Hello Roy
I was typing as you posted, it is clear from some of the reports that there were, at times a them and us attitude around in the early days of the hobby, could it be that this was just a reflection of the attitudes and ways of the time/ era?
Some of the pictures show dozens of spectators around the lake men and boys, in the summer all wearing shirts, ties, pullovers and jacket and the men all seem to be smoking pipes! Truly another world. It would seem that the vast majority appeared to be paying homage to the small minority who were able to afford to own and run by todays standard very expensive power boats that would seem to be almost entirely hand made, including the engines.
I pass no judgement on the way of life at the time and reflect perhaps on what camp I would have fallen into had I been around at the time and when you look at the pictures you can't help but wonder how two world wars affected the lives of many of those portrayed.
The important thing is that our hobby has survived, and there are still plenty of people who still enjoy it, though I for one wish there were a few more.
Paul.