RIPTIDE was built in 1927 by the Schertzer Brothers Boat and Machine Company, then located on the north end of Lake Union near the foot of Stone Way in Seattle. She is planked in port orford cedar, copper riveted to white oak frames over an apitong backbone. Although there is no records extent confirming her designers, tantalizing hints in her lines suggest its possible that she may have come from the boards of the Seattle firm of Lee, Brinton, and Wayland.
She was registered as NOKARE by her first owner, renamed NERIED a few years later, and in 1934, renamed again by long-time owner Russ Gibson to RIPTIDE, the name she carries today.
RIPTIDE’s guest book from 1930-1936 survives, and indicates she was used and enjoyed extensively, cruising on Lake Washington, through the Ship Canal, and as far north as Victoria, BC, often carrying quite a number of guests. RIPTIDE was extensively modernized in 1936, and pictures and a description of the improvements appear in the June 1936 edition of Pacific Motor Boating. Comments in issues of Pacific Motor Boating magazine throughout this period indicate she was cruised extensively and participated in a number of long-range predicted log races as far north as Nanaimo, British Columbia.
She was purchased in 1965 by a Forest Service employee, who took her north and used her for several years as a cruiser, U.S Forest Service crew boat, and live-aboard in Southeast Alaska. She returned to Puget Sound in 1965 where her next owner enjoyed her for the next half-century.
Her current owner purchased her in 2015 and has extensively repaired and upgraded the boat with the professional support of the Port Townsend Shipwright’s Co-op and Salguero Marine Services. Compass Marine accomplished the most recent improvements to her interior this spring.
RIPTIDE is fortunate to have been owned by knowledgeable and caring owners throughout her long life, particularly Russell G. Gibson (1932-1964) and, successively, the brothers Richard F. and Roger Billings (1965-2015). She’s hosted at least three marriages, dozens of family outings from Olympia WA to Juneau AK and beyond as well as moonlight cruises beyond number over her long and happy life.