News & Views for Southern Sailors - Southwinds Magazine

As a beach cruiser, the SeaPearl shines due to her two separatecockpits. The self-bailing aft cockpit is for the helmsman, and alllines lead to this cockpit. The forward cockpit can quickly be convertedto a cozy cabin by raising the convertible top.A SeaPearl Tri-Sport showing an aft cockpit bimini. The completelyun-stayed cat ketch rig is a revelation for owners of themore common stayed sloop rig. The lightweight aluminum mastsare easily lifted and set into the mast tubes.which rolls the sail around the mast. This is easy to do dueto the design of the mast and mast tubes. When you havecompleted the reef, just slip the outhaul line back into thejam cleat and re-attach the vang. The mizzen can be reefedin about 6 seconds right from the helm.Sailing the Cat Ketch RigWhen sailing a cat ketch, you should think of the mainsailas a genoa on a sloop, and the mizzen as the sloop’s mainsail.You sheet in both sails to go to weather, but sheet in themizzen a bit more. This opens up the slot between the sailsso that the main is not back-winding the mizzen. Since theseboats will not point like a fin-keeled sloop, there is noadvantage in attempting to point high. Better to foot off andmake good speed. The cat ketch rig and shallow lateralresistance provided by the leeboards and rudder limit herability to go to weather like a boat designed for racing, butshe will tack inside of 110 degrees, so headway to weather ispossible. It’s off the wind that these boats shine. Crack offthe sheets and let her rip. These boats are known for phenomenalspeeds off the wind. The mainsail can be sailedwith the boom beyond 90 degrees to the centerline of theboat, due to the un-stayed rig. Sailing wing-on-wing is aseasy as any other point of sail, with no extra poles or sailsneeded. An optional mizzen staysail adds to her speedpotential off the wind. With their easily driven slipperyhulls, it’s common for SeaPearls to reach seven knots off thewind, and they have achieved over 12 knots surfing wavesin the Gulf of Mexico during the Everglades Challenge heldeach year in March by the WaterTribe.The SeaPearl as a CruiserAs a beach cruiser, the SeaPearl shines due to her two separatecockpits. The self-bailing aft cockpit is for the helmsman,and all lines lead to this cockpit. The forward cockpitcan quickly be converted to a cozy cabin by raising the convertibletop and quickly fastening the snaps around it. Youcan leave the cabin up while sailing to keep your gear dry,or for the crew to go below to rest or use the head. The flatfloor inside the forward cockpit is made possible by the flattops of the water ballast tanks on either side of the hull. Inbetween these tanks are floorboards made of teak and holly.Raising the floorboards, you find enough space to storeboxes of food, water bottles, beach chairs, oars, and all othermanner of gear that you may need to take with you. Teakrails under the wide side decks below offer stowage for drybags for clothing, sleeping bags, an inflatable mattress, andother essential gear for a long cruise. A portable head slidesunder the bridge deck when stowed, and is easily deployedin private inside the convertible top.In 1987, a SeaPearl, sailed by Shane St. Claire, did theentire Great Circle around the Eastern United States in sixmonths. Shane traveled from Tarpon Springs up the EastCoast to the Hudson River, through the Great Lakes anddown the Mississippi to reach the Gulf, and back to the factoryat Tarpon Springs. To this day, Shane says that theSeaPearl is his favorite sailboat. Many buyers want to knowif the cabin can sleep two people in backpacking comfort.The answer is a qualified yes, if you are very friendly. It is,however, best suited to solo cruising. When used as a daysailer, however, the forward cockpit can easily accommodatefour adults.Construction and OptionsConstruction of these boats is first quality. It’s a boat meantfor bouncing along behind your vehicle on the trailer, andtaking hard groundings when beached at speed. GeorgeJefferies, the original fabricator, has laid up the core-celledfiberglass hull and deck since 1981. Jim Leet, the brother-inlawof the late founder, Ron Johnson, does the assembly andinstallation of rig, interior parts and options. It’s usually aone-boat-at-a-time operation, but occasionally two boatscan be built in their small shop in Tarpon Springs.Options for this boat include a tonneau cover for theforward cockpit, a convertible cabin top for campingaboard, an anchoring kit with an 11-pound Claw anchor,teak platform with bronze fitting for the bow and hawsepipe, heavy teak rail around the gunnel, engine bracket,head, lighting kit, Honda 2, and trailer. Sails are standard.You can customize your options, because each boat isbuilt to order. It is amazing that the sail-away price forthese boats has remained under $17,000 for so long.Compared with what else is out there, they hold theirvalue extremely well.The Trimaran OptionOver the years, some owners—and spouses of owners—have voiced the opinion that the SeaPearl is too tender for38 May 2012 SOUTHWINDS www.southwindsmagazine.com