classic boats

The Return of the 1920s "Gentleman's Racer" from New England Boat & Motor Co.

Mark Mason, owner of New Hampshire's New England Boat & Motor Co., is bringing back the era of the 1920s "gentleman's racer" with his stunning new line of reproduction mahogany speedboats. Mason, who spent decades restoring classic boats, decided to build replicas as the originals grew ever more scarce and expensive. At his boatyard in Laconia, Mason is now custom building three 1920s racing models, each 27 ft. long with a 6-foot beam, and each priced at $395,000. The three models on offer are the Impshi (above) Hornet and Palm Beach Days, some sportier, others more stately, all with period details and graphics. The original Impshi was built by Strother MacMinn, a famous automobile designer of the era. Palm Beach Days was originally designed by famed naval architect John L. Hacker for a Palm Beach socialite who raced it in competitions around the country and used it as a stylish runabout at his yacht club. Equipped with a 548 cubic inch GM V8, it cruises at 50 mph and reaches a top speed of 70 mph.

Gallery: New England Boat & Motor Co.