⚓ What We Do

We teach seamanship, leadership, and resilience on the Great Lakes through the Flying Duchess L3C — a mission‑driven sailing program built on heritage, service, and community.

The Flying Duchess began as a tribute to a WWII bomber pilot, and today she continues that legacy by helping veterans, families, and youth discover confidence, teamwork, and the joy of sailing.

Our goal is simple: refit the Flying Duchess, expand access to on‑the‑water education, and build a veteran racing team capable of competing in the iconic Chicago–Mackinac Race.

A short video of our story and mission will live here — because once you see what this boat represents, you’ll understand why this campaign matters.

⚓ What We’ve Done

We’ve already proven the power of this mission — through service, stewardship, and the quiet work of building community one sail at a time.

The current Flying Duchess, a 1983 Catalina 30, carries a lineage unlike any other. Her first owner purchased her to honor his father, a WWII bomber pilot. She was born from a story of courage, craftsmanship, and the bond between generations.

When I became her next steward, I brought my own history to her deck — a military pilot with a love of sailing, a desire to inspire my son, and a commitment to creating a place where veterans could reconnect with purpose, challenge, and camaraderie.

Since then, we’ve:

• Introduced new sailors to the Great Lakes, teaching fundamentals of seamanship, navigation, and safety

• Hosted veterans and families, giving them a space to breathe, reconnect, and rediscover confidence

• Built a community around service, adventure, and learning, rooted in the values passed down from WWII aviators to today’s Airmen

• Prepared the Flying Duchess for her next chapter, maintaining her with care, gratitude, and respect for the legacy she carries

And now, we’re ready to grow.

⚓Why Your Support Matters

Your support will refit the Flying Duchess and allow us to expand our mission:

• More veterans on the water

• More families learning the art and science of sailing

• More youth discovering confidence and leadership

• A veteran crew racing toward Mackinac — together

This campaign isn’t just about upgrading a boat. It’s about continuing a legacy that began in the skies of WWII and now sails across the Great Lakes. It’s about passing on resilience, craftsmanship, and courage to the next generation. It’s about building a crew — a real one — that others can join.

⚓ How Funds Will Be Used

Every dollar in this campaign goes directly toward refitting the Flying Duchess so she can safely train new sailors, host veterans, and compete in the Chicago–Mackinac Race. This vessel carries a WWII legacy, a military pilot’s story, and a mission to teach resilience and seamanship on the Great Lakes — and these upgrades ensure she can continue that mission for years to come.

Below are the major milestones of our funding goal and how each one strengthens safety, capability, and access for the community we serve.

Milestone 1 — Safety & Situational Awareness Upgrades

Goal: Install AIS, wind instruments, and updated navigation systems. These upgrades allow us to safely train new sailors, operate in crowded or low‑visibility waters, and maintain real‑time awareness during long‑distance passages and races.

• AIS (Automatic Identification System) helps us track and be tracked by commercial ships and other vessels — essential for night sailing and veteran training events.

• Wind instruments allow students to learn true seamanship: reading wind shifts, trimming sails, and understanding the physics of sailing.

• Supporter Updates: We’ll share installation photos, sea‑trial videos, and a breakdown of how these systems improve training and safety.

Milestone 2 — Structural Integrity & Reliability

Goal: Replace chain plates, inspect and upgrade standing rigging, and reinforce critical load‑bearing components.

The Flying Duchess carries a legacy that began with a WWII bomber pilot and continues through your service as a military aviator. To honor that lineage, we must ensure she is structurally sound for the next generation of sailors.

• Chain plates and rigging are the backbone of the vessel — replacing them ensures safety during heavy weather, training evolutions, and long‑distance races.

• Supporter Updates: We’ll provide before‑and‑after photos, rigging reports, and a walkthrough of the inspection process so donors can see exactly what their support accomplished.

Milestone 3 — Performance & Training Capability

Goal: Acquire new sails suitable for education, cruising, and competitive racing.

Sails are the engine of a sailboat. New sails allow us to:

• Train veterans and youth on responsive, predictable equipment

• Participate in the Mackinac Race with a competitive, safe sail plan

• Expand our ability to host community sailing days and instructional events

• Supporter Updates: We’ll share video of the first hoist, performance comparisons, and footage from training days with veterans and families.

Milestone 4 — Mission Expansion & Community Access

Goal: Prepare the Flying Duchess for a full season of veteran sailing programs, youth education, and Great Lakes seamanship training.

Once the critical upgrades are complete, we will:

• Host veteran resilience sails

• Offer family and youth seamanship classes

• Build a veteran racing crew for the Mackinac Race

• Expand access to Great Lakes education and leadership development

• Supporter Updates: We’ll publish a seasonal mission report, highlight participant stories, and share race‑day coverage so donors can see the impact of their support.

How We’ll Keep You Informed

Supporters will receive:

• Monthly mission updates

• Progress photos and videos of each upgrade

• Stories from veterans, families, and new sailors

• Race preparation updates

• A full post‑season impact report

Your support doesn’t disappear into a general fund — it becomes visible, tangible, and measurable on the water.