Built by Capt. Finbar, WOLF’s Master until his passing in 2024, WOLF is in desperate need for a major rebuild.

Please help us save WOLF and keep her safe and secure at 3D Boatyard through the 2025 Hurricane Season, and until she is ready to travel to the shipyard this winter for restoration.

We are seeking immediate funding to keep WOLF safe as we seek Angel Sponsors to fund a full restoration of the 74’ gaff-rigged topsail schooner and bring WOLF back to her full glory.

Donations cover WOLF’s monthly operation costs, including yard storage, insurance & maintenance, giving us time to secure major funding to bring the ship back to her full glory.

Flagship of the City of Key West & Conch Republic, the beloved WOLF has been a Florida Keys icon for over 40 years and is known for her Humanitarian Disaster Relief Sails, Cultural Exchange Programs & Goodwill Ambassador Voyages.

With your financial support, WOLF can again share the Ancient Art of Sail & Maritime History with generations to come, provide youth programs, and serve as a training ship for those wishing to pursue careers at sea.

We invite you to support WOLF as we embark on this major restoration endeavor, dedicated to giving WOLF a second life and another 40 years of providing youth sail training, passenger sails, and more.

Save WOLF & Support Her Restoration Journey

Why Save WOLF?

Over the years, WOLF has served as a training ship for sailors wishing to pursue their US Coast Guard Master license and embark on a career at sea.

Restoring WOLF to her full glory and regaining ship’s USCG certification for 44 passengers will allow the ship to actively resume her role as Flagship of the City of Key West and The Conch Republic, and continue to provide:

• Youth Leadership Sail Training for 5-12k students in the Keys & in other ports
• Humanitarian Cultural Exchange Voyages & Goodwill Ambassador Sails, promoting positive change through Education, Peacekeeping, Music, Art & Storytelling & Sail
• Day Sails & Private charters in Key West and other ports of call

With the support of former crew, including captains Seth & Dylan Salzman (both grew up sailing aboard wolf in their teens) we are confident we can rebuild the ship and provide another 40 years to share the ancient art of sail with new generations.

In 2022, the week before WOLF’S major yard haul out, Capt. Finbar caught Covid, and as his health declined until his passing in 2024, he could not personally oversee the 2022-2023 haul outs and WOLF fell into disrepair.

WOLF was hauled out in 2024 and is at 3D Boatyard – unfortunately, the hull experienced an unbelievable level of corrosion and is now in need of a full hull and deck restoration.

Donations to SAVE WOLF & Support Her Restoration Journey GoFundMe 2025 campaign will keep the ship secure until funding for a full rebuild confirmed.

43 Years of Key West History

Flagship of the City of Key West & The Conch Republic

WOLF is a classic 74’ gaff rigged topsail Norfolk Rover class steel hull schooner designed by Merit Walter, built in 1982-1983 in Panama City, Florida by Master builder Willis Ray and Captain Finbar Gittelman, who served as Master of the ship until his passing in 2024.

WOLF’s design is reminiscent of the blockade runners that plied the waters of the Florida Straits, Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean in the 19th century, sailed into Key West on her first voyage from Panama City, FL in 1984 and has remained in Key West since then.

WOLF sailed into Key West Bight in 1984, direct from the shipyard in Panama City, FL, and was designated Flagship of the Conch Republic, and in 2023 she was named Flagship of the City of Key West.

WOLF served as lead vessel for the annual April Reenactment of the Great Sea Battle of the Conch Republic from 1984-2023 and for Key West’s Pirates in Paradise Festival (2000-2015).

Known for her Humanitarian Mission of Mercy Sails, WOLF & Crew have delivered 100+ tons of donated relief supplies to islanders in need throughout The Bahamas and Caribbean including The Bahamas (Green Turtle Cay, West End and Hope Town); Port Antonio, Jamaica, La Gonave, Haiti, and Guanja, Honduras.

Relocating to Stock Island in 2004, WOLF ceased daily passenger sails, concentrating on private charters, sail training, and humanitarian voyages through 2020.

In 2021 Capt. Finbar (3 days shy of 80 years young) renewed his USCG Master 1600ton License and began and was unable to secure a new steward to take the helm of WOLF before his passing and the ship has been at 3D Boatyard since 2004, waiting for funding to undergo a major restoration.

Save WOLF & Support Her Restoration Journey

74’ Gaff-Rigged Topsail Schooner
Designed by Merritt Walter & Customized by Capt. Finbar

In 1981, Capt. Finbar recognized the need in Key West for a passenger schooner in Key West (he had started Key West’s first sailing charter business, Tropical Trips in 1973 and built the 33’ custom sloop HIGH TIDE specifically for trips to the Coral Reef in 1980.)

Capt. Finbar purchased the plans of Designer Merritt Walter’s 74’ Sea Rover class 74’ Gaff-Rigged Topsail Schooner, modified the plans, hired Master Builder Willis Ray to guide the project, and set out to build the ship himself (with the help of friends).

Save WOLF & Support Her Restoration Journey