Boating Keeps Bounding Along

The U.S. is well on its way into a new era—the era of the two-car, one-boat family. One out of every seven households will have a boat by the time this year's boat-buying spree is over, a spree which traditionally starts with the January boat shows. The venerable Chicago show will have most of the boats shown on these pages, plus some more. In all, the citizens of the U.S. will spend well over $2 billion on boating in 1959. In view of the fact that the banking industry has declared itself in on the trend (almost half of the boats bought in 1959 will be financed), the early evolution of a boat-minded economy seems certain. Other signs of the times: architects are designing new garages with boat-parking space, communities are building public docks and launching facilities with tax money and commercial docking centers have started to build on-the-spot living quarters. Conceivably, the 1950s may become known in history as the decade of the satellite and the boatel.

Flagship Cruiser, seen last month in New York, along with most of the other boats on this and the following pages, will be in Chicago for the show which opens February 6. Biggest motor launch in extensive Owens line, it sleeps six, costs $19,995.

Low-Cost runabout is 11-foot Penn Yan, with marine plywood hull. Boat has back-seat steering, sells for $299 without accessories, $421 with seats, windshield, hardware and lights.

Handsome hardtop with a wraparound windshield, this new 18-foot Tomahawk has a lapstrake-styled fiber-glass bottom, does 35 mph with 60 hp outboard, sells complete for $1,590.45.

Sturdy 16-foot hardtop built by North American Marine has panel mahogany hull, rubber-mounted seats which help to absorb shock in rough water, sells for $1,055.

...stylish outboards

Cruising-Style Crosby Cruisette has an 18-foot fiberglass hull, does 25 mph with 45-hp engine, sleeps two on overnight trips, has foam flotation and all electric circuits molded into hull as special safety features, complete galley, sells for $1,799.

Open-Style Penn Yan YB has light 14-foot sheet plywood hull, round molded plywood bilges, does 35 mph with a 30-hp outboard, can be fitted with a windshield, front steering and backrests, is excellent boat for water skiers. Price: $399.

Convertible-Like Duratech Sealine Deluxe has 14-foot aluminum hull that can be driven up to 35 mph by 40-hp engine, separated motor well, double cockpits. The canvas overhead is put up or taken down as needed. Price without top: $675.

...speed and ski

Designed for speed, Glasspar's new 13½-footer has an all fiber-glass hull and self-bailing motor well, sells for $695.

Designed for skiers, Aristo Craft's Sea Flash will do 42 mph with 45 hp outboard, has plywood hull, sells for $579.

Fiber-Glass Lapstrake 15-foot run-about by Arkansas Traveler, will do 35 mph with 50 hp outboard, sells for $880.

Aluminum Lapstrake, 14½-foot Ski-Champ by Starcraft, will do up to 32 mph with 45 hp outboard, sells for $585.

...family sails and motors

Popular Dinghy, Grumman's 8½-footer was designed by Phil Rhodes, has aluminum hull, sells with sails for $517.50.

Open 19-foot runabout built by Larson, has fiber-glass hull, convertible top, takes two 35 hp outboards, sells for $1,695.

Hardy 25-foot cruising sloop, designed by Sparkman & Stephens and built by Ray Greene and Co., sells for $8,900.

Sliding hardtop, shown pushed back, built by Cutter Boats, Inc., will do 25 mph with 35 hp outboard, sells for $1,445.

FIFTEEN PHOTOS

PHOTO

BREEZY 35-FOOT CHRIS-CRAFT HAS LARGE DECK SPACE FOR FISHING AND SUNNING