The "RipTide" is a 30 Foot Auxilary Cutter sailboat designed by John Trumpy and built in 1935 at the Mathis Yacht Building Company in Camden, NJ where John Trumpy was a principal. It is one of 4 cutters built during the depression as a variation from the normal large yachts that the yard typically built. The purpose of the Rip Tide Preservation Association is to obtain, preserve, and maintain this historic boat. The Association is being founded as a non-profit organization for the restoration, preservation, and display of the "RipTide" as an example of the art and beauty of wooden boat building. It will be a floating museum of our New Jersey maritime heritage.

The "RipTide" has gone through 4 owners and now belongs to the RipTide Association. The boat was purchased from the estate of Asher Tourison and was moved to the Tuckerton Seaport Museum where it was stored for the winter of 2007-2008. Restoration and refurbishment began to make it sea worthy again and ready for show.

The boat was placed in the water in March, 2009 with great concern about the number and size of the gaps in the boards.  After a few weeks, the flow of water into the boat slowed to a trickle and now there are almost no water leaks. 

Much of the external trim wood had to be replaced due to the long period of neglect.  Tim O'White at the Tuckerton Seaport did a splendid job of matching the new to the old.  The external is still being worked on to provide full protection from rain and replace missing parts.  The wood upkeep will be a continuing effort.

The interior was generally in good condition with the exception of some bulk heads where the plywood had delaminated due to long periods of water inside the boat during the years before we obtained the boat.  Again, Tim O'White replaced the outer layers of the bulkheads so that the appearance and functionality were there without total replacement. 

During June 2010, the boat was been moved to the Beach Haven area and work concentrated on repairing/replacing all the little items on the outside of the boat.  An electric motor and batteries was installed to replace the failed deisel engine.  This should give at least a 30 mile cruising range.  A small gas generator was added in 2011 to extend the range.

In early July the boat was moved to the Toms River area to have the mast set.  Finally a sail boat with a mast and sails.  Attended a Wooden Boat show on July 17th sponsored by the Toms River Seaport Society.  For more information, go to http://www.tomsriverseaport.org/

After the boat show, the some finishing work was done and on July 20th, the boat was sailed for the first time in 15 plus yeas from the Toms River area to Bay Head.   Returned from Bay Head to Beach Haven with all three sails up, what a magnificent site.

The boat wintered 2010-2011 in a barn on Long Beach Island.  Winter work done was to add coats of varnish, replace caulking that did not hold up well, move the batteries forward to better balance the boat, and various small projects.  A never ending project.

For the winter of 2011-2012 the boat is in Bayville under a tent.  Work required is just maintenance.

The boat has been used for several charity events and has been included in a Rotary auction for the benefit of local charities.

For more information on how you can help with the restoration or to make a tax deductable donation, contact us at riptidepreservation@verizon.net.