SCHOONER VIRGINIA

Specifications:

Flag: USA
Rig: Gaff topsail knockabout schooner, two-masted
Homeport: Norfolk, Virginia
Normal Cruising Waters: Worldwide
Sparred Length: 126’
LOA: 121’10”
LOD: 114’
LWL: 84’
Draft: 12’3”
Beam: 24’
Rig Height: 112’
Freeboard: 6’6”
Sail Area: 6,385 square feet
Tons: 97 GRT
Power: 205 HP diesels
Hull: Wood

Virginia is a re-creation of its namesake vessel, which was the last pure sailing vessel used by the Virginia Pilot Association. That vessel was in service from 1917 to 1926 on The Chesapeake Bay. Almost entirely handmade, Virginia is the first tall ship built on the Norfolk waterfront in nearly 80 years. After nearly two-and-a-half years under construction, the vessel was launched and christened on December 10, 2004.

Virginia was designed using the blueprints that were used in building the original Virginia. Virginia is a two-masted, gaff-topsail knockabout schooner that is 126 feet long, 24 feet wide and weighs 157 tons; her tallest mast – the mainmast – towers 112 feet off the water. She has a professional crew of 10 and can accommodate 16 passengers.

The mission of Virginia is three-fold with education as its primary focus. In addition to guest crew and Youth Sail Training, she is also a goodwill ambassador for the Commonwealth of Virginia, representing our state at tall ship events beyond Virginia. Virginia can also be used as an economic development vehicle by providing a unique and historic venue for corporate and municipality receptions and/or sails as she visits ports up and down the Eastern seaboard.

For more information on Virginia, our Youth Sail Training, guest crew passages or other opportunities for this year, please visit our web site at www.schoonervirginia.org.

More Information of the Schooner Virginia