SALTS Receives Yacht Donation – Plans New Ship

Victoria-based SALTS (Sail and Life Training Society) has received a donation of a 69’ yacht recently appraised at $1 million. Florida-based businessman and philanthropist James C. Ray donated his sloop Tango which is moored in Sidney. SALTS is now seeking a buyer for the yacht so funds gained from the sale can be used to help construct a new 140-foot wooden schooner. The new ship will provide sail training to teens and young adults alongside the society’s two existing ships. Ray’s private foundation has also pledged an additional $250,000 toward the project to be given at a future date.

Tango was built in 1999 by Philbrook’s Shipyard in Sidney. Images and specs are at www.vanislemarina.com/yacht-sales/ (see “69’ Philbrook’s Pilothouse). Prospective buyers can contact yacht brokers Allan Mactier, CPYB amactier@vanislemarina.com or 250-213-8547/250-656-1138, or Greg Andrew, CPYB, 250-812-1489/250-656-1138.

SALTS’ $5 million new schooner campaign quietly began fundraising for major gifts in early 2011, and has so far received $3 million in cash, pledges, and donated boats. In addition to the yacht, other gifts to the campaign include $1 million from a family in Victoria who has had kids participate in the SALTS program, a $300K grant from a family foundation in Ontario, $150K from The Gwyn Morgan and Patricia Trottier Foundation, and $150K from Vancouver businessman Bob Shields.

If the fundraising is successful as hoped, SALTS will build a140’ wooden schooner in Victoria at a location yet to be determined, beginning as soon as the ship’s design is completed and approved by Transport Canada. This will be the fourth tall ship SALTS has built. A scale model of the hull was recently tested in a towing tank in England, and a scale model of the rigging was recently tested at a wind tunnel in Italy. Project details are at www.salts.ca (click “new ship“)
 

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