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C O R O N A D O .
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T w e n t y S e v e n
This speedy chunk of "classic plastic" is as solid and seaworthy as the day it left the factory.
These old yatchs are known for their simplicity and extreme toughness.
This vessel, designed by the famed Frank Butler & Bill Tripp combo, was appropriately rechristened decades ago: SPACEMAN SPIFF.
Mr.
Spiff enjoyed many years sailing the blue before retiring to abandonment at Village West Marina in the '00s when a young, cigarette-smoking couple got ahold of the vessel and started squatting in the capsule.
They hot-boxed the hell out of him for a number of years but never took him sailing.
Finally, some guy answered their craigslist ad and was willing to trade them a motorcycle and $500 for the boat.
Walter was likewise a stogie-puffer who had also got the boat to live in it.
I heard he did actually take the yacht out of the harbor a few times.
But Walter was just a landlubber living in a boat; when opportunity presented, he ditched the #boatlife for some good ol' fashioned rubber-tramping (RV living).
That is when his dock mate Antonio, bought it off him.
Antonio sat on it for a year and half before selling the Spaceman Spiff to me in the summer of 2021.
Of course, I payed too much—this, my first boat—but it didn't matter, I'd had been jonesing for a sailboat for almost ten years.
I dove into the neglected old guy with the enthusiasm of a young lover, and ripped his guts out.
I pulled every stitch of cobbled and corroded wire (including a lot of Romex) and then I cut every piece of vinyl tubing in the ship and tore them out too.
And then with the abandon of fresh love, I carefully and methodically caressed the electrical and plumbing systems into proper working order, spending money like it was going out of style in the process.
Last Spring, SV Spaceman Spiff climbed out of the water and on to the hard.
While he was there, I scratched his belly down to his birthday-suit and then slathered on five protective coats of aqua-screen.
Even though it had been at least 20 years since he had a dry bottom, I was pleasantly surprised not to find one single blister anywhere.
(Hence the name, classic plastic).
We also totally redid his through-holes and I removed the caulking and rebedded the keel/hull joint in a hundred bucks of Sikaflex.
My dying mother's wish was to buy him a *brand new* mainsail.
After dropping him back into the drink, I was finally able to give up my land-loving ways and I moved aboard! We've been happily cohabitating ever since.
Mr.
T might say: "I pity da' fool that buys a boat!" And, I have to agree, it's a fool's journey but the truth is, I am a damn happy fool.
So, I've continued fixing him up.
——— At this point, you might be asking yourself why I am posting this eulogy in the BOATS FOR SALE section of Craigslist.
That's a good question and it's hurting my heart to have to write it.
So, here's the deal: An octogenarian here at my harbor offered to sell me his yacht for cheap, if I promised to care for it.
I couldn't even think of betraying my Guy after all the blood, sweat, and money I've invested in him.
Peter's boat is a 1973 CORONADO as well, but is 3 feet longer and 2 feet wider which essentially means the ship's cabin is twice the size.
The more I thought about my Jefferson's moment, the more I decided I had to move on up to that deluxe apartment.
This happening is your turnkey opportunity to get out of the mud and start walking on water!
I talked to a veteran boat dealer and he said the top four priorities when looking at a sailboat are: Engine Condition; Sail Condition; Bottom Condition; and Cabin Smell:
* Walter bought a brand new Honda 9.
9 when he got the boat and hardly used it.
As you may know, this legacy engine is a extremely dependable.
It has an electric starter but it only needs one tug on the rope to start purring.
Everytime.
[$1000+ value]
* The Rolly Tasker Mainsail is brand-spanking-new and was made to the factory specs for this boat.
He also comes with two Jibs 100% & 115%.
Both Jib sails are in good usable condition.
[$1800 value]
* The hull and keel have five (apparently unnecessary) coats of Fiberglass Bottomkote NT (formulated with unique Dual Resin Technology™).
[$1500 labor, $800 paint value]
* The boat had 18 months to air out before I got him and thoroughly sanitized every surface, twice.
Since then, the Spiff has nary a whiff.
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[beyond valuation]
There's no way, the ocean-wide, I can every recoup my costs on this beloved vessel.
(They don't tell you this, but "full discloser," boat ownership doesn't work that way.
) So, I cannot look at it like that.
I choose to see the sale of "Mom's Sail" as my affordable path to my final craft.
That's how I came to terms with asking only what I paid (sight-unseen) for Mr.
Spiff's languishing soul.
That was 3 years ago; I've spent well over $5000 on him since.
But whatever, I will just buy another new sail for this next Yacht in Mother's name with your money.
Please include your phone number and a proper email address in the body of your reply because craigslist automatically anonymizes your address.
Hold Fast, Matey!
Capt.
Kernel
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over and out.
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