Portland, ME

I thought I saw some reference to one once, don't remember where, but I assumed any work that would require a windlass could be accomplished with a capstan.

Hello, I know y'all get a lot of these questions here, but I'd appreciate it if y'all could spare a few tips for me.

I'm hoping to find some kind of internship or similar live-aboard sail training program on a tall ship this summer, starting at the end of July. I'll be just out of undergrad so I'm willing to relocate practically anywhere within the USA, but trying to keep things cheap.

I've heard that some vessels will take interns even if they don't advertise an internship program online. Of course, in-person visits and relationships would be the best way to find out about these, but I'm nowhere near any tall ships at the moment. I am ready, however, to start reaching out through the contact info on websites, but I suspect that it might be a little too early.

My hesitation comes from the fact that most vessels' websites are not yet advertising their Summer 2025 courses and offerings (sail training or otherwise). Some still have their "End of 2024 Season" banners in place, while others just have empty calendars. I noticed last year, when I first looked into these programs, that many are not even posted until the beginning of the season.

If I can plan ahead, I can get cheaper flights, and I might even be able to save up for a paid program (though paying by my work would be preferable). I wouldn't want to sound pushy or impatient though, especially when I would be asking about working, learning, and living aboard for free.

So, in short, my question is: would it be too early to start reaching out to vessels/museums/programs which might offer internships? Would it be inappropriate to ask when their sailing season begins? And, if so, when would you recommend starting the search in earnest? (a few months in advance? when they post their summer schedule? etc.)

Additionally, if y'all know of any vessels that would be happy to take an intern from the end of July until possibly the end of the season, I'd love to hear your recommendations!

Thanks and have a wonderful day!

A friend was sifting through an old photo book of her dad’s, found this photo alongside one of Appledore 2 down in Key West and she’s guessing it’s around the same time frame, any ideas? Thanks!

I'm just wondering if there are public domain books on ocean navigation from the 1700-1800s that discuss spherical trigonometry and plotting courses across the globe?

Matching the Christmas time I really like the sailing description by Robert Louis Stevenson (text below). I have only limited sailing experience on square riggers but it sound quite plausible to me. Do you agree? Apart of the more technical description it gives you good impression of how sailors would feel in a desperate situation.
There is also a song by the Longest John's based on the poem. Link below if you prefer listening to reading. I work on a PC naval/sailing simulation, so when I'm working on that I'm listening to sea shanties and similar music a lot of time to get some inspiration (including this song).

https://youtu.be/IysS6qvk3tc?si=OKlsq7DW_yHG57ia

Christmas at Sea

The sheets were frozen hard, and they cut the naked hand;
The decks were like a slide, where a seaman scarce could stand;
The wind was a nor'-wester, blowing squally off the sea;
And cliffs and spouting breakers were the only things a-lee.

They heard the suff a-roaring before the break of day;
But 'twas only with the peep of light we saw how ill we lay.
We tumbled every hand on deck instanter, with a shout,
And we gave her the maintops'l, and stood by to go about.

All day we tacked and tacked between the South Head and the North;
All day we hauled the frozen sheets, and got no further forth;
All day as cold as charity, in bitter pain and dread,
For very life and nature we tacked from head to head.

We gave the South a wider berth, for there the tide-race roared;
But every tack we made we brought the North Head close aboard.
So's we saw the cliff and houses and the breakers running high,
And the coastguard in his garden, with his glass against his eye.

The frost was on the village roofs as white as ocean foam;
The good red fires were burning bright in every longshore home;
The windows sparkled clear, and the chimneys volleyed out;
And I vow we sniffed the victuals as the vessel went about.

The bells upon the church were rung with a mighty jovial cheer;
For it's just that I should tell you how (of all days in the year)
This day of our adversity was blessèd Christmas morn,
And the house above the coastguard's was the house where I was born.

O well I saw the pleasant room, the pleasant faces there,
My mother's silver spectacles, my father's silver hair;
And well I saw the firelight, like a flight of homely elves,
Go dancing round the china plates that stand upon the shelves.

And well I knew the talk they had, the talk that was of me,
Of the shadow on the household and the son that went to sea;
And O the wicked fool I seemed, in every kind of way,
To be here and hauling frozen ropes on blessèd Christmas Day.

They lit the high sea-light, and the dark began to fall.
"All hands to loose topgallant sails," I heard the captain call.
"By the Lord, she'll never stand it," our first mate, Jackson, cried.
. . . ."It's the one way or the other, Mr. Jackson," he replied.

She staggered to her bearings, but the sails were new and good,
And the ship smelt up to windward just as though she understood;
As the winter's day was ending, in the entry of the night,
We cleared the weary headland, and passed below the light.

And they heaved a mighty breath, every soul on board but me,
As they saw her nose again pointing handsome out to sea;
But all that I could think of, in the darkness and the cold,
Was just that I was leaving home and my folks were growing old.

Robert Louis Stevenson

"Elissa" day sails 1986. I'm up in the rigging enjoying the view.

Hello all, I am an amateur writer. My current novel takes place during the height of the napoleonic era. Takes inspiration from authors like O’Brian, Lambden, and James L. Haley. And while I understand most of jargon (thanks Falconer’s!) I’m lacking in operational understanding. I could really use a good in depth “how it works” for full rigged ships. I’m more visual than anything else. Studying sail plans is what helped a lot of terminology click. So books or better yet visual media that has a tutorial-esque feel. Anyone have any pointers?

Pretty broad question I know. Just curious as to the way things are generally done. I'm aware most of the crew are usually volunteers, but how does the owner pay maintenance, fuel, captains salary etc. Whats the income

Is there a way to identify what ships these are? I have no details on date of painting. Artist signature is included.

Painting was found on Facebook marketplace so I don’t have higher resolution photos right now but could ask if they would be helpful.

i’m an AB Unlimited, looking for a tallship training program for my 15 year old son. i’ve checked out brigs youth sailing and sound experience. we’re in the NE USA. any help is appreciated. thank you

So a while ago there was a rip in the main sail on the San Salvador at the San Diego maritime museum

so a few weeks ago we laid it out on the park lawn across the street to assess then fixed the rip (note the cost of this sail is about $15k-$20k)

Sunday we bent it back on

To do that we lowered the main yard attached the sail with ro-bands each one a different length

then walked the capstan to raise it up that is where the pics start

I was up on the quarter deck dealing with the lines

The fun/troubling part is you do not often rerig a 16th century sailing vessel so each time you do it everyone relearns why you do not trap that line under the other line

There are the Martin eyes the finger lines the yard whip and the bunts and the leach lines. And the parrels (spelling?) and reslushing parts with tallow

Hours and hours of work

I'm only 16 years old but I am already looking at some jobs for in my gap year after I finish school in the beginning of 2026. I am considering taking on a job on a tall ship, but I only have experience in sailing small boats. I am planning to take all the STCW couses. Where do i start now if I want to be starting in 2026? Also, does anyone have any tips on what ships search a crew and make big trips?

Current active US Marine and I get out in roughly 6 months. Im not 100% on my goals for when I get out, but Maritime is definitely a huge interest of mine and tallships has been something I have always had a passion for. From painting my own miniatures and making a ship in a bottle, to reading, to even going out and stepping foot on some (I want to do some volunteering on the Virginia Schooner once Im out). Im from VA and would like to stay in that area if possible, but after discovering that this is a possible career choice Id love to learn more and do all I can to pursue it. If anyone could give me guidance or know of anywhere in VA I could go I would greatly appreciate it.

I was very lucky to find myself in Mumbai, coinciding with the ship's visit. Not open to international tourists, I was fortunate enough to be in India on a buisness visa which granted me access. In the 90 minutes I spent aboard I was the only non-Indian or Italian I came across. She is immaculately kept, the pin rails of staggering scale whilst still being neat and tidy. On the neighbouring dock was an exhibition of all things Italian, along with an orchestra playing Italian opera (and the Indian national anthem which the locals very much appreciated).

On returning to dry land I had some baffled Indian Naval guards confuse me for an Italian jumping ship! It was all resolved I'm a few minutes but it was rather dramatic.

Being from a country skipped over on her current world tour it was great to have the chance to go aboard "the most beautiful ship in the world".

So if I wanted a tall ship that could best handle the dangers of the high seas, storms and such, do I want something huge like a galleon or maybe something small like a carrack that I could seal up like a tiny wooden submersible?