THE GREAT ROMANCE: The Soulful Boat I Chose, the Riptide 31

After months of researching modern designs "which, to be honest, felt empty of history" I found him. A classic project, a legacy of trust and adventure: the Riptide 31.

For me, a boat needs to have a soul, and I found the soul I was looking for in the lines drawn by the master Maurice Griffiths, G.M., A.R.I.N.A.

Riptide 31A

Strength, Versatility, and Legacy

The Riptide 31 was conceived as a strongly built, capable craft. The philosophy behind its design is what truly won me over. It is tough enough to handle long-distance ocean voyages, but it was also designed to sail with ease in shoal waters, estuaries, and creeks. That duality is both rare and powerful.

This boat is part of a lineage of Griffiths' designs—hundreds of which have completed successful transatlantic passages, and long cruises to Australia, New Zealand, and all parts of the seven seas. To look at his plans is to look at a legacy of ocean success.

The DNA of Stability

Griffiths described the Riptide with a kind of nautical poetry: it was "Sired by the Waterwitch, out of the Golden Hind," but 'Damned' (in the best sense!) by the Eventide. You can see the family resemblance in its elegant lines.

Like its "siblings," the Riptide has raised topsides, which translates into an incredibly spacious and comfortable interior. With a central keel weighing 3,810 lb. (about 1,728 kg), it has a powerful center of gravity. And, as with all Maurice Griffiths' designs, it will be self-righting in the unlikely event of being rolled flat on the crest of a breaking sea offshore. This stability is the fortress I seek.

A Helmsman’s Companion

For anyone spending days and nights at the helm, comfort is vital. The Riptide is known for being a helmsman-friendly boat. Its long central keel enables it to stay on course with the helm simply pegged or lashed with shockcord. It exhibits none of the crew-tiring habits of flightier designs, making it an ideal companion for long stretches.

The plans call for a self-draining cockpit and a transom-hung rudder as standard.

Regarding construction, although Griffiths drew the boat to be planked in marine ply (15mm), he left the material options open for carvel, strip plank, or even G.R.P. This adaptability only reinforces the timeless genius of the design.

The Riptide 31 is the soul of our mission, but the construction is where the real adventure begins. Don't miss a single cut of wood or a technical update. Follow our journey on YouTube, where we share new episodes every Saturday, and catch the daily progress and behind-the-scenes moments on Instagram. Join the crew and watch this dream become a reality!