RawFaith
 |
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| RawFaith RawFaith | |
| Career (United States) |  |
|---|---|
| Name: | RawFaith |
| Owner: | George McKay |
| Operator: | George Mckay |
| Builder: | George McKay |
| Laid down: | 1999 |
| Launched: | 2003 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | English Race Built Galleon |
| Displacement: | 300 T |
| Length: | 80 feet (24 m) at waterline, 88 feet (27 m) on deck, 118 feet (36 m) sparred length |
| Beam: | 26 feet (7.9 m) |
| Height: | 80 feet (24 m) |
| Draft: | 7 feet (2.1 m) |
| Notes: | 3,000 square feet (280 m2) sail area. White Oak wood hull, Douglas fir Masts |
RawFaith is a wheelchair accessible, American race-built galleon built and owned by George McKay.
Construction
RawFaith was built in Addison, Maine by George McKay and his three sons. Construction took 28 months, spread over four years. The construction was performed using old methods and new technology. This was exemplified in the use of a half hull model ship, steam box, 16th century lines, and other old shipbuilding techniques, but using power tools and laminates to aid in construction and bring strength to modern standards. She is constructed out of white oak.
Design
RawFaith was designed with 16th century race-built galleons such as the HMS Revenge in mind. Other standards, such as wheelchair accessibility, seaworthiness, and strength by modern standards were large considerations as well.
Purpose
RawFaith is wheelchair accessible, and the intent is to provide free sailing adventures to groups which would normally be deterred from sailing by a member in a wheelchair. Many accessibility features are not yet installed, though the captain's daughter, a wheelchair user, lived aboard for many months.
Controversy
RawFaith has been the target of criticism for its apparent lack of seaworthiness. On Thanksgiving Day 2004, she was rescued by the Coast Guard about 80 miles off the Maine coast after the rudder mechanism failed and the top of the foremast snapped off. She was towed to Rockland, Maine, to undergo repairs.[1]
In another incident on May 9, 2006, all three masts snapped during another storm off the coast of Maine. One of the crew was struck in the head by a piece of the falling mast, but not seriously injured. RawFaith was rescued by the Coast Guard cutter Seneca about 50 miles off Mt. Desert Rock and was again towed to Rockland for repairs.[2]
