BOATS AND CARAVANS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22136, 14 December 1933, Page 16

BOATS AND CARAVANS

t , < , - , FEATURES OF THE MOTOR SHOW U—CAMPING CULT NON-CORROSIVE METAL BOATS. (From Our Own Correspondent.) LONDON, October 13. Motor caravanning by trailer has been a conspicuoiis feature of this year’s holiday period. This was perhaps due to the perfect summer weather, and the popularity of the new cult is reflected at the motor show this year. A few years ago a caravan trailer appeared as a curiosity at one of the shows. This year there are more than a. dozen types being shown, and the section constitutes the biggest display of these “ homes on wheels ” that has ever been brought together. Great ingenuity has been shown in the make-up of one of. the smaller caravans priced at 59gns. It is constructed of ash and maiicgany plywood, and when folded in- the shape of a square box it is 7ft long, sft wide, and the overall height above road level is only 33in. Erected, the height inside is sft lOin from floor to apex, and there are two bunks. A noh-collapsible model designed for 7 h.p. cars, unfurnished, is sold at £45, and £65 furnished. There is a bigger range-of expensive caravans, and a really luxurious one for four people with hot and cold water laid on is priced at £225. This is 15ft 3in long by 6ft 4in wide by 6ft 6in high. A streamlined) caravan with two compartments and three bunks, electric light, and a 12-gallon water system costs £2OO. MOTOR BOATS. The boats on view at the Motor Show range from an “aquaplane” for towing behind a motor boat for “ surf riding ” to a full powered) cabin cruiser. There are the 32ft craft with a speed of nine miles per hour and comfortable cabins at £650, and the speed boats with their luxury fittings with a speed of 30 miles per hour. A luxury river launch costs £289. There is a line of steel boats with enclosed air chambers so that they will not sink if swamped. These are dearer than wooden boats of their size, but they are guaranteed to last longer. They are made of corrosion-resisting alloy. A sliding seat, four-oared racing galley of this metal type costs £125: a 16ft launch costs £395, a dinghy £lB 18s, and a rowing boat £25. A comparatively new development among smaller boats is found in the highspeed dinghy and yacht’s tender type. Whereas up till recently the average boat of this type was capable of only about five knots speeds, new craft are equipped with motors weighing little, if any more, but giving the boat a speed of over 20 knots. MARINE ENGINES. Practically every motor boat engine for inboard use is now provided with electric lighting and starting and a complete dashboard with instruments and switches—parts which can only be appreciated by those having experience with the old type of marine engine. Even the larger outboard engines are fitted with electric starters. Among the outboard engines will be found an electric motor which, for river use, and where charging facilities are available, should provide a very -silent and smooth power for a small craft. Other outboards on view range from 1 horsepower to four-cylinder racing units giving 50 m.p.h. in a suitable hull. Crude oil or Diesel type engines are increasing in popularity with owners of larger seafaring craft, where the cost of petrol would prove prohibitive, and the extra initial expense is thus justified. A wide range is offered, some types being light enough for installation iu cruisers of only about 30ft length.