The history of Commuter boats is linked to the development of the United States, to urban development and to technological development.
During the colonial period, in the absence of road infrastructure, the main means of travel in America was by horse or boat in various forms (small rowboats, canoes, and sailboats…). The northeastern United States is home to numerous rivers, lakes and other protected water surfaces.Boats were often custom-built by individuals or local craftsmen, typically made from wood and propelled by oars or small sails.
The pride of Manhattan's first traders
The Industrial Revolution changed all that, with the appearance of the first steam-powered boats, not only for mass passenger transport, but also for individual use on rivers and lakes.
The movement continues in the late 19th and early 20th centuries when internal combustion engines revolutionized personal boating. Companies like Evinrude introduced outboard motors, making small motorboats more accessible.
At the same time, in the early 20th century, economic development led to the growth of cities like New York and Boston, and the need for transportation between home and work. Roads began to suffer from traffic, and public transport was both unsafe and often dirty. To commute, businessmen and the first traders in New York began to take to the water in fast, comfortable boats, commuter boat was born.
An elegant, well-built boat
Built in wood with fine cabinetwork and gleaming fittings, computer boats earn their letters of nobility by incorporating luxury features such as leather bench seating, bars and other accessories that reflect their owners' social status.
The golden age of commuter boats was between the 1920s and 1940s, and was not to last much longer. In the middle of the 20th century, the development of roads and infrastructure made travel easier, and traders and businessmen gradually abandoned their boats in favor of the automobile.
