New Pacific Coast Boats for 1920
The speed-boating center of the coast this year was transferred from the Columbia River to Southern California where the Nordlinger Cup race and other interesting events held the complete attention of the speed boat fans. Many interesting new boats were built to take part in these races, but it is interesting to note that none of these creations were wholly racing machines. Not a single one was a hydroplane but all were fast runabouts suitable for general use as well as for racing. The Eleda, for instance, Dustin Farnum's new runabout which won the Nordlinger race, is a fast. Hacker runabout, 30 ft. in length and powered with a 12-cylinder Liberty motor developing about 420 h. p. Mystery V, brought out by Frank Garbutt, is a staunchly built hull, designed to take part in the Catalina ocean race as well as to compete in inside events, and Hurricane and Rainbow III with their Hall-Scott engines, are reliable, steady pleasure boats, seaworthy and comfortable to ride in. All of these boats were so thoroughly described in the October and November numbers [of Pacific Motor Boat] that repetition at this time is not necessary, but they are all fast, high-powered, interesting types and show the enthusiasm and development that is taking place in the racing and boating game in southern waters. The. yachtsmen of Southern California are just awakening to their advantages and in the next few years, we expect to see the cruising waters in that district become one of the great yachting centers of the country.
Portland, which has always been a speed-boating center, was not inactive this year by any means. In addition to sending Vogler Boy III, one of the fastest boats on the coast, down to the Los Angeles races, the Portland Motor Boat Club produced a class of one-design hydroplanes which made some of the most interesting competition on the coast. With power plants restricted to 225 cubic inches for two-cycle, and 325 cubic inches for four-cycle engines, these boats were close competitors and ran some neck-and-neck races which furnished some excellent. sport both for the racing men themselves and for the spectators. Next year this class promises to continue in popularity and to spread to many of the other coast motor boat clubs.
The outlook for next season on the Pacific Coast is exceedingly promising. The writer has definite knowledge of many new boats that are being planned and some of these will be larger and finer yachts than have ever before been known in these waters. At Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and other ports, new yachting harbors are being created to provide special facilities for yacht anchorage and some handsome new clubhouses are to be built by the various yachting organizations. It. looks as though the yachtsmen on the Pacific Coast have at last awakened to the wonderful advantages which nature has given them in the way of climatic conditions and beautiful cruising waters and that they are preparing at last to take advantage of them on a scale which the opportunities have long warranted.
(Reprinted from Pacific Motor Boat, December 1920)
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