Mother of Perl is a 45' ketch (sailboat) which we (the Smith - Forbes family) constructed in Latvia and Estonia and sailed to the Caribbean with the help of many friends along the way. These pages describe the construction and sailing of Mother of Perl, our lifestyle, and our adventures along the way.
(Photo by Steve and Barbara of S/Y Loon Song)
These pages are organized by the year of the events.
1998 The contracts are signed for the construction and finishing out of S/V Mother of Perl; construction begins in Riga.
1999 The hull is completed; the family moves to Tallinn, Estonia where the finishing out is being done; as winter approaches, the family moves to Tenerife, Islas Canarias; S/V Mother of Perl's first voyage is to Vaservik, Sweden to be rigged and sails fitted; first sail is back to Tallinn for the completion of the interior; family spends Christmas in Tenerife.
2000 S/V Mother of Perl is completed; the family sails from Helsinki, Finland to Eastbourne, England; S/V Mother of Perl sails to Islas Canarias and then crosses Atlantic ocean with ARC2000 fleet; Christmas is spent in St. Lucia, West Indies.
2001 After sandblasting and AWLGRIP paint on the hull and major changes to engine mounts, the family sails S/V Mother of Perl to Bequia; the family moves to New Hampshire, USA; Ben takes a summer job and will return to S/V Mother of Perl in the begining of the winter.