Over the past several years, I have aquired a considerable collection of what I have referred to as “boat porn”. It’s a bunch of old boating literature – some Tollycraft, some not, and some from obscure brands that I had never heard of. There’s some great old stuff that I enjoy collecting, much of it purchased on E-Bay for probably way too much… A bit of it came in lots with descriptions like, “Fifteen Pounds of Old Boating Literature”. Oh yeah.
As I get around to scanning it, I’ll post some here to share. Please feel free to download, save, print, whatever!
The first piece is from 1972, and is the “Tollycraft Magazine”. It is a great old promotional publication describing some of their new models, as well telling stories of how some owners are using older boats. Interestingly, there’s a story about a boat named the “White Eagle of Spirit Lake“, an open workboat Tolly built for the Boy Scout Camp on Spirit Lake, which was near Mount St Helens. Story has it, just prior to the mountain’s 1980 eruption, the boat was used to transport items off the lake, essentially as a basket attached to a helicopter. She ended up surviving the ordeal and a few owners before being acquired by my friend, Ray Robinson. He has extensively modified the boat over the years, and it is now named “Puget Sound Thunder”. The boat has quite a history, definitely worth writing about some day.
For now, check out the 1972 “Tollycraft Magazine”
As a young kid and then teenaged kid I used to ride in that boat. Living close to the Mountain and Spirit Lake we used to go camping or rent cabins there alot. Think I remember a ChrisCraft runabout there too. Such a loss, one of the most beautiful lakes anywhere, very clear and cold water like Lake Tahoe.
The 37 tolly in your top picture was my fathers, he purchased it brand new and we cruised quite a bit on it ….
Kevin
The 37 is a great boat, and I hope to have one some day. The Balcori (boat pictured) is a fine specimen!
My dad’s first boat was a 1973 tollycraft 26, which he bought new at the boat show. I think the brochure may still be in his stuff if I have it I’ll scan it and send it to you. I remember going to Washing Boat Center whre they used to sell them. They also sold seaplanes a teh end of the dock; I think they were called Lake Crafts.
I remember going to the boat show as a kid. My friend and I would walk around to every booth and pick up whatever brochure, coupon, or freebie they were giving away… If you are able to find it and have a chance to scan it, I’d love to have a copy and would surely post it to share! Thanks!
I own a Tolly 37 hull #110 1979 model and I really love my boat. If you have any article on that boat I’d love to read it. Thanks for the old magazine it’s great.
Hi Ryan, thanks for your comment. I’ll see what I can find and will post something!
Cheers,
Steve
Hi Jolly Mon. As a design historian, I love this piece of 1970s ephemera. If you happen to find any examples of this typeface in your boat porn collection, I would be most grateful. Apparently it was quite common in boating mags.
One more thing: whenever you get a chance, I’d love a higher resolution scan of that “the bold new look” graphic from the last page. It’s a classic example of 1970s typography.