Readers can relive the true golden age of high-performance classic speedboats in this book that covers these mighty wooden-hulled craft from around World War I until just before the second World War. This was an era when speed was still a new plaything, and speedboats and aircraft were raced as passionately as were automobiles; when massive mahogany speedboats powered by engines from suppliers such as Rolls-Royce competed fiercely against rivals from around the world. Classic speedboat enthusiasts will relish the cutaway drawings of these craft, as well as the choice archival photography and the modern color photography of these now-impeccably restored beauties.

As the most prestigious name in American boatbuilders, the Chris-Craft is a lovingly crafted vessel with wood hulls, swank chrome and brawny motors. Color photos take a look at the history and details of this beloved boat. 100 photos.

Luxury, elegance, speed – these are just a few of the characteristics that one inevitably associates with classic wooden yachts. Even though owning one of these originals may remain out of reach for most of us, models of these "runabouts" can be built by anyone. In this book, Patrick Matthews describes in detail all the steps for building a mahogany yacht based on a kit and thus saves even beginners from the pitfalls of such a construction. But experienced modellers will also appreciate the comprehensive tips – especially in the often-dreaded area of finishing. Many tips on improving kits, but also perspectives on building models according to blueprints round off this book on mahogany yachts in the model. From the content: • Overview of different kits • Tools and workplace • Building a kit • Hull construction and propulsion • Finishing • Details • Drive operation • Drive improvements • Remote control electronics • Improvements • Model gallery • Construction documents • Sources

The classic mahogany runabout is a universally popular modeling subject, but many newcomers to the modeling hobby are apprehensive about completing a build. Will they be able to fit the planks perfectly? And how about the glass-smooth clear finish, which tolerates no mistakes in woodwork or polishing? It's really not so hard, just follow the steps outlined here! Model boat buff Patrick Matthews covers the entire process, from choosing a project from one of the many available kits, through building and finishing a mahogany marvel-- even the basics of Radio Control are covered. Additional suggestions are included for simple but effective customizations, as well as a gallery of models from some real masters of the craft-- temptation and encouragement for the modeler to stretch further yet. Patrick Matthews shares his enthusiasm for model boats through contributions to Ships in Scale magazine, where he covers Radio Control scale model boats. In his spare time, Patrick is an automotive engineer in Detroit.

This look back at the great boatbuilders that sprung up on the shores of the Great Lakes stretches from the first use of internal combustion for marine applications in the late nineteenth century to the early-1960s, when wooden construction was increasingly replaced by fiber-glass and aluminum, and on to the early 1980s. More than covering lovely mahogany runabouts, this work also includes chapters on racers and cruisers/commuters. In addition to familiar names like Chris-Craft, Hacker, Century, and Lyman, there are also less frequently covered boats from names like Richards, Matthews, Burger, and Tiara. The final chapters explore the use of non-wood materials. Detroit was the epicenter of early-20th century boat-makers using engines from the nation's nascent automotive industry. Boat-makers, however, did not cluster as tightly around that city as did auto manufactures; they were found from the Thousand Islands of Lake Ontario to Chicago and Duluth. Despite this regionalism the Great Lakes builders, more than any others, influenced the entire world's power-boating community.

From its inception in 1922 through its demise in the 1980s, Chris-Craft established itself as a prestigious name among American boat builders. This is the colorful history of the company and its founder, Christopher Columbus Smith. 90 illustrations, 80 in color.

Michigan will always be known as the automobile capital of the world, but the Great Lakes State boasts a similarly rich heritage in the development of boat building in America. By the late nineteenth century, Michigan had emerged as the industry’s hub, drawing together the most talented designers, builders, and engine makers to produce some of the fastest and most innovative boats ever created. Within decades, gifted Michigan entrepreneurs like Christopher Columbus Smith, John L. Hacker, and Gar Wood had established some of the nation’s top boat brands and brought the prospect of boat ownership within reach for American consumers from all ranges of income. More than just revolutionizing recreational boating, Michigan boat builders also left their mark on history—from developing the speedy runabouts favored by illicit rum-runners during the Prohibition era to creating the landing craft that carried Allied forces to shores in Europe and the Pacific in WWII. In Making Waves, Scott M. Peters explores this intriguing story of people, processes, and products—of an industry that evolved in Michigan but would change boating across the world.