In December 2002 I purchased a 1989 Pearson 31-II that was laying at Austin Yacht Club on Lake Travis, Austin TX. I got the boat from the original owners, Ronny and Terri Smith, who bought the boat new in 1989 and brought it to the yacht club. I had sailed on the boat several times and had coveted it from the time of my first ride. At the time, I was in partnership on a Pearson 26 One Design, and really liked Pearsons. One day, I knew this P31-II would be mine, although, at the time, I was just starting out in the world and my dreams were bigger than my bank account.

However, good things do come to those who wait, and when the boat became available, I was offered first right of refusal. I couldn't say no, so after a quick visit to the loan officer, the boat of my dreams (for this stage of my life) became mine.

The boat was in excellent shape, the equivalent of the car on the lot that had only been driven by a little old lady to church on Sunday, but, as with anything that is 13 years old, it needed some scrubbing and a little TLC. The primary concern was the bottom, the boat had been in the water for 11 years and I had visions of thousand of blisters. The story of the haul out and bottom job can be found here.

Looking for older pictures and stories? Click on the 2005 Adventure archive at right!

June 21, 2008, My high school friend Caryl (with me in the pic below) and her husband Bruce (top pic), along with Sally from work (bottom pic) come sailing for beer can. It turned out to be a great night, except for the broken thru-hull fitting that nearly flooded the cabin!

May 28 2008, Aphaia is back in the water

May 25, 2008, The bottom job is Done! Just need to do some buffing and polishing on the sides and get Fred to put her back in the water

May 3, 2008, The bottom job begins, click here for updates

April 24, 2008 Breaking News! A deal has been reached for a trailer and Aphaia, the Peason 31, will be coming out of the water for an overdue bottom job. I will be taking a lot of time off work over the next 3 weeks to get the boat done and back in the water for the summer. Along with repairing and blisters and painting the bottom with VC Offshore, I will also buff out the sides and I am considering replacing the packing on the propellor shaft. Check back for details, I promise lots of pictures

1/01/2008, RedEye Regatta Pics

12/01/2007, Pictures from the 2007 Wild Turkey Regatta, Photography by Suzie McDonald

7/26/2006 Aphaia at the Rigging Dock, in the sunset

5/12/2005 Kendra and JenJen go sailing again

4/30/2005 Another Kamille sighting, out sailing after the Spring Series race on Sunday.

4/25/2006 It has been a slow year on the Pearson so far. Just a little work here and there. Boat Babe Jess did make an appearance with her new fiance Dan for an afternoon cruise. Hopefully I will be taking some time off this weekend before I leave again to work and clean the boat.

3/05/2006 Aphaia out on the race course for Opening Day 2006! An interesting angle, boy it looks small from this angle.

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