Restoring the Historic Schooner San Francesco 1870

Posted Tuesday, April 19, 2016 12:00 am

Staff Report

CORTEZ – The primary mission of Cortez Classic Yacht Guild, Inc. a non-profit 501c3, is to restore the historic wooden schooner San Francesco built in 1870, and now docked at the Seafood Shack in Cortez. The two-masted tall ship, 70 ft. overall, is ready to be moved from the water to the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (FISH) in Cortez for restoration before the hurricane season arrives in June.

After restoration the ship will be the Flagship for the Tampa Bay and Sarasota Bay waters, to make the public aware of the importance of Clean Water and Marine Conservation. San Francesco will visit the ports of call in the Tampa Bay area and the waters of Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte and Collier counties.

During the restoration a second important mission of CCYG is to provide students and volunteers the opportunity to learn the woodworking craft by volunteering in a hands-on workshop at the FISH BoatWorks. Rick Stewart, Manager of the BoatWorks has taught many volunteers the woodworking craft using hand and power tools available at the BoatWorks. They have learned the art of precision marine carpentry, and building and restoring historic wooden boats.

The San Francesco will help make the public aware of the importance of Clean Water and Marine Conservation both during restoration and later sailing in the regional waters. There is a critical need in the West Coast of Florida waters to reduce pollution from surrounding lands, commercial industries and over-building by land developers. This awareness and advocacy by the public and government leaders is needed to help maintain a viable fishing industry in the historic fishing village of Cortez and the recreational use of the waters in the region. We all rely on Clean Water and Marine Conservation in the bay, estuaries, and rivers for the hatching of fish, crabs, shellfish and all other marine life that support a healthy environment for the public and fishing industry.

CCYG is seeking volunteers, partners and tax-deductible donations to move our project forward and bring it to fruition. We invite you to meet with us at the FISH BoatWorks or the San Francesco to show and tell you more. CCYG is moving forward to restore the ship and have it sail the waters as the Flagship for Clean Water and for preservation of our seashore.

Contact: Cortez Classic Yacht Guild, Inc. 5726 Cortez Rd. West, #127, Bradenton, FL. 34210, Rick Stewart at 941 730-9551, teakwoodisgood@gmail.com or Herman Kruegle at herman.ccyg@gmail.com. Visit the FISH BoatWorks at 116th St. Cortez Rd. West. Open Thursday-Saturday, 8am-3pm.