Captain Ladybug's Dream Boat
Donation protected
My friends. There comes a time in a man's life when it's time for a bigger boat. Kalakas has been good to me--she showed up when I needed her, braved the mighty Pacific to bring me safely to Baja and back, and has been a wondeful vessel for countless amazing adventures on the Bay for me and many, many friends. I was just browsing through old photos to find one just right for this purpose and I saw dozens of amazing shots of friends smiling on the bay, cranking winches to raise sails, swinging from the rigging, swimming alongside the boat, gazing off at a sunset or at the underside of one of the Bay's many bridges. So many adventures! It's been a joy, an honor, and a privilege to bring so many people out on the water with me.
That said, for years I've been dreaming of a bigger boat. One that can actually accommodate the number of people we usually sail with rather than packing sardines in a can. No more cramped cockpits, crowded cabins, dishevelled decks, and barely-big-enough bunks. From now on, we sail in style and comfort!! I've also been dreaming of starting my own small business taking folks out on the bay on the weekends, and I just earned my Captain's License towards that end but would need a bigger boat to do it. As I said....it's time.
And I found it. For years I've been hoping for an amazing opportunity to fall into my lap--waiting for someone with the right boat for me to offer it up for next to nothing. You see, I don't have any $$ for this hobby...somehow I've made it work so far, but it hasn't been pretty. I'm still paying off credit cards from when I bought Kalakas for cheap and racked up credit debt fixing her up for the coastal passage. So I needed a little help from the universe--and I got it. Just 2 boats down from Kalakas sits a beautiful old Cal 34--seven feet longer, which goes a long way in boat design. The interior is luxurious in comparison, and the hull design much sleeker and faster. I'm in love.
Her owner hasn't sailed her in 10 years and was eager to find someone who would give the boat the TLC she needs to get back up to sailing condition. Everything just fell into place--the boat needs a new engine, and I just happen to have an exact replacement for it sitting in my garage. He's been a member of my maritime educational non-profit for over 40 years. The Cal 34 lives two slips away from Kalakas...it was meant to be. He acccepted my offer of 1/2 his asking price, and probably would've accepted lower, because he can see that I'm the right new owner and that I'll treat the boat well. I told him I'd take him sailing as soon as the boat was ready--he beamed at me and said "I'd sure like that."
But I need help. I had to borrow money to buy the boat, and she needs a lot of work. I need to swap out the engines which invariably necessitates new parts. I need all new running and standing rigging--the cables that hold up the mast and the ropes that control the sails. That alone will be a few thousand dollars, at least. She needs to be hauled out and painted, the old gate valve thru hulls need to be replaced with ball valves, the electrical system is more or less shot and/or non-existent, the windows need to be replaced, and on and on and on.
If you have ever had a blast on Kalakas and can afford to help me out, now is when I need it. If you've ever wanted to sail on the bay but just haven't managed yet, I will get you on the water. If you just love the idea of a man having the boat he wants so he can be the way he wants to be in the world, please, help me out. Sailing has become a huge part of my life--it's my work, it's my play, it's one of my strongest connections to the natural world, it keeps me sharp and fit, it humbles me every time I go out, it brings me new adventures and new friends, and so much more.
I can do all the work the boat needs to be in top shape for all manner of voyages and shenanigans--the only thing holding me back is funds to purchase the parts and materials.
I so appreciate any help you can offer! Please share this with your networks to help get the word out--we can do this, and we will all benefit. This will change my life and the lives of those around me for the better for years to come. Thank you for your help.
That said, for years I've been dreaming of a bigger boat. One that can actually accommodate the number of people we usually sail with rather than packing sardines in a can. No more cramped cockpits, crowded cabins, dishevelled decks, and barely-big-enough bunks. From now on, we sail in style and comfort!! I've also been dreaming of starting my own small business taking folks out on the bay on the weekends, and I just earned my Captain's License towards that end but would need a bigger boat to do it. As I said....it's time.
And I found it. For years I've been hoping for an amazing opportunity to fall into my lap--waiting for someone with the right boat for me to offer it up for next to nothing. You see, I don't have any $$ for this hobby...somehow I've made it work so far, but it hasn't been pretty. I'm still paying off credit cards from when I bought Kalakas for cheap and racked up credit debt fixing her up for the coastal passage. So I needed a little help from the universe--and I got it. Just 2 boats down from Kalakas sits a beautiful old Cal 34--seven feet longer, which goes a long way in boat design. The interior is luxurious in comparison, and the hull design much sleeker and faster. I'm in love.
Her owner hasn't sailed her in 10 years and was eager to find someone who would give the boat the TLC she needs to get back up to sailing condition. Everything just fell into place--the boat needs a new engine, and I just happen to have an exact replacement for it sitting in my garage. He's been a member of my maritime educational non-profit for over 40 years. The Cal 34 lives two slips away from Kalakas...it was meant to be. He acccepted my offer of 1/2 his asking price, and probably would've accepted lower, because he can see that I'm the right new owner and that I'll treat the boat well. I told him I'd take him sailing as soon as the boat was ready--he beamed at me and said "I'd sure like that."
But I need help. I had to borrow money to buy the boat, and she needs a lot of work. I need to swap out the engines which invariably necessitates new parts. I need all new running and standing rigging--the cables that hold up the mast and the ropes that control the sails. That alone will be a few thousand dollars, at least. She needs to be hauled out and painted, the old gate valve thru hulls need to be replaced with ball valves, the electrical system is more or less shot and/or non-existent, the windows need to be replaced, and on and on and on.
If you have ever had a blast on Kalakas and can afford to help me out, now is when I need it. If you've ever wanted to sail on the bay but just haven't managed yet, I will get you on the water. If you just love the idea of a man having the boat he wants so he can be the way he wants to be in the world, please, help me out. Sailing has become a huge part of my life--it's my work, it's my play, it's one of my strongest connections to the natural world, it keeps me sharp and fit, it humbles me every time I go out, it brings me new adventures and new friends, and so much more.
I can do all the work the boat needs to be in top shape for all manner of voyages and shenanigans--the only thing holding me back is funds to purchase the parts and materials.
I so appreciate any help you can offer! Please share this with your networks to help get the word out--we can do this, and we will all benefit. This will change my life and the lives of those around me for the better for years to come. Thank you for your help.
Organizer
Glenn Howe
Organizer
Oakland, CA