Boating Enjoys A Boom Era

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29251, 8 July 1960, Page 16

Boating Enjoys A Boom Era

LSpeciaUp wrtttoa for “The Press- bv *. D. BUUUVANT, of the Christchurch Water {ports Club] TN many countries of the world, pleasure boating and water ski-ing have entered a boom era and are rapidly becoming two of the world’s biggest and fastest-growing sports. This trend < first began'in the United States about 10 years g ago, and from there it has spread to all parts B of the world. New Zealand felt the first impact t about four years ago, and only import restrictions on equipment have prevented it from bkmsommg still further.

The phenomenal growth in interest in boating has been brought about by three factors—the desire of the public to get away from the hustle and bustle of highway driving, the great development of waterproof glues for building strong, fight bouts, and the advancements in outboard motor engineering. As well as the greet development in engines, boot design themselves hove changed radically. The open type of boat has developed into one* with windscreen, hood or cabin top, walk-through cockpits, car steering and controls, and pushbutton starters. Last year, 5.845.000 outboards were in use in the United States and manufacturers have not yet got ahead of the demand, and the boating industry is now second only to Detroit’s car giants. Advancement in boat construction and plywoods has been equally as spectacular as motors. Not many years ago a design incorporating plywood would have been scoffed at, and critics imagined delaminating, cracking and blistering, and being quite unsuitable to withstand the ravages of sun, water, and vibration. Today the world’s fastest racing boats are almost entirely of plywood construction and generally only of one-eighth or three-six-teenths of an inch thick, for ply-

woods have been made almost indestructible by the advancements in waterproof glues. The writer looks back with much satisfaction at the development of boating and water ski-ing in Christchurch over recent years. Five years ago, it required a tenacious enthusiast to bear the advene criticism then levelled, and the host of complaints that involved speedboats and water skiers. Today clubs such as the Christchurch Water Sports Club are springing up throughout the country, and water ski-ing was given a great boost last year when the New Zealand Water Ski Association was formed. The first national water ski-ing championships were held at Pieton. thia year and many performers gave great promise. Boating is not a cheap pastime, but at least the equipment lasts for yean and the enjoyment can be spread among a family and friends. For general family use, an outboard costing between £240 and £290 is ideal, used in a 12ft to 14ft boat costing from £75 to £3OO new. In addition, skis, tow rope, and other equipment may cost about £2O and a trailer for the car about £3O. Enthusiasts will say every time that the best way to get rid of business worries is to buy a boat—as a treatment this will work miracles!