In 1981 my father gave me my first boat, well dinghy with a sail, but it was all mine, single mast and all! We grew up on the Great Lakes in the State of Michigan, famous for Mackinac Island Fudge and of course the famous SS Edmund Fitzgerald.
Sailboat - SV Deviation is a 1981 Pearson 530 Sailing Ketch. She was designed by William Shaw and manufactured by Pearson Yachts which has a long-standing history. You can view the details of the 530 and her history here: https://www.pearsonyachts.org/models/pearson-530.html
She was purchased in May of 2020. She was previously owned by the original owner who has sailed her extensively around multiple parts of the world for 39 years. The overall condition at time of purchase was poor and she was acquired with the intent purpose of doing a complete refit of all systems, including mechanical, electrical, interior, deck, and all standing and running rigging. However, she has an exceptional structure, solid over manufactured fiberglass hull which is in great condition and provided an outstanding base and layout for my family to build upon. She is a strong vessel with great refit potential.
I have been an avid sailor for over 35 years and previously owned both sail and power vessels. Today, my family spends most of our vacation time sailing in the Caribbean, bareboat chartering. My son Charlie took his first sailing lesson when he was 8 years old with Offshore Sailing School in Florida, 9 years later he still loves the sea like his father. My daughter who is 12 also shares the same love but one thing is clear… Olivia loves Monohulls, and my son Charlie loves Catamarans. Ultimately, and lucky for me, no matter what….they just love to sail! This leaves Reid.. our 4 year old son. Reid loves anything to do with boats and as long as he can steer the big wheel, he is in heaven. I took my wife for her first sail in Tortola in 2016 and she was hooked.
Overall, I knew I wanted to find our next sailboat, one that we can ultimately use as our 2nd home and eventually where my wife and Reid can sail around the world in with Charlie and Olivia visiting throughout their collage years. I wanted a powerful sailboat, one that would not fear a storm. A heavy displacement to sail with grace and confidence, cutting through each swell like butter. She needed to be spacious yet have elegance and a cozy home like feel. She needed to have all the latest systems, galley, entertainment, mechanical, and safety. I wanted a thick, overbuild hull that I knew I could depend on. While we have sailed just about every production boat from Beneteau, Jeanneau, Catalina, Leopard, and Hunter… There was nothing like the smooth heavy confidence of a 43,000lb sailboat with 16,000lb of ballast and a 2,000lb rig. Yes, she may be a bit slower than some of the above… but so far not by much… Some may say it’s best to stay ahead of the weather.. totally agree… that always should be everyone’s goal… but in that one time you find yourself unable…. I know my family will be in good hands.
We are looking at an approximate 3 year refit schedule to complete and have spent the last 5 months completing two phases; the initial sea fit to move her from Florida to New Hampshire / Massachusetts and then strip of all old systems and components. In June and July both masts were taken down and reconditioned in Florida and we completely replaced all standing rigging, re-wired masts, and replaced all chain plates in order to sail her north to her new home. She now resides in Newburyport, MA where we stripped her of all systems, including removing both the main engine and generator, all pumps and mechanical systems, all electrical wiring and systems, plumbing, cabin soles, and stripped to her main structures, bulkheads, etc. We are completely re-building her main engine, Perkins 4.236 with the intention to reinstall as a re-built unit. Reid calls the engine “Perky”. The main engine and transmission are the only original mechanical unit currently planned to re-install. All other mechanical, electrical, plumbing, wiring, refrigeration (including freezer), Generator, Air Conditioning, and Heating are being replaced for new components / systems with the exception of a few components that are either in good working order or currently being re-built.
Over the next year, we will tend to her deck. Her deck will be completely reconditioned, hatches will be restored, and all hardware will be new, reconditioned, and re-bedded. All fasteners will be done correctly by first filling each hole with thickened epoxy to protect the core and then re-drilled. She will receive new non-skid and a complete paint job. Finally, her interior will be re-done brining her back to life.
Come follow us and watch the transformation. We can’t wait for everyone to enjoy the finished product!
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