Found the The Lost Ark....aka the "Ebb Tide"

Nehalennia II

New Member
Oct 6, 2006
1,200
Marysville, WA
Boat Info
sold '99 230OV
Engines
5.7 EFI w/Alpha one
My brother just called me about 45 minutes ago with some great news. He found the Ebb Tide. The Ebb Tide was a boat my Grandfater and his twin brother built in 1954 and made their mainden voyage in 1955; designed by Ed Monk.
Pictured below you will see a Picture of it Circa 1979 with My Brother Troy, my Dad and my Grandfather standing on the dock. We grew up on this boat spending every summer's vacation cruising the area I have posted many pictures of. This boat was magical to us and a piece of our soul and where we discovered and cultivated our passion for boating. In 1986 it grew to be too much work for my Grandfather and he sold it. For the last 3-4 years both my Brother and I have been looking for it. He wants to buy it back. Well today my brother went to Craigslist and for our Seattle-Tacoma area typed in "Monk". It directed him to this site. http://jps.smugmug.com/gallery/1475773/1/70528394
There has been some slight modifications made but we both agree this is the boat. It is only 10 miles from my house now and I will go take a peek later this afternoon.
 

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Wonderful story Todd, I actually got Chills.....Good luck with it; glad you guys found it.

Wesley
 
Todd, that is pretty exciting. I imagine by now you have already been there to take a look. Do let us know what you find!
 
UPDATE
I thought I'd let you guys know that my brother, unlce and a couple cousins all got to see her. She's in awkwardly decent shape. Good enough to bring her back with really good size bankroll, but not close enough to do it within a reasonable budget.
http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/boa/277002492.html

You can see the ad here. The guy lowered it to $3000.00 but where to put it? How much could I/we expect to put into it? Reality is that even though it's the birthplace of my family's love for boating it looks like we will see her float into the night.....without a proper viking's funeral. It's a tremendous shame.
 
Bittersweet.

You will always have the fond memories of the boat and the experiences with the family.

What a terrible comment by the seller. Hes working your emotions.
 
"after that I will part it out and crush it I know I can get at least $4000 for the parts."

That one.

True i'm sure, but very insensitive.
 
Todd..................I just watched your video and now I am almost as bummed as you are about you not being able to buy and restore that boat. :smt009 :smt009

I guess I am just way to sentimental in my old age but it's a downright shame you have to pass on the purchase. Have you thought about seeking out other vintage boat enthusiasts in the area to see if you can find one of them that might want to buy it and restore it? These guys typically place a lot of value on the fact that the boat can be traced back to it's original owners. And your movies and pictures would be invaluable to a collector plus I am sure they would be glad to let you ride on the boat too once it's restored. It might be worth the effort just to save her from the fate that the current owner has planned for her.
 
I think that one is close enough to make the effort. Considering the sentimental value, you will always regret not trying to save the old girl.

But, I have a soft spot for old wooden cruisers with classic lines and sometimes forget common sense when looking at one.
 
Thanks Everyone. Yes the price is tempting for sure. Where to store it to work on it (out of the weather) and the expense of that is really one of the biggest issues. It is in good enough shape to bring back but it would take a lot of time and $$$$$$.
I have acutally met a local guy looking for a boat to restore.
Here's his last e-mail to me:
"Todd,
I've been looking at a few more boats, I still like the layout of Ebb Tide best.

BillR
Whidbey Id (near Seattle)"

He met us at the boat with his boatwright and they both loved it but there we a few issues they weren't ready to contend with.

He also has taken pictures of wooden boats over the years. He said he scoured through his WIN98 computer about three weeks ago and found a picture of her taken on Christmas day 1998.
Both he and I were shocked that he had a Pic of her in more than likely the most recent good condition.
 

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