Classic American Runabouts

Book excerpt: Step back into the golden age of the American runabout, with the smell of varnish and leather, and the sight of glittering brightwork and deep-hued mahogany. This historical look at the origins and development of the runabout speedboat in America traces the growth of recreational power boating along with details about the boats that made the era so memorable. Learn about men like Chris Smith, Gar Wood, Horace Dodge and others whose search for speed served as catalysts for a new and popular pastime. Eventually, new materials and mass production brought the curtain down on this era of fast wooden boats, but they did not erase the artistry and innovation that the boats of this era represent.About the AuthorPhilip B. Ballantyne is a builder of antique powerboats who owns and operates Philip B. Ballantyne Wooden Boats near Lake Tahoe in Truckee, California. Ballantyne's writing has been featured in Classic Boating magazine.About the PhotographerRobert Bruce Duncan is one of the preeminent antique and classic powerboat photographers in America. His work has appeared in a wide array of books, magazines, and calendars. A former charter boat captain, Duncan lives in Santa Barbara, California.