I worked at the float trip. I only remember aluminum boats, primed brown, and painted a darker brown. They were long, had five rows on them. Along the sides of the boats were rubber wheels that helped guide the boats along the channel. They were sturdy boats, they took a lot of abuse and use each day, but I always remember them being in pretty good shape. Although you don't see it in the viewmaster shot above of the whirlpool, a short time later a boat lift was added in the area behind where the boat in the shot above is pictured. They pulled boats out of the channel and did repair work from time to time. I remember the lift being used with the American Plunge, but have not rode AP in a few years and don't know if the covered lift is still there once you leave the cave and get ready to go into the wooden structure as you turn to go up the lift hill. I would say the boat you see as an atmosphere piece is just an old boat used as such. Even the boat the Dugan boys used to paddle around the lake to get trash out of the water with a net was an aluminum boat, painted brown or green or tan.