Gangsway Open! Come Experience the Waterfront's Most Distinctive Ships with Doors Open on the Waterfront
The charter boat business is one of the main tourism attractions at the Toronto Waterfront and has a rich history. There is no better way to experience Toronto than from the water!
All of the 15 participating ships will open their doors (and their gangways!) May 26-27 for FREE public dockside tours. The ships along the dock walls will be open for viewing from 10am to 5pm, subject to availability.
The Great Lakes Schooner Company Fleet:
The Great Lakes Schooner Company fleet includes Challenge, the Kajama, and the Obsession III.
Challenge is a stunning 96-foot, three mast clipper schooner modeled after the original 1852 ship built in Cleveland, Ohio, and was constructed as a school vessel in 1980 by the Kanter Yacht Company in Port Stanley, Ontario.
She sailed from 1980 to 1982 as a passenger vessel on Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, and also in the Virgin Islands before being refitted in 1984 by her original builders. Carefully preserving the traditions and designs of the past, her seven sails are set in the unique tradition of a Grand Banks Schooner, with her three masts of equal height, all stepped on the deck at different levels.
She sailed from 1980 to 1982 as a passenger vessel on Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, and also in the Virgin Islands before being refitted in 1984 by her original builders. Carefully preserving the traditions and designs of the past, her seven sails are set in the unique tradition of a Grand Banks Schooner, with her three masts of equal height, all stepped on the deck at different levels.
The Kajama, an historic 165-foot three-masted gaff-rigged schooner, was originally launched in Rendsburg, Germany as the Wilfrid in 1930, and has undergone an ambitious restoration that has returned the ship to her former glory. Familiar in ports from Northwestern Spain, through Western Europe, and as far north as Norway and Russia, the Kajama had a long and successful career as a cargo carrying sailing ship. She represents one of the few remaining and highly successful Nobiskrug coastal trading schooners known for their efficiency and profitability. The Kajama boasts over 7,000 square feet of sail, a large unobstructed deck, and a grand staircase leading to the below deck dining room.
The Obsession III is a 78-foot motor yacht. She has been on Toronto’s waterfront since 1993 after she went through a complete rebuild from the former vessel M.V Mystique. Mystique was originally built in 1967 in New Orleans by Halter Marine Services. The Obsession III is now located on Toronto’s waterfront. One of the most talked about features on Obsession III is her fully retractable roof.
Jubilee Cruise Lines Fleet:
Jubilee Cruise Lines celebrates their 25th Anniversary in the Toronto Harbour and their signature vessel, the Jubilee Queen is Canada's largest river showboat. Launched in 1986, she is a replica of a luxury sternwheeler that sailed the waters in centuries past. The Jubilee Queen was built in New Brunswick and sailed into Toronto in 1988 via the Hudson River canal systems. The route from New Brunswick to New York via the coastal waterway wasn’t without risk. Sailing the Jubilee with its low freeboard hull in areas exposed to high Atlantic waves required all main deck windows to be boarded and sealed to protect against wave damage and flooding. The Jubilee’s tall roof stacks were removed to clear low bridges in smaller canals originally built to accommodate river barges. The Jubilee Queen has entertained over 400,000 guests since 1988, and continues as a very popular choice for dinner cruise enthusiasts.
The Ste. Marie was initially built as a small fishing vessel operating out of Sault Sainte Marie. Her keel was laid in 1964 with registration in Midland, Ontario, operating in the fishing industry until refit as a tour boat in 1986. The Ste. Marie was relocated to the Toronto waterfront in 1994 following modifications that lengthened the boat by 25 feet. A second floor open observation deck was built to permit fabulous unrestricted viewing while providing shelter from sun or rain. With her open bow and upper observation deck, along with her cozy interior forward cabin, she has become a very popular tour and small group charter vessel.
The Ste. Marie was initially built as a small fishing vessel operating out of Sault Sainte Marie. Her keel was laid in 1964 with registration in Midland, Ontario, operating in the fishing industry until refit as a tour boat in 1986. The Ste. Marie was relocated to the Toronto waterfront in 1994 following modifications that lengthened the boat by 25 feet. A second floor open observation deck was built to permit fabulous unrestricted viewing while providing shelter from sun or rain. With her open bow and upper observation deck, along with her cozy interior forward cabin, she has become a very popular tour and small group charter vessel.
Stay tuned for tomorrow's post on the many other extraordinary ships that will be available to experience through Doors Open on the Waterfront!
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