US Sailing Partners with The Windjammer Way to Restore Historic Schooners
US Sailing has announced a new partnership with The Windjammer Way, a group dedicated to reviving the era of classic windjammer cruising by restoring and operating historic vessels throughout the Caribbean.
The collaboration aims to connect sailing’s heritage with its future. Together, the organizations will develop opportunities for US Sailing members, create content to celebrate sailing culture, and organize events that highlight traditional seamanship for wider audiences.
“Partnering with The Windjammer Way represents a celebration of sailing’s roots and future,” said Charlie Enright, CEO of US Sailing. “Their mission to restore historic vessels and offer them to the world resonates with our commitment to legacy and connection through the water.”
At the heart of the effort is the 102-year-old S/V Mandalay, now undergoing a complete restoration. Originally built in 1923 as a luxury yacht for financier E.F. Hutton and his wife, cereal heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post, the vessel has lived many lives. She served as a research ship for Columbia University, logging more than a million nautical miles and contributing to the theory of continental drift, before finding a long career in Caribbean charter service.
Now, The Windjammer Way is giving Mandalay a new chapter. Craftsmen are rebuilding her steel hull, restoring rigging and preserving original design features while outfitting the vessel with modern safety systems. Completion is planned for spring 2026.
“The overwhelming response to our crowdfunding efforts demonstrates how much people value authentic sailing experiences and maritime preservation,” said Charles J. Kropke, CEO of The Windjammer Way. “Partnering with US Sailing elevates our mission and creates exciting possibilities for sharing our restored vessels with sailing enthusiasts at every level.”
Mandalay is set to become the flagship of a broader fleet of restored windjammers that will sail to secluded anchorages and off-the-beaten-path harbors across the Caribbean. The long-term vision is to combine heritage, community, and adventure by bringing sailors aboard ships that embody the golden age of sail.
For US Sailing, the partnership represents an extension of its mission to grow participation in the sport while honoring its traditions. For The Windjammer Way, it ensures that historic vessels remain not just museum pieces but working ships, continuing to inspire new generations of sailors.
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