Stephen Ladd Responds
Following our article about the Sea Pearl capsize, at least one of you hoped author and adventurer Steve Ladd might comment. Here’s what he wrote:
During the voyage recounted in The Five-Year Voyage: Exploring Latin American Coasts and Rivers, Ginny and I used to row our Sea Pearl at 2.5 knots normally and 3 knots sprinting. We were not exceptionally strong people but we had a sliding seat. That makes a big difference, if you have a boat in which one can be set up. And yes, it helps a lot to have one person steer while the other rows. That was another set-up challenge. Since the rower was all the way aft in the cockpit the steerer had to steer sitting forward with special lines.
Any small boat can be rowed quite easily if you have the right set-up. Most important are 1) the spatial relationship between seat and oarlocks (the latter the correct amount higher and further aft), 2) having your oarlocks at the correct point along the length of the oar for proper leverage (which, given that the oarlocks may have to be on the gunwales, means having oars the right length; most oars aren't long enough), and 3) having your oarlocks low relative to the water. A boat with high gunwales, therefore high oarlocks, is harder to row.
The Sea Pearl is easily capsized in a gust or steep wave. Adding water ballast lessens the risk. We did that, and added a hard top so water wouldn't enter the cabin, making her self-righting.
Lots of good times! And I say that both seriously and sarcastically.
—Steve Ladd
Regarding Boats Out of Production
John Hughes shared the following comments and photos on the topic boats he wishes were offered again.—Eds
Well, there are lots… but one of the saddest days for me was when Hobie decided to retire the Adventure Island. I’ve owned a slew of them between ’07 and when they discontinued the model recently. True, the Tandem Island is still in production, but for us AI lovers the TI is a bit ungainly about the yard and, while I’ve had fun sailing them (both solo and with passenger), the AI reigns supreme when skipping along with its leeward ama buried deep.
•SCA•
While I never sailed a boat like the Sea Pearl, I have thoroughly enjoyed read Stephen Ladd's writings. His comments are interesting and I am pleased that SCA proffered them. Rowing takes work, I will stick to my electric motor!
As a follow up to Stephen Ladd's comments on the Sea Pearl he was at that time one of my heroes and still is. I followed his modifications to their Sea Pearl on SCA and copied some of them.
My wife and I felt that the Pearl was a bit tender so one winter I took out the centerboard and sealed and reinforced the slot. Then I made leeboards and all associated hardware and installed them on the hull locating them from a Sea Pearl photograph. Also , instead of rubbing boards between the hull and leeboard I used teak handrails which gave us grab points where we might need them.
However the most important and gratifying modification was next.
I got (4) steel plates 1" X 12" X 12" and had them hot dip galvanized. These I fastened securely in the bilge laying down in a fore and aft row configuration. That gave us 160 lbs of ballast exactly where we wanted it.
The Pearl was stiffer after that and sailing became much more comfortable with the added benefit that the cockpit " sleeping " area was opened up.
Eventually age and hard use got the Pearl and we sold her but she is probably the sailboat we loved best.
Jim & Carol