About the Windy
The Tall Ship Windy, sailing from Navy Pier in Chicago, is a 148-foot, traditional four-masted gaff topsail schooner. She offers fireworks cruises, pirate cruises, and a variety of other public and private cruises in Chicago. She is built of modern materials, however, like old trading schooners and sail training ships, the WINDY has all the character and charm of the great Age of Sail.
Windy was built by Detyens Shipyard, Inc. of Charleston, SC. A custom design, she was conceived by Captain Robert Marthai “Captain Bob,” longtime sailor and traveler, who also became a maritime adventurer, maritime historian, designer, and shipbuilder. Windy was welcomed as the biggest and newest schooner to the Lake Michigan Fleet in July 1996. Windy reveals her designer’s love of the traditional sailing ship, yet integrates modern amenities and safety items such as pressurized plumbing, bow thrusters for docking, and a 300 hp Cummins diesel engine.
From the beginning, her mission was intended to bring Tall Ship sailing to the public, for enjoyment, personal and spiritual growth, and self-discovery. In the years since coming to Navy Pier, Windy saw many thousands of students, Girl Scout, Boy Scouts, families, and other guests across her decks for educational cruises, daysailing, festivals, and religious, corporate, and private celebrations. Her skyline cruises became legendary and Windy was awarded the status of official flagship of the City of Chicago, by Mayor Richard M. Daley in 2006.
Windy’s Mission: Our goal is to inspire those who may have never been sailing, as well as to intrigue those who are experienced sailors. An adventure on Tall Ship Windy is ideal for families and groups wanting a fun/educational time, romantics of all ages, history buffs, those seeking creative and spiritual inspiration, or just friends out to have a wonderful sailing experience AND a truly unique view of our fair city of Chicago.
Windy Specifications
Windy is the first certified four-masted traditional sailing vessel built in the U.S.A. since 1921. Constructed of steel, combined with wooden booms, gaffs, and deck ornamentation, she has three spacious decks with seating, a grand salon and galley (kitchen), 4 pressurized “heads” (marine toilets), and two showers. On day cruises, Windy is certified for 150 persons on their three decks: the fore deck, midship deck and aft deck. On overnight cruises, Windy can accommodate up to 36 persons in 12 cabins including a 12 bunk “dorm” style accommodation. A favorite spot for guests is the aft great cabin (salon) with its large stern windows and varnished planked interiors, deep traditional gold, burgundy and blue colors, all adding a bright warmth to the practical décor.
The Official City of Chicago Transcript
July 26,2006
Link to the PDF minuntes from the day! Page 106
COMMENDATIONS EXTENDED TO METROPOLITAN PIER AND EXPOSITION AUTHORITY FOR SUCCESSFUL OPERATION OF NAVY PIER AND DESIGNATION OF WINDY AND WINDY II AS OFFICIAL TALL SHIP AMBASSADORS
OF CITY OF CHICAGO.
WHEREAS, We designate the Tall Ships Windy and Windy II as the first official Tall Ship Ambassadors for the City of Chicago and promote Chicago as a destination and celebrate its history and role as an inventive economic leader; and
WHEREAS, The City of Chicago has invested in the renovation of Navy Pier as a revitalization project for the enhancement and enjoyment of its citizens and visitors; and
WHEREAS, Many of the citizens of Chicago can trace their heritage from beyond the sea, by way of their grandparents who plied the open waters to learn from the sea by contemplating their lot in life, refining their dreams, and deepening their spiritual understanding — and then with great determination reached our fair land and went on to founding the City that worked; and
WHEREAS, The Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority have negotiated a license agreement since 1995 for the Tall Ships Windy and Windy II, which were built specifically for Navy Pier and the City of Chicago; and
WHEREAS, Windy and Windy II were designed to capture the historic experience of tall ship sailing while incorporating modern safety equipment and design precautions and are fully inspected and certified by the United States Coast Guard; and
WHEREAS, Windy has a for-masted American schooner rig and the Windy II the for-masted barquentine rig, not unlike the thousands of tall ships of the last century that traded on the Great Lakes; and they have an international hull with great cabin aft and raised foredeck forward, thus reflecting Chicago’s role in world trade; and
WHEREAS, The Windy’s’ have functioned to provide authentic tall ship experiences to the hundreds of thousands of people of all walks of life and offers maritime educational programs to over four thousand school children each year and visit six to ten other ports of the Great Lakes each summer; and
WHEREAS, The vessels are privateers and earn their way requiring no funds from taxpayers; and
WHEREAS, It is appropriate at this time that the Windy’s be designated as our city’s official Tall Ship Ambassadors for the purpose of hailing from Chicago, to represent this great city in tall ship events in the Great Lakes and beyond, and to promote Chicago as a destination and celebrate its history and role as an inventive economic leader; now, therefore.
Be It Resolved, That we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this twenty-sixth day of July, 2006, extend our commendation to the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority for many years of successful operation of Navy Pier and for presenting the tall ships Windy and Windy II, which has helped preserve the Chicago maritime heritage and enhances the nautical tradition that has always graced our city’s shore. The members applaud the contributions that the Windy’s have made to the people of Chicago, but also in every port they visit, and hereby designate the Tall Ships Windy and Windy II as Chicago’s official Tall Ship Ambassadors; and
Be It Further Resolved, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to the Chicago Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority.
Windy in the News
For the most recent Tall Ship Windy news, check out our updates below!
Five-Year Contract to Operate Tall Ship Windy on Chicago’s Navy Pier
Tall Ship Windy LLC has been awarded a five-year contract to berth and operate Tall Ship Windy from Navy Pier. Tall Ship Windy is the official flagship of the City of Chicago, where is has operated since 1996 when Tall Ship Windy arrived at Navy Pier.
Tall Ship Windy Makes Way Down Chicago River to Summer Berth at Navy Pier - 2022
CHICAGO (WLS) — There was a majestic sight on the Chicago River Wednesday as the “Tall Ship Windy” made her way from winter storage to her summer mooring spot at Navy Pier.
Tall Ship Windy Makes Way Down Chicago River to Summer Berth at Navy Pier - 2021
CHICAGO (WLS) — The tall ship Windy has sailed down the Chicago River on her way to port at Navy Pier Wednesday.
It’s been a long, shuttered year for the vessel and her crew and her arrival is a welcomed sight.
“We’re proud to be an ambassador and to represent Chicago with its spirit,” said Captain Bruce Randall, owner of Windy.
The 148-foot Windy expects to begin sailing on May 21 and with the pandemic shutting so many things down last year, seeing the tall ship moving once again brings renewed hope.
- This video has a great stream of Master Capt Rod, @45 sec mark, expertly navigating the bridges, on the Chicago river, not an easy feat.