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

Well if hope = $$$ we would have sent you a ton of it by now. Here's to not giving up on your dream that we "all" seem to be living vicariously for you.
 
I'm sure I posted before, but when in college I was one of a few folks that worked on a 57 foot wood hull touring boat. Lots of planks replaced, interior refinished etc.

It was a lot of work and we had an old hippie on the team that could work wonders with the bow planks (a true art), all in all it was one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had, or course I wasn't picking up the tab.

With this project, the sweat equity would outpace the financial part of the equation, but it would probably take a few years to get it back to ship shape.

It appears most of the parts are there or can be fabbed which is the largest cost in redoing a boat if you want to try and go back to all original. The nice part is that most of the materials for the project in question wouldn't necessarily be marine specific so you'll save some money there.

Tough call and don't want to pour any more emotions on, but think about the skills you could also teach your kids as you do the wood working etc. Rather than an outlay of cash it would be a huge investment in their working knowledge and working with their family to overcome what appears to be quite a challenge. You would be multiplying the memories you have with that boat 100 fold as you work on it with your team.

Food for thought. One day when I make my millions this sort of project will take most of my waking hours.
 
UPDATE!
My brother and found out today that a willing soul has rescued our Grandfather's Ebb Tide and Already started the rehab process.
He has taken it to Portland apparently, but still close enough for a visit.

Take a look at the link above
 
Todd pretty amazing by part 4. By any chance did you send the guys the original movie you had? The part 4 kinda reminded me of the movie, how times have changed!!!

Wesley
 
Todd

It's nice knowing someone is putting forth the effort to restore the boat. And I think Wes is right about the movies and any pictures you might share with them. I think they would appreciate that. I have taken the liberty of posting one of the launch pictures here so people can see what progress they have made so far.............this is from their on-line album you posted the link to.

boat4_002.jpg
 
Yeah it's pretty cool to see her getting saved.
If he doesn't have a copy of the movie I'll give him one. My brother e-mailed him and I'd love to go see it soon.

Thanks for posting the picture too. I should have done that. :smt021
 
Ghandi

Ghandi is quoted to have said "you can't put your foot into the same river twice."

Restoring a boat of this vintage could be a true "blue hole".

The seller can't part it out ... remain nice and remain firm, maybe $500 and you'll haul it out of his yard ... or better still you'll rent yard spance form him while you undertake initial repairs to refloat.

The boat appears to be a planked hull, if so tread carefully my friend ...
 
Hi Chad.
No my brother and I did not buy her back. We didn't have the time and I would rather spend my $$$ on a newer 260DA than restore what could be a "Blue Hole". But, that being said, we are very happy to see this guy who did buy it has done extensive work so far. If you look at the link you'll see the 4 stages of how far the restoration so far.
 
We got an e- mail back from the new owner and he has some video and images to share
www.ajass.com/boat
It's very cool and he seems excited to meet us
 
Yeah I sent the link as soon as I got it, not able to watch at the time. Now that I've seen it, yes they do have a couple issues :smt021
to
:smt021
take
:smt021
care
:smt021
of :huh:
Wish I was closer to help.
 
I am not a wooden boat expert, but I thought that was pretty typical of a dried out wood boat. Maybe not quite that bad, but close until the wood swells and closes up the gaps. I know they usually have a good number of bilge pumps in the wooden boats when they are first launched.

Definatly great to see it back in the water again though.

-Ryan
 
yes even though they e-mailed us back we haven't seen too many details yet, because they launched awhile ago and I'm assuming she's still floating. I'll keep this updated.

Thanks for the well wishes. I just hope she stays in good hands.
 
E-mail update from the new Owner:
Aaron said:
It was out of the water for quite a while. It took a weekend in dry
dock for the wood planking to swell up. We anticipated this... Wood boats have been going through this process for centuries. Once it was in the water everything tightened up.
The inside bilge was treated with linseed oil to act as a wood
preservative/sealer and the hours we spent sanding/prepping/sealing the
outside... We knew we had done a good job.
Click to expand...
 
I remember my Dad's wooden boat used to leak when first launched. I just don't remember it leaking that badly.

But it's great if the wood has swelled up enough now so she won't leak. And we will all be looking forward to the progress on the restoration as it proceeds on. :thumbsup:
 
UPDATE:
I was pleased to find this e-mail in my inbox this morning.
Hi Todd,

I wanted to share with you a photo I took of the Ebb Tide as we fueled her up last weekend. If you look closely you can see the bright-work I've applied to the bow's toe cleats.

She had some softness in the transom that I've since fixed; she handles a lot better now that the rudder's mounting plate aren't shifting around. I've since also gone completely through the engine--you can set a playing card on her air cleaner and put her through her normal RPM range without it falling off. I'm happy to report, too, that there remains no trace of oil from the exhaust.

I have a few thoughts that I'd like to share with you guys.

First, I'm heartened by the quality that your grandparents put into building her. Her hull, for her age, is in incredibly good shape--that doesn't happen by accident. I can see by her fitness that your grandparents must have taken a lot of time and care in building her.

I'm saddened, however, by some of the things the owners _after_ you guys had her did. I find small holes drilled in the brightwork and overall shoddy workmanship in the "accessories" department. Fortunately, these concerns primarily amount to surface defects. With the exception of some softness in the transom (she's a 60 year-old wooden boat after all), she's really fit and seems to like sailing.

Maybe that's why she gives me such a fuss when I try to put her in her slip!

Upgrades: I may replace the wiring with a tasteful array of 12V LED's. Now the thought process behind this--and all other upgrades--is as follows, "if the builders of this vessel had the technology that I have today, would they use it?"

That's not an idle question. I have to think about the process and what it might entail. I have to think about whether or not it's a "solid business case" technology or if it's a "gee-whiz" fad technology. Importantly, too, I must consider, "will this technology likely complement her personality?"

I'll change the console, by the way, only over my dead body.

Her name will remain, "Ebb Tide."

Oh, yes, I'll note that she's also in good hands with a very good friend of mine, Al Thomason. I count my lucky stars with a calculator every time I think about the helpful guidance and patience he has given me as I take on this arguably mammoth project. Here's a photo of Al and I here:

http://www.uspsd32.org/photos/Lockfest07/pages/NC-07 EUR+058_jpg.htm

Al's the man leaning on the oar, looking over the scene with reserved enthusiasm. He does that a lot.

Most importantly, he steered me to the best boat wright in the area--certified like crazy. I just toured the boat lift at PAC-MAR were I will complete her aft frame repairs.

I confess I don't have your brother's email address, would you please provide and forward this message to him? I'm very glad to see you guys interested in the project and I'll try to write as progress develops.

Yes, I closed all doors & windows (including the starboard door shown open in the picture) when I fueled her.

My Reply:
Wow what a great e-mail to read. I know that my Dad and Brother will echo my sentiments that we are happy to see her being properly restored to her glory. I am also happy to hear that you will be retaining her name. As I have stated before The Ebb Tide has provided our family so many memories. At the time is was for sale Troy or I did not have the time or facility to do her justice as you have done. The Ebb Tide has a huge presence in our souls. Troy and I, along with our Cousin Brady boat frequently together. Monica and I sold our 23 foot boat in July and as of Dec 1st bought her replacement a 2000 26' SeaRay. It was within our budget and will provide us a reliable boat. I had no idea what restoring the Ebb Tide would cost so I (we, Troy and I) resigned our desire to reclaim her in hopes someone like yourself would come along and do her justice.
Thank you for the picture. When Troy found her a little over a year ago I began to document her saga on a website forum I frequent.
If I have not passed it along before now, here it is:
http://www.clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=924&highlight=lost+ark
I will go there now and update the many supporters.

Since Troy and I both have boats again, and they are both trailerable, I wonder if we might be able to invite ourselves down your way and join you for a weekend cruise this upcoming spring.
At the very least, maybe after the New Year, I know I would love to see her prior to that and meet you, shake your hand in thanks and buy a beer or several in your honor.
This is absolutely great news.

Thank you!

Todd

ebb_tide_fuel_dock.jpg


I can't wait to see her.
 
That is just so cool Todd. To know that a boat that touched your lives so much is still around and being cared for properly really gives you a good feeling doesn't it?.

Ever since I started reading your posts on the "Ebb Tide" I often think of the 16 foot wooden roundabout that my dad built from scratch back in the 50's and wonder if that boat is still around. If It still exists and I could find it, I'd buy it back in a heartbeat.
 
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