# Do you remember the Batboat? It's been found in pristine shape. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 9, 2014, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-remember-the-batboat-its-been-found-in-pristine-shape/695135 "2014-08-09T00:11:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2014, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-remember-the-batboat-its-been-found-in-pristine-shape/695135/1 "2014-08-09T00:11:37Z")
I watched the tv series and just can’t recall the Batboat. Maybe I just forgot after 40 years. The show was syndicated in the 70’s. I’m not sure if I ever saw the movie with Adam West. Anyway it looks pretty cool. > **[Batboat used in original Batman film up for sale for £42,000](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2719844/Batboat-used-original-Batman-film-sale-42-000.html)** > > The fully-working power boat, complete with 'bazooka hatches' and glowing eye-style lights, is expected to fetch up to £42,000 when it appears at auction in Surrey later this month > [@](#): > > It helped the Caped Crusader thwart four of Gotham City’s most dangerous villains - now Batman’s ‘batboat’ is going under the hammer. > > The fully-working power boat, complete with ‘bazooka hatches’ and glowing eye-style lights, is expected to fetch up to £42,000 when it appears at auction in Surrey later this month. > > Designed for the 1966 film with Adam West in the title role, the vessel also made an appearance in two series of the classic 1960s TV show. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2014, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-remember-the-batboat-its-been-found-in-pristine-shape/695135/2 "2014-08-09T00:32:29Z")
As they noted, it was used in the 1966 movie to battle the bad guys’ submarine. When the second season of the TV show began, they had a new Batcycle to replace the one they used in the first Catwoman episode, and I believe the Batboat and Batcopter were used in a couple of others, but I couldn’t tell you which right offhand. Seems to me the Batcopter got a makeover for the TV series too, but I can’t remember how it looked then. ---
**Author:** ![Penfeather](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penfeather/32/384_2.png) [@Penfeather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penfeather)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2014, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-remember-the-batboat-its-been-found-in-pristine-shape/695135/3 "2014-08-09T00:53:15Z")
But where oh where is [Batgirl’s motorbike](http://www.bat-mania.co.uk/main/batgirl/images/batgirl_cycle1.jpg): it had actual frills on the fairing {also she’s apparently riding it on the stand in that photo, but who’s counting?}. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2014, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-remember-the-batboat-its-been-found-in-pristine-shape/695135/4 "2014-08-09T01:20:16Z")
> [@Penfeather](#): > > But where oh where is [Batgirl’s motorbike](http://www.bat-mania.co.uk/main/batgirl/images/batgirl_cycle1.jpg): it had actual frills on the fairing {also she’s apparently riding it on the stand in that photo, but who’s counting?}. Notice how the windscreen seems to disappear when she actually needs it the most: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/IFidlZdAQxg/hqdefault.jpg "Batgirl Theme Song") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFidlZdAQxg) ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2014, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-remember-the-batboat-its-been-found-in-pristine-shape/695135/5 "2014-08-09T02:12:06Z")
The green screen was very primitive back then. IIRC nearly every scene with the batmobile or batbike was on a fixed prop with green screen showing traffic. I wouldn’t want to be wearing those costumes in the batboat. Weren’t they wool? You’d sink like a stone if you fell out of the boat. ---
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2014, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-remember-the-batboat-its-been-found-in-pristine-shape/695135/6 "2014-08-09T02:38:34Z")
I definitely remember it from the movie. Not sure about the series. But… if you can wait until November 11th and have and extra $270 to spare they are releasing the full series on Blue Ray! I’m sure we can then figure out which episodes it is featured in. Yes, I will be getting my copy. I grew up with the TV show and dreamed of being Batman someday so this will be likely as close as I get. I’ve never bought a set like this before and likely will never again, but to me this one is worth it. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2014, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-remember-the-batboat-its-been-found-in-pristine-shape/695135/7 "2014-08-09T03:36:38Z")
Is the Adam West movie going to be on the Batman Blu-Ray too? ---
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2014, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-remember-the-batboat-its-been-found-in-pristine-shape/695135/8 "2014-08-09T04:28:33Z")
No I don’t think so. But there are 3 hours of extras, but this is the first time all 120 of the original episodes are available in a set. The movie has been available for some time on DVD. If you don’t want Blue Ray you can get the DVD set for $70 less. Back to the boat… it is a Glastron which was a very cool boat for the time. They were also used in some of the Bond movies. I would guess it may go for even more even though it wasn’t the one used on screen (but an official promotional copy). I’m not willing to bet on it, but I’ve seen boomers spend massive amounts on other icons from their childhood. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2014, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-remember-the-batboat-its-been-found-in-pristine-shape/695135/9 "2014-08-09T15:15:05Z")
Despite the text saying that this isn’t the boat from the show, rather, it is the promo boat, did you notice they aren’t the same? I’m suspicious - they were both modified by Glastron, presumably at the same time, yet they aren’t the same. Aside from the obvious difference of the steering wheel being on the opposite side, the “eyes” aren’t the same. On the real BB, they slant back at the outside, on the one for sale, they angle forward. They also don’t have the same number of fins under the red beacon (5 vs 6 on the real one). I wouldn’t go so far as to say it is a deliberate forgery, but I would be very careful on provenance before I spent any money. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2014, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-remember-the-batboat-its-been-found-in-pristine-shape/695135/10 "2014-08-09T16:54:12Z")
Restoration Blog. I guess this is the same Bat Boat? > **[= 1966 Batman Batboat =](http://batboat.blogspot.com/2010_05_01_archive.html)** > > A journal of the history of the '60s Batman Batboat, how I came to buy a replica and my hopeful adventures in repairing and making it a functional Anti-Crime cruiser. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2014, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-remember-the-batboat-its-been-found-in-pristine-shape/695135/11 "2014-08-09T17:01:41Z")
Whoops. This was a restoration of a replica Batboat. Heres day 1 when he bought it. > **[An introduction to my Batboat](http://batboat.blogspot.com/2008/02/introduction-to-my-batboat.html)** > > In the late hours of December 2, 2007 I returned from a long, over 110 mile drive back from Garden City, MI with a Batboat behind me. It was... Supposedly the one selling in Britain is the real thing. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2014, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-remember-the-batboat-its-been-found-in-pristine-shape/695135/12 "2014-08-09T17:54:54Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Restoration Blog. I guess this is the same Bat Boat? > [= 1966 Batman Batboat =: May 2010](http://batboat.blogspot.com/2010_05_01_archive.html) Talk about TMI. There are a ton and a half of closeups of fiberglass repair. Many blogs of just fiberglass fiberglass fiberglass. Get to the good stuff, dude! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2014, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-remember-the-batboat-its-been-found-in-pristine-shape/695135/13 "2014-08-09T18:06:19Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > The green screen was very primitive back then. IIRC nearly every scene with the batmobile or batbike was on a fixed prop with green screen showing traffic. [Rear projection](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rear_projection_effect), not green screen. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2014, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-remember-the-batboat-its-been-found-in-pristine-shape/695135/14 "2014-08-09T18:20:09Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > did you notice they aren’t the same? God, I’m glad I wasn’t the first one to notice that! ---
**Author:** ![LawMonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@LawMonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LawMonkey)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2014, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-remember-the-batboat-its-been-found-in-pristine-shape/695135/15 "2014-08-09T18:28:17Z")
> [@Spud](#): > > I definitely remember it from the movie. Not sure about the series. > > But… if you can wait until November 11th and have and extra $270 to spare they are releasing the full series on Blue Ray! I’m sure we can then figure out which episodes it is featured in. > > Yes, I will be getting my copy. I grew up with the TV show and dreamed of being Batman someday so this will be likely as close as I get. I’ve never bought a set like this before and likely will never again, but to me this one is worth it. $270? :eek: Dear god, that’s $90/season. I’d been looking forward to this, being a fan of the show in all of its silly glory, but I think I’l settle for the digital “Batman '66” comic for my Bat-fix. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2014, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-remember-the-batboat-its-been-found-in-pristine-shape/695135/16 "2014-08-09T19:23:49Z")
> [@KneadToKnow](#): > > God, I’m glad I wasn’t the first one to notice that! It’s a blessing. And a curse. ---
**Author:** ![Hail\_Ants](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dc4da7/32.png) [@Hail\_Ants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hail_Ants)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2014, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-remember-the-batboat-its-been-found-in-pristine-shape/695135/17 "2014-08-10T00:34:14Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > The green screen was very primitive back then. IIRC nearly every scene with the batmobile or batbike was on a fixed prop with green screen showing traffic. > > I wouldn’t want to be wearing those costumes in the batboat. Weren’t they wool? You’d sink like a stone if you fell out of the boat. I could almost guarantee you that neither West nor Ward ever piloted or occupied the original in water, they would have used stuntmen (the masks making it all the easier to conceal this). The actors were probably only ever in it during the rear projection close-ups. I doubt either actor had any say about it, just union rules… ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2014, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-remember-the-batboat-its-been-found-in-pristine-shape/695135/18 "2014-08-10T00:50:24Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > Despite the text saying that this isn’t the boat from the show, rather, it is the promo boat, did you notice they aren’t the same? I’m suspicious - they were both modified by Glastron, presumably at the same time, yet they aren’t the same. Aside from the obvious difference of the steering wheel being on the opposite side, the “eyes” aren’t the same. On the real BB, they slant back at the outside, on the one for sale, they angle forward. They also don’t have the same number of fins under the red beacon (5 vs 6 on the real one). > > I wouldn’t go so far as to say it is a deliberate forgery, but I would be very careful on provenance before I spent any money. I noticed the different sweep over the eyes as well. Since these were custom built, it wouldn’t surprise me to see a few small differences like that; nor would it surprise me very much if it’s a fake. > [@Hail\_Ants](#): > > I could almost guarantee you that neither West nor Ward ever piloted or occupied the original in water, they would have used stuntmen (the masks making it all the easier to conceal this). The actors were probably only ever in it during the rear projection close-ups. I doubt either actor had any say about it, just union rules… I’d have to check, but the movie ends with B&R forcing Penguin’s submarine to the surface and then boarding it from the batboat. There were likely some close-ups in that sequence that would have required the real actors. Now, if you look carefully, you can see wrinkles in the sky in the background, so it was probably filmed in a tank somewhere, but technically they were in water. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2014, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-remember-the-batboat-its-been-found-in-pristine-shape/695135/19 "2014-08-10T00:53:09Z")
> [@Hail\_Ants](#): > > I could almost guarantee you that neither West nor Ward ever piloted or occupied the original in water, they would have used stuntmen (the masks making it all the easier to conceal this). The actors were probably only ever in it during the rear projection close-ups. I doubt either actor had any say about it, just union rules… I read somewhere that West hated driving the Batmobile, as it was too heavy for its suspension and handled terribly. I would imagine that insurance concerns had a lot to do with using doubles. Also, there’s really no need to tie up the series’ stars when all you need to film is long shots with everyone in costume. It would be a waste of their time, especially when they’re in almost every scene of every episode. Robert Conrad, BTW, insisted on doing his own stunts on _ **Wild, Wild West** _, at least until he took a major fall and ended up in the hospital. Production had to shut down until he recovered fully. [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/4YO2wRT0Ppk/hqdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEmCOADEOgC8quKqQMa8AEB-AHUBoAC4AOKAgwIABABGGUgWShIMA8=&rs=AOn4CLD2XuVLmc8bRdJKBR59lsC_Nxl-qQ "The Wild Wild West - Two badly failed stunts") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YO2wRT0Ppk) The floor was concrete. IIRC, he ended up with a fractured skull, and was out of commission for a lot longer than one week. ---
**Author:** ![Hail\_Ants](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dc4da7/32.png) [@Hail\_Ants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hail_Ants)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2014, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-remember-the-batboat-its-been-found-in-pristine-shape/695135/20 "2014-08-10T12:15:19Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > Robert Conrad, BTW, insisted on doing his own stunts on _ **Wild, Wild West** _, at least until he took a major fall and ended up in the hospital. Production had to shut down until he recovered fully. > > [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YO2wRT0Ppk#t=129](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YO2wRT0Ppk#t=129) > > The floor was concrete. IIRC, he ended up with a fractured skull, and was out of commission for a lot longer than one week. The late great James Garner did the same with _The Rockford Files_. In fact the show only ended because he injured himself too much, not because of ratings. NBC then proceeded to try and cheat him out of royalties, using the infamous ‘creative accounting’ line to say that in fact the show made no money. A decade plus lawsuit eventually ruled in Garner’s favor. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-remember-the-batboat-its-been-found-in-pristine-shape/695135.md?page=2)