European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - February 12, 1969, Darmstadt, Hesse Houseboats Are cheaper roomier than luxury yachts wind powered Craft from Carf oppers to Ocean goers dominated boat Sho ring to the Lateen rigged boards wit the familiar triangular shaped sail Slung Low off the Mast. But what we did Dowas adopt that Type of rigging to a boat intended purely for so successful was the idea More than75,000 of the $400-$500 boards have been sold that other companies have no climbed aboard bringing out similar models performing under 75 Square fee of sail. Jet powered surfboard offers do it yourself excitement in non Wavy Waters. They Are intended for the Youn family that likes to get out on the water yet does t want the expense and responsibility that goes with sailing on a larger scale explained Bill Stea Manof o Day. They will easily take an adult and child or a couple of kid anxious to get the hang of sailing. Some families buy them with the in tent of going on to bigger boats after they find out what sailing s All just want the relaxation of sail boarding and they la Tell you it s As far into sailing As they Ever want to Ewon by Walter Hennessey is new York Bureau unsinkable sailboards Are Ideal for the we sear set. Lever have the spinnakers main i sails and jibs billowing in the artificial breezes at the National Boa show loomed larger or More Majestic. After a half Century of giving Way tothe Brawny motor yachts the makers of wind powered Craft from newly to Ocean goers see plenty of smooth sailing ahead for 1969.when this year s Fleet dropped Anchor at the new York coliseum Sailboat accounted for nearly a third of the 500 hulls filling the cavernous five level exhibit area. For the first time in the history of the show the oldest biggest most ballyhooed Shore bound boating event around the largest Craft in the Fleet was a sail powered distinction and the Queen of the show designation that goes with it i usually claimed by one of the luxury Power yachts in the Lor 89 it went to a 48 a sleek fibreglass hulled yours for $49,500 sails tra if that fat Price tag takes the wind out of your financial sails there is still plenty to cheer about. While the Plush luxury yachts command attention a boat shows both sail and Powerboat makers Are vying for the mass Market by offering a variety of Craft to suit any taste and pocketbook. Today s boats Encan pick from Over 4,000 different types and models the most modest of the ranging below $100 for those who like to Row their own. Fibreglass speedster sports swivel seats y8 Power Plant makes 50 class. But yawl racer Esex in sailing one of the More obvious trends and it has been Bobbing this for several years is toward variety in family fun boats the s. Two to four passenger types e a transportable maintenance free priced under $1,000. This has Given Rise to a whole mini Market in auxiliaries like 1 motors weighing Only 20 pounds Anders operating off Standard Quartz electric drills. Some boating innovations arc mating markets where none existed before seashore resorts Are in the rental of compact Ion vehicles and water buggies powered surfboard offers excite even in Waters where there Are Waves and there s a whole raft of my Ables and collapsible a both sail motor Craft to simplify transport a a. Far the of the show. Fleet was it my incl storage problems. One outfit now makes folding boat you can keep under your mattress. Proliferating Ulso Are the fiber Glass Sui Lourds those wave skim Ming sprites that quicken the pulse of the wet seat set youngsters and Heyoung at heart who love the excitement of the Quick handling instantly responsive sail Craft and who Don t mind flirt ing with a dunking. The Sailboard craze was Laun Hedback in the 50s with the scooting 139 Pound Sunfish and 98-Pound s a i 1 f i s whose striped sails in Bright red Green Blue and yellow have added dashes of vivid color to the nation s water resorts. Of course we have to credit the ancient egyptians for the rigging design said Larry Pratt of am a court refer is expected there was also plenty of interest la the Zippy new houseboats a class that has undergone a Cinderella like transformation in recent years. Back in 1960, there were 11 manufacturers today there Are 37. Page 12 the stars and stripes first time in the history the largest Craft in the sail Poi Vered Beauty coming aboard there room. Would be owners in the medium Price Powerboat Field Are obviously taking a hard look at these attractive Craft and at the costs which Are anywhere from $10,000 to$40,000. If living space is a governing Factor houseboats outshine All but the largest cruisers and Are much less expensive. One big sailing Craft manufacturer summed it up this Way if my company was in the Power boat business i d get into Houseboat ing too or i d be Damn one Industry giant exhibited a 46-Footfiberglass Houseboat boasting a Roomy pilothouse Galley with All electric appliances and Dinette on one level and two private staterooms below. It Range Between $27,000 and $39,000, depending on the extras from color to to reverse Cycle air conditioning heating. With a Houseboat said Charles of Chris Craft you get spaciousness at a much lower Price an you Don t have to sacrifice anything in the Way of Power and s houseboats have no trouble Tow ing two or three water skiers. They make a lot of sense. A 47-Footcruiser would run you $100,000 and you still would t have As much rooms in a Houseboat costing a third As much the logic seemed unassailable but a february 12, 1969 the stars and stripes just a line s toss away hundreds of would be salts were lined up to get a Good look at a $110,000 yacht. It waste most expensive in the show and any one who could really afford such ele Gance probably would t be interested in a Houseboat at one third the Cost. The Salon three staterooms Galley ant Heads bespoke quiet luxury carpeted curtained regal from its teak Tex tured weather decks to its three elec tric Bilge pumps. He situation was hardly other Wise aboard the nearby double Cabin Job with air conditioning All electric Galley and the kind of extras a Man has a right to expect for $108,. This boat sleeps Only four said John a. Boyajean of the Northport , boatyard because the buyer had cer Tain specifications it is also available in twin staterooms and then would How does the new York City buyer who Laid out 108 g s feel about having show visitors troop through his bran new boat before he takes delivery to Ajea promised it will be recur eted and inspected. Even the smallest scratch willbe touched up. When he gets this boat he s going to be a very Happy Page 13 1
