After about a year of looking I now own my first Sea Pearl 21.
Sometime last year I was out fishing on the the Wekiva River in my Gheenoe. I love my Custom Gheenoe Lo Tide 25. Its probably the greatest freshwater and inshore saltwater boat I could ever hope to own. But as I came back from fishing there was a boat parked next to the ramp that I had never seen before. My first thought was it reminded me of an over sized lifeguard dory like I use to row while working as an ocean lifeguard in south Florida. It had the same basic shape along with a pair of oars right in the middle. As I pulled up closer I commented saying I really like the boat and asked what was it.
That is how I met Johnathan from Honest Johns Fish Camp in Melbourne and first learned about a Sea Pearl 21. He had been cruising the St Johns and decided to come up the Wekiva River to Wekiva Marina (aka Wekiva Island). The boat was shallow and big enough to do some serious sailing. Johnathan told me about his trip to the Bahamas and explained how the boat works. Its a unstayed cat-ketch rig, 21 ft LOA, and a 5'6" beam . Simple to trailer, setup and sail. Its powered by sail, oars, or a small outboard. New they are around $15,000. If you take your time and look hard you may be able to pick one up for a few thousand.
That was the beginning of my search. I found out quickly there were not a lot of these boats for sale. The ones that were out there were expensive. Anywhere between $8000 - $18000. There is a trimaran version too. Its more expensive. Waiting for one that was more in my price range would take time. A less expensive Sea Pearl 21 came up for sale in Miami around December last year on craigslist but it was sold before I found the ad.
Then one day my wife said lets take a trip to Tarpon Springs to go site seeing. My first thought was that's where Marine Concepts makers of the Sea Pearl are located. I can visit the shop and look at some boats. So I called the shop and spoke to Jim. I told him how I was trying to acquire a used Sea Pearl 21 and he told me he just picked one up. It was in my price range and he could have it ready for me in about a week. It needed a few new parts. Reefing goose necks, a new tiller, some hardware, and some other little stuff. He would take care of all of it and keep the price reasonable. I couldn't believe my luck. I just happened to call just before Jim put the boat on the market. He was going to hold on to it for me so I could come look at it. If I liked it it was mine.
So this past Friday afternoon I went to Marine Concepts and purchsed the boat. Its centerboard Sea Pearl 21 made in 1986. The boat is in excellent condition for its age except for cracking in the gelcoat on the deck. This is something that can be fixed down the road. The centerboard is the less common version of this sailboat. Most Sea Pearl 21 sailboats are lee boards. The lee board version opens up the cockpit for more storage. I don't mind the centerboard. The outside of the Sea Pearl 21 hull looks aesthetically cleaner to me with a centerboard. I am looking forward to sailing with other Sea Pearls to see if the centerboard or lee board sails better.
The trailer looks every part of 24 years old. It needs some help. I will have to drop the boat in the water and work on the trailer.
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