Chuck Hovey Yachts, LLC
Seattle, WA, US, 98109
Tel:206-624-1908
1939 Elco Motor Yacht
Envision yourself relaxing in the classic luxury of times past in this Elco Motor Yacht while at the same time enjoying the creature comforts of more modern cruising. The blend of the old with the new creates a unique experience you must see in person. Twin diesel reliability, modern appliances in the galley, full tile shower, comfortable owner’s stateroom all await you. Current survey and boathouse option available to qualified buyer. (Boathouse cost not included in vessel pricing and Yacht Club membership required.)
Specifications
Engine 1 Specifications
Engine 2 Specifications
Media Gallery
Riptide, a 1939 Elco Motor Yacht, is the epitome of a life lived full of travel, adventure, and interesting people. And now, she is ready for the next chapter to be written.
Riptide, originally named DO-HO, was the flagship of the Elco fleet at the New York Boat Show of 1939 where she was noticed by none other than Howard Johnson of restaurant fame. The “New Elco 53” was equipped with a large owner’s stateroom aft with a private head and shower, followed by two guest staterooms and a guest head. A large saloon was midships and the galley and crew (2) quarters were forward. Powered by twin Hall-Scott engines of 250HP she had a top speed of 26MPH. After a brief ownership with Howard Johnson, Riptide would spend the next decade under three owners, briefly know as Alchade and then Southwind, cruising the Eastern seaboard and the Great Lakes. This time also included coastal security duty during WWII under the US Coast Guard. In 1950, infamous mobster “Mo” Dalitz would take over ownership and started Southwind’s trek to the West Coast. Mo was involved in building Las Vegas, so he brought Southwind out to Lake Mead and christened her the official hospitality boat for the Desert Inn Resort. In 1954, Southwind was moved to San Diego which began a 56-year stretch as a Southern California boat under a series of owners. In 1983 Vlad Worotko was at the helm and he leased Southwind to Stephen J Canal Productions where she began a 56-episode television career in the private eye show “Riptide”. It was during this time as a TV star, the name Riptide on the transom was first seen.
After her stint in the movie industry, Southwind was headed in the wrong direction. Life in Hollywood can be tough, and all the late nights and parties were beginning to show. 1997 ushered in her current owners who, after changing her name officially to “Riptide”, embarked on a 25-year program of steady restoration and improvement that brings Riptide to her current excellent condition. Snug in her boathouse at Port Orchard and sheltered from the PNW weather, she now ventures forth to cruise in style just as Howard expected when he first stepped aboard in 1939.
Starting forward in the “crew’s quarters” is a pair of stacked bunks with a custom dresser and three hanging lockers. Light and ventilation are brought in through three portholes and an elegant butterfly skylight above. Also included is a Thetford Curve toilet
Moving aft we find the spacious Galley with tile counters lit by under cabinet lighting. Cooking is done on the new Dickinson Mediterranean propane stove and oven. Supplies are kept cool with the modern Alder Barbour refrigeration hidden in the original ice box. A GE microwave rounds out the appliances. An art deco sconce provides additional lighting.
Stepping up four steps from the galley brings us to the roomy Main Salon. Sliding doors provide access to the Port and Starboard decks. There is a built in L-shaped settee with custom cushions and storage below on the Port side and a custom settee and cushion on the Starboard side. Original Elco lighting and additional art deco sconces provide light at night while the large windows let in plenty of natural light during the day. If shade or privacy is needed, window coverings can be lowered. Heat in the salon is provided by either a Dickinson propane bulkhead heater or an electric fireplace. Custom mahogany tongue and groove bulkhead surfaces add to the overall feeling of elegance.
Moving aft and down a few steps into the companionway are located the Port and Starboard single berth Guest Cabins with plenty of stowage.
Following the guest cabins on the Port side is the Head with original sink and cabinetry along with the new Raritan Elegance macerating toilet. On the Starboard side is a full tiled shower compartment.
The final stop is the Main Stateroom with a full-sized berth with Serta mattress an 8-drawer dresser, hanging locker and television. Stairs lead up and out to the aft deck.
The Wheelhouse is also accessible from the Main Salon as well as from the rear deck. Up a few steps from the salon brings you to the fully enclosed wheelhouse with original controls and full electronics package. Seating is a 1940’s era helm chair.
- Dickinson Mediterranean Propane 3-Burner Stove w/Oven (2020)
- GE Microwave 120Volt
- 12V Alder Barbour Refrigeration built in original ice box
- General-Double sink with Hot &Cold Pressure Water
- Tile Countertops
- Ample Counter Space
- Under cabinet lighting
- Art Deco Sconce
- Electrical/Batteries (type/quant/charging/management) 12Volt bank: 2/8D (2017) batteries with 12V 3-stage Smart Battery Charger with Remote Panel and 12V Victron Battery Monitor System. 24Volt bank: 2/8D batteries with 24V Guest Battery Charger. All batteries are lead acid.
- 24Volt powers main engine starters, four bilge pumps, windlass. All panels are located near device. Galley and forward stateroom devices run by panel in galley. Wheelhouse devices run by panel in wheelhouse, salon and aft cabin run by panel in salon.
- All wiring 12V/24v has been replaced during this ownership
- 30Amp shore cord and various adapters
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Generator: Kohler 6KW (Hours: 66) Located in lazarette in a soundshield compartment. Fitted with Racor fuel/water separator and aqua-lift muffler. Group 27 starting battery (2022).
- Garmin 740S Radar
- GPS
- Polaris VHF Radio with RAM Mic
- Standard Horizon VHF with AIS and automatic foghorn
- Horizon Depth Sounder
- Horizon Speed Indicator
- Spotlight
- Wind indicator
- The tender is mounted on davits on the transom and when deployed, is easily accessible from the custom teak swimstep.
- On the exterior you will find plenty of seating either under the hard canopy on the built-in seating of the aft deck or in the custom embroidered deck chairs on the aft cabin top. Imagine the pleasant times, gathering with friends, sharing a cool drink and stimulating conversation in this comfortable, vintage setting.
- As you move forward you will feel secure behind the cable and post rail system that carries all the way to the foredeck. The foredeck has two custom mahogany box seats that also hold the propane bottles and at the bow you will find the anchor tackle.
- Anchoring (windlass/chain/rode) Rocca 55lb and Danforth 40lb. 3/8” BBB Galvanized chain 250FT. Maxwell HRC 10-10 24Volt windlass (newly installed and never used) Custom built anchor roller and period correct anchor davit.
- Propeller/Shaft: 3-blade bronze (2020) on 1.75-inch stainless shaft and PSS dripless seals
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Safety Equipment: (PFD/Flares/Fire) 6 Fire extinguishers/battery operated flare/life preservers inflatable and standard
- Engine Notes: Racor 1000 filters Walker AIRSEPS. Fuel system manifold replaced 2019. All annual maintenance current.
- Engine Compartment Description: The engine compartment is accessed via the galley forward or removable hatches in salon sole. 110V lighting. Also contains batteries, battery chargers, 20 gallon hot water tank.
- Heating: Dickinson Propane Furnace and electric fireplace (120V) in Saloon
- Potable water: Pressurized water w/20 gallon hot water tank (120V/engine heat)/ 3-stage UV filtration system/12Volt variable speed pump
- Sanitation: Forward head has Thetford Curve toilet./ Aft head has new (2020) Raritan Elegance Macerating toilet connected to a holding tank equipped with macerating pump for overboard discharge. “Y” Valve between toilet and holding tank in locked compartment.
- Binder documenting history of Riptide
- Topsides refastened
- 29 new ribs - 2021
- 14 new planks - 2021
- Splash Rails replaced - 2021
- Steering system completely renewed - 2021
- Garboard Strake re-caulked – 2019
- All deck and cabintop surfaces covered with Dynel cloth set in epoxy and painted with LP Paint
- All Doors rebuilt and fitted with Art-Deco Etched glass
- All Glass Replaced with Safety Glass
- PSS Dripless shaft seals
- New Horizontal Propane Tanks in box on foredeck
- 4 bilge pumps with engineroom pump equipped with pre-discharge filter
- Stainless BBQ
- Canvas for all varnish including wheelhouse.
- Teak swimstep
- Aft deck rigid canopy
- Custom embroidered fender covers/deck chairs/doormats
- Skylight binnacle
- Grapefruit skylight in aft hallway
- Teak deck chairs with custom upholstered cushions
- LED lighting on 12V and 110V throughout
1940 Old town wood and Achilles inflatable (11ft). Propane outboard motor. Dinghy davits with period wooden/bronze tackle off rear deck.
Envision yourself relaxing in the classic luxury of times past in this Elco Motor Yacht while at the same time enjoying the creature comforts of more modern cruising. The blend of the old with the new create a unique experience you must see in person. Twin diesel reliability, modern appliances in the galley, full tile shower, comfortable owner’s stateroom all await you.
Current survey and boathouse option available to qualified buyer. (Boathouse cost not included in vessel pricing and Yacht Club membership required.)
All personal gear; artwork; loose items; galley gear; CD's; clock & barometer sets; charts; fishing equipment; tools; spare parts; supplies & items not specifically listed on equipment list specifications sheet.
The Company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.
Contact Todd Powell at 206-624-1908 (office) or 206-939-0312 (cell) for additional information and your viewing appointment.