The term "Boatnik" of the film's The Boatniks (1970) title was arguably a spoof of the word "Beatnik" which had become a term known in popular culture since the 1950s. The latter can be defined as a person from the 1950s or early 1960s period who was associated with "The Beat Generation". A "Boatnik" therefore can parody this where a seafaring person can be said to belong to "The Boat Generation". The picture was made and released approximate a decade after the 1960 film The Beatniks (1958).
The picture was notable for featuring a flotilla of a numerous number of different types boats and sea vessels.
The yachting marina featured throughout the picture was situated at Newport Harbour in Newport Bay in southern California, USA. Balboa and Newport Beach are also featured in the marina's environs in the movie.
Penultimate picture lensed by director of photography William E. Snyder whose final film as cinematographer would be the next 1971 year's The Million Dollar Duck (1971) also for Disney.