The Community

Worthwhile

Perhaps the most endearing qualify (okay, the only endearing quality) of our community is how generous it can be when asked and here is a story that will resonate with many of you. Let's see if some of you might have the juice to help make this dream come true. Ed.

In 1950 Two Michigan sailors, Bob Hard and Clarence Holman founded a Sea Scout Post in Fenton Michigan. The Post sailed a 19' wood Lightning Class open sailboat. Sea Scouts or Explorers as they later became known as were part of the Boy Scouts of America.In 1958 a 1922 46' wood Ketch was donated to the Tall Pine Council BSA of Flint Michigan. The donation was from a doctor in the Port Huron Michigan area.This was the first Prevailing Winds.

The PW served the scouting community with High Adventure Sail Training and sailed the upper Great Lakes for 8 years. In 1966 the original Prevailing Winds was dry docked and the decision was made to seek a replacement for the 44 year old boat. A committee was formed in Flint and they chose Nils Lucander to design the Prevailing Winds II. The hull was a custom fiberglass design built by Harstil Industries in Fraser Michigan. The committee continued to seek financial aide during the construction process. Through the generous assistance and donations from several corporations, foundations and individuals from Flint and throughout the state, the Prevailing Winds II was launched in the spring of 1971.

The Prevailing Winds is underway continuously in the Northern Great Lakes during June, July and August for week long cruises.The vessel is Chartered to Scout Groups throughout the nation for cruises from its home base in Rogers City Michigan to North Channel Canada and ports throughout Northern Michigan. The PWII also does weekend cruises in the spring and fall. To date more than 10,000 Young men AND women (who were registered Boy Scouts) learned to Sail the Great Lakes.The experiences have been described as a never to be forgotten week of adventure.

This brings us to 2006.The boat is now 35 plus years old. The cored decks are leaking,the fuel tank needs replacement, Transmission needs rebuilt and countless other repairs that would put the boat out of service for over a year. The same committee with 3-4 of the original ship committee members and some younger volunteers made a decision to explore construction of the Prevailing Winds III which should be able to serve for 30-40 years in the future. We have looked at several options including used boats/retro fitting etc.. We believe we would get more years and ultimately less cost to have a vessel constructed.Pictures show the current PWII and the proposed Tanton design which is 51'10" loa with a 15" beam capable of sleeping about 18 crew plus a captain and first mate.

We are seeking Corporate, Foundation and Individual Donations to fund this worthwhile project. A little while back in the forums was a thread started about how to get young people involved in our sport or turning on young men and women to the sport of sailing. I can't find another program in the nation the size,scope and track record as this. The cost is right around the price of sending a child to a week long scout camp. All the people who work and maintain the program and do ALL the maintenance and upkeep on the boat are volunteers.

If we can get enough support from Corporate sponsors, Foundations and Individuals like those found on this site, I'm sure we can provide a High Adventure for young men and women and turn them on to what we know as the greatest sport in the world. I asked Scot if we could purchase and ad to get the message out. Scot stated he could not charge us for such a worthwhile endeavor. Anyone interested can contact me through my e-mail or write letters of interest to Tall Pine Council Ship Committee 507 W. Atherton Rd. Flint,Mi 48507.Again I would like to thank Scot and the Sailing Anarchy community for allowing us to get the word out.

Sincerely,

Steve Edgcombe
Boneheadboats

04/12/06