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Connor Sauby's Pacific Dolphin #267,SOLD Juniper, Des Moines/Seattle Washington - updated November 9,, 2022

 
   

November 9, 2022 - Here's Connor's email

Hi Ron,Meant to update you sooner, but Juniper #267 was sold on September 18. She went to a great young guy (like myself) who is passionate about sailing. We went for a test sail together and I teared up coming into the dock for my last time on Juniper

I definitely miss her, but I am glad she went to the right person.The plan he had was to take her to a berth in Bellingham, which is much further North in Washington and closer to the San Juan Islands and Canada. His name is Peter and I hope he reaches out to update everyone on Juniper's future endeavors!

I certainly will continue to browse the going-ons of the Dolphin community for years to come.

Thanks!

Connor

Webmaster Note We'll stand by for Peter to check in

Fair Winds Connor!!

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July 27, 2022 - Here's Connor's announcement

Hi Ron,

It is with great sadness that I am listing Juniper #267 for sale. She's been a great first boat and I will always cherish her.
Unfortunately, after an 8 night and 9 day trip to the San Juan Islands my partner and I realized she is far too small for an extended trip like this and a larger boat is required. We still had a blast and Juniper handled it like a champ (including 20+ knot winds at a mooring ball!).

If I had a trailer and a place to store her in the winter I would absolutely keep her around. Here is her craigslist listing:

https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/boa/d/everett-1976-pacific-dolphin-juniper/7513864857.html

I'll still keep poking my head around the website as I love the Dolphins. Maybe I'll find another Dolphin some day when I'm older and I'm done sailing around the world (on a much larger boat than Juniper!)

Thanks,

Connor

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April 29/30, 2021. As promised here is #267's new page. Click here to check #267's history


Hi Ron

Just wanted to let you know that I am the proud new owner of hull #276, 1976 Pacific Dolphin 24! She is my first sailboat, although I have been sailing for a few years now off and on. Her name, according to the website, is currently Tiare. However, the previous owner (or the one before him) had taken off the lettering so she is sitting nameless. Unfortunately I know someone named Tiare so I will probably be renaming her (with the proper ceremonies of course). I haven't decided on a name yet, so if any readers have a suggestion let me know! Thinking of Balaena (Buh-
lane-uh) or Cetacea (Set-uh-see-uh).

I picked her up for $4900 with 2 outboards. She is structurally in very good condition (for a boat from 1976) with the standing rigging replaced within the last few years; it's still shiny. She could use a good deck swab but otherwise in good condition for $4900!I've been browsing the website since I saw her on craigslist and the website ultimately helped me decide to buy her. She's a beautiful boat, and I couldn't be more excited!

Projects planned: Install a porta-potty (she doesn't have one), repair the propane stove and propane system, fix up the 4 hp outboard (the 2.5hp works but is obviously grossly underpowered for a Dolphin), and install an A/C electrical system; she only has DC.The nice gal that showed me the boat (friend of the previous owner) gave me contact information for someone in the area that has (currently?) owned 4 or 5 dolphins and knew the designer of the boat or something. If he texts me back he would be a wonderful resource to have nearby!

I'll keep you updated on anything major happening with #267.

Fair Winds and Following Seas

Connor Sauby

Click here for a larger image and WELCOME ABOARD CONNOR!

Responding to the Webmaster's Welcome Aboard email Connor adds this postscript

Hi Ron,

It is actually Connor with an O R instead of an E R :) (Corrections made - website staff has been admonished!)

I've decided on the name Juniper, and she is moored in Des Moines, WA in the same slip as the previous owner, but her home port is Seattle, WA.

Took her for her maiden voyage today and it was lovely. Had some fun figuring everything out on a new to me boat, and my girlfriend had never sailed before but she did great in some choppy seas. I will definitely want to fashion a plug around the outboard opening as water was splashing up. Webmaster Note: Check out http://dolphin24.org/Marionette_transom_locker_stuff.html

Looks like I have to rewire the running lights because they weren't working. Very excited to own her, and I can't wait for the next adventures in store!

Thanks,

Connor

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January 18, 2022 - A 'long' report'

Hi Ron,

Hoping you and your family are well and had a great new year.Was perusing the website the past couple of days and thought I might send in an update after my first season of ownership of #267 Juniper. Overall very happy with her and having a blast. She's perfect for quick day sails and the occasional overnighter.

Every marina neighbor I've met has mentioned that they always admire the lines of Juniper. It's what caught my eye initially too! Dolphins are real lookers, even when the gelcoat needs a good polish - like mine. Today my girlfriend and I finally did the "official" renaming ceremony with some Champagne and cleansed Poseidon's ledger of the name Tiare and restruck it with Juniper. Started the ceremony after watching a small pod of dolphins pass by the boat, must be a good omen. We'll be printing some vinyl stickers to put the name on her, thinking gold to go with the forest green.

Most of my sailing for the season was quick little 2-3 hour sails with friends. I even got the opportunity to take sailing the gentleman who taught me how to sail when he was passing through town. He was absolutely tickled silly that I was still sailing and couldn't wipe the grin off of his face. Unfortunately a day sail is all I can take him on because he won't fit in any of the berths because he is about 6'4"!

I did only 1 "overnight" trip this season unfortunately. I have grand plans to do many more this season. My girlfriend, myself, and a friend I grew up sailing with (with the gentleman above) took Juniper from Des Moines where she's moored to Port Orchard to see family for the fourth of July. We didn't sleep on Juniper since we'd prefer a large queen sized bed.

About 7 hours each way, motoring all the way back and about 1/4 of the time there due to the Puget Sound's notoriously light winds. I've attached a video of part of this sail with the Seattle skyline in the background.

Highest wind I was in last season was likely at least 20-25 knots, quite possibly gusting into the lower 30s. I think the wind accelerated over a spit we ran alongside, and with the sweltering heat that day (hottest day last year in Seattle of around 117 F!) the wind was strong with the contrasting cool water. I had the 100% "blade" up, no main. Even on a broad reach we were healed way over at about 25-30 degrees. It rarely blows like that around here so not something I was used to. Hit a speed record of 6 knots before I decided that we should turn around and come back in. The people I took out had never been sailing, and I could not turn Juniper into the wind even with the sail down. Even though myself and the crew were quite nervous in this ordeal, I was never worried about Juniper. Reinforced my trust in the boat, but definitely opened my eyes that even though I can sail, I'm not tested in high winds by myself and I need to tread cautiously and just not go out if I have doubts.

Didn't make any major changes to Juniper over the last season as I didn't know what I wanted to change/upgrade yet.

Notable items:

- inspected the standing rigging, added some missing cotter rings. Otherwise in great shape as it is now only ~5 years old and with light use.
- Started some revarnishing. Didn't get a whole lot done as it is really time consuming to strip the old cracked and discolored varnish and to apply new. I was focusing on the more constantly exposed pieces of wood since those were the worst. Will likely need to remove the hand rails to do those properly.
- Installed new midship cleats on the toe rail. Definitely function over form as these cleats do not match the existing. I may swap them out down the line. These are handy for docking while single handed (which I have only done a couple of times).
- Revived the 20 yr old 4hp Yamaha I got with the boat. She still runs rough at the higher rpms (I'm no mechanic) but it seems to run fine at lower rpms and has not died on me once. I consider it to be reliable, along with the 2018 2.5hp which obviously runs like new. The 4hp engine at a safe sounding rpm can push about 4 knots of hull speed in light winds with no current. The 2.5hp full throttle will push the boat to 4.5 knots in flat calm. Certainly a good backup engine.
- Installed a portable head. Forget which brand, but I put some deodorizer in there and there has been absolutely no smell (even after forgetting to empty it after the season - whoops).

Things I am planning to upgrade this year:

- Roller furling. Going to go with a Plastimo 811 due to it's simplicity in installation and cost. Seems better built than the CDI to me. Unfortunately I'm not a fan of the hank-on sails since most of the crew that comes with me are either inexperienced, or have basically never been on a boat. I don't want to rely on someone green to change sails, only to hoist and douse.
- Actual swim ladder. Purchased a cheap plastic one from West Marine and upon the first use it fell apart. Had to haul my friend out of the water using a halyard. I will be ordering a 5 rung ladder (that folds) and hooks into the deck. Learned my lesson about getting the cheapest item available.
- Autotiller. Going to go with a Raymarine ST2000. Seems to be a pretty essential piece of single or short handing equipment, even just for a few minutes to mess with the sails or use the head. It appears that Juniper used to have an autotiller as there is wiring for one and an old bracket.
- Water filter for the drinking water. The marina water, even though it is potable, appears to have many floaties in the system, even filling up a bottle at the marina's restroom tap. The Seattle area tap water is usually incredibly tasty and clean, so this is unusual. Hopefully a filter in the plumbing will remedy this to make the water I filled up drinkable and not just for washing hands. Any tips for draining a water tank? I could either siphon through the fill spout, or just manually pump the faucet for hours... There is no access port in the tank, maybe I should add one and shop-vac the water out?Things that I would like to upgrade eventually, but aren't a priority:
- Anchor light. My boat does not have one, only has a VHF antenna (the wind vane fell off). Still exploring some legal options that would save me from going all the way up the mast and install one.
- Replacing some of the running rigging, and cleaning others. Almost all of my lines are a bit...very dirty. Also, I want to upsize the halyards and increase their length. The length is good for halyard handling at the mast, but since they have been run aft to the cockpit they are too short. For example, neither jib or main halyard can reach the deck or the water. Which is no good if you need to haul your friend out of the water when the swim ladder breaks.
- Polish the gelcoat, replace the registration numbers, and paint the cove stripe gold.
- New main sail. I have a suspicion my sail is the original that came with the boat... It's a bit baggy and hard to trim, particularly when the wind picks up. I usually put a reef in if I spot any white caps on the water, usually around 10 knots. My green crews aren't exactly a fan of excessive heeling, and neither am I.

Things I need to fix:

- Restitch and reinforce all of the canvas. The dodger was holding on, but for dear life. The zippers might as well not even be on there as they have 2 stitches holding them in. The boom cover is in OK shape but has some wear spots and some holes. Tiller cover has a tear. Luckily, my girlfriend is a seamstress and purchased a Sailrite for her classes, and I can use it as long as I don't ask her to sew anything for me!
- Rewire the masthead running light. I think when the standing rigging was redone and the mast unstepped, they cut the wires going up to it instead of unscrewing the deck disconnect... 4-5 years of salt and UV corrosion I think these wires are toast. Hopefully I don't need to replace the light, only a few feet of wire.
- Figure out why the 4hp runs rough at high rpms and fix it.
- Various other minor things that always pop up and cost more money of course.

Apologies for the long update, I like to type.

If you have any suggestions for the above upgrades or fixes that I haven't seen on the website, let me know!

Hope you enjoy some photos of Juniper in action.

Fair winds and following seas,


Connor
#267

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