Evening star., 1932-01-23
MOTOR BOAT SHOW
OPENS IN GOTHAM
New Models Display Many
Refinements in Design
and Operation.
BY FRANK c. TRUE.

&pecial DlSpatCn 10 4ne otdI'
NEW YORK, January 23.-The
twenty-seventh annual National Motor
Boat Show opened today at the Grand
Central Palace for a weeks run.
There has been no economy In the
preparation of the show, which en-
bodies everything in motorized craft up
to so feet. Neither has there been any
curtailing of quality in the conStruc-
ton of the 100000 worth OF ex-
hibits. Economy applies only to pro-
spective boat owners. More than 10y
exhibitors from all parts OF the Unlteo
States, as well as foreign countries,
occupy space on the four floors. Be
cause of conditions these builders are
offering the best of values and nave
put into their craft developments which
ordinarily would have been spread over
a period of three years. Naval arcnI-
tects and designers, aided by decrease
In the cost of production materials
have met the situation admirably.
Refinements In Design.
One is impressed by the refinementSS
IN the cruiser of 1882. Structurally and
mechanically there are many changes.
Hlllls are of rakish lines, riding quail
ties have been improved ana space
aboard has been increased. The hrSt
'Diesel-powered standard cruiser Is
making its appearance. SallooatS ana
heavy DIESEL engines also are SHOWN
Runabouts are scaled down TO new low
price levels and include such conVen-
1ences as ice-boXes and lunch hamper
snace in open models. There Is maze
of accessory exhibits that represents
the greatest stride ever taken In thls
branch of the industry in one year.
Small boats, outboard and other marine
engines, including light Diesels, abound.
Behind this galaxy of exhibits Is q
convincing confidence in the future OF
the boating industry. There are no
fearful glances forward. A recent IN
'spection of boat plants In the MIDDLE
West and in New England and the East
by the writer revealed the 1act that
there are few new boats left over from
last year. Used boats have almost dis
appeared from the market, Nothing
remains to be done but build new boats
and sell them-at 1882 prices. AT prac-
tically all of the plants listed an op-
tinistic attitude prevailed. There was
no voicing of mwarranted optimism,
but the sight of hundreds OF men at
work, countless lines of boats In proc
ess of construction and actual orders
from distributors and dealers could not
be denied.
Expect Better Business.
No unreasonable predictions have
been made. To the man, boat and
engine builders expect to surpass the
business of 1881. For several OF them
1881 was a good year. To substantiate
this the actual figures for the year were
given confidentially in some cases.
The so-called depression has done
much good in the boat industry. 1t
has cleaned out the used boat market,
which was becoming somewhat OF
problem. Hundreds Of persons, cautious
of their expenditures, have purchased
used boats instead of new ones. Better
materials can be used in boats for less
money this year and the market Is ex-
-pected to have wider appeal than
ever before. The prices Of seaworthy
rllnabouts in some instances have de-
scended below S70o, while the prices Of
cruisers have been reduced accordingly.
To the best of this writer's knowledge
cheaper materials have in no instance
been substituted in order that prices
might be lowered.
The show will be a gathering place
for the Nations most widely known
boating authorities all next week. To-
day is known as Commuters day. Mon
day will be New England day. Six ma
tional boating organizations will meet
during the week, including the National
Association of Engine and Boat Manu-
facturers, under whose auspices the
show is held.