The Pajaro Jai, Heart Over Matter
Fully planked. Pajaro Jai Photo
Heavily built for round the world sailing, the Pajaro Jai at Goulsboro, Maine before sailing to Washington, DC for a meeting with congress and diplomats. Pajaro Jai Photo
Juan Zuniga standing in ribs of Pajaro Jai, 1999, bmp Pajaro Jai Photo
Pajaro Jai moored of Brunton’s place in Gouldsboro, Maine 2007. Ten Panamanian men and women Chocoe indians, men and women, sailed from Panama and lived aboard. Fishermen's Voice Photo
Fransisco Ruiz caulking planks. Pajaro Jai Photo
One of the 10 Chocoe indians who sailed aboard the Pajaro Jai at the helm in Gouldsboro, Maine. None of the Panamanians had ever left Panama, many had never gone farfrom their village. From Gouldsboro they left on an around the world ambassadorial mission. Fishermen's Voice Photo
On the way to Congress. Sailing up the Chesapeake with a boat load of guests for a short sail. Pajaro Jai Photo
There is no shortage of mega-yachts along the coast of Maine in the summer months. Buoyed by generous tax deductions they become a dull blur to the rest us on the way to work, who will likewise be buoyed by their disappearance in the fall.
There has been one yacht here with a pedigree none of the others can claim. Cut from a different cloth, driven by grander motives, rooted in higher values, with objectives that are counter to those that have built most of the rest it seems.
Jim Brunton built the 92 foot ketch Pajaro Jai in a remote jungle region on the west coast of Panama. Brunton was in the Peace Corp in the early 1960’s in Panama. He befriended many of the native fishermen and boat builders on the coast there and has remained their friend. His dream was to build a world-class yacht that would grab the attention of the world. While he had the world’s attention he would plead the case of the native people of Panama.
Forced into slash and burn agriculture to survive, they were losing their land, culture and ability to survive.
The people in the village where the Pajaro Jai was built, accessible only by water, have always built boats. They have retained highly developed woodworking skills using hand tools. The craftsmanship, fineness of detail and creativity on the Pajaro Jai is nothing short of amazing. The boat is also built using tropical hardwoods so dense that no fasteners can be driven or screwed without being predrilled.
Brunton’s goal, rooted in his Peace Corp experience, was to make this vessel a showcase for the skills of the Panamanians who built it and an ambassador for rainforests around the world.
Brunton funded the 12 year project by running a software company in Connecticut. His connection with Maine was through coastal property there where he had a commercial campground. If this were a juggling act it would require juggling, oranges, bottles and bricks simultaneously while on the phone.
Brunon’s heart was in the Pajaro Jai more than the rest, and it shows.