2004 Show Poster

Ride The Speedboats

These ride boats had already seen many years of service by 1948, the year pictured here, but they still drew flocks of eager passengers in the upbeat years following World War II. “The Minute Man” was a 28 foot Hacker Craft from the late 20′s or early 30′s, named for its mile-a-minute speed. As it moves out, a fellow optimistically looks for a challenge match in his new 15 foot Lyman powered by some serious “iron”, a 1948 33.4 horsepower Evinrude Speedifour. Returning from a “thrilling” run up Alton Bay is the “Yankee Flyer IV”, a 28 foot Dodge triple cockpit runabout. Across the channel awaits the “Legionnaire 70″. Billed as “the fastest public speedboat in the world”, this custom-built 36 foot Gar Wood, powered by a 1,000 horsepower Packard engine, burned airplane fuel and reached speeds in excess of 70 mph. Downing’s Landing anchored the tip of Alton Bay and was ready to provide you with everything from breakfast or lunch in the “Land-Ho” snack shop, to boat rides, gasoline, a new boat or motor, but always a happy memory.