Small Craft Advisor
Review: Sea Pearl 21
Convenient and capable, the marine concepts sea pearl is a trailersailing jewel..
The eminent L. Francis Herreshoff called his Walrus design a “man’s boat.” A motorsailer, Walrus carried 755-square-feet of sail, two 65-horsepower gasoline engines, and a pot-bellied stove in her saloon. She was ideally suited to the cold-weather expedition.
Her only weakness, especially in the eyes of a venturesome coastal-cruising captain, was her six-foot draft. Herreshoff thought Walrus deserving of an able tender to serve as a secondary cruising boat for exploring shallows; this boat he called Carpenter.
A double-ended 18-footer, Carpenter was designed to carry substantial loads even through rough water. She was also intended to be easily beached—drawing a mere five inches with her centerboard retracted into her flat bottom. So impressed with the Walrus’ tender was Herreshoff that he wrote, “it might become something of a question as to which boat was tending which.”
In 1979, fifty years after Herreshoff ’s sketches, George Jeffries and Ron Johnson formed a boatbuilding partnership called Marine Concepts. Their first “concept” was a family boat based on Herreshoff ’s Carpenter. Expanded to 21 feet, their “Sea Pearl” maintained the length-to-beam ratio of the original. Not quite double-ended, the Sea Pearl had a narrow tombstone transom.
Early versions employed a centerboard, but by the eighties leeboards were being offered. The leeboard model excelled in shallow water, since the boards remain somewhat functional while drawing no more than the hull. And the absence of a centerboard trunk meant more room inside the forward cockpit or under the optional canvas cabin. Centerboard Pearls were soon all but obsolete.
Early models were unballasted, but since 1988 most have a hull liner and water ballast tanks that when full add 360 pounds. The unique reefing gooseneck system was added by 1990. Four hundred-nineteen monohull Sea Pearls had been built when we wrote out initial review in 2004 (see issue #25). Marine Concepts remained “in the family,” operating under the watchful eye of owner Jim Leet—Ron Johnson’s brother-in-law. At that time we asked Jim about his typical customer.
“Most of our business comes from 60 to 80-year-olds. The Sea Pearl is so easy to rig and launch that older folks really like them.” Leet sees tremendous potential for his lightweight, rowable, sailable Sea Pearl in another market as well. “I’d also like to get the younger camp-cruise, kayak and canoe crowd. Our boat would be the absolute Cadillac of their market.”
We sailed with owner Drew Squyres aboard his 1991 model, Persuasion, and we asked the real experts—Sea Pearl owners—for their comments.
Note: Before publishing this article we reached out to Marine Concepts and didn’t get a reply. We were told by one Sea Pearl owner (but were not able to confirm) that Marine Concepts has ceased production of new boats, but that Jim Leet is possibly still selling accessories.
PERFORMANCE:
“I have sailed along side a Drascombe and Bay Hen and had to luff both my sails to keep my speed down to theirs. Downwind, the ability to go wing-onwing in air too light to sustain flying a spinnaker cannot be matched.” Steve Churchill, 1993 Silmaril.
“People claim to tack through 90 degrees. I guess you can, if you’re pointing to the max. I prefer to sail about 55 degrees off the wind for a little more speed.” Phil Bacon, 1986 Scout .
“In a light breeze I get 3-4 knots easily. When the wind is over 10 knots, I consistently get 4.5 to 5.5 knots upwind and 6 to 6.5 knots downwind. I’ve surfed occasionally over 7 knots.” John Weiss, 1998 DragonSong.
“The Sea Pearl is a family and recreational cruising boat, not a racing boat comparable to Flying Scots, Lightnings, Thistles, etc. Still, it is quite fast—commonly the fastest boat overall of a group of various trailerable cruisers such as the West Wight Potters, O’Days, Drascombes, Wayfarers, Dovekies, Hen boats, Sanibel, Com Pacs, etc. The 21 does not point well. The cat ketch rig, shallow draft, and leeboards in lieu of a keel or center/daggerboard all work against sailing close to the wind. I have found that about sixty degrees off of the wind is the best I can do in good conditions. In rough seas, achieving even that upwind success requires close attention to such things as weight distribution and tell-tales.” Bill Fite, Moon Shadow.
“Not as fast upwind as some, but often passes boats on a broad reach and downwind. Points fairly well, and sailing close-hauled is fun because it likes that initial heel, but some sloops can certainly out-point her at times. The lug rig has some mysteries I never fully solve, because sometimes I’m amazed how well it does even when close-hauled.” Tom Lyons, 1984 Besito (lug rig).
In a dead calm, we had a chance to test the Sea Pearl’s standard auxiliary propulsion system—9-foot oars. Drew rowed while I manned the tiller—later we switched. We pulled our way quietly through the desolate back bay. Almost any small boat can be made to row, but there’s a clear difference with those in which rowing was a design consideration. The Sea Pearl goes well. She’s too heavy to move like a. rowboat or racing shell, but if I owned her I think I’d frequently leave the outboard at home. I’d be tempted to make her an exercise machine in the morning’s light air and sail home on the afternoon sea breeze.
After rowing to a shallow spot near the dunes we unfurled the sails in an attempt to catch the freshening breeze. Sure enough the Pearl responded. The cat-ketch rig’s 136-feet of sail area was just enough. Light air performance was good.
Sixty minutes later the Santana arrived in force. Our mirror-like reflection on the water was shattered by whitecaps. Drew suggested we fill the tanks. “It’s like giving her a glass of wine,” he said, “the extra ballast relaxes her and takes the edge off.” The Pearl felt more substantial now—especially hard on the weather, clipping the tops off the foamy swells.
We were surprised when the wind built to a sustained 17 knots. Drew demonstrated another Sea Pearl strength—heaving to. Ease the main, harden the mizzen and let go. The boat weather-vaned, drifting slowly backward—the rudder turned sideways and acted as a brake. To reef, Drew lifted the thumb tab on the ingenious rotating gooseneck, unclipped the vang and eased the outhaul. This allowed him to rotate the mast— which spins freely in the mast tube— and roll up sail area. Very simple. Very Sea Pearl.
To keep a balanced rig we reefed using the Sea Pearler’s standard “3/2”— three turns on the main and two on the smaller mizzen. This leaves the Pearl—which can be set to sail with a neutral helm in any conditions—with a slight weather helm for assistance rounding into stronger gusts. To resume sailing Drew simply backed the mainsail, which was right at his fingertips. Obviously, traditional battens won’t fly on these roller-reefing masts but the factory does offer special vertical batten performance sails as an upgrade.
Even under reduced sail the Sea Pearl performed admirably. She was fast and predictable—and pointed fairly well. Owners told us Sea Pearls tack in 90-110 degrees. The truth is somewhere in between; not quite as good as a similar sloop-rigged centerboarder, but not bad.
The split rig is essentially self-tending, that is, her skipper can ignore the sheets on tacks. Push the tiller over, lower the leeward board, and raise the windward board. Optionally, the Pearl can be sailed less efficiently with both boards down as some owners do in short tack situations.
TRAILERING AND LAUNCHING:
“Even my 1982 Saab hauls it at highway speeds with ease. It sits so low on the trailer, it’s stable even in crosswinds . . .I blew a trailer tire at 65 mph and didn’t even know it except for a bit of rumbling noise from the wheel on the pavement” John Weiss, 1998 DragonSong
The lightweight Sea Pearl is one of the few trailerables appreciably lower than her tow vehicle. She also sits low, so the view in the rearview mirror is less impaired. Few boats are easier to tow.
We were ready to participate in the rigging and launching of Drew’s Persuasion, but we didn’t have a chance to do much—Drew had already stepped both masts and rigged in the time it took us to snap a few pictures. Many owners claim to rig and launch in less than 8 minutes—and we believe it.
Launching is even easier. Drew showed us how, with his tilt trailer, the Pearl can be launched without dunking the trailer hubs. That’s right—not just dry automobile hubs—but dry trailer hubs. A gentle push and the boat slid right off. Drew deftly played bow and stern lines to turn his boat toward open water, tied off at the dock, and we were ready to go.
SEAWORTHINESS :
“I had my Pearl out in tropical storm Frederick in 1988 with winds of 45 knots, with sails reefed down to tiny size. We not only didn’t capsize, but made near hull-speed upwind. I had her offshore (along the coast) in 12-foot waves and stayed dry and in complete control.” Steve Churchill, 1993 Silmaril.
“I use ballast tanks whenever I’m alone, or in more than 12 knots or so. In combination with prudent reefing, she keeps right on going.” Phil Bacon, 1986 Scout.
“So far, so good. My boat does NOT have water ballast as many newer models do, but I really don’t want it. My only worry is in a possible breach situation when we are unavoidably crossways to big surf, but I have never rolled the boat or had it knocked down despite some adventurous chances. I do know the 21-foot length is a lot for its somewhat narrow beam and this helps when going upwind in a chop. The boat feels a bit light in big winds but it can take water over the rail without any problem because it just flows back to the cockpit and drains readily” Tom Lyons, 1984 Besito (lug rig).
Who can forget small-boat adventurer, Shane St. Clair’s account of sheeting the mizzen tight and going below to get some sleep in a 40-knot blow near Cape Hatteras. (SCA #13). In total darkness, surrounded by angry seas, St. Clair crawled forward, closed his eyes and left his Sea Pearl to fend for them both.
One look at the 600-pound Pearl, with its minimal freeboard and lack of a fixed cabin, and you’ll appreciate St. Clair’s courage. But Sea Pearls have been employed for a number of ambitious journeys.
She’s not only an able sailer, but also easy to reef and easy to beach—two qualities that add to a small-boat’s seaworthiness and versatility. Many owners laud their boat’s performance in high winds and big seas.
The Sea Pearl is not exempt from the realities of a narrow, relatively light, open boat. It’s possible to swamp or capsize her, and we’re told she can be difficult if not impossible to self-rescue. A few owners prepare for this unlikely possibility by adding more foam flotation to the hull and masts, but we’ve several reports of Sea Pearls bring towed to shore upside down.
Pearls benefit from hearty construction and a basic simplicity. The split rig means both low-aspect sails are easily manageable—neither requires winch or mechanical advantage. And unlike a centerboard, the leeboards are totally open to inspection and unlikely to jam with rocks or sand.
ACCOMMODATIONS:
“I think four can daysail comfortably, but three is great for balance and stretching out. For overnight, one can sleep in the center cockpit and one on the stern platform I made from folding plywood. Three of us have done extended cruising in the Sea of Cortez, but we slept on the beach and set up a full-blown camp. If you treat the Pearl as you would a big backpack, she will hold weeks worth of stuff. Of course, I never took three dozen tortillas and a case of Negra Modello on a backpacking trip.” Drew Squyres, 1991 Persuasion .
“ There’s plenty of room, but a lot of it is in inconvenient shapes or locations. (e.g., stowage racks under side decks are too shallow; space under cockpit is voluminous but hard to access).” John Weiss, 1998 DragonSong.
As a daysailer the Sea Pearl is one of the more accommodating small boats on the market. Six people for an afternoon sail is said to be plenty comfortable. Under-deck storage is good, with most owners customizing the space with storage boxes or duffel bags.
Overnighting aboard below the tonneau cover, optional convertible cabin (3' 6" headroom), or a canopy of stars (limitless headroom) is comfortable enough for two persons—if a bit spartan. Drew Squyres constructed his own aft tent to cover an aft berth made with plywood filler boards. This combination creates a giant caravan suitable for more extended cruises.
There is no designated spot for head or galley. Cruisers typically carry buckets, camp stoves, air mattresses, and other tent-camping gear.
“At 34 years old (the boat, not me), I have replaced some wooden spars (cheap and easy) on the lug rig and repaired a lee board that was losing a lead shoe. Most Sea Pearls have the aluminum marconi rig, which must last forever. (But mine looks cooler and gets under low bridges better!) Virtually everything that can break is fixable with some line and a few minutes of creative rigging.” Tom Lyons, 1984 Besito (lug rig).
We asked owners about all aspects of construction, trying to uncover any pattern of failure or corner-cutting. Owner responses bordered on the mundane. A bent cleat, some faded paint—very little trouble of any consequence. The only significant report we heard related to some leaky ballast tank seams. Potential owners might want to double-check this system.
Marine Concepts cores the Pearl’s double-laminate hull and deck with Klegecell™ (cross-linked PVC), where older models used end-grain balsa. We crawled around Drew’s boat, pushing and pulling, and were impressed with both strength and finish.
Jim Leet tells of one Sea Pearl that fell from its trailer at 70 mph. The owner reportedly picked up the scattered components and sailed that afternoon.
COMPROMISES:
“You can’t throw it on top of your car, and you can’t put a queen-sized bed in it. It’s a perfect compromise between those two.” Drew Squyres, 1991 Persuasion .
“You forgot to ask about shallow-water worthiness. That’s where this boat shines. The Sea Pearl can go just about anywhere a kayak can go. With lee boards barely in the water she can work her way upwind. Stick the boat on a sandbar 5” deep and it still usually floats free as soon as you step onto the sand. For exploring little islands and mangrove lagoons that other sailboats have to steer clear of, the Sea Pearl is wonderful. And it is great for taking shortcuts where other boats must go around. . Who needs channels?” Tom Lyons, 1984 Besito (lug rig).
We’ve touched on some compromises already. The Sea Pearl is essentially open, so the boat and her crew are more exposed than they might be on a cabin cruiser, and accommodations are comparatively rudimentary. Some sailors—and especially non-sailors—are put off by the Pearl’s initial tenderness, although she stiffens up considerably once heeled. The Sea Pearl is nearly defined by its cat-ketch rig and leeboards, which are both compromises—trading certain virtues for others—but we think the net results are positive.
MODIFICATIONS:
“I bought an aftermarket rudder for about $400 in hopes of getting extra lift for perhaps a bit of extra speed or higher pointing. Every penny of that cost was a waste, as I have found absolutely no evident advantage to the rudder, which I later learned was simply a Com Pac 16 rudder. I also eventually replaced my original sails with the horizontally-battened sails which have added roach and sail area, and therefore make the boat slightly faster in light air. Once I have to reef, however, anyone with standard sails can put up as much sail I do.” Bill Fite, Moon Shadow.
Several owners we spoke with who have older boats have retrofitted them with ballast tanks. Additional flotation, side motor-mounts and custom storage bins were common mods. Owner Kevin Mart was more ambitious, having built a beautiful new deck of mahogany and teak.
“A bit pricey at first glance, but worth every penny! There may be cheaper boats, but I doubt there are any with the Sea Pearl’s quality and versatility.” John Weiss, 1998 DragonSong .
“I suppose I could have bought two clunky 24-foot Chlorox bottles, complete with bunks, galley and head, for the same price. I think the Sea Pearl, at $4-5k for a good used one is a better deal” Phil Bacon, 1986 Scout .
“If you want a built-in cabin where you can keep your bunk made, this boat isn’t for you. It is a good-sized day-sailor and readily used for camping, but not in easy comfort at all times. You will get wet when sailing in the rain. Fun to sail, but not on auto-pilot while you mix martinis. It is a lively boat and you stay close to the water.” Tom Lyons, 1984 Besito (lug rig).
Sea Pearls are custom built and the options list is long. Even central components like the gunnel rub-rail are offered three ways. Vinyl is standard—teak, aluminum, and the “heavy teak classic” are optional upgrades. The base boat sailaway price is $11,295. Pearls appear to hold their value remarkably well. Few used models are found for less than $5,000.
The Sea Pearl has a noteworthy pedigree and is both attractive and capable. She even has an avid owner’s group with whom to share the excitement. But nothing makes her so appealing as her simplicity. Like Marine Concepts’ Jim Leet told us: You can arrive at the launch ramp parking lot the same time as an owner with a different trailerboat, and you’ll be two miles off shore by time the other boat is rigged. In a world where time seems to be an increasingly precious commodity, the Sea Pearl allows us to hurry up and relax.
ONE OWNER’S OPINION
We asked well-known Everglades Challenge veteran and Sea Pearler, Bill Fite, if he would offer a list of the design’s pros and cons.
• The SP 21 is simple. Its rugged fiberglass construction makes it easy to maintain. The masts are free-standing, and the sails furl around the masts for easy reefing and storage. There is a sheet for each sail, and a pennant each for raising and lowering the leeboards and the rudder. The leeboards avoid the through-hull penetrations (and potential problems) that come with centerboards and dagger boards. Once in place, the excellent camper top can be put up or down in seconds.
• At less than 1000 lbs, the SP 21 is easy to trailer, launch, and recover.
• The hull is a beautiful design that helps make the boat reasonably dry and remarkably seaworthy in coastal and bay waters, even in severe chop.
• The SP 21 is surprisingly fast for a recreational family boat not designed for racing, especially on close reaches to broad reaches and on runs.
• The divided sail plan of main and mizzen allows easy balancing of sails as well as quick and effective heaving to—a potentially valuable safety measure.
• The collapsible Sunbrella camper top is brilliantly designed and constructed to provide virtually complete protection from weather and insects.
• Beside sailing well, the Sea Pearl is easily rowed for a 21 foot sailboat, and easily motored with an electric or small gasoline outboard (the Honda 4-stroke 2 hp is a favorite).
• The extreme shoal draft (6 inches) of the Sea Pearl opens many shallow areas for gunkholing or riding out a thunderstorm at anchor, and emergency beaching.
• Use of the water ballast tanks can add stability and a reassuring heavier feel to the boat in high winds and chop.
• The 21 is tender. Despite strong final stability, it can be difficult to right if capsized, and can “turtle” readily without rapid employment of flotation such as an inflated boat roller.
• The boat does not point well due to the lack of a jib, centerboard, or keel. Tacking about 60 degrees off of the wind is about the best the boat can do.
• Sleeping two adults within the camper top is cramped. Removing baggage to the rear cockpit to make room, and sleeping head to foot is common in expeditionary races or challenges.
•The boat is slightly bow down in the water during even solo rowing. Placing heavy baggage in the rear cockpit before rowing long distances can help improve rowing efficiency.
• The SP 21 is self bailing only at rest, as the weight of the helmsman puts the drain hole below the water line when underway.
• The rear cockpit is small, and the relatively low seating position with little backrest is uncomfortable for some (extending legs to place feet against the opposite seat improves comfort).
• The narrow canoe-like transom of the SP 21 makes it less stable running in high winds. Surfing down swells at 12 or more knots is common, but more exciting than one would wish. It is important to take advantage of the SP 21’s easy reefing options early.
• The narrow stern makes outboard motor access difficult for some using the standard rudder mount.
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Review of Sea pearl 21 (Herreshoff)
Basic specs..
The hull is made of fibreglass. Generally, a hull made of fibreglass requires only a minimum of maintenance during the sailing season. And outside the sailing season, just bottom cleaning and perhaps anti-fouling painting once a year - a few hours of work, that's all.
The boat equipped with a ketch rig. A ketch rig is generally considered easier to handle, because the sails are smaller, and because it can sail on most points to the wind with one sail completely taken down for repair or while reefing. The sail configuration of a ketch allows for better comfort and stability when sailing downwind or on a broad reach.
Sailing characteristics
This section covers widely used rules of thumb to describe the sailing characteristics. Please note that even though the calculations are correct, the interpretation of the results might not be valid for extreme boats.
What is Capsize Screening Formula (CSF)?
The capsize screening value for Sea pearl 21 (Herreshoff) is 2.61, indicating that this boat would not be accepted to participate in ocean races.
What is Theoretical Maximum Hull Speed?
The theoretical maximal speed of a displacement boat of this length is 5.8 knots. The term "Theoretical Maximum Hull Speed" is widely used even though a boat can sail faster. The term shall be interpreted as above the theoretical speed a great additional power is necessary for a small gain in speed.
The immersion rate is defined as the weight required to sink the boat a certain level. The immersion rate for Sea pearl 21 (Herreshoff) is about 65 kg/cm, alternatively 364 lbs/inch. Meaning: if you load 65 kg cargo on the boat then it will sink 1 cm. Alternatively, if you load 364 lbs cargo on the boat it will sink 1 inch.
Sailing statistics
This section is statistical comparison with similar boats of the same category. The basis of the following statistical computations is our unique database with more than 26,000 different boat types and 350,000 data points.
What is Motion Comfort Ratio (MCR)?
What is L/B (Length Beam Ratio)?
What is Displacement Length Ratio?
SA/D (Sail Area Displacement ratio) Indicates how fast the boat is in light wind: - Cruising Boats have ratios 10-15 - Cruiser-Racers have ratios 16-20 - Racers have ratios above 20 - High-Performance Racers have ratios above 24 Sail-area/displacement ratio (SA/D ratio): 30.59
Maintenance
If you need to renew parts of your running rig and is not quite sure of the dimensions, you may find the estimates computed below useful.
| Usage | Length | Diameter | ||
| Jib sheet | 6.4 m | (21.0 feet) | 10 mm | (3/8 inch) |
| Genoa sheet | 6.4 m | (21.0 feet) | 10 mm | (3/8 inch) |
| Mainsheet | 16.0 m | (52.5 feet) | 10 mm | (3/8 inch) |
| Spinnaker sheet | 14.1 m | (46.2 feet) | 10 mm | (3/8 inch) |
This section is reserved boat owner's modifications, improvements, etc. Here you might find (or contribute with) inspiration for your boat.
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The Sea Pearl 21
By: American Sailing American Sailing Association , Flotillas , Sailboats
Continuing “Trekking by Sail, Exuma Islands”
Shortly after being greeted by a hot wave of tropical air on the George Town runway, I was greeted by friendly waves from Dallas and Tamara from Out Island Explorers, our guides for the flotilla. We loaded our bags into the back of their pickup and wound our way across Great Exuma to meet up with the group for dinner and debriefing. Before we dove in to conch fritters at the Palm Bay Beach Club, we gathered around Dallas in the parking lot to run our fingers over the Sea Pearl for the first time.
These boats were to be our homes for the week, carry all our gear, shelter, and food, and two to three people per boat. We exchanged nervous jokes as we sized up how small they seemed next to the wide windy Caribbean–not your regular push-button charter flotilla. The open cockpit was flanked with seating almost the entire length, and the small bow held a fluke anchor cleated in place. Two identical masts, one forward and the other aft, stood unsupported by shrouds or stays. Long lead-weighted leeboards swung off the gunwhales on either side, controlled by a simple cam-cleat arrangement on the rails.
Rigging the Sea Pearl 21 is a simple process, even in higher winds. The twin triangular sails slide over the masts via sleeves along the luff, and they furl around the rotatable masts. To “hoist” the sails, you simply attach the clew to an outhaul line on the boom; since both sails are free-footed, they’re easy to set without much effort. The outhauls tighten in jam cleats on each boom, and there are downhaul lines for luff tension. Sheets are led simply–through a ratcheting block for the mainsheets amidships, and through a fairlead and jam cleat on top of the tiller for the mizzensheets.
Over the course of the week, we would come to find out that Sea Pearls are just small enough to be tender and peppy and just large enough to divert most spray and stabilize atop the ruffled wind waves. Their shallow draft and flat bottom means they can skim right up to ankle-deep beach surf and rest comfortably on the sand during a low tide. The only drawback, Dallas told us, was that our Sea Pearls don’t want to point very high to windward… but that’s why our trip was carefully planned so that we’d essentially be running for 40 to 60 nm before taking a plane windward back to Georgetown. Slick deal.
Although Feather , HMS Biscuit , Caribe , and “ The Golden Fleece ” were all Sea Pearl 21s, the fleet has slight differences in personality that we would come to know over the week. Feather had crisp white sails and a sleek dark hull, salty little Caribe (the Sea Pearl that could) tested our seamanship with various technical challenges, centerboard model HMS Biscuit flew under a beautiful blue-and-white profile, and canary yellow racing sails gave us all a constant view of the Golden Fleece’s stern. Each required a slightly different response to changing conditions. But regardless of their idiosyncrasies, I can’t think of a better boat in which to probe Exuma’s sparkling Cays.
As I turned down my hotel bed the night before our departure, a quarter-sized gecko wiggled away from the light and out of sight. I fell asleep anticipating the noises that we would hear floating around the remote night sky of the out-islands.
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Sea pearl 21
The sea pearl 21 is a 21.0ft cat ketch (unstayed) designed by l. f. herreshoff/ron johnson and built in fiberglass by marine concepts (usa) since 1982., 415 units have been built..
The Sea pearl 21 is an ultralight sailboat which is a very high performer. It is not stiff and has a low righting capability if capsized. It is best suited as a racing boat.
Sea pearl 21 for sale elsewhere on the web:
Main features
| Model | Sea pearl 21 | ||
| Length | 21 ft | ||
| Beam | 5.50 ft | ||
| Draft | 0.50 ft | ||
| Country | United states (North America) | ||
| Estimated price | $ 0 | ?? |
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| Sail area / displ. | 30.63 | ||
| Ballast / displ. | 0 % | ||
| Displ. / length | 39.05 | ||
| Comfort ratio | 4.88 | ||
| Capsize | 2.61 |
| Hull type | Monohull centerboard | ||
| Construction | Fiberglass | ||
| Waterline length | 19 ft | ||
| Maximum draft | 2.50 ft | ||
| Displacement | 600 lbs | ||
| Ballast | 0 lbs | ||
| Hull speed | 5.84 knots |
We help you build your own hydraulic steering system - Lecomble & Schmitt
| Rigging | Cat Ketch (unstayed) | ||
| Sail area (100%) | 136 sq.ft | ||
| Air draft | 0 ft | ?? | |
| Sail area fore | 0 sq.ft | ?? | |
| Sail area main | 0 sq.ft | ?? | |
| I | 0 ft | ?? | |
| J | 0 ft | ?? | |
| P | 0 ft | ?? | |
| E | 0 ft | ?? |
| Nb engines | 1 | ||
| Total power | 0 HP | ||
| Fuel capacity | 0 gals |
Accommodations
| Water capacity | 0 gals | ||
| Headroom | 0 ft | ||
| Nb of cabins | 0 | ||
| Nb of berths | 0 | ||
| Nb heads | 0 |
Builder data
| Builder | Marine Concepts (USA) | ||
| Designer | L. F. Herreshoff/Ron Johnson | ||
| First built | 1982 | ||
| Last built | 0 | ?? | |
| Number built | 415 |
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SEA PEARL 21 Detailed Review
If you are a boat enthusiast looking to get more information on specs, built, make, etc. of different boats, then here is a complete review of SEA PEARL 21. Built by Marine Concepts (USA) and designed by L. Francis Herreshoff, the boat was first built in 1982. It has a hull type of Centerboard (Trunk) and LOA is 6.4. Its sail area/displacement ratio 30.63. Its auxiliary power tank, manufactured by undefined, runs on undefined.
SEA PEARL 21 has retained its value as a result of superior building, a solid reputation, and a devoted owner base. Read on to find out more about SEA PEARL 21 and decide if it is a fit for your boating needs.
Boat Information
Boat specifications, sail boat calculation, contributions, who designed the sea pearl 21.
SEA PEARL 21 was designed by L. Francis Herreshoff.
Who builds SEA PEARL 21?
SEA PEARL 21 is built by Marine Concepts (USA).
When was SEA PEARL 21 first built?
SEA PEARL 21 was first built in 1982.
How long is SEA PEARL 21?
SEA PEARL 21 is 5.79 m in length.
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 1986 Marine Concepts Sea Pearl 21 Trimaran
Seller's Description1986 Marine Concepts Sea Pearl 21 sailboat, refitted at the factory in 1996, converted to full trimaran with wing decks and battened sails. Cat ketch rig. 2 identical masts and sails. Rigged by 1 person in 45 minutes, 30 minutes with 2 people. Nothing heavier than 40 lbs. Great warm weather daysailer; fast, stable, tons of room. Ive sailed her with 6 people plus gear aboard. Designed for easy single handed rigging and sailing. The double outriggers (Amas) collapse inward for trailering (8.5 ft beam). When extended, the boat is almost 14 feet wide; making for level FAST sailing. Painted 4 years ago and always stored on the dry, under cover. Sails, two biminis, and tent top included and in great condition. Could use new lines at some point in the future. Currently in the process of replacing running rigging. Road ready trailer is ready to go with new lights and greased hubs. Hasn’t been officially weighed on the trailer but should be roughly 2,500 lbs on the trailer. Most 6 cylinder cars can pull and launch it. Search YouTube for “sea pearl trimaran” to see the features of these really cool camp cruisers. I love this boat. Only reason for selling is because baby #3 is taking up more time than we thought. Equipment: Road ready trailer 200 AH battery with SAE plug 1 small Bimini 1 large bimini 1 cabin/tent cover 1 16 watt solar panel Rig and SailsAuxilary power, accomodations, calculations. The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more. Classic hull speed formula: Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL Sail Area / Displacement RatioA measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more. SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3
Ballast / Displacement RatioA measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize. Ballast / Displacement * 100 Displacement / Length RatioA measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more. D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³
Comfort RatioThis ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more. Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )
Capsize Screening FormulaThis formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more. CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64) This listing is presented by SailboatListings.com . Visit their website for more information or to contact the seller. View on SailboatListings.com Embed this page on your own website by copying and pasting this code.
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sea pearl 21
ChuckThomasAnyone have experience with this boat? Good? Bad?  LANCE ON CLOUD NINENo personal experience but a very loyal following in S.W. Florida These guys seem to love them- both in standard form and with optional out riggers. From what I have read on their web sight, they are faster than you would guess. After going to their site, you can join their yahoo group and ask any specific questions. Good luck. great boats a friend has one that we have sailed on. The boat is surprisingly fast, easy to sail, points well, and will sail in very shallow water. The motor mount on the tiller is a little different, but it doesn't take much horse power to move her. It has no cabin, but some folks overnight in them using boom tents, etc. Bert Steve W (NY)I have one.....never going to sell it! I have one. It is a fantastic trailer sailer. You can have it rigged in 10-15 minutes easily. and it's light enough I pull it with a Pontiac Vibe. I sail with my family of five (we pull it with a minivan when they all go), and park it in my barn and it costs me nothing. West Marine becomes a place you vaguely remember, because the boat is so simple and the improvements you can make are minimal. Sailing in 10" of water is really fun, and being able to reef the sails down to hankerchiefs makes it even fun on days other trailer sailers are struggling. I went to Canandaigua Lake this past saturday and watched a couple of trailer sailors with sloop rigs spend time stepping masts with two people, and I just picked up the masts, stuck them in the steps, attachd the rudder and placed my Honda 2hp on and was ready for the ramp. Sailing is great, they move nice in even the lightest breeze. If there is a fault, it's that you have to be careful and not pinch, as the Cat-Ketch rig doesn't quite point like a sloop. But I was able to make upwind progress on par with an O'day Daysailer and a larger (maybe a tanzer 22...not sure) by not pointing as high but making faster boat speed. On a reach it's not a fair fight, I commonly sail at 6+ knots and have had it at 9 knots once. running is another place where a Cat-Ketch rig is nice....you can wing out the main to port and mizzen to starboard, and it really scoots. I chased a Watkins boat about 25 feet with a chute and I couldn't pass him, but I stayed right with him. I couldn't love a boat more. Take Care, Steve thanks for the input. i am thinking about giving one to my son for his 21st birthday? what do you think? Steve w (NY)Igot a big student loan for my 18th birthday....and a card for my 21st. They are about 17 grand new...... Take Care, Steve
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• Beside sailing well, the Sea Pearl is easily rowed for a 21 foot sailboat, and easily motored with an electric or small gasoline outboard (the Honda 4-stroke 2 hp is a favorite). • The extreme shoal draft (6 inches) of the Sea Pearl opens many shallow areas for gunkholing or riding out a thunderstorm at anchor, and emergency beaching.
SEA PEARL 21. Save to Favorites . Beta Marine. BOTH. US IMPERIAL. METRIC. Sailboat Specifications Definitions Hull Type: Centerboard (Trunk) Rigging Type: Cat Ketch (unstayed) LOA: 21.00 ft / 6.40 m ... Kelsall Sailing Performance (KSP): Another measure of relative speed potential of a boat. It takes into consideration "reported" sail area ...
The Sea Pearl 21 is a recreational dinghy or a keelboat, if fitted with the optional ballast tanks holding 360 lb (163 kg) of water.The boat is built predominantly of fiberglass, with wood trim and has forward decking.It is a cat rigged ketch, with two unstayed masts.A lug sail rig was optional. The hull has a raked stem; an angled, canoe transom; a transom-hung rudder controlled by a tiller ...
5'6"'. -'. Florida. $6,900. Description: So this is our 1990 Sea Pearl 21 from Tarpon Springs FL. The boat itself in 21 ft. and 5'6" wide and is in great condition. It is unique in the fact that the two masts can be easily taken up and down without much hassle. The tan center cover is included which make it a great boat for camping or day use.
Sitting inside my Sea Pearl 21 with my head halfway out the canvas cabin/dodger that covers the forward cockpit, I consider my route for the day. A steady 15-knot east wind will put me in the Marquesas Keys, some 20 miles beyond Key West, within four hours—four hours of sailing through crystal-clear water over fan corals and conch shells ...
The Sea pearl 21 (Herreshoff) is a small sailboat designed by the maritime architect L. Francis Herreshoff together with Marine Concepts from United States of America in the early eighties. Several hundred boats have been produced. The Sea pearl 21 (Herreshoff) is built by the American yard Marine Concepts. Here we would have liked to show you ...
Long lead-weighted leeboards swung off the gunwhales on either side, controlled by a simple cam-cleat arrangement on the rails. Rigging the Sea Pearl 21 is a simple process, even in higher winds. The twin triangular sails slide over the masts via sleeves along the luff, and they furl around the rotatable masts.
Sea Pearl 21 with upgraded sails and New custom made Float On aluminum trailer. Equipment: Location: Vero Beach, Florida. L104300 (772) 696-1802. Contact Seller. Material. Hull. Type. Rigging. Cabins. Condition. ... Show sailboats located in: ...
Preview: Virtues of a Small Boat, Gunkholing in a Sea Pearl 21. OffCenterHarbor.com is a membership website with over 1,000 videos and articles on boat handling, repairs, maintenance, boat building, dream boats and more. Sign up above to learn more, and get 10 of our best videos. Whether it's 5,000 miles on the Great Eastern Loop or tucking ...
The Sea pearl 21 is a 21.0ft cat ketch (unstayed) designed by L. F. Herreshoff/Ron Johnson and built in fiberglass by Marine Concepts (USA) since 1982. 415 units have been built. The Sea pearl 21 is an ultralight sailboat which is a very high performer. It is not stiff and has a low righting capability if capsized. It is best suited as a racing ...
Sea Pearl 21 is a 20′ 11″ / 6.4 m monohull sailboat designed by L. Francis Herreshoff and built by Marine Concepts starting in 1982. ... The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more. Formula. D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³ D: Displacement of the boat in pounds ...
Go to Sailing Texas classifieds for current sailboats for sale Sea Pearl 21, 1996 sailboat for sale $6500 (with outboard) $6000 (without) 996 Sea Pearl 21 manufactured by Marine Concepts, 21 feet.. Length 21', beam 5'6", Draft 6", Lee board down 2'6". Boat weighs in at approximately 600lbs. Aft cockpit is self bailing. Has water ballast, very stable in higher winds.
Sea Pearl 21 is a beach cruising sailboat manufactured by Marine Concept, Florida. It's a very versatile boat that can be sailed, motored, rowed, paddled, and walked in 6 inches of water. My Sea Pearl 21 (SP21) was bought (used) in 19xx from the USA. It's hull #3xx built in 198x. It's the standard cat ketch boat with water ballast and lee-boards.
Sea Pearl 21. The Jeep of sailboats. Many Extras, Set ...
If you are a boat enthusiast looking to get more information on specs, built, make, etc. of different boats, then here is a complete review of SEA PEARL 21. Built by Marine Concepts (USA) and designed by L. Francis Herreshoff, the boat was first built in 1982.
Sea Pearl 21 Sailboat, Gainesville, Florida. 97 likes. For Sale: Sea Pearl 21, a custom built daysailer by Marine Concepts in Tarpon Springs, FL. Mine is a 2008 in excellent condition, with trailer...
Sea Pearl preowned sailboats for sale by owner. Sea Pearl used sailboats for sale by owner. Home. Register & Post. View All Sailboats ... Your search returned 3 matches of 106062 sailboats posted to date. Sort by: Length Year Price Added. Sea Pearl 21: Length: 21' Beam: 5' Draft: 1' Year: 2006: Type: daysailer: Hull: fiberglass monohull: Engine ...
Sea Pearl 21, 1986. $4,500. With great reluctance I am selling my beloved Sea Pearl 21 SCOUT. This is the legendary hull that was born "Voyage Through America" and can be referenced in numerous articles and books including "Small Boats, Big Aventures." She can also be seen on Offcenterharbor.com in "Virtues of a Small Boat: Gunkholing in a Sea ...
The Sea Pearl is a popular and proven boat with the simple and versatile free-standing, full-battened, cat-ketch rig. The boat can be towed behind a small car. It is easily beachable. It can be rowed, sailed, motored. The Trimaran rig is fast and stable. Specifications. Length 21'. Beam, amas retracted 8'4". Beam, amas extended 14'.
Listed Jun 26. Expired. $5,000 USD. Seller's Description. 1986 Marine Concepts Sea Pearl 21 sailboat, refitted at the factory in 1996, converted to full trimaran with wing decks and battened sails. Cat ketch rig. 2 identical masts and sails. Rigged by 1 person in 45 minutes, 30 minutes with 2 people. Nothing heavier than 40 lbs.
1994 Sea Pearl 21 Cat Ketch Sailboat 21 Length 5.5 Beam 6 Draft Unstayed Cat-Ketch Easy/Fast Rigging Sails Included (one for each mast) Fiberglass Monohull Daysailer Aluminum Masts & Boom Very good condition. Equipment: Holmes Trailer (year 2000) Boat cover. Location: Bedford, Virginia. L81546 . Contact Seller. Material. Hull. Type. Rigging.
Jul 15, 2008. #3. great boats. a friend has one that we have sailed on. The boat is surprisingly fast, easy to sail, points well, and will sail in very shallow water. The motor mount on the tiller is a little different, but it doesn't take much horse power to move her. It has no cabin, but some folks overnight in them using boom tents, etc. Bert.
31' Mariner Ketch - Major Restoration & Repower - New Rigging & Sails Tenants Harbor Maine, Maine Asking $45,000