Boating Lake Motor Boats

[Trundlebug]

Does anyone else remember the little wooden motor boats you could hire on boating lakes in the late 1960's - early 1970's?

When I think back, these were what probably started off my interest in motor boats.

My grandparents lived in Eastbourne and used to take me to Princes park where they had these fantastic little wooden motor boats. They can't have been longer than 6-8ft with (what seemed like) a huge upright steering wheel and a little accelerator that pushed a rod through the forward bulkhead where the small petrol engine was.

The boats were permanently in gear, but dropped to idle when you took your foot off the gas. I seem to remember you got about half an hour's hire at a time before they called out your number.

They also had similar boats at the boating lake in Hastings.

I've been searching to find photos of them but there seem to be no records anywhere, and barely a mention in many of the archives I've been through.

I was musing what might have happened to them and if any survived at all, they were great fun when I was a small kid.

Do you remember them? Do you have any photos you can post of them?

 

[Sticky Fingers]

I remember the Hastings ones. I was at a scout camp near there in 1968 and we had a day trip to Hastings, excellent. No pictures though.

 

[Trundlebug]

I'm glad it's not just me that remembers them.

If they were at least at Eastbourne and Hastings, they must have been in boating lakes up and down the country I would have thought?

Apart from anything else I thought they looked really good. Miniature Rivas!

 

[stelican]

Don't start him off

 

[sarabande]

I remember that Princess Park very well 1950 onwards. I think I spent all my pocket money on hiring rowing boats on Saturdays.

Sadly no pictures...

I also remember being made to run a cross-country every January from Hampden Park across the Crumbles (presently the marina) past Princes Park to the Redoubt. An enlightened form of education.

 

[Croftie]

Bridlington had them and were in fact sold off only last year
http://www.bridlingtonfreepress.co.uk/news/business/snap-up-a-piece-of-bridlington-history-1-8225420

Google "bridlington boating lake" for images.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bridlington_Boating_Lake_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1244036.jpg

Could have been a rebuild thread ................

 

[Lloydroberts]

Pickmere Lake had them.....great fun for a dad and kids alike.

 

[rafiki_]

Yep, I was a happy Hastings boater. Actually preferred the row boats on Alexander Park. Felt more like swallows and Amazons there.

 

[scottie]

Stuart Turner R3MC
1 1/2 HP 2stroke with centrifugal clutch

 

[Robin]

There used to be a lake in Luton where my parents took me as a kid for the motor boats or paddlewheel ones. I also fondly remember the ones in Trenance park/lake in Newquay, cornwall but often preferred to show my prowess and save some of my pocket money by using their rowboat ones instead, Come IN number 5 your time is UP!

 

[Brightside]

I can add that that they were also to be found at Southport, Lytham St Annes, Fairhaven and on Lake Windermere. Remember them well.

 

[Bigplumbs]

Pontins at Pakefield had the little paddle boats that I used to love

 

[alancollins]

I seem to remember that some of them had an arrow on the foredeck to show which way you were steering.

 

[Mr Googler]

We still have them over here!!

Onchan Park



I remember them at tuckton too.

 

[Trundlebug]

We still have them over here!!

Onchan Park

View attachment 63223

I remember them at tuckton too.

That's fantastic, many thanks for posting.

How long are they? Do they ever come up for sale? I'd love to buy one

 

[jon and michie]

I remember them at Bridlington and East Park in hull - you could also hire rowing Boats

Jon

 

[Mr Googler]

That's fantastic, many thanks for posting.

How long are they? Do they ever come up for sale? I'd love to buy one

Just asked a friend and they have changed them to plastic ones!! Such a shame. No idea where the old ones are but if you google onchan commissioners Isle of Man, have a chat with them. They may be able to advise.

They had little ones about 8 ft and larger Ines about 12 foot.

 

[whisper]

There used to be a lake in Luton where my parents took me as a kid for the motor boats or paddlewheel ones. I also fondly remember the ones in Trenance park/lake in Newquay, cornwall but often preferred to show my prowess and save some of my pocket money by using their rowboat ones instead, Come IN number 5 your time is UP!

 

[whisper]

Oh Happy Days !!!!!
I spent most of my Holidays , as a schoolboy , working at Llandrindod Wells Lake. Duties included keeping the time board up to date and refuelling and greasing the boats as required.
The top job was being in charge of The Patrol Boat telling customers that indeed "your time is up". Oh the power in my youthful hands - must have attained at least 5 kts. What's more I was being paid to do it
The rest of the fleet had 1hp less so we're easily catchable.
In the Winter I was still employed varnishing the clinker woodwork and administering to the Stuart Turner engines.
The other important task was to gather around the stove in the boathouse and play serious games of cribbage. Must have done at least 1hrs work a day.

 

[Mr Googler]

I used to run bumper boats as a teenager. You'd be amazed how many people flip them.

Perhaps I wasn't doing a very good job. Lots of distractions walking by