River View Observer exclusive…Boat manufacturer powers past misconceptions and expands legacy by upgrading classic designs with contemporary technologies
At a recent boat show in New York City one vessel attracted a large crowd. Surrounded by a fleet of mass-produced fiberglass hulls was a mahogany runabout with long, sleek contours. Most assumed they were looking at a replica of a timeless classic. They were wrong.
The handcrafted 1920s-style boat was brand-new. Not that it wasn’t an original. The boat was built using the actual plans created by John Ludwig Hacker (1871-1961), the preeminent 20th Century designer of wooden pleasure crafts. The exterior look of the 24-foot rear-engine runabout was pure Hacker. But hidden in the engine hold and hull construction were contemporary marine technologies that have powered these legendary boats into modern times.
Continue reading Boating Enthusiasts-Pardon Me, That’s No Replica!