TOPIC: Coin Operated Kiddie Boat Rides

This coin operated boat ride is in the arcade at the Boyne Mountain ski resort in Northern Michigan. Quite obviously repainted, but looked to have original cleats and vents. Not sure about the bowlight?:


Can't find the photo now, but in December 2008 a boat ride was listed on E-bay with "Speed Queen" decals. Might be the same boat right here: gameroomantiques.com/NelsonPlayfield.htm

A little research turns up that Bally Manufacturing Company made the "Speed Queen" ride circa 1959. Maybe influenced by the full-size "Speed Queen" boats made in the same time period?


And there is of course the one in this guy's collection that's customized with all sorts of real boat hardware.

www.hgtv.com/video/boat-owners-paradise-video/index.html

Here is a picture of Bryan Fenwick when he picked up his little boat. He has since restored this little darling. But alas I can not find any finshed pictures. Bryan knows alot about these craft and you can contact him at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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Now THAT is cool! I want one.

I think I remember Brian's from a forum post long ago? My main interest is in the connection, coincidence or not, to the full-size Speed Queen boats. Since both Bally and Speed Queen were based in Chicago area, I wonder if Bally was inspired or convinced to name their amusement rides "Speed Queen." The Speed Queen decal on the boat ride is VERY similar to the Speed Queen Boats logo. Great advertising- at the grocery store, arcade, boardwalk, wherever the rides were installed. With so many boats companies operating in the late 1950's, brand recognition would have been all-important (even though the real Speed Queens didn't have fins).