There’s nothing quite so awe-inspiring as watching classic wooden boats slice through the windswept waters of the San Francisco Bay.
We’re excited to share the story of “Wind in Their Sails: Death and Resurrection,” a new documentary. It’s the story of beautiful and historic sailboats and the people who choose to care for them. You can follow our journey by joining our Facebook page.
Here’s the story I’ll be telling:
1849 and “Gold Fever” changed San Francisco from a sleepy small town to a booming stopping-off point for those coming by square-rigged ships around Cape Horn and across the Pacific on their way to the gold fields. Many of those ships came to the Bay and were abandoned by their crews. They were left to rot and die on the shoreline. Death is a natural part of the life cycle of wooden ships.
The film celebrates the classic yachts that have survived and the people who have dedicated their lives to maintaining them.
Even today, 170 years after the Gold Rush, there are boats on the Bay that hark back to those glorious days of sail and how competition was always a part of that sailing history. I’ve just finished a short video about the Master Mariners Benevolent Association’s 2024 regatta, featuring the 100-year-old Brigadoon. Watch the Brigadoon video here.
The Story’s Dark Side:
The dark side to this story is that wooden boats need lots of tender loving care to stay afloat and capable of sailing. Without that care, these boats fall quickly into disrepair. Every year several wooden boats disappear from the Bay.
A few lucky boats find a way to come back to life. Our story focuses on the Freda, built in 1893. The Freda has died twice, and both times found people who dedicated time and money to bring her back to life. Other boats have also been resurrected and they will flesh out the story.
In Their Own Words:
Our story is told directly by the owners, sailors, and boat restorers who have dedicated their lives to preserving these beautiful boats with deep roots in the Bay. These people are passionate about their work and it shows in the way they talk about the boats and the care they take in maintaining them.
“Wind in Their Sails: Death and Resurrection” is both educational and uplifting, and it provides a fascinating look at the classic yachts that have become such an important part of San Francisco’s history and culture.
Our Team:
The documentary is helmed by Emmy award-winning producer Vincent Casalaina and hosted by legendary yachtsman and America’s Cup winner Gary Jobson.