Windy arriving at sunset in Chicago

WINDY Specifications WINDY is the first certified four masted traditional sailing vessel in the U.S.A. since 1921 Accommodations for 150 day, 36 overnight Sparred Length: 148 feet - Length of Hull: 109 feet Beam: 25 feet - Draft: 8 feet - Sail Area: 4839 sq. ft. Rig: Four Masted Gaff Rigged Schooner Power: Cummins 6CTA-M 300 Hp Armament:  Four 2” Cannons

The WINDY was a dream of Capt. Bob Marthai for many years. He had hoped to sail out of historic Charleston S. C. where he had operated his three masted schooner PRIDE for several years, but had been unable to find local dockage for a ship of the size of WINDY. At a meeting of the American Sail Training Association, he was invited to consider Chicago as an alternative location. After a year of negotiations with the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, he began building Windy for Chicago.  Windy was welcomed as the biggest and newest schooner to the Lake Michigan Fleet in July 1996. This Tall Sailing Ship shows Bob love of the tradition, yet integrates modern safety items such as bow thruster for docking and a 300 hp Cummins  diesel engine. WINDY II was built to meet the need of longer cruises and to share the heavy season in Chicago.  They were built by Southern  Windjammer, Ltd  and Detyens Shipyard, Inc. both of Charleston SC..  Computer CAD and CAM programs were used in designing the ships and  cut out most of their steel parts. On day cruises, the WINDYs are certified for 150 persons on their three decks:  the fore deck, waste  deck and aft deck. On overnight cruises, Windy can accommodate up to 36 persons in 12 cabins including a 12 bunk dorm.  She has 4 heads and two showers.  A favorite spot  is the  aft great cabin with their large stern windows and varnished planked interiors adding a bright warmth to their practical decor.

Windy II (Sister ship to WINDY

WINDY II was launched June 16, 2000 in Charleston, SC. She is a sistership to the  WINDY with slightly different interior  configuration and a change of rig to barquentine which includes 3 square sails on her foremast.  Here are the construction pictures. During her maiden voyage beginning May 2001, she sailed the eastern seacoast and Great Lakes as she make her way home to Chicago at the end of June. After six years of sailing the Great Lakes and participating in Tall Ship Festivals from Cleveland to Sault Ste Marie to Chicago, She left for Singapore, half way around the world to do corportate charters and cruises.

More construction photos:  Construction

Click here to see plans:   Sailplan