Old Time Motor Boat

[Gustywinds]

My brother sent me this picture, which was taken 55 years go this month, of my first time on a motor cruiser. I wonder if anybody knows what is unusual about the boat?

 

[Tranona]

Seem to remember that forward section slid back to expose the helming position

 

[Gustywinds]

Seem to remember that forward section slid back to expose the helming position

It certainly did but that’s not what I am thinking of as unusual

 

[Dino]

They had a Ferro cement hull.

 

[Gustywinds]

They had a Ferro cement hull.

Correct. Known as Seacrete. Also used on minesweepers

 

[Dino]

Yes, they were some of the early hire cruisers on the River Shannon. The two boats with the brown wooden superstructures are also Ferro Cement. These were the predecessors to Emerald Star

 

[Gustywinds]

Yes, they were some of the early hire cruisers on the River Shannon. The two boats with the brown wooden superstructures are also Ferro Cement. These were the predecessors to Emerald Star
View attachment 180178

What a lovely period postcard. The boat nearest the camera is very similar to the ones hired by a company called Erne Marine based at Bellaneleck. It was fibreglass. We had one of them in later years. At that time the connection between the Erne and Shannon wasn't opened up. A lovely part of the world.

 

[Dino]

That looks like an Ocean 30. The old Freeman 22/23 with the red gelcoat is pretty eye catching.
Somerset man John Hinde was a very well known postcard photographer in Ireland from the 1950’s to the 1970’s.
John Hinde (photographer) - Wikipedia

 

[oldgit]

They even built small coasters out of concrete at the beginning of the last century.
Violette | National Historic Ships, they were not a commercial success,h elped tow this one into Hoo in the 1960s.
Many concrete lighters were also built, most of their hulls have stood the test of time far better than their steel counterparts.