Splash! August 29, 2008, 1105 hrs.

Freshly painted and ready for launch.

Inland Seas was gently lowered into Lake Michigan by the skillful crew at Northport Bay Boatyard. She sure looked great with new bottom & topsides paint, and shiny rub rails. We had a pleasent motor back to Suttons Bay in flat calm conditions. Thanks to all who helped with the yard work: Remy Champt, Bob Hagerman, Jan Hale, Fred Utting, Jeanie Inglehart, Ben Shaw, Kathy Utting, and the crew at NBBY.

Below: Jan cleans up the brush (used to paint under the jackstand pads) while Kathy, Jeanie, Remy and our surveyor Marc Nugent look on.

Ahhh. That feels good.

-Capt. Tom

See the Leelanau Enterprise article at http://www.leelanaunews.com/blog/2008/09/08/inland-seas-gets-routine-repairs/

Launch Day - 14 Years Ago Today

In the late morning of May 18, 1994, at Treworgy Yachts in Palm Coast Florida, Toni Treworgy smashed a bottle of champagne over the bows of ISEA's new flagship. I opened a flask of Lake Michigan water and wetted her hull, saying "this is you home water, now take us there". With "God bless this ship and all who sail in her", the new schooner Inland Seas slid into the Atlantic Intercoastal Waterway. Her builders, her crew, and all others gathered, gave three cheers.

In the photo above, taken just before launch, are ISEA crewmembers Tom Kelly, Remy Champt, Megan Trzaskoma, Scott Gienow, Bob Sprenger, and Dave Almeter.

Next came three weeks of "beat the clock boatbuilding" as the yard gang and boat crew worked like madmen to get the vessel finished and rigged in order to make our first paying job at the Toronto Tall Ship Festival. We got there a day early.

Our thanks to naval architech Charlie Wittholz (who passed away as the vessel was nearing completion), Parker Marean NA, who finished up the design work, and to Mark and Toni Treworgy and the crew at Treworgy Yachts for creating such a beautiful and capable ship.

"Happy Birthday Inland Seas"

- Tom Kelly