New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1927-06-10
RICH MEN ADOPT
MOTOR BOAT FAD
Go Buck and Forth in Craft
Though It Is Expensive

New York. June 10 (UP)-I you
wanted to get to your office every
morning with the greatest speed. the
maximum comfort and the least an
noyance, you probably would spend
$3.50 per day and perhaps more for
your accommodation.
At least you would If you had the
money possessed Of ]. P. Morgan
H. H. Rogers, the Standard Oil mag
nate, Otto Kahn. the internationally
known financier and at least fifteen
other less celebrated New Workers.
More Than 500 . Day.
They are paying more than 500
per day, on a conservative estimate
10 ride from their summer estates
up around the Sound" to their
offices In the canyons OF lower
Broadway in palatial motorboats
and they have started fad that is
making business boom for the boat
builders.
The United Press correspondent
was able to get some figures on the
price and upkeep of the new royal
carriages Of the financial kings
when he came down from Albany
on 4 test ride in Otto kahn's new
floating palace. said by the manu-
facturer. TO be the fastest and most
comfortable pleasure and business
cruiser that ever has been placed in
the water.
1t is true that the boat grounded
at West Point and ruined the at
tempt for a world speed record
but the fact which pleased the ere"
and the representatives Of the manu-
sacturers was that 1t didn't crack
up when it hit and that it arrived
in port under its own power,
through the help Of the third three
huge motors.
Kahn had been riding the water
10 his Wall street business address
in boat that cost him $4,000 as
a mere purchase price. he found
that his boat under average con-
ditions could only make the "a mile
trip from his country home in about
one hour and fifteen minutes.
He went to a German firm and
told them to build him the fastest
GOAT that could be made to ride with
comfort and safety and they built
this boat with three Zeppelin motors
and all the comforts that only Ger
man ship builders know how to
provide. They assured him that
this boat could carry seventeen pas
sengers. including crew Of five. to
the down town pier in f1ftyfve
minutes average running time.
Costs About Ss5.OOO
No definite information could be
secured about the selling price OF
the boat but an estimate was given
that it would cost at least sS5,oos.
Then comes the upkeep. The cost
is for not more than four months
use of the boat, covering the period
when 1t is too hot to stay in New
York palaces.
Crew: Captain. 1915 month
year arounD and upkeep.
Engineer. $3.50 month.
Two sailors. 1925 month each.
Gas: At least ESQ gallons a day
and ordinary automobile gas can't
be used in the motors. When the
boat Is used after business hours, of
course. the consumption of the
motors Is more. To get an idea OF
the gas and "a required, the Oheka
II. left Albany for a las mile run
to New York with 500 gallons Of
gas and so gallons of oil. Lind
bergh took In the Spirit of st. Louis
$40 gallons OF gas and Fl gallons Of
oil.
Maintenance and repairs: These.
cannot be computed but the boat
must be overhauled and painted at
the end OF each season and the re-
pairs depend largely upon the
efficiency Of the crew.
Then there Is another item-The
boats land at yacht club pier in