Raceboat
Name/Title
RaceboatEntry/Object ID
2000.019Description
Below information questionable, unknown information source CEW: Baby Gar runabouts were developed in response to the rules changes approved by the Gold Cup Racing Committee in 1922. Up to that time there were few limits placed on the boats that race for this trophy each year. When Gar Wood's race boats with powerful aircraft engines dominated the races for the fifth year in a row, the Race Committee decided to place restrictions on the types of boats permitted. In his attempt to develop a safe, recreational type of boat that could be enjoyed when not racing, Chris Smith and Gar Wood developed the Baby Gar type runabout. Over sixty standard recreational models were built from 1922 until mid 1929. All were powered with World War I Liberty aircraft engines that Gar Wood converted to marine use in his own plant. The engines developed from 400 to 500HP and could produce speeds in excess of 50MPH. The Baby Gar runabouts cost upwards of $10,000 when the average three bedroom home in America could be purchased less than $4,000 and a new Ford sedan cost $750. They were expensive, but pure joy to the wealthy sportsmen that could afford them. Snail was the 37th Baby Gar built and the pride and joy of Edward J. Noble who was president of the Life Saver Candy Company and spent his summers in the Thousand Islands. Local legend has it that Noble had a standing offer of $1,000 to the owner of any boat on the St. Lawrence River that could beat Snail in a race. The legend continued declaring that no boat ever beat Snail. The Baby Gar was the best known runabout of the 1920's and its reputation for speed and performance is legendary. It was a stock Baby Gar runabout that made national headlines in April 1925 when Gar Wood himself raced the Twentieth Century Limited passenger train from Albany to New York City and won decisively. The Baby Gar became the symbol of boating excitement for decades. Today it is one of the most sought after vintage runabouts in the world. As of this writing, only eight of the original sixty-eight built are known to exist. Collectors are searching for the others. In addition to Snail the Antique Boat Museum also has Caleb Bragg's famous racing 1928 Baby Gar, Davy Jones, the 57th in the series, in its permanent collection. Both of these Baby Gars are in superb condition. Snail is equipped with her original 12 cylinder 400 hp liberty engine.Collection
BoatsAcquisition
Accession
2000.019Source or Donor
Edward John Noble FoundationAcquisition Method
BequestCredit Line
purch. from Howard MillerMade/Created
Manufacturer
Gar Wood Boat DivisionDate made
1926Place
Location
Algonac, MI, USAEdition
Model: Baby GarNotes
Propulsion: inboard gasoline Engine: Liberty MPH: 50 0.0 Cylinders: 12 HP: 450Dimensions
Width
6-7/8 ftLength
33 ftLocation
Bartlett Point Barn 1
In-water
*Cleveland E. Dodge Memorial Launch Building
*Don Doebler Collections Storage Facility