Thanks for stopping by!

My name is J. Carlos Peinado and this site will hopefully be of some use to those of you who also own similar vessels.

I've wanted to sail ever since I can remember, but my first time was just two years ago when a college buddy of mine (Jason Glassberg -- there, got your name in!) took me out on his Pacific Seacraft 25' in San Francisco Bay. The experience was everything I had imagined and then some. The sound of the waves crashing into the bow, the smell of the salt air, and best of all the wind in my face -- it was all too good to be true. by the time we got back to the Berkley Marina I knew I had to have a sailboat.

Well, the time has finally come. About six months ago I got the itch and started to casually look around and see what was available. There's a bit of intimidation at first, and I suppose that the biggest trepidation I was asking myself was how big to go? I started with Sunfish and Lazers, but pretty soon realized that condition seems to be a direct function and correlation to price. Paying under a grand seem to get me very little condition wise. These boats had seen better days in one way or another. Sun damage, pure neglect or combinations of both is what I looked forward to buying into at this level. From a grand to two grand gave me better conditions but then I began to wonder about the size issue. I mean let's face it, I can't pop a frosty brew while sitting on the deck of this little thing and God knows that half the fun is being able to relax a little from time to time.

So now I'm looking at the 18' to 26' foot range, and the prices are getting pretty steep. I looked at a 21' MacGregor in great shape in and out, trailer, anchor and rode, lifevests and all the other neccessary accroutrements. Price? $3900.00. Well I just about sprang open the old wallet when a friend of mine asked about the motor. What motor, I said, it's a sailboat. You're gonna need one, trust me, he replied. And he added, "That'll set you back another grand, give or take..." Hmm, so the search continued...

And so here she is. My prize find which I purchased on April 22nd, 2001 and got the whole shebang for $2000.00 -- and an 8hp outboard to boot. When I saw her, I had the same reaction as I did when I found my apartment in New York City back in '93. A bit of a crapper on the surface, but with so much potential! To be honest I didn't try to dicker (much) with the seller. My only request was that when I was ready to take her out, would he be kind enough to come with me so I could familiarize myself with the rigging, do's and dont's on her and such. He agreed and that was that. I've had the boat now for about two weeks where it's now parked in the backyard of another friend, Ben. Together we've been tearing in on the task of getting her cosmetically put together again.