Back in the nineties you could demise charter whenever the owner was out of town, and they were almost never in town. It’s gaff rigged, so you have throat and peak halyards, so you have to have at least 3 people to effectively crew it. And it is a joy in every possible way.
It is one of, if not the, lightest ship I’ve ever sailed. It honest to god turns like it’s got a rod right down of the middle of the main mast, and it’s so nimble you can outrun the Maiden Island Ferry like it was standing still.
Like, one finger on the wheel, and you can whip a shitty in the lake if you’re inclined and don’t particularly care if you lose crew overboard ha ha just serious.
You’d think it would sail like a barge, because it looks like one. It’s a replica of an 1800’s fishing schooner, except the hold has been converted to crew berths.
Despite appearances, on a body like Lake Superior, with the winds around the islands, it was a freaking sport car.
Sailing it was as close to the silent sensation of effortless movement I’ve ever had, short of being on a balloon.
Except this balloon feels like a wind powered rocket on ice. I’m totally sold on gaff rigging now.
It’s my dream ship. If I ever get the chance to own it or it’s like, oh man oh man I would take it.
Used to sail it with my dad. I’ll see it I have a pic - it was quite possibly the happiest I have ever seen him.