On 3 Oct 1967, LAT announced that television writer Marty Roth was set to make his feature film debut with The Boatniks, produced by Ron Miller for Walt Disney Productions. Two years later, however, the 14 Feb 1969 DV stated that Arthur Julian had been hired to work on the screenplay. Roth ultimately receives story credit.
       With Norman Tokar signed to direct, the 3 Sep 1969 DV reported Disney’s budget estimate of $2.5 million. A 15 Sep 1969 DV news story indicated that the six-week shooting schedule began that day in Newport Beach, CA. According to a 9 Nov 1979 LAT article, production required more than fifty boats, including an eight-foot dinghy and a seventy-five-foot luxury cruise liner. Local yachtsman Owen Minney served as a consultant and helped organize boat stunts, and his experience on the picture inspired him to open Cinemafloat, a Newport Beach-based business specializing in providing boats and nautical props for film productions.
       A 30 Jul 1969 Var brief announcing the casting of Phil Silvers also included his former co-star of The Phil Silvers Show (CBS, 20 Sep 1955—11 Sep 1959), Harvey Lembeck, among the cast, but Lembeck does not appear in the final film. Items in the 23 Sep 1969, 21 Oct 1969, and 6 Feb 1970 issues also noted the involvement of Alice Backes, Jim Begg, and Playboy “Bunny” Sherry Bryson.
       According to a 1 Jul 1970 Var, the New York City playdates began that day at the Ziegfeld Theatre. More than a month later, the 12 Aug 1970 issue announced that Buena Vista Film Distribution Co., Inc., had switched to a “showcase” pattern across twelve Manhattan theaters. The picture opened citywide in Los Angeles, CA, on 8 Jul 1970.