LONDON BOAT SHOW

Taupo Times, Volume 20, Issue 4, 19 January 1971, Page 9

LONDON BOAT SHOW

A record 775 boats are at this year's London Inter- ~ national Boat Show, ranging from hovercraft to small dinghies, from pedal-powered craft to water-jet propelled boats, from cabin cruisers to ' ocean sailing yachts. Once again glassfibre-hull-

ed boats predominate — they make up three-quarters of the exhibits. Fifteen years ago less than five per cent of the craft on show were built of glassfibre. Water jets continue to grow in popularity. Among new craft is a 26 horsepower jet water-scooter capable of

some 40 miles an hour and a luxury jet powerboat that can top 45 miles an hour. The latter's rear seat folds to form a large sundeck, while the seat itself can be detached and used as a life raft complete with grab handles, flare pockets and buoyancy devices. Another boat of interest is a new version of a detachablekeel sailing dinghy which first appeared in the middle of last year. The keel of this 16 foot 9 inch glassfibre boat is hollow to contain weights which, when fitted, give the craft the self-righting qualities of a conventional keelboat, but it has performance superior to much bigger keelboats. The show officially opened on January 6 to the news that the British marine industry sold products worth $39,400,000 to other countries in the year ended March, 1970. This bettered the previous year's performance by more than $12 million. Total turnover for the industry is running at a value of $144 million. Pleasure craft accounted for the biggest increase in demand, followed by commercial craft and marine engines.