From 1946 to 1950, Chris-Craft produced just 208 of their 25-foot Sportsman models, making them a rare and highly sought-after class of classic wooden boats. This particular boat, hull number S-25-113, was completed and shipped on December 5, 1947, to Tahoe Boat Company. According to the original hull card, it was delivered without an engine or propeller. Oral history from long-time Tahoe locals suggests that Dick Clarke, a legendary figure at Tahoe Boat Company, installed a Scripps Model 302 V-12 engine in the boat, a rare configuration for a Chris-Craft and one of the features that makes this vessel especially unique.
The boat’s first owner was Rudolph Zimmerman, a west shore Tahoe resident and Commodore of the Tahoe Yacht Club from 1951 to 1952. He and his wife Ruth named the boat ZIM-A-RU, a creative combination of their names: ZIMmerman, RUdolph, and RUth. Zimmerman later sold the boat to his friend Howard Bloom, who renamed it HoBo, derived from the first two letters of his name (Ho) and those of his brother-in-law, Bob Scherman (Bo). Beginning in the 1950s, Bloom kept HoBo on Tahoe’s north shore, where it became a cherished fixture in the Lake Forest neighborhood, towing generations of water skiers—including the seller’s own older brother, cousins, and friends. The boat was a central participant in countless regattas and family adventures until 1976, when it was sold and moved to Tahoe’s south shore, continuing to provide enjoyment.
In June 2004, HoBo returned to the north shore, arriving at Sierra Boat Company. It was purchased in October 2004 by the current owners, David and Nancy West, and placed in storage until a full preservation and restoration effort began in fall 2005. This meticulous restoration included a complete rebuild of the rare Scripps V-12 engine. Upon completion, the boat was renamed West Winds, in honor of David’s childhood home in California, built by his father. West Winds returned to the water in June 2009, just in time for the Lake Tahoe Concours d’Elegance, and has since been featured in multiple shows, including the 2016 ACBS International Show, where it earned a Gold Award.
Since 2009, West Winds has been berthed seasonally at Sierra Boat Company, where it continues to be admired and enjoyed, a living testament to Lake Tahoe’s rich boating history and the enduring appeal of classic Chris-Craft craftsmanship.
