SALEROOM

MECUM, USA

MECUM, USA Runabout rivals go head to head

As the roaring 20s raced full pelt for the precipice of the Great Depression, John Ludwig Hacker and Garfield Wood vied with each other to deliver grace and pace on water to the wealthiest sporting Americans.

Hacker, an early proponent of planing vee-hull technology in pure race and record boats, is widely credited with being the father of the American runabout, placing the engine amidships, control cockpit forward, and passenger accommodation aft.

Gar Wood was no slouch either, becoming the first man to break 100mph on water, claiming the world waterspeed record five times and bagging a huge trophy haul with 10 legendary Miss Americas.

The rivalry of these two self-made men drove the development of the high-speed runabout to new heights, and with five Hacker-Craft and Gar Wood boats coming up at auction from a single owner on May 19 you can decide for yourself which brand delivers the ultimate expression of the form.

Above Left

Of the 26ft (8m) Triple-Cockpit Runabout Hacker-Craft ads claimed: “This is not only the fastest bona fide boat of its size and power produced, but it will outmanoeuvre all rivals.” This 1929 example with desirable Kermath in-line, six-cylinder engine is estimated at $90,000-110,000.

Above Right

“Pleasure craft from the shops of the raceboat king, that are built side by side with the Miss Americas, have always had the reputation for being the softest riding of all speedboats.” So ran an ad for the new 1930 line-up of Gar Wood boats. This 28ft (8.5m) example is estimated at $110,000-130,000.

Though the sea coursed through Ernest Hemingway’s work and life, never was his writing more connected to it than in The Old Man and the Sea, the 1952 novella that was his last fulllength work and helped restore his reputation. The fable of Cuban fisherman Santiago who “went out to far” in his Ahab-like struggle with a giant marlin earned Hemingway the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and was cited in awarding him the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1954. This first edition was expected to fetch £400-600.

RM SOTHEBY’S

RM SOTHEBY’S Hark the Herald engine swims

There was a time when Amphicar values seemed to be treading water, but now they appear to be riding the crest of a wave. The 1960s German-built aquatic novelty car critiqued in print as “a vehicle that promised to revolutionise drowning” is nevertheless the world’s most successful civilian amphibian vehicle, with around 3,800 of these Triumph Herald-engined curios built. Today it’s doubtful there are as many as 500 in seaworthy condition. As a result, such limited supply means there is a certain illiquidity in the market – but a lot more if you forget to fit the bung plug before launching onto water. This bare-metal restored 1961 example fetched $93,500 in what appears to be a very buoyant market.

BONHAMS Hemingway’s last hurrah

OTHER UFFA FOX CRAFT THYME Int 14 K523. The last traditionally built 14 made for Captain Porteous, Commodore of Tamesis Club in 1948, pictured sailing 1970. Newly varnished, nearly new mast and sails, plus spinnaker and spare suit. Still very fast inland. The Uffa Fox Collection - Remember the U a Fox Regatta, Cowes 19-21 August HUFF OF ARKLOW - Flying 30 45ft overall. Planing Ocean Racer Newly Restored. 2 suits sails, spinnaker and genniker. Lying Portishead Marina. £75,000 ONO

£3,000 ONO

Mid 30’s Int 14 Hull only by U a Fox in reasonable condition. POA 12ft Frostbite dinghy, either Runt or Squall as featured in U a’s books. Hull requires repair. Complete but no sails. POA For restoration by Coastal Marine Holdings Ltd

Edwardian 12 ft rowing dinghy. Newly restored and varnished. Rows like a dream. £5,000 ono CARITANA One Design 22 square metre no 131. Newly restored with new trailer. Nearly new mast and sails. Excellent day boat. Accommodation for 2. Fast boat for classic regatta. £17,500 ono

CHADRAK 22 square metre K3. Fast boat, new mast, good sails. Needs refastening and painting. £3,000 ono

We have a revolving collection of old sailing dinghies available fully restored or for restoration.