Tall Ship Perception

Upholding a mission dedicated to Gold Star Teens, PERCEPTION joins the Tall Ships Erie 2019 festival, occurring August 22-25.

Perception, operated by Michigan Challenge Traditional Sail Training, upholds a mission of teaching sailing to “Gold Star Teens” (children of fallen military heroes), children of deployed, wounded or ill veterans, grieving youth, and veterans and their families. Tuition-free, the program aims to help their students learn new skills while enjoying a day on a relaxing sailboat, sharing their experiences with friends who understand.

The 68-foot steel hulled schooner was designed by famous naval architect L. Francis Herreshoff in 1924. After serving in the Navy, Herreshoff became a boat designer, creating designs for cruising and racing yachts, clipper-bowed ketches and other small watercraft. Of all his designs, Perception is one of the last two of his schooners left. Built in New Zealand, the ship is gaff rigged with Sitka spruce masts standing 70 feet tall. Under her previous owner, she sailed to Australia, Brazil, the Galapagos, the Caribbean and Portugal.

The Perception will be docked at Dobbins Landing after the Parade of Sail on Thursday, August 22. She will be offering a limited number of three-hour private sails on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The cost is $3,000 for up to 12 passengers; BYOB is an option. To book, contact sail@flagshipniagara.org. Tall Ships Erie 2019, presented by Highmark, will take place Aug. 22-25, 2019. The festival will showcase 14 tall ships, the world’s largest rubber duck, deck tours, day sails, live music and entertainment, children’s activities, a festival marketplace, food vendors, a beer garden and much more. To purchase tickets or for more information, go to tallshipserie.org.

A 501(c)3 Nonprofit Organization EIN 81-3333441