You know the minute you board the Eastern Star that smooth sailing is ahead. The 48 foot, 30 person capacity, wooden ketch is a majestic vessel, a tall ship, which under full sail, can be easily identified among the fleet of fishing trawlers that dot the Lunenburg waterfront. To see this sturdy, classic sailboat catch a brisk wind in Lunenburg Harbour is to be reminded of days when sailing ships ruled the seas and Lunenburg was an important port of call.
The Eastern Star made Lunenburg her home in February, 1991. She was originally built as a cruiser for a Danish diplomat in 1948. Her hull is made of mahogany, teak, oak and hackmatack, a combination of fine, durable woods that accounts for her longevity and rich, solid appearance. She has a full displacement keel and draws eight and a half feet of water.
The Eastern Star is outfitted with a Perkins diesel engine, which is used only when the vessel is disembarking and docking; or on those occasions when passengers wish to travel to a specific destination and the wind is not cooperating. Normally, the vessel sails under full sail, including the mizzen, main and jib.
Over the years, the Eastern Star has proven to be an extremely safe, stable and seaworthy sailing vessel. These attributes make her an ideal tour boat for both the visiting yachtsman in search of an adventure, or a family of land lovers wanting to experience the excitement and enjoyment of sailing for the first time.
The Eastern Star is Canadian Coast Guard inspected and certified, and equipped with all the necessary navigation aids, safety and life-saving gear. The captain and crew are Canadian Coast Guard trained and certified* and have numerous years of sailing experience.
*Marine Emergency Duties (MED) Certification
