Runabout, Triple-Cockpit
Name/Title
Runabout, Triple-CockpitEntry/Object ID
1999.016Description
In the mid 1920s Howard Lyon convinced Gar Wood that he should become the national sales manager for Gar Wood boats. Gar Wood bought into Lyon's plan and the distribution of Gar Wood boats increased faster than they could build them. When Lyon became frustrated with the modest factory output, he decided to build boats himself in the New York Metropolitan area where there was a large untapped market on Long Island. Lyon worked with John Hacker and the Purdy Boat Works to create a full line of handsome runabouts from 24 feet to 36 feet and a high speed 40-foot Commuter. His prime targets were the types of customers who would be attracted to the style and performance of Gar Wood's boats. He was a wonderful promoter who opened a Manhattan showroom and had a large customer base from his previous experience selling Gar Woods. He promoted his boats superbly and attracted some of America's wealthiest sportsmen to trade their present boats for one of his new Sea Lyons. His boats were excellent and seemed to be capturing a good portion of the runabout market. Unfortunately, Lyon entered the boat building business just before the Great Depression. Within two years from the time he started building Sea Lyon boats, the national economy began a downward spiral that would last until the mid 1930s. Lyon and his fine boats were unable to survive long enough to wait for the economy to rebound. Sea Lyon boats (and Sea Lion) are exceptionally well designed and are still praised for their outstanding performance. They are considered to be very choice boats by serious collectors, and this is an outstanding example of their graceful features and attractive styling.Collection
BoatsAcquisition
Accession
1999.016Source or Donor
Peckham, Charles & BarbaraMade/Created
Manufacturer
Lyon Tuttle ShipyardDate made
1929Place
Location
City Island (NYC) NYNotes
Early Date: 1929 Propulsion: inboard gasoline Engine: Chrysler "Imperial" s/n LM2552 type C Cylinders: 6 HP: 110Dimensions
Width
6-3/16 ftLength
24 ftLocation
*Don Doebler Collections Storage Facility
*Cleveland E. Dodge Memorial Launch Building
Bartlett Point Barn 4
Bartlett Point Barn 1