The term runabout applies to most any small motorboat accommodating four to eight people, suited to “running” about on the water. They’re used for cruising, racing, fishing, water skiing, or as a ship’s tender for larger vessels.
Early runabouts date to the 1920s and were originally small, fast, varnished wooden boats created to take advantage of the power of outboard motors. For speed, the hull shape was designed to allow the boat to skim atop the water’s surface.
The leading runabout builder in the 1920s was John L. Hacker, founder of the Hacker Boat Company. Hacker was a pioneering naval architect who developed many design innovations, like the ‘V-bottom’, now taken for granted. By 1930, runabouts were available with windshields to protect the cockpits and 125 horsepower (93 kW) engines for speed.
Other early runabout builders included Chris-Craft and Gar-Wood. By the late 1940s Gar Wood had stopped producing boats and Chris-Craft was moving to more modern materials of plastic and fiberglass.
50's Chris Craft "Cavalier" Wheel
By the late 50’s fiberglass runabouts were being mass produced and evoked car styling of the day.
All aboard?
Today, Runabouts remain popular and are produced by builders world-wide including Riva, Frauscher and most recently the Hinckley Company’s T29 R.
Hinckley Talaria 29R seen at The Yacht Collection, Annapolis 2010
The 29R has a draft of just 18”, seats 8, is jet driven via a single 370 or 435Hp Volvo diesel. Cruise speed is given as 29 knots with a top speed of 33 knots. As for looks – what more can you ask for? The bar has been set….
If you combine several experienced, interested professionals on an activity of interest to all, you can achieve remarkable results. Such was the case with the recent “Yacht Collection” held in Annapolis’ Chesapeake Harbor this past week-end . Several area Brokers coordinated the event which saw some 60 odd boats brought into the Chesapeake Harbor ranging from the likes of a Mathews 29 to 6o footers like the Outer Reef 63. Each participant and the collective promoted the event over the past 90s. Combine a thorough organization, beautiful weather, a great boats with a terrific venue and the result for all was on delightful productive event. Attendees all enjoyed the opportunity to casually browse the boats of interest without the crush of huge crowds or long lines to get on a given boat. Keep an eye out for next Springs event, it’s too good to miss.
Lust for speed at the lowest cost? Pangas might be the ticket. Pangas are essentially a very popular type of skiff. As they’re long, narrow and light they’ve good speed with very excellent fuel efficiency. These characteristics plus their relative low cost have made them popular all over the world. Here in the US, there’s a steady stream of builders adopting the platform. The “new” pangas range from a bare bones approach to the form, to high levels of fit and finish production models and an evolving group of “hybrids” which strive to deliver panga essential capacities along with higher interior volume, modern construction, fit, finish, look at attractive price points. People seem to either love them or hate them. As I look into the group, I’m finding there’s a lot to like.
Courtesy of Soundings Magazine, this you tube video on the buzz of the Maine boatbuilders’ show – the 29′ hybrid launch”Zugo” built by French and Webb of Belfast, Maine, designed by Stephens, Warind and White Yacht Design.
The Whitehall Skiff comes in various sizes, generally are long, narrow, have a sweeping sheer, several thwarts / seats and a wineglass shaped transom. Invariably, an elegant look. The design as evolved for centuries, from wooden lapstrake to modern fiberglass versions. On the water, they’re excellent rowing machines. Quite fast and, as they’ve a bit of freeboard, suited areas beyond the flat calm. This was out several times over the weekend. We’ll try for a better shot the next time she’s out speeding along.
Seemingly all at once we’re leaving winter behind for warmer weather, blue skies, blooming flowers, budding trees. You see it on the river there too – boats are suddenly appearing, traveling, yesterday one hardy soul drifting on calm waters with virtually no air. The Osprey’s are back and starting their new nests too. It won’t be long now before the workboats will all be heading out before first light, weekending cruisers on the hook off the Strand, jet skis whining out in the distance. Spring is here.
“It won’t be long before we’ll be plugging in an iPod and it’ll run the boat.”
- Rueban Trane, Island Pilot Yachts, Trawlefest, Solomons 2007.
I decided he was right and that it was time to get one and see what it was all about. I received an ipod Touch that year for Christmas and was blown away by its capacities. Today Apple’s App store has something for everyone and also spawned a new direction in personal communication devices. Amongst recently introduced Apps, there’s one of interest to boaters -” Boating Suite 1.0” from Boaters Cafe. Released in late March, the App offers 6 differenct convenient functions for little more than the price of a spiral bound notebook. These include:
• Log Book: Allows you to maintain detailed records of every trip. From engine hours to air temp, from crew members to weather conditions…this app is comprehensive.
• Fuel Log: Keep track of all fuel purchases and track your fuel economy.
• Maintenance Log: Detailed maintenance history at your fingertips.
• Expense Log: Maintain detailed records of all boating related expenses…whether it’s engine oil or life jackets.
Select your module
• To Do List: Owning a boat means you have a perpetual to-do list…this module will keep it together.
• Shopping List: Enter the stuff you need when it runs out or when it pops in your head. Now you won’t forget when you’re at the marine store.
• Reports: Get detailed usage and expense reports instantly. Select the date range and information that you want to see. It’s that simple
I think as this posts, I’m going to have to sign on up….
In the late ’70s Heritage Yachts built a small number of “West Indian36″ Trawlers. I’m thinking the boat was ahead of its time. Designed by Charley Morgan the boat had many nice attributes: shoal draft, single engine, two staterooms (large vberth, slide out double in the 2nd), an enclosed head, large flybridge, a good size salon with side door, helm, galley, L-settee and chairs. The flybridge extends over the cockpit area covering the sterndec and easily enclosed as well. The layout makes for a lot of boat in a fairly small footprint. With a small diesel, the boat’s got good range and fuel efficiency at trawler speed. On top of everything else – a pretty good look too.
This boat could well be part of my future. Not this particular boat necessarily, but a sistership. Dyer builds several different 29 models -center console, trunk cabin with soft or hardtops, even a sedan or two. They’ve built over 350 29s through the years. With fairly low horsepower engines, the boat has a good turn of speed. For a running around, it should fill the bill beautifully.
