Captain's Log

Getting an 87-year-old wooden sailing vessel ready for months of daily sailing is no small feat. This grand dame of the sea has weathered many storms over nearly nine decades, and every year we need to ready her for another season of taking visitors on unforgettable day trips out of Victoria Harbour.

This winter and spring, however, went far beyond our usual annual cleanup. In addition to our standard maintenance, we tackled some massive, deeply labor-intensive structural and mechanical projects to ensure The Duen remains sound from her highest rigging down to her deepest underwater components. Here’s a look at the comprehensive, yearly process of revitalizing The Duen, from her wooden masts down to her iron keel.

Restoring the Ground Tackle: Anchor, Chain, and Cable

A vessel's anchor is her ultimate insurance policy, and after years of faithful service our ground tackle was due for a total inspection. This season, we broke out the heavy equipment to completely remove the massive anchor, along with every single fathom of her heavy iron chain and steel cable.

With everything laid out on the hard, the crew set to work descaling rust, marine growth, and old coatings. The chain links and cable were meticulously inspected link-by-link for wear and structural integrity. After a thorough cleaning, the anchor and chain were treated with a high-durability, anti-corrosive coating before being neatly re-spooled and stowed. Knowing our ground tackle is in pristine, near-new condition gives us immense peace of mind when dropping hook in a secluded cove.

Dropping the Rudder and Pulling the Prop Shaft

When a historic wooden boat is hauled out on the ways, it's the only opportunity to service the critical mechanical parts that spend all year submerged. This spring, we undertook the massive task of dropping The Duen's heavy timber rudder and pulling her propeller shaft.

Removing a rudder of this size requires careful rigging and patience, but it allowed us to thoroughly inspect the pintles, gudgeons, and steering linkage for any hidden play or wear. Simultaneously, sliding the prop shaft completely out of the vessel allowed us to check it for true alignment, inspect the stern bearing (cutless bearing), and repack the stuffing box with fresh packing material. With the shaft polished and reinserted, and the rudder securely re-hung with fresh zinc anodes, The Duen’s steering and propulsion are as smooth, responsive, and watertight as the day she was launched.

The Deck: A Labor of Love

Moving back topside, a single year of exposure to the West Coast elements leaves a wooden deck worn and covered in grime, salt, and winter residue. We do what we can with heavy-duty tarps and custom covers over the colder months, but The Duen simply does not fit in a standard boat house! Armed with brushes, mops, and plenty of traditional elbow grease, our crew scrubs each individual plank clean, revealing the rich, natural wood beneath. We meticulously replace and secure loose planks as needed, ensuring a safe, sturdy, and beautiful surface for our future passengers to walk on.

Painting the Bottom and Seam Caulking

Before launching The Duen for the season, we must address the most critical area: the hull's underwater portion. With the rudder and shaft out of the way, we had unprecedented access to power-wash away a winter's worth of barnacles and algae.

Next, we turned our attention to the caulking between the heavy wooden planks. Over time, traditional oakum and caulking compounds can degrade, allowing water to seep in. We carefully removed old, failing caulking and applied fresh compound, ensuring every single seam was tightly sealed. This not only keeps The Duen bone-dry and watertight but also maintains her overall structural integrity. Once the bottom was clean and re-caulked, we applied a fresh coat of anti-fouling paint to protect against marine growth, ensuring she can glide through the water efficiently for the months of daily sailing ahead.

Painting the Topside

With the bottom painted and the hull seams secured, we move up to the topside. We sand down the previous season's weathered paint, smoothing out rough spots caused by salt spray and docking. Then, we apply a fresh coat of high-quality marine-grade paint, giving The Duen her classic, vibrant look. This new coat not only enhances her striking silhouette against the water but also provides an extra layer of defense against the harsh summer UV rays.

Varnishing the Woodwork

The Duen’s rich wooden accents are a signature part of her historic charm, and they require specialized attention every year. We carefully hand-sand and clean the brightwork, preparing the wood to take on new layers. Applying multiple coats of high-quality marine varnish brings out the golden, natural beauty of the wood grain while providing a durable, glass-like finish that can withstand a relentless combination of sun and saltwater. The gleaming woodwork adds that timeless touch of elegance to the ship's overall appearance.

Polishing the Brass

No heritage restoration would be complete without tending to the classic brass fixtures. From the historic portholes to the navigational instruments on deck, every piece of brass is painstakingly polished and given a protective coating, preventing corrosion from the salty sea air and keeping her shining bright.

Maintaining the Rigging

As a true tall ship, safety under sail is paramount. The ropes, blocks, and pulleys that control our heavy canvas are subject to strict, detailed inspections. We replace any lines showing signs of wear or chafing from the previous season. The sails, block, and tackle are all given a thorough twice-over, ensuring The Duen’s massive sails can be hoisted, trimmed, and adjusted with ease and safety by our crew and adventurous guests.

Final Preparations and Government Inspections

With the major mechanical, structural, and cosmetic maintenance complete, we conduct our final checks. The Duen carries the unique privilege and challenge of being a Transport Canada licensed vessel, meaning she is subject to rigorous annual safety inspections and strict compliance guidelines. As a one-of-a-kind historic ship, navigating modern maritime regulations can get complicated. However, we enjoy an excellent, collaborative relationship with the Transport Canada inspectors who help us keep our ship "old but safe" for everyone who steps aboard.

When it comes to Transport Canada's requirements for passenger-carrying vessels, safety and operational standards always take ultimate precedence. We ensure all required safety equipment—including life jackets, fire extinguishers, distress signals, and navigation lights—is fully updated, tested, and tailored to our vessel's passenger capacity. Furthermore, stability, structural integrity, and up-to-date certification for our captains and crew are verified before we ever welcome our first guests.

Setting Sail for Victoria Harbour

With The Duen revitalized, polished, mechanically sound, and fully approved for duty, we perform our annual test sail to reposition her from Sidney to her summer home at the Empress "A" Dock in Victoria’s beautiful Inner Harbour.

The Duen is not just a commercial sailing vessel; she is a living piece of maritime history, and we are incredibly proud to be her caretakers for another year. She is officially ready to catch the wind, welcome old friends and new faces, and create lifelong memories on the Salish Sea this summer.

We look forward to seeing you out on the water!