He Said, She Said

We are approaching another anniversary: one more year of marriage; one year as Captain and First Mate. It was on our last wedding anniversary, one year ago, that the idea of owning a boat first came up.

He Said

I wasn’t sure that the First Mate would go for it, but even after all these years she can surprise me. I thought it would be viewed as another hobby/sporting event that would require more time apart. She was actually very enthusiastic about having a project together and becoming the first mate. So after a year of cleaning, sanding, painting, and more cleaning I am happy to say that I think it was a good decision. We have had some good times along with the hard work. The BBQ’s with friends, learning new things, and sunset cruises have created the kind of quality time and memories that this Captain would highly recommend!

She Said

I was really excited when Truman took the sailing class at the yacht club last year. I have always gotten seasick, like with deep-sea fishing and whale watching trips, so I never considered that I would actually sail with him. But our harbor is really quiet so I started to entertain the idea of floating around, sunbathing, wine-drinking, and generally looking like Goldie Hawn on Overboard. Then I started thinking about getting my hands dirty and “taking it all out on the boat.” Sanding and painting, waxing and washing are free therapy sessions! And Truman has always wanted to buy a boat and possibly live aboard. What wife could possibly resist the opportunity to give her husband a little slice of his dream? I said, “Yes, let’s do it,” and the next week we went out and bought the boat!

Buying a Sailboat

Ha Ha, this last one is the view from Brophy's in Santa Barbara! Crowded, isn't it!

So, How did we become the owners of a 1970 Coronado 25?

I did a fair amount of research, reading books, magazines, and blogs, before I headed out looking for a sailboat. I wanted something easy to sail for a beginner, in decent shape but not great shape, around 30 feet long so that it was comfortable entertaining a group of 6, a good engine, dry bilge, good standing rigging (wire lines that don't move), and good sails, etc. . . . So how did I end up with a boat that had none of these qualities except for the dry bilge?

In most California harbors, the reality is that available places to dock a boat are in short supply. Several times in the past I had put money down on a boat only to find out that I would not have a place to put it. The same is true for Morro Bay. All the harbors have a several year waiting list for slips. The only way to get a slip is to buy a boat that comes with one.

This lead me to the State Park Marina. It has nice scenery and is half the cost per foot of any harbor in Morro Bay. In this marina, I found three boats were for sale but only one (Strega II) was sea worthy, the other two were just weekend water condos for inland dwellers that had no hope of surviving an ocean sail. I never expected the purchase of my first boat to go this way but it worked out for us and I am happy with the results.

I look back on this now and think it makes sense. When someone is learning to drive a car for the first time do you give them a brand new Porsche? Usually not! You start them in something they can make mistakes in. I got a cheap boat I can make mistakes in and not feel bad about when I run it aground (like last week). More importantly I can learn what I like and then buy a boat I want with a place to put it.

So how did I change the name from "Strega II" to "Training Wheels", well that's a story for another post!

~Truman

The Original Boat: The Strega II

This is the original boat. It has been in the same slip for 40 years. It was built in 1970 and the buyer put it in this marina where it has probably been ever since!

We bought it on August 20, 2009. It was named Strega II by the manufacturer.

The boat was never renamed or painted.....until now!

We set out to give this 25' Coronado some lovin'. Commonly called a "pig" in the yachtie world, this Coronado sailboat offers a generous berth and galley, a wide hull, and short keel. You will see the whole size of the boat when we post the pictures of the boat on the beach like a whale!

The sails where toast so Truman gave them to a local sailmaker on consignment. And we got brand new sails made! We polished and shined the original fiberglass in order to find out what the original color of the boat was. Guess what? It went from dull, oxidized white to just plain shiny eggshell!

Basically, Truman took over the electrical and mechanical and exterior overhaul. I took over the interior and teak refinishing. The bulk of the work took us 3 months of weekends to complete.

~Lauren