Schooner Suva is a 68 foot long two-masted wooden boat that was designed to sail in our local waters. She was built in Hong Kong for a Coupeville resident in 1925 and once delivered to her original owner has remained in the Salish Sea. During the sailing season, May through October, we sail her from the Coupeville Wharf every weekend, weather permitting. Typical sails are approximately two hours as we enjoy the fresh air and unique scenery of Penn Cove. We also accept private charters that may last longer and visit nearby destinations.
There are lots of other opportunities to help out if you can volunteer some time. While our primary need is for crew and hosts there is a lot of work going on behind the scenes to make it possible to show and sail our historic schooner.
New crew members are welcome to join between January 1 and April 30 of each year. We are looking for volunteers with the desire to learn about the Suva and who want to take her sailing. We offer free training for all experience levels, from non-sailors to experienced race captains and blue water sailors. Training starts in early spring and we begin sailing with passengers in the late spring. You can learn more details on our website.
Hosts are an indispensable part of our organization. Our hosts are our ambassadors to the public, and give onboard tours to visitors when Suva is on the dock in Coupeville. A number of people who become passengers on Suva first take the free dockside tours. Becoming a host is easy...an experienced host will show you how, and when you are comfortable you may sign up to host at your convenience!
So come join us! Dockside hosts are needed during the Summer on Thursdays through Sundays for 2-hr. shifts. It's easy and fun! Invite passers-by to come aboard and tour our beautiful boat. If you know about some of our maritime history and/or some of the fauna inhabiting these waters-so much the better.
If you're interested and like meeting people please send an email to membership.schooner.suva@gmail.com and we will be in touch!
There are also opportunities to help in administering the non-profit Whidbey Island Maritime Heritage Foundation which owns and operates Suva and to carry out our mission, which is To preserve the maritime heritage and traditions of Whidbey Island, Coupeville, and Penn Cove through education and public awareness.
Planning, coordinating, and carrying out programs that enhance our mission are the responsibility of various committees. If you are interested in participating in these activities, or have skills that can help us out, let us know via email and we will put you in touch with the committee chairs!
Some of our committees include:
Steering Committee: provides oversight, management, and planning of WIMHF and Schooner Suva operations.
Finance Committee: The Finance Committee is responsible for developing and reviewing fiscal procedures, fundraising plans, grants, and the annual budget.
Maintenance Committee: The Maintenance Committee is responsible for planning, prioritizing, budgeting, and conducting maintenance and repairs on the Suva.
Membership Committee: The Membership Committee actively supports current members, recruits new members, and develops professional relationships with the Whidbey Island business community.
Outreach Committee: Purpose: The Outreach Committee prepares and presents information about the WIMHF and Suva to the greater Whidbey Island community.
Let us know where you primary interests are by sending an email to
schedule@schoonersuva.org and we will get you on the email list that sends out meeting notices and sign-up opportunities.
