The 'SPIRIT'

The Avon Spirit project was conceived, and she was constructed, in Avondale, in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia. The project was undertaken by a local co-operative whose intentions were to help prevent the loss of wooden shipbuilding skills to Nova Scotia. In May of 2004 the 'Spirit' was obtained by SeaVisions for the purpose of taking out whale watching tours. Although she was modeled after the last cargo schooner to operate between Nova Scotia and New England, this newer version was designed with carrying passengers in mind and for that she is well suited.Launched in 1997, her construction materials are all local variety woods with the exception of the white oak frames which were imported from the southern United States. Nova Scotia has a rich tradition of building such ships but the Spirit may well be one of the last, if not the last, wooden schooner built in the province.

Almost every harbour around the province has a history of schooner production, some much smaller than the Spirit to others much larger than the famed Bluenose. Typically they were employed in the fishing or freight businesses. Nova Scotia builders provided high quality wooden vessels to ply the oceans of the world for hundreds of years, however because of the advent of lighter, cheaper materials and mass production techniques, wooden boat construction is quickly becoming a forgotten art.
Many of the few remaining examples of this art have found new life in the tour business. SeaVisions is proud to offer one of the few opportunities to experience the quiet adventure of looking for 'Whales by Sail'.
There is nothing prettier on the water than a traditional schooner under full sail. It draws the attention of many a camera lens. Sailing on one will provide memories that will last a lifetime!

Vessel Type: Double Gaff Rigged Square Topsail Schooner Registered: Halifax Launched: 1997 Approximate Cost of Construction: $750,000 Replacement Cost: $800,000+ Builder: Snyder's Shipyard, LaHave River (Dayspring) Nova Scotia LOA: 73 feet LOD: 55 feet Beam: 16 feet 6 inches Draft: 6 feet Displacement: 30 tons Overall Weight: 32 tons Power: 230 hp Caterpillar straight 6 Cruising speed under power: 7 knots Top speed under sail (thus far): 8.4 knots Transmission: 21/2:1 reduction Sail Area: 1700 square feet (approximate) Main Cabin: Galley stove with oven, sink (cold pressure water), ice box, marine head, single berth, navigation station (depth sounder, radar, GPS, plotter, DSC-VHF, compass, clock/ barometer), 12 volt electrical panel Fore Cabin: Diesel heater, 4 berths, table Fore Peak: storage

CONSTRUCTION: 32 sawn white oak frames, 1 3/4 inch oak and pine planks, 600 lbs galvanized steel spikes, 2 inch pine plank deck, Masts and top masts of black spruce, booms of black spruce
Color: Green with white
Fuel Tank: stainless steel, 80 gallons
Water: 2 stainless steel tanks, 120 gallons
Anchors: 1 110 lb Danforth, 1 90 lb Fisherman

SAFETY EQUIPMENT: 38 approved adult life jackets, 16 approved childrens life jackets, 38 person inflatable life raft, 2 VHF radios, 4 bilge pumps, 12 flares, fixed fire extinguishing system, 4 fire extinguishers, 12 flares, 4 life rings, staff trained in safety procedures