Don Belding's Page

She was purchased by my grandfather; he considered 13 to be a lucky number for him and so was pleased to get that hull number.  He had paid a deposit on a boat to be built, part way through the building, Ackerman went bankrupt; since my grandfather had bought a completion bond, he did get a boat, #13.  My father does not remember the hull number of the original boat nor its eventual disposition once Newporters resumed construction.

He used the boat for business-related entertaining -- he was the Belding of 'Foote, Cone, & Belding' advertising firm -- with the boat based in LA Harbor.  He also traveled on her with friends, my father, and me to Mexico several times.  My immediate family -- father, mother, and sister -- spent many enjoyable weeks at Catalina as well as trips to San Diego.  Later the boat was moored at the Kona Kai Club in San Diego Bay.  During the time he owned the boat we frequently took the boat out for day-sails as well as coastal cruising.  My Dad's sister and her husband and their children joined us several times at Newport on our way to Catalina.  Cherry Cove and White's Cove were our favorite anchorages (free back then!!) -- no moorings during that time; ah those really were the 'good old days!'

We did usually spend a night or two at Avalon with a trip down in the diving bell, enjoyment of a goodly amount of salt water taffy, and a pleasant walk through the botanical garden.  On more recent visits I have noticed that there are now more people there mid-week in the winter than we saw on summer weekends in the '60s -- if memory serves this one in his 60s.  I am sure that this is very good for the island's businesses, though there were some positives about those 'good old days', too.

My sister of blessed memory and I spent many happy days snorkeling about in the coves and sailing the dinghy along the island's coast.

Kiva's original engine was a Mercedes diesel; I don't remember whether it was an automotive conversion or a specifically built marine engine.  The owner's manual was rather "interesting;" we suspected that the translator got something less than an A in his English classes.  Or perhaps he was not so happy with the war's outcome, and this was his way of getting back at us.

As to electronics, we had an AM radio direction finder, radio-telephone, VHF communication radio, and a "Fathometer" depth finder -- not a fish finder -- the kind with the spinning light that flashed at the depth indicated, echos, temperature layers, & who knows what else.  

Kiva was my first experience of independently steering a boat larger than my Naples Sabot -- quite a difference to watch the luffs of mizzen, main, stay'sl, & jib as well as keeping track of other traffic, aids to navigation, &c. -- great fun and a true feeling of accomplishment for a youngster!

We were dependably able to obtain fish for lunches and dinners aboard on our trips to Catalina from San Diego.  We usually departed at about sunrise and slowly trolled just outside of the kelp beds off Point Loma.  We used a 1/4" tarred hemp line with a steel leader to a lure.  It was probably not all that 'sporting,' but it was quite effective!  We usually had a good-sized fish or two by the time we were off Mission Bay.  Fresh fish sure beats the scales off anything from a fish market!

I would like to hear further info anyone might have concerning Kiva, hull 13.  Is she still in So Cal waters?