The Motor Boys Afloat: in Volumes 1-4, having driven from New England to Arizona to Mexico and back, the teens turn their attention to the water. If they can own and operate a fast touring auto, why not a fast motor boat? It turns out you can buy a boat through mail order and the Post Office will deliver it! Amazing. In no time at all, they've trucked it down to river and launched it from the dock they had built earlier. What could be easier? Despite grounding on a sand bar their first time out and slicing an oar of a nearby boat the second, and ramming a hole in a schooner not too long after, the boys have a grand time: they save two girls in a rowboat from going over the falls, use the boat's engine to help put out a house fire, and become involved in a smuggling operation. No shortage of action and adventures!
Clarence Young was a Stratemeyer Syndicate pen name. Howard Garis probably wrote the series, although Stratemeyer usually provided his authors with an outline of the books. Garis and his wife, Lillian, wrote many children's books under their own name. They are best known for a series of books that featured the character of Uncle Wiggily Longears, an engaging elderly rabbit. Many of Garis' books were illustrated by Lansing Campbell. Garis and his wife, Lilian Garis, were possibly the most prolific children's authors of the early 20th century. Garis wrote many books for the Stratemeyers Syndicate as well, over a period of some 30 years.