My name is Matt and most of you know my great affection for Wolf and the years of joy it brought to so many of us. Wolf is currently on the hard and is in need of numerous repairs to keep her alive. From Julie:

Please Support Schooner WOLF’s Restoration Journey & Help Us Save Our Beloved Flagship WOLF

We invite you to join us as we embark on WOLF’s major restoration endeavor, dedicated to giving the ship a second life and another 40 years of providing youth sail training, passenger sails, and more.

Your financial support will allow WOLF to again share the Ancient Art of Sail & Maritime History with generations to come, provide youth programs, and serve as a training ship for those wishing to pursue careers at sea.

With the support of former crew, including captains Seth & Dylan Salzman (both grew up sailing aboard wolf in their teens) we are confident we can rebuild the ship and provide another 40 years to share the ancient art of sail with new generations.

ABOUT SCHOONER WOLF

WOLF is a classic 74’ gaff rigged topsail Norfolk Rover class steel hull schooner, designed by Merit Walter, built in 1982-1983 in Panama City, Florida by Master builder Willis Ray and Captain Finbar Gittelman, who served as Master of the ship until his passing in 2024.

WOLF’s design is reminiscent of the blockade runners which plied the waters of the Florida Straits, Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean in the 19th century, the ship sailed into Key West on her first voyage from the shipyard in 1984 and has called Key West homeport since then.

Flagship of the City of Key West & Conch Republic, WOLF is a beloved Florida Keys icon known for her Humanitarian Disaster Relief Sails, Cultural Exchange Programs & Goodwill Ambassador Voyages.

With your financial support, WOLF can again share the Ancient Art of Sail & Maritime History with generations to come, provide youth programs, and serve as a training ship for those wishing to pursue careers at sea.

We invite you to join us as we embark on WOLF’s major restoration endeavor, dedicated to giving the ship a second life and another 40 years of providing youth sail training, passenger sails, and more.

Donations will keep the ship secure until funding for a full rebuild.

TUMULTUOS SEAS

In 2021 Capt. Finbar (3 days shy of 80years young) renewed his USCG Master 1600ton License and began seeking a future steward take the helm of WOLF.

In 2022, the week before WOLF’S major yard haul out was scheduled, Capt. Finbar caught Covid, and as his health declined until his passing in 2024, he could not personally oversee the 2022-2023 haul outs and WOLF began to fall into disrepair.

WOLF was brought to 3D Boatyard in August 2024 for her yearly haul out - and unfortunately, the ship’s had experienced an unbelievable level of corrosion, resulting in the need for a full hull and deck restoration and major rebuild, to begin as funding allows (the ship is currently on the hard at 3D Boatyard.)

WHY SAVE WOLF?

Over the years, WOLF has served as a training ship for sailors wishing to pursue their US Coast Guard Master license and embark on a career at sea.

Built by Captain Finbar, First Sea Lord of the Conch Republic and Supreme Commander Emeritus Aka The Peaceful Warrior

Restoring WOLF and regaining ship’s USCG certification for 44 passengers will allow the ship to actively resume her role as Flagship of the City of Key West and The Conch Republic, and continue to provide:

Youth Leadership Sail Training for 5-12k students in the Keys & in other ports

Humanitarian Cultural Exchange Voyages & Goodwill Ambassador Sails, promoting positive change through Education, Peacekeeping, Music, Art & Storytelling & Sail

Day Sails & Private charters in Key West and other ports of call

41 YEARS OF KEY WEST HISTORY

In 1981, Capt. Finbar recognized the need in Key West for a passenger schooner in Key West, after establishing Key West’s first sailing charter business, Tropical Trips in 1973 and building the 33’ custom sloop HIGH TIDE specifically for trips to the Coral Reef in 1980.

In 1981, Capt. Finbar recognized the need in Key West for a passenger schooner in Key West, after establishing Key West’s first sailing charter business, Tropical Trips in 1973 and building the 33’ custom sloop HIGH TIDE specifically for trips to the Coral Reef in 1980.

Purchasing the plans of Designer Merritt Walter’s 74’ Sea Rover class 74’ Gaff-Rigged Topsail Schooner, Capt. Finbar modified the plans, hired Master Builder Willis Ray to guide the project, and set out to build the ship himself (with the help of friends).

WOLF sailed into Key West Bight in 1984, direct from the shipyard in Panama City, FL, and was appointed Flagship of the Conch Republic, and in 2023 was named Flagship of the City of Key West.

WOLF served as lead vessel for the annual April Reenactment of the Great Sea Battle of the Conch Republic from 1984-2023 and for Key West’s Pirates in Paradise Festival (2000-2015).

Known for her Humanitarian Mission of Mercy Sails, WOLF & Crew have delivered 100+ tons of donated relief supplies to islanders in need throughout The Bahamas and Caribbean including The Bahamas (Green Turtle Cay, West End and Hope Town); Port Antonio, Jamaica, La Gonave, Haiti, and Guanja, Honduras.

Relocating to Stock Island in 2004, WOLF ceased daily passenger sails, concentrating on private charters, sail training, and humanitarian voyages through 2020.