Runabout, Triple-Cockpit
Name/Title
Runabout, Triple-CockpitEntry/Object ID
1971.005Description
1971.005 "KT" Boat Type: Triple-Cockpit Runabout Builder: Indian Lake Boat Co. Original Power: (see below) Current Power: Kermath KB 150 Hp s/n 19253 Model: 26' Dart Length: 26' Beam: 6' Date Built: 1926 -entry from ABM Collections Book 2006- Around 1920 in Lima, Ohio a small boat-building firm called the Indian Lake Boat Company specialized in building high quality canoes, rowboats and small power launches. In 1924 they expanded their line to include a special 26-foot runabout model that was to become the first "Dart" runabout in a new series they planned to offer. In 1927 the small company added a 22-foot model Dart runabout to the line and by 1928 they added a 28-foot runabout with an optional sedan enclosure. Their attractive Dart runabouts sold very well and quickly caught the attention of boaters as well as investors. Later that year a group of Toledo, Ohio businessmen led by Webb C. Hayes made an offer to the Indian Lake Company to purchase the exclusive rights to build the Dart runabout line. A deal was struck and a new group became the owners of the Dart runabout line operating under the name, Dart Boats Incorporated. A new factory was built in Toledo to begin production immediately. The new company also granted a license to well-respected Canadian builder, Tom Greavette, to build four Dart models in Ontario's Muskoka Lakes area. Like so many boat builders that experienced remarkably strong sales activity in the late 1920s, the new Dart Boat Company continued to expand their production facilities to meet the increased demand for boats. Along with Chris-Craft, Dodge, Gar Wood and so many others, they also kept building right into the Depression. When sales continued to decline due to the failure of the national economy, they were too far in debt to recover. After a bit more than three years of operation, the company was forced to close in 1931. KT, the Museum's 26-foot Dart triple cockpit runabout, was built in 1926 by the original Indian Lake Boat Company and is a very rare example of the original Dart model in excellent condition. -finish of Collections Book entry- Records indicate that this boat was purchased new in 1926 by the donor Gordon Booth's father, and used every summer until its donation to the Museum in 1971. Some restoration work had been done recently when the boat was donated, and it was valued at $3000. The boat was refinished in 1978, paid for by Mr. Booth. Along with the boat came some maintenance literature for the Kermath as well as a few slides and color prints. As of 1974, these items could not be located. KT's current power plant is a Kermath KB 96, a late twenties in-line six-cylinder. Advertising literature from the Indian Lake Boat Co. indicates that the 26' Dart was equipped with a Scripps F-6 that pushed the boat to 35 mph. The Kermath would not be able to do that for a boat of this size. Everett Smith's engine inventory of 1994 lists this as the original engine, but dates it to 1928, two years after "KT" was built. It may have been installed in the boat at that time as a replacement for the original Scripps. The Dart is in good condition, her wood appears solid and the joints reasonably tight, though her varnish is old. Possibly she has not had a coat since 1978, but adequate storage has kept her in good shape. EVS 08Collection
BoatsAcquisition
Accession
1971.005Source or Donor
Booth, L. Gordon, Mr. & Mrs.Credit Line
m/o Mrs. Katherine BoothMade/Created
Manufacturer
Indian Lake Boat CompanyDate made
1926Place
Location
Lima, OH, USANotes
Early Date: 1926 Propulsion: inboard Engine: 1928 Kermath, serial 19253, model KB 150 9-6 Cylinders: 6 HP: 150 Field 13: Electrical maker Delco. 55"L 40"H 25"WOther Names and Numbers
Other Numbers
Number Type
Old NumberOther Number
618Dimensions
Width
72 inLength
312 inLocation
Wall
EastRoom
Bay 6Building
*Don Doebler Collections Storage FacilityWall
EastRoom
Bay 5Building
*Don Doebler Collections Storage FacilityBartlett Point Barn 3