Winter 2014 Down the Homestretch…

Ice coats the waterlines of the schooners Shenandoah and Alabama out on their moorings on a calm and clear winter afternoon.  We’ve got a nice window between the steady parade of storms and arctic blasts that have been routine this winter.  The ferries and tugs servicing the island make steady runs, but generally it is a quite harbor and waterfront this time of year…  With roughly three months left until the start of the 2014 sailing season, most of the preparation is done indoors during this time of year, but the work is steady and points towards a promising season for the BD Tall Ships…

The Sailing School program continues to expand and we welcome in two new schools this coming season who will both sail onboard the Alabama this season.  Combined with our returning schools and we’re looking forward to hosting 9 groups of students and staff onboard for overnight and week-long trips during the coming season.  Proudly discounted versus out standard charter rates, these programs bring experiential learning out of the classroom and onto the schooners and allow what we believe are truly once-in-a-lifetime experiences for these students and their classmates to share.

The “Kids Cruise” summer camps remain a consistent and popular part of each season.  These week-long cruises for all young sailors of any ability stand along in their accessability for youngsters from anywhere to step onto a living piece of sailing history and enjoy the pure experience of life onboard.  We return with 4 programs scheduled for this summer – July 13th, 20th, 27th & August 3rd.  Registration has been open since the 1st of the year but space remains for each trip.

Frozen pilings here on the BD Wharf but the clocks turn ahead this weekend as we come down the homestretch of the 2014 winter.  Enjoy winter while you can because just like a Vineyard summer, it will be over before you know it!