Orcas Island Sailing Commanders
Should anyone be allowed to own three Pearson Commanders?
The first acquisition was easy. We needed a boat for day sailing/lessons in our home waters of East Sound WA. Smack in the middle of the San Juan islands, East Sound has wonderful winds that range from 5 - 25 knots all summer long. The 9' long cockpit was exactly what we needed. The brand new Hasse sails were a welcome bonus. "LARUS" was in Kingston, just west of Seattle. After two wonderful days on the water we sailed her up East Sound to her new home with Orcas Island Sailing, at Rosario Resort.
The Second acquisition was even easier. "PILGRIM" was in Bellingham, about 15 miles to our Northeast. She had a new main, Honda outboard, fresh bottom and hull paint, and a lower price than LARUS! How could we pass up having two of these wonderful boats? Everyone comments on how pretty they are and how big their cockpit is. After they sail one, they want one!
The third Commander was a purchase of mercy. Having been ignored for several years in the water, then a few more years on land, NATIVE SON, now "CYGNUS", was in a miserable state. The exterior wood appeared to have once been varnished but little remained. All lines were soiled and bleached. The shear showed signs of racing battles, and every surface was covered with mold and mildew. She was a mess. However, the winches were under cover, the running rigging blocks were in good shape and the owners wanted her to go to a good home!
CYGNUS is now at anchor at Rosario. She has new bottom (red) and hull (Kingston gray) paint to match her sisters. She is raced every Friday night against her sisters and is scheduled for complete restoration and inclusion to our rental fleet. Three Commanders racing, all painted identically, is quite a sight!
So now we own three Pearson Commanders. With so few of these boats made and so few available locally we do feel a bit . . . guilty? We offer these boats for rent to people who love to sail, we teach people to sail from all over the world, and these boats get more use and loving care than they ever have or would if owned by an individual. Perhaps feeling guilty for owning three Commanders isn't justified. We are very proud to own and maintain these beauties!
Ben & Christine Booth
Owners
Orcas Island Sailing
P.O. Box 1626
Eastsound, WA 98245
360-376-2113
www.orcassailing.com
info@orcassailing.com
