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1927 Ditchburn Speed Boat

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Stock #: Ditchburn Speed Boat
Engine: Gas 490 Fireball
Transmission: Automatic
Drive Type: Propeller
Ext. Color: Exposed Wood
Int. Color: Tan
VIN 30G539

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Built by Ditchburn Boats of Lake Muskoka, Ontario, the 'Malolo' (Flying Fish in Hawaiian), was originally custom crafted in 1927 for Casper Erholm of Lake Whatcom, WA. From the luxurious yellow pleated leather seats to the perfectly restored Gray Fireball racing engine, this boat is a head turner. At 20' in length and with a beam of 4'10", Malolo is a very nimble boat with enough room for friends to join your cruise. Most of the Hull planks are single run front to back, fitted so tight you can barely see the seams. All the graphics are made with lustrous silvery-white Palladium. Modern amenities like an under seat heater, electrical panel, radio and bilge pumps are all hidden behind beautiful woodwork. These amenities mean the boat is not just for show, it's meant to be run. Ditchburn Boats were known as the Rolls Royce of boats at the time and were considered to be one of the premier speed boat and yacht builders in the world. They also built racing boats, twice winning the Gold Cup and the Harmsworth Trophy once. This fabulous example is thought to be one of only about two-dozen remaining worldwide, with the majority being restored and residing in eastern Canada. Ditchburns are the classic Porsches of the wooden runabout world - quick and maneuverable, and this boat is exceptionally well built. A boat like this comes available once in a lifetime. Don't miss this opportunity at adding this incredible, extremely rare and highly desired Ditchburn wooden speed boat to your collection.

The Malolo was referred to as a 'Gentleman's Racer'. It was exceptionally fast for its day, going 28 miles per hour. It is powered by a 'Grey 490 Fireball' racing engine and has Dual Carburettors and High Compression (it had to run on aviation fuel at that time). The Malolo's original owner, Casper Erholm, was the son of Charles Erholm, the 'Finnish Laundry King of Bellingham', who founded Pacific Steam Laundry in 1889. In 1921, Erholm's son Casper began his apprenticeship in the family business. One can only imagine the young and entitled playboy cruising in what may have been Lake Whatcom's fastest boat.

The Malolo plied the waters of Lake Whatcom from 1927 to 1959, when it suffered hull damage from hitting a dead head. It went into storage and stayed there until 2005, when its stewardship was passed to the passionate master-crafters at Glen Cove Boatworks. Glen Cove Boat Works did a magnificent job of rebuilding this 1927 Ditchburn Gentleman's racing classic. The restoration was undertaken by craftsmen Richard Montag, Tom Walton and Terry Buzzard, along with assistance and advice from many others, including historians from the Lake Whatcom Motor Boat Club. With an eye toward keeping this very special and rare watercraft as near to original as possible, the team painstakingly restored 'Malolo'. The result is an absolutely stunning piece of American boat building history that is sure to impress even the snobbiest boaters.

The engine refurbishment was entrusted to the legendary Hy Twiford. Hy starting working with his dad at the Cleveland Yacht Club in the family boat repair business, Twiford Marine Services. He had an innate ability to fix anything, especially if it had to do with boats or boat engines. Jim Rowland of Jim's Upholstery hand-crafted the leather seats, Clawson Instruments expertly refurbished the gauges, the electrical system was restored by Ken Benthien. Larry Oliverson masterfully applied the graphics. The silver highlights are actually Palladium leaf, which is about 5-times more expensive than Gold leaf.

Ditchburn Boats is the popular name for a manufacturer of wooden pleasure craft launches and racing boats located in Gravenhurst, Ontario, on Lake Muskoka. At one time the company was the largest boat manufacturer in the lakes region. Ditchburn operated from 1871 until approximately the 1930s building wooden rowboats and canoes early in its history, and later gasoline-powered launches.

Although over 73 years have passed since the last Ditchburn boat left the Gravenhurst factory, their products continue to set the standard for the glory years of wooden pleasure craft construction in Canada and are still recognized as among the best and most beautiful boats ever built. Ditchburn's important innovations in construction, mechanical systems, and design produced higher standards of customer satisfaction, safety, and utility. His vessels possessed a singular beauty-a sculptural quality that set them apart. Survivors are treasured reminders of a time when craftsmen built boats by hand, using the finest materials, creating a custom product uniquely suited to its purpose and its owner. Ditchburns are highly prized by collectors.

For more information, or to discuss delivery arrangements for adding this rare and desirable, beautifully restored 1927 Ditchburn Speed Boat to your collection, contact one of our friendly and knowledgeable sales consultants today or always feel free to drop by our Bellevue, WA facility - Home to the West Coast's Most Diverse Inventory of Luxury, Exotic, Collectible and Special Interest Automobiles, (and boats & motorcycles). With 200+ Always on Site, Nobody Has What We Have!

The price for this vehicle as equipped does not include charges such as: License, Title, Registration Fees, State or Local Taxes, Finance Charges, Credit Investigation, Optional Credit Insurance, Physical Damage or Liability Insurance, Delivery Fees, or a negotiable $200 Documentary Fee. Any and all equipment, trim, options, colors, ownership, or any other representations made must be verified with sales associate and company prior to the sale of the vehicle. All sales are final

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1927 Ditchburn Speed Boat

Used 1927 Ditchburn Speed Boat in Bellevue, WA

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