The beautiful square, topsail schooner, the Lynx, is moored at Kewalo Basin in Honolulu until Aug. 9.  Tours of the 122' boat are available for a donation to the Lynx Education Foundation, a nonprofit from Newport Beach, California.  The ship works with 70 to 100 schools a year, sailing up and down the West Coast and occasionally to Hawai'i. This is Lynx's fourth voyage to the Islands.

The vessel arrived July 17, after competing in the Transpacific Yacht Race from Los Angeles to Hawaii.  While the Lynx finished last, the more modern, lighter boats did better in the light winds.  The voyage took about 17 days.

According to the Honolulu Advertiser, "The Lynx is patterned on a privateer or naval schooner from the War of 1812, and displaces 114 tons with a top speed of 11 to 12 knots. The original Lynx was built in Maryland and commissioned in the opening days of the war against the British. It was captured in 1813, taken to Nova Scotia and pressed into service in the British navy. The Lynx was considered one of the swiftest and most maneuverable vessels of its day.

The new Lynx, which Captain Craig Chipman calls 'an interpretation, not a replica' of an 1812 privateer, was launched in Rockport, Maine, in July 2001. It can spread more than 4,600 square feet of sail and its 6-pounder guns are fit to fire.

"The Lynx honors the spirit of the original vessel in its design and fittings but has been modified to meet Coast Guard regulations and safety requirements."

Chapman likes the gypsy aspect of commanding the boat the best he admitted, and enjoys being a "sea gypsy,"  Lynx leaves Honolulu for Ko Olina, Kauai, and then sails to California to arrive in Newport Beach for the school season.

Hawaii Kai is just minutes from Honolulu and Kewalo Basin, and this is certainly one of the more educational and worthwhile events available to enjoy here in our islands.  Contact me to discuss our buying opportunities in Hawaii Kai.

Barbara Abe, Realtor
www.movetohawaiikai.com
www.barbarashawaii.com
barbara@barbarashawaii.com