Salt & Tarvideo
Salt & Tar: Story of Us #1 Black Pearl and a Caribbean Island
December 14, 2023 · 39 min · 50K views · Puerto Escondido
What this video covers
Garrett and Ruth, the couple behind the sailing channel Salt & Tar, recount their early sailing history and the restoration of their first shared vessel, a 1964 Cal 30 named Black Pearl.16:09 Purchased for $4,000, the boat lacked an icebox, running water, and a reliable engine, requiring extensive structural repairs including the replacement of engine beds and hull work.17:39 The couple gained their first offshore experience sailing the Cal 30 from Santa Barbara to Port San Luis around Point Conception, where they encountered an unexpected gale.18:42 After completing repairs and a haul-out, they participated in the 2010 Baja Ha-Ha rally to establish a firm departure deadline for Mexico.25:40 Upon reaching La Paz, they cruised the islands and decided to pursue a full-time sailing lifestyle, eventually selling the Black Pearl to seek a more robust vessel.34:11 The narrative details their transition from small, self-built plywood boats to their first production cruiser and the logistical challenges of early long-distance coastal sailing.
Boats in this video
More from Salt & Tar
From Salt & Tar — see the channel’s boat, crew, and every analyzed video.
The Sailing Directory Newsletter
One email with the fleet's best finds — the moments, boats, and stories worth your watch time. Enter your own address to get your own copy.