My Boat | SV Victoria
Feb 6 2012 in Boats, My Boat by Deborah Bach
John Enders with his 1986 Pacific Seacraft Crealock 34, Victoria.
John Enders learned to sail in South California in the 1960s. But it wasn’t until a year ago that he fulfilled his dream of owning a bluewater boat when he purchased his 1986 Pacific Seacraft Crealock 34, Victoria. Enders, a longtime journalist who is currently writing a book about Latin American leaders, plans to head south to the Sea of Cortez and warmer waters in the fall. You can read some of his writing here.
(Editor’s note: We are pleased to feature Enders’ boat in honor of his son John Daniel Enders’ 29th birthday today. Happy birthday, John!)
Tell us about your boat’s name.
My boat had a different name when I got her, but it didn’t fit the vessel. Victoria is my sister’s name, and she is the one person in my life who has supported me every step of the way. Renaming the boat was to honor her, and to give the boat a name she deserves.
Have you owned other boats before this one?
I’ve owned smaller daysailers, including a 23 foot O’Day.
Victoria's galley
Tell us the story of how you found your boat and what makes it special to you.
I was sick as a dog on Isla Margarita, Venezuela during a work trip, and found her offered online by her owner. She was formerly in Oriental NC. I took her apart and had her trucked to Anacortes. That was a huge learning experience.
What’s the history of your boat?
She’s had many owners, was built in California and somehow got to the East Coast. Before North Carolina she was sailed in Florida. Sketchy on the details. Of course, she was designed by the great William Crealock.
Victoria at Friday Harbor
What do you like best about your boat?
That she absolutely LOVES to sail, is rock solid and can handle anything thrown at her. She’s the archetypal ‘good ol’ boat.’
What do you know now about your boat that you wish you’d known when you bought it? Would that have changed your mind?
That the head and toilet were such a mess. But it would not have changed my mind about buying her, however. Everybody hates their marine toilet, right?
Victoria anchored in Doe Bay off Orcas Island
What’s your favorite story involving your boat?
My sister and wife joined me on Orcas Island for a rechristening ceremony held under the moon on the bow with two bottles of bubbly. Neptune and the other gods were happily placated and it was a lovely event.
Describe the most challenging situation you’ve experienced on your boat and how it performed.
Before heading into Rosario Straight one day last summer I moved one of the jib sheets to another car, and forgot to re-tie the figure eight. Later, while coming about in 20-25 knot winds alone, I lost the sheet and all hell broke loose. I had to limp around the north end of a small island to get some lee protection so I could get things under control. It wasn’t the boat that was the problem; it was the captain.
Tell us a little about your boating background.
My father taught me to sail in SoCal on his Pearson Triton in the ’60s, but I spent many years away from the ocean before getting Victoria, sailing smaller boats mostly on mountain lakes in Oregon. A bluewater boat has been a lifelong dream.
Victoria under sail
Where do you plan to take your boat? Do you have a dream destination?
So far I’ve spent one season in the San Juans, and plan to spend this summer sailing the Canadian Gulf Islands and hopefully around Vancouver Island, before heading south to the Sea of Cortez and warmer waters in the fall.
If someone gave you $10,000 that you could only spend on your boat, what would you do with it and why?
Buy a new dingy, outboard and liferaft, maybe a SSB.
If you could have any other boat, what would it be and why?
I’m not quite ready yet, but someday I’ll be ready for a bigger boat. Probably much like the one I have now.
What didn’t we ask you about your boat that you wish we had?
Nada.
We’re always looking for boats to feature — powerboats, sailboats, racing boats, wooden boats, work boats and others. If you’d like us to feature yours, drop us a line at tips@threesheetsnw.com and tell us a little about it.
RavenTom said on February 8, 2012
Hey John,
If I may be so bold as to suggest–throw that marine head and all its parts away, seal up the holes, and get yourself an Airhead Composting Toilet. It’s really not just an expensive bucket, but an actual composter, and sure simplifies the handling of waste onboard. There’s a good article in Good Old Boat an issue or two back, if that will help.
Sail on,
…Tom