Hornby boats were manufactured by Meccano ,Liverpool. In my opinion ,the best manufacturer of toys the world has seen. The range of toys from Meccano construction sets and accessories to the most famous Hornby trains and Dinky vehicles. Made to a very high standard, the motors are made to the same high quality as the more famous Hornby Clockwork locomotive motors. The achilles heel of Hornby boats is that most of the metal boats have 'sealed' compartments that can let in moisture . and the hulls can rot from the inside. The larger non 'racing' boats can run for over 500 feet on one winding, which travelling at about a foot / second , gives a run of approx. 8 minutes. With the springs correctly greased with with graphite grease , and the precision gears and propeller shaft lightly oiled , these boats run beautifully.
Overall , Hornby boats are very impressive. Not quite 'seaside paddling pool' boats ; they would have been , like all Hornby toys in the 1930s , predominantly the preserve of 'middle class' boys.
The post war plastic Hornby boats are not manufactured to the same standard as the pre-war boats , and also the plastic hulls have a tendency to warp , as all toys made from plastic around 1950/60s have a tendency to do.

Meccano/Hornby Racer III. No, 3

The Racer III at 16,5 inches long is one larger Hornby boats. Pre-war and in beautiful condition.
It has the original instruction leaflet which states ,'During the summer months every active boy wants to be out in the open air as much as possible and when he is out , he wants to be doing something not just loafing about.' Has different gearing , giving a greater speed than the No.4 and No.5 boats , but at the cost of a reduced run length of 300 feet. Has a motor on/off lever in the rearmost cockpit.

Meccano/Hornby Blue Viking No.5

Hornby Viking River Cruiser. 16.5 inch hull.

Meccano/Hornby Condor No.3

16.5 inch hulled speedboat. 300 feet on one winding. On/off lever in cockpit.

Meccano/Hornby Gannet No.3

16.5 inch hulled speedboat. 500 feet on one winding. On/off lever in cockpit.

Meccano/Hornby Swift No. 2

12.5 inch hulled speedboat. 300 feet on one winding.

Meccano/Hornby Swift No. 2

12.5 inch hulled speedboat. Over 300 feet on one winding.

Meccano/Hornby Gleam 9.25 inch hull 1939

Meccano/Hornby Hawk Coronation

Hornby Hawk Coronation 1937 edition. 9.25 inch hull. Coronation decal on foredeck.

Meccano/Hornby X46 9.25 inch hull

Essentially a Gleam painted in grey.

Meccano/Hornby Fast Patrol Launch PL1

Meccano/Hornby Canot de Course Speedboat

Meccano / Hornby French made speedboat. A lovely boat. All post war boats from Meccano were made in plastic. 12 inches long. The battery required is a flat 4.5V type.