Zeeto

Story

In 2023, Lake Superior Tall Ships, Inc., a non-profit organization that operates a youth sail training program out of Bayfield WI, announced that they have added the three masted schooner, Zeeto, to their fleet to increase their sail training capacity and take more kids of all ages sailing on Lake Superior.

Since 2014, Lake Superior Tall Ships Inc. (LSTS) has been providing positive, life-changing outdoor sailing adventures for kids and adults aboard the schooner Abbey Road, sailing the Apostle Islands and beyond.

The Zeeto, or “long live the king” in Greek, is a 65 foot, three-masted, bald-headed “tern” schooner built by Ralph Zimmerman in Sarasota, FL, and launched in 1957. Designed with input from Howard Chapelle, Zeeto is a replica of the mid-1800s fishing schooners that were common in New England.

Zimmerman made several voyages to Havana, Cuba in the days of Batiste, and cruised all over the Bahamas. The Zeeto sailed up the east coast under two different owners, the second making Boston her home port until 1988. Zeeto was purchased by a dentist from Duluth, MN, who sailed the schooner from Baltimore, MD to Cornucopia, WI in the early 1990’s.

The Zeeto moved to Bayfield, WI in 1997 and sailed under the flag of the Apostle Islands Cruise Service fleet where the ship became a prominent fixture of the Bayfield waterfront.

In 2003, under a new owner, the vessel underwent a major five-year refit. Frames were repaired and replaced, and the original yellow pine strip planked hull was completely cold-molded with marine plywood and epoxy. During this process great pains were taken to maintain the wood planked look of the original hull. New Yanmar 3GM engines replaced the old Volvo MD2Bs. The lead & iron ballast keel was removed, painted, weighed and replaced. A new teak deck was added in 2012 and the mizzen mast was replaced in 2015. The interior was refreshed and trimmed with cherry wood.

Zeeto has a gaff headed main and foresail, a Marconi mizzen, and a club footed jib. There are accommodations to sleep six passengers in two double midship berths, and two singles in forward cabin.

LSTS is excited that the acquisition of the Zeeto will allow the organization to offer more “un-plugged,” experiential learning voyages to families, friends and youth groups. Teamwork is required – which fosters acceptance of others, cultivates personal responsibility, and helps develop leadership skills. Participants are encouraged to take the wheel, plot the course, raise the sails, crank winches, and learn all about sailing a schooner.

LSTS is tackling the regional mariner shortage head-on with a new program launching in 2026. The “Intro to Maritime Careers” course is a 5-day immersive training voyage aboard the schooner Zeeto, designed to introduce high schoolers and adults to the marine trades. This is more than a sailing trip; we are giving participants a head start towards a rewarding career on the water. Over five days trainees will log sea time, learn basic navigation, participate in vessel operations, and practice personal safety while exploring real job opportunities on Lake Superior.