Main fundraiser photo

Starbound Restoration Project 2015

Onboard the Starbound: Sailing adventure and unforgettable experiences for young people


This classic sailing ship (that has twice circumnavigated the globe) is in need of repair to make her seaworthy once again and ready for her ultimate purpose: teaching seamanship and leadership to the next generation.
In 2014, we purchased and brought Starbound from Maine home to Rhode Island to be the lead ship in the Seamanship and Leadership Training for Youths (S.A.L.T.Y.) program. We were surprised after a close inspection revealed the poor condition of the 65-year-old masts and bowsprit, and soon learned there was no other course but to replace them. That’s why we’re reaching out to raise funds.

If you’re inspired by programs that provide young people with unique, hands-on, fun learning opportunities, then please consider joining in!

We’ve got kids waiting for real adventure  
Starbound will be our lead ship for co-ed youth sailing charters. She’s a beauty, and Sea Scouts and other young people will feel the thrill of sailing the moment they step onboard - just like we did. Our charters will offer sailing adventures in Narragansett Bay as well as longer travels to destinations like Cuttyhunk and Martha’s Vineyard. Along the way, we’ll:  

-Teach hands-on skills, promoting seamanship and leadership

-Provide young people opportunities for personal growth and for experiencing the camaraderie of hands-on crewing onboard a classic sailing ship

We know of similar youth sailing programs that have even been life changing. One powerful example comes from the Boy Scouts Sea Base program in the Florida Keys that inspired a “lost” teenage girl to change destructive behavior and find new direction in her life.    

What we need to get off the ground and back into the water 
Right now, Starbound is laid up in a shipyard. Both original masts and the bowsprit need replacement – without which the ship will not pass the required Coast Guard certification. We need to raise $93,000 to make her seaworthy and also do a complete strip-down and refinish. The restoration project:

-Will use wood construction – staying true to original materials

-Builds on a thorough 1998 hull, deck and engine systems restoration

Once Starbound is ready to charter, with your gracious help, she can begin generating revenue and become self-sustaining.

 A sailing ship and sailing program like no other
Starbound is unique, a 72-foot ketch built in 1950 and modeled after the Spray, the boat that Joshua Slocum piloted on the world’s first solo circumnavigation in 1898. Previous owners Gordon and Nina Stuermer must have channeled Slocum’s spirt when they sailed Starbound around the world twice. Another claim to fame: Starbound was once owned by the late actor and singer Burl Ives. This sense of history and adventure is certainly part of Starbound’s powerful allure.

We also purchased a “little sister” to Starbound, a 40-foot schooner built in 1975 named the Golden Goose. Along with smaller sail and power boats, the two form a youth charter fleet on the East Coast matched in size only by the Florida Sea Base program.

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Since we expect Starbound to be out of commission for the 2015 season, Golden Goose will be our main ship until Starbound is repaired and back in action.
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 We’ve got the right location too. Narragansett Bay and destinations like Newport, Block Island, Martha’s Vineyard, and Cuttyhunk provide beautiful waters and shores steeped in sailing and racing history. 

 We plan to further sustain the program by offering corporate and private cruises.  

 All of this comes together into a one-of-a-kind program that is driven by our mission to provide learning, adventure, camaraderie and awesome experience for youth and anchored by S.A.L.T.Y., our 501(c)3 non-profit charitable foundation.

Devoted to inspiring new sailors – by veteran sailors
S.A.L.T.Y. was founded by Capt. David Pickering. The foundation is directed by a volunteer board comprised of RI business people and sailing and scouting enthusiasts. At the helm of each charter trip are Coast Guard-certified captains and first mates, each passionate about sailing, teaching and leading.


Capt. Dave is an avid sailor and retired RI business CEO who envisioned S.A.L.T.Y. after serving as committee chairman of a Sea Scouts program. He brings leadership and love of sailing to S.A.L.T.Y. and to the restoration of Starbound.

You can be sure that your donation will be effective in the Starbound restoration and ultimately in helping establish an exciting youth sailing resource for years to come.

 What’s in it for you
Take pride in helping to bring Starbound back to her previous glory and support her ultimate purpose providing sailing adventure for young people.

Join us now! We’ve assembled some cool rewards to acknowledge your generosity -- including cruises onboard the Golden Goose for the 2015 sailing season!

How your money will be put to use
All funds raised will be devoted to replacing Starbound's masts and bowsprit, plus refinishing the boat.

Monies raised beyond our $93,000 goal will be used for additional repairs and ongoing maintenance. We need your help to us get there... and we thank you!

This project’s challenges
We need to restore the boat to meet Coast Guard certification as a passenger vessel. And we want her to be ready for the 2016 sailing season. We’ve addressed both challenges by lining up top marine craftsmen at Rhode Island’s Wickford Shipyard. They’re ready to roll and we’re confident their work will easily meet certification requirements.

Contribute now and enjoy the rewards
All of us at S.A.L.T.Y. are proud to present this worthwhile opportunity to you. We’re looking forward to reporting a successful youth sailing program to you on our website and social media, and sharing stories of kids experiencing the thrill of sailing the magnificent Starbound.

Please join in and be part of the success story. You can follow our progress here and on our website:

Like us, follow us and tell your friends!

Organizer and beneficiary

David Sylvestre
Organizer
East Greenwich, RI
Captain David Pickering
Beneficiary

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