Story

Bill of Rights was launched in 1971 at the Harvey Gamage yard in Bristol Maine. Captain Joe Davis commissioned her to be a sailing vessel with the qualities of speed, the grace of sail, lasting strength to sail into the future. In 2019, the Bill of Rights was designated the official tall ship of the City of Chula Vista. A 136-foot two-masted gaff rigged schooner, clipper-bowed, long and lean in the sheer, she represents a reminder of a time, long gone now, that bequeathed an aura of romance and adventure to today. After launch, the Bill of Rights spent years chartering the New England waters. In 1986, the Bill of Rights changed ownership and was fitted with an engine and extensive below deck modifications to accommodate the engine room and additional berths. Moving to the West Coast, she has successfully provided an amazing learning environment for sail training programs from San Diego Harbor to the Channel Islands. Over the past decades she has changed the lives of thousands of young students and program participants.

Today, the Bill of Rights is berthed at the excursion dock in the Chula Vista Harbor. As the flagship of all volunteer non-profit South Bayfront Sailing Association she is Chula Vista’s tall ship. Surrounded by a national marine reserve and San Diego bay, the schooner is available for on-the-water educational camps, team building programs, educational tours and maritime and tall ship events. We encourage supporters and donors to join us on day cruises and overnight life changing adventures. We encourage all to Sail the Dream.