The Black Pearl - 1964 Cal 30'

8 months had gone by since I sold the "Tabula Raza". Living in an apartment just wasn't... satisfying. I couldn't help looking everyday on Craigslist for boats and marine gear. A guy in Long Beach was getting rid of his 26ft Islander for $750 and I was about go buy it. The day before that happened, I went to the harbor to check out the this Cal 30 that I saw listed.

Immediately I knew the boat was for me. Seeing it opened that door to imagination that led me to anchorages in Mexico, skirting about in the Galapagos. I had been dreaming for months about this and now it was here. A cruising boat loaded with serious gear - a burly hull from 1964, classic look - an ideal setup of sails, rigging, and engine.

Purchased her the very next day for $4250 cash. I had $1250 in my account and I pulled $3000 from my 12.5% line of credit from Wellsfargo. Such good equipment:

-2 Bruce anchors on bow rollers with lots of chain and a Windlass, plus stern Danforth
-3 headsails, spinnaker, 2 mainsails, lines led aft to cockpit, boom vang and self-tacking jib setup, mast steps.
-Radar, GPS, 2 vhfs, oven and 2 burner stove, manual sink pump, coal burning cabin heater, shower.
-75 watt and 15 watt Solar panels, 2 batteries.
-9.9 horse Johnson four stroke high-thrust, electric start, cockpit controls, battery charging alternator.
-A beauty black hull, mast, red boom and spreaders.

The Blessing of the "Black Pearl"....