LET'S GO MOTOR BOATING

LET’S GO MOTOR BOATING

By “PROP SHAFT”

There was a time not so long ago when the possession of a motor-car was the outward and visible sign of wealth or that its owner belonged to the leisured classes.

The development of the popular priced car together with the easy methods of payment now available has made it possible for the man of moderate means to share the joys of the open road and the result is that each week sees an ever-increasing army of motorists, good, bad and indifferent.

The fact that a man “runs a car” is no longer accepted as a proof of his financial stability. On the other hand if the same man is reputed to own his own yacht or spend his week-ends and holidays motorboating he may well acquire a reputation similar to that enjoyed by the early generation of motorists.

Strange as it may seem to those who are unacquainted with this sport, it is cheaper and easier to become a motor-yachtsman than to own and drive a car. For the price of a moderate priced car one may become a real yacht owner with a power-driven craft which will enable its possessor to enjoy all the thrills and delights of being afloat.

Just as the popular priced motor-car has enabled the city clerk, the small tradesman and thousands of wage-earners to drive their own cars so has the development of the out-board motor made motor-boating a possibility for the million.

It is not given to all of us to “go down to the sea in ships,” but whether it may be on. the open sea, on the Thames or another of our great rivers, on the Norfolk Broads or on the hundreds of miles of inland waterways throughout the country, the out-board motor opens up a vista of happy, healthy holidays in the open air, changes of scenery with no restrictions such as beset those who seek their pleasures on the road.

There is another aspect of this development which is not without importance, the popularity of the outboard motor is attracting thousands to the sea who, but for its coming, would probably have remained landsmen for the rest of their lives.

In approaching this subject there are several things which the novice will want to know. “What is an out-board motor ? ” “What does it cost ? ” “How to get the best out of the sport ? ” To take these questions in their order, the answer to the first is that it is a self-contained and portable marine unit. In its present form the out-board motor owes its existence to an American, 0. Evinrude, who about thirty years ago invented a detachable engine for motor boats. The out-boards of to-day differ little in their main characteristics from the original Evinrude

model. The complete unit consists of an engine having one, two or four cylinders, a driving shaft, propeller, water circulating pump and steering arrangement.

The last named is particularly important for when an out-board motor is attached to a rowing boat or other small craft it generally takes the place of the rudder and the boat is steered by turning the propeller, not on its own axis, but in a horizontal plane either to the right or left. By this means the thrust is not directly ahead, but to one side or the other and to the extent that the tiller, which is an integral part of the outfit, is moved. In choosing an out-board one will of course be guided by the size and weight of the boat which it is designed

Tonic for Tiredness

Jaded ? Tired of crowded roads ? Why not get afloat where there is peace ? The waterways are enchanting. Their tranquil calm is refreshing. Glide away with effortless ease over the serene waters of river, canal or lake, and you’ll feel that life is good. Why not go motor boating this summer ? It costs next to nothing. An Outboard Motor instantly transforms a hired boat into a motor boat. Stow a light Evinrude or Elto Outboard Motor in your car. (Motors from fn. us.) Go motor boating, your week ends will be restful,

exhilarating, healthful and refreshing. Write for illustrated Catalogue No. E.M.5. British Motor Boat Mfg., Co., Limited Britannia House, Ampton St. London, W.C. I Telephone : TERminus 6361 (5 lines)

to propel. The models range from 1 h.p. to about 50 h.p., the latter being designed for high speed racing or in conjunction with a large craft. For the purposes of this article we will assume that a small boat capable of seating two or three is all that is required and in that case the 1 h.p. model will do all that is necessary. A model of this type will propel a small rowing boat at approximately six miles per hour. This, compared with land speed, of course means nothing, but it is a comfortable cruising speed for those who wish to explore the beauties of the river or other water-ways.

A feature of this particular model is its portability as it weighs no more than 14 lb. and is so compact that it will fit into a good sized tool-box, if it is desired to get to the proposed rendezvous by car.

In the well known models such as the Evinrude and the Elto, which are made in America and Canada, also in the Britannia which is an all British product, the power-unit is of the valveless or two-stroke variety, thus making for simplicity, reduced weight and a fewer number of working parts. A further advantage is that no separate oiling system is needed, the lubricant is mixed with the petrol and both pass through the carburetter together, separation takes place in the crankcase, the oil being deposited upon the cylinder walls and crankshaft bearings, whilst the petrol vapour is forced up a channel in the cylinder casting and thence into the combustion chamber, where it is compressed and fired by means of an ordinary sparking plug.

It is not necessary at this stage to give further technical details, the object of these notes being to interest new-corners in this form of sport, and those who wish to know more about the construction can obtain this on application or better still inspect the various types of out-boards, together with light hulls, such as those which are always on exhibition at Britannia House, Ampton Street, W.C.1.

To come to the next and relatively the most important point, the question of cost. Those who know the out-lay involved in the purchase of even the smallest car will be interested to learn that it is possible to purchase a new out-board motor, weighing only 14 lb., —and thus easily portable by children as well as adults—for so little as 11 10s. Od. In view of the fact that a good mahogany hull can be obtained for about E, 10, it will be realised that for an outlay of little more than “,20 one can become the owner of a complete motor boat with plenty of room for two or three people and space to spare for camping equipment.

Apart from the cost of oil and petrol there are no other running charges, no licence is required, there is no tax to pay and, unlike motor-cars, insurance is not compulsory, although the wise owner will in his own interest see that he is adequately covered against any possible accident, to his own or other craft, in which he may be involved. As an alternative form of sport to those who cannot afford to run a car, out-board motor boating offers a healthy and enjoyable pastime, but when taken up

in conjunction with the ownership of a car it brings a new and never-ending enjoyment.

To those who are in possession of a car and who are also keen on the water but who have no boating facilities in their immediate vicinity the solution is an easy one. There is a light folding type of craft that can be put upon the roof of a saloon car, or upon the running board of a tourer, and with the engine on the luggage grid the motorist is equipped to enjoy his pleasures on land and water.

Portability of this kind has the added advantage of allowing rivers, lakes and canals to be explore& which in many instances might be impossible of access to boats which are kept more or less permanently afloat. On the other hand those who prefer to see the country-side from an altogether different angle will find navigable waterways open to them, to an extent that is truly amazing, and they will be able to leave the beaten track in the fullest sense of the word. The Broads with their ‘200 miles of inter-connecting

rivers are fairly well known, but how many people realise that it is possible to enter the Thames and journey through to the Severn or travel from London to North Wales entirely by inland waters ? On some canals there are dues to be paid but many of the most delightful opportunities are entirely free.

A holiday afloat or a combined motoring and motorboating holiday, what possibilities are opened up to the owner of an out-board motor. Even if it is not possible to carry one’s own folding boat on the car, a rowing boat or a punt can usually be hired on any lake or water-way and by fixing the out-board to the stern one can be off in a few minutes at a speed that is just right to enjoy the scenery and with as little or less fatigue than is experienced at the wheel of a car.

Chris-Craft

To those familiar with motor boats Chris-Craft is a name to conjure with. It is the ” Rolls-Royce of motor launches ; to own and run a boat of this description denotes that the owner is not only a person of taste but that he or she is blessed with a goodly share of the wherewithal to indulge a fascinating hobby under the best possible circumstances. Regarded merely from the point of view of utility the launches are not cheap, a 17 ft. run-about will cost you L•275 or, if you fancy, and your pocket runs

to it, you can obtain an all-mahogany double cabin cruiser with enclosed bridge to sleep six people. This will set you back 0,340, while if you are not particular to a few hundreds you can have twin sixcylinder 110 Chris-Craft engines fitted, giving you a cruising speed of 22 m.p.h., with twin screw and twin rudder installations for another 070.

On some future occasion I may be able to expatiate at greater length on these craft, of whose racing and cruising qualities I have had personal experience. Meanwhile I would refer my readers to the show-rooms of Mr. Arthur Bray, 146 Marylebone Road, sole distributor of these motor boats, where they will see a range of models that cannot fail to delight the hearts of all who are devotees of water sport.

Johnson Sea-Horse Outboards

Considering their compact appearance and easy portability one cannot help but marvel at the mechanical perfection of the Johnson Sea-Horse Outboard Motors. Here is a model which has much to commend it. First, there is the” Ready Pull” which eliminates the use of a starting cord; the ” pull ” has an automatic rewind and is always ready. The whole of the motor is completely enclosed and amongst the special features are spark plug protection, yet easily accessible. This is a valuable fitment and a perfect shield against

rain or salt spray. A shock-absorber built into the gear-case protects the propeller should it hit any solid object, while among other valuable features are a full pivot reverse, which up to now has only been available in the most expensive motors, but is now fitted as standard to no less than six of the 1937 Sea-Horse models. Details of the Sea-Horse Outboards which are priced from 16 10s. ( G. to E.,65 are obtainable on application.

The Archimedes Outboard

What may be described as an ” everyman’s motor is offered by the makers of Archimedes Outboards, whose agent in this country is George Spicer, Market Place, Brentford, Middlesex.

The Archimedes is a Swedish product and has special features which especially commend it, including rotary feed valve which greatly increases the effectiveness of the motor. The popular type for boats or small yachts up to 17 or 18 ft. is the B-20 model. This is a well-balanced two-stroke motor which has all the latest improvements, not the least of which is an automatic lubricating system that is absolutely reliable.

The B-20 model is priced at 05 15s. Od.

Full particulars and technical details of these outboards appear in an illustrated folder, copies of which can be obtained on application to the distributors, George Spicer, Brentford, Middlesex, as above.

Barrus Boats

A smart 16 ft. run-about to seat seven is an outstanding design in this series and is equally suitable as a motor tender or as a sports racing-boat. There is a cock-pit fore and aft in each of which three people can sit comfortably. The engine is installed amid ships and is cased over. The helmsman is accom

modated in a bucket seat and the whole outfit is workmanlike and, at the same time, combines the acme of comfort.

The engine is a four-cylinder ‘,yearning developing 58 h.p. and gives a speed of well over 28 knots. This particular craft has already a number of records and in a series of tests at Poole Harbour in March this year 28.95 knots were averaged over a three hours run.

Pipe-smoking on Board

Arany Yachtsmen are pipe smokers, and the

Hurricane Pipe has now been placed upon the Market for their advantage.

At first sight the Hurricane appears to be the same as the usual briar, but closer inspection reveals that the bowl of the pipe is provided with a cover which is so ingeniously pivoted that it is part of the pipe, and so convenient in use.

In a high wind, or a raging hurricane, this pipe provides a safe smoke for those who take a delight in motor boating.