW
gable by a small boat that has not
some motorboats on IT, and as many
of these craft draw only a few inches
of water II can be seen how they have
developed yachting everywhere When
sailing craft only were az the dis
position of the yachtsman he had TO
limit his cruising to known navigable
waters. because a sailing craft needs
room to work Ia and cannot be sent
through shoal narrow channels. But
the motorboat can go Wherever 1t can
float. and consequently, 1t can be used
on any small piece Of water.
pcrfecting the Motors.
Each season finds the marine motor
more nearly perfect, and now almost
any kind of motor viii run after IT'S
owner has learned its pecularitles
and how 10 adjust 10 to, the conditions.
One Of tho popular sizes Of small
craft used for long trips and equipped
with camping outfit is about 20 feet
IN length. Such a craft built recently
cost $3.50 for the hull.
n rs built OF cedar with oak frames
and all cODper fastened The plank
shear-that is, the top plank OF the
boat-and ali the trimmings are Of
oak Al tho forward end is a good
sized cuddy I'M which Is placed the
tank for the gasoline This holds "a
gallons. There are two cockpits. The
forward one is eight feet long, and
the motor IS set at the after end.
There are two long seats on each side
Of this cockpit. under which are
lockers. The after cockpit Is Ave feet
long. and has a seat built across the
launch. and this cockpit viii seat SIX
persons. Aft Of this again Is more |
locker space.
The motor is Of 5-horsepower II |
cost about $3.50. and the fittings OF the |
craft brought the total up to about |
S425. II takes about one-half a gal |
Ion of gasoline an hour to run the |
launch. and on that under ordinary |
conditions she Will make nearly 8 |
miles an hour. Her total supply of
fuel will run her for AS hours con-
tinuously. and I'm that time she should
make more than $50 miles, and the
most Of fuel for the trip would be
about 50.
Prices Are Low.
Motorhoats can be had for consid-
erably less than S425 Power dories
are very popular. The dory is we'll
known for It's good seagoing qualities
drfi6s.. are now equipped witt
motors and Used everywherc. A i6
foot dory equipped with a 2-horse-
power motor costs $3.50 Il is decked
forward and partially around the
sides. A dory is foot long viii cost
$3.50. and a 20-foot dory cost $50.
If one wants extra fittings. OF
course. they cost more, but the boats
as turned out by the builders. who
make a specially of them, are good
enough for afternoon sport. other
dories are larger and more luxuiously
fitted. They range from rs feet up,
and the prices run from S40O to $500.
For the laher price 25-foot craft
can be fitted with a 12-horsepower
motor, which yill drive it az a good
rate Of speed, and in. such a craft
many enthusiasts have made long
trips. fitting the boat up so that they
may sleep on board. The arrange
ments for sleeping are made by fitting
an air mattress or a hammock under
the awning or spray hood, and every
thing is as comfortable as Il can DC
for man who likes out-of-door life.