the Story behind
our old Sails
The Story Behind Our Old Sails
We specialize in intimate voyages aboard classic ships. Our CEO Charles Kropke grew up dreaming of bringing people to the Caribbean after falling in love with old sailing ads. Decades later, that idea became The Windjammer Way.
Whether it’s sharing a beachside rum with old and new friends or stargazing off the deck of a 102-year-old schooner, Windjammer cruises are about connection. And they’re only getting started.
What We Sail By
Human Connection
Doing good business starts with doing the right thing. When we invest in real relationships — with our guests, our crew, and our island partners — the rest follows. Integrity drives loyalty. Loyalty drives value.
Meaningful Voyages
We’re not here to build the biggest fleet or serve the most people at once. We’re here to create unforgettable voyages — ones that feel human, intimate, and full of meaning. Core memories. That’s the sweet spot.
Conscious Cruising
We don’t just sail through the Caribbean. We celebrate it. That means honoring its cultures, supporting its communities, and building something that contributes more than it consumes.
The Mandalay’s History
The Mandalay’s History
1923
Designed by Cox & Stevens as a luxury yacht Hussar IV.
1924
Built by Burmeister & Wain in Denmark and launched as Hussar for financier E.F. Hutton and his wife, Marjorie Merriweather Post.
1926
Broke the transatlantic record by sailing to New York in 10 days & 21 hours.
1935
Rebuilt and lengthened; continued as one of the most luxurious private yachts of its time. Sold to Georg Unger Vetlesen & his wife Maude Monell. Renamed Vema after a combination of their names.
1941
Donated by Maude Monell to the U.S. Navy during WWII in which it was converted into a patrol vessel & training ship, renamed USS Hussar (PYc-43).
1946
Decommissioned & returned to private ownership.
1950
Renamed Vema again, used as a research vessel by Columbia University, contributing to significant oceanographic discoveries. Discovered the first evidence of seafloor spreading, helping shape the theory of plate tectonics & put in over a million nautical research miles.
1980s
Acquired by Windjammer Barefoot Cruises & renamed Mandalay, serving as a passenger sailing vessel in the Caribbean.
2010s
Various attempts were made to restore or sell the vessel.
2024
Restoration begins with The Windjammer Way.
1923
Designed by Cox & Stevens as a luxury yacht Hussar IV.
1924
Built by Burmeister & Wain in Denmark and launched as Hussar for financier E.F. Hutton and his wife, Marjorie Merriweather Post.
1926
Broke the transatlantic record by sailing to New York in 10 days & 21 hours.
1935
Rebuilt and lengthened; continued as one of the most luxurious private yachts of its time. Sold to Georg Unger Vetlesen & his wife Maude Monell. Renamed Vema after a combination of their names.
1941
Donated by Maude Monell to the U.S. Navy during WWII in which it was converted into a patrol vessel & training ship, renamed USS Hussar (PYc-43).
1946
Decommissioned & returned to private ownership.
1950
Renamed Vema again, used as a research vessel by Columbia University, contributing to significant oceanographic discoveries. Discovered the first evidence of seafloor spreading, helping shape the theory of plate tectonics & put in over a million nautical research miles.
1980s
Acquired by Windjammer Barefoot Cruises & renamed Mandalay, serving as a passenger sailing vessel in the Caribbean.
2010s
Various attempts were made to restore or sell the vessel.
2024
Restoration begins with The Windjammer Way.
1923
Designed by Cox & Stevens as a luxury yacht Hussar IV.
1924
Built by Burmeister & Wain in Denmark and launched as Hussar for financier E.F. Hutton and his wife, Marjorie Merriweather Post.
1926
Broke the transatlantic record by sailing to New York in 10 days & 21 hours.
1935
Rebuilt and lengthened; continued as one of the most luxurious private yachts of its time. Sold to Georg Unger Vetlesen & his wife Maude Monell. Renamed Vema after a combination of their names.
1941
Donated by Maude Monell to the U.S. Navy during WWII in which it was converted into a patrol vessel & training ship, renamed USS Hussar (PYc-43).
1946
Decommissioned & returned to private ownership.
1950
Renamed Vema again, used as a research vessel by Columbia University, contributing to significant oceanographic discoveries. Discovered the first evidence of seafloor spreading, helping shape the theory of plate tectonics & put in over a million nautical research miles.
1980s
Acquired by Windjammer Barefoot Cruises & renamed Mandalay, serving as a passenger sailing vessel in the Caribbean.
2010s
Various attempts were made to restore or sell the vessel.
2024
Restoration begins with The Windjammer Way.
1923
Designed by Cox & Stevens as a luxury yacht Hussar IV.
1924
Built by Burmeister & Wain in Denmark and launched as Hussar for financier E.F. Hutton and his wife, Marjorie Merriweather Post.
1926
Broke the transatlantic record by sailing to New York in 10 days & 21 hours.
1935
Rebuilt and lengthened; continued as one of the most luxurious private yachts of its time. Sold to Georg Unger Vetlesen & his wife Maude Monell. Renamed Vema after a combination of their names.
1941
Donated by Maude Monell to the U.S. Navy during WWII in which it was converted into a patrol vessel & training ship, renamed USS Hussar (PYc-43).
1946
Decommissioned & returned to private ownership.
1950
Renamed Vema again, used as a research vessel by Columbia University, contributing to significant oceanographic discoveries. Discovered the first evidence of seafloor spreading, helping shape the theory of plate tectonics & put in over a million nautical research miles.
1980s
Acquired by Windjammer Barefoot Cruises & renamed Mandalay, serving as a passenger sailing vessel in the Caribbean.
2010s
Various attempts were made to restore or sell the vessel.
2024
Restoration begins with The Windjammer Way.
1923
Designed by Cox & Stevens as a luxury yacht Hussar IV.
1924
Built by Burmeister & Wain in Denmark and launched as Hussar for financier E.F. Hutton and his wife, Marjorie Merriweather Post.
1926
Broke the transatlantic record by sailing to New York in 10 days & 21 hours.
1935
Rebuilt and lengthened; continued as one of the most luxurious private yachts of its time. Sold to Georg Unger Vetlesen & his wife Maude Monell. Renamed Vema after a combination of their names.
1941
Donated by Maude Monell to the U.S. Navy during WWII in which it was converted into a patrol vessel & training ship, renamed USS Hussar (PYc-43).
1946
Decommissioned & returned to private ownership.
1950
Renamed Vema again, used as a research vessel by Columbia University, contributing to significant oceanographic discoveries. Discovered the first evidence of seafloor spreading, helping shape the theory of plate tectonics & put in over a million nautical research miles.
1980s
Acquired by Windjammer Barefoot Cruises & renamed Mandalay, serving as a passenger sailing vessel in the Caribbean.
2010s
Various attempts were made to restore or sell the vessel.
2024
Restoration begins with The Windjammer Way.
1923
Designed by Cox & Stevens as a luxury yacht Hussar IV.
1924
Built by Burmeister & Wain in Denmark and launched as Hussar for financier E.F. Hutton and his wife, Marjorie Merriweather Post.
1926
Broke the transatlantic record by sailing to New York in 10 days & 21 hours.
1935
Rebuilt and lengthened; continued as one of the most luxurious private yachts of its time. Sold to Georg Unger Vetlesen & his wife Maude Monell. Renamed Vema after a combination of their names.
1941
Donated by Maude Monell to the U.S. Navy during WWII in which it was converted into a patrol vessel & training ship, renamed USS Hussar (PYc-43).
1946
Decommissioned & returned to private ownership.
1950
Renamed Vema again, used as a research vessel by Columbia University, contributing to significant oceanographic discoveries. Discovered the first evidence of seafloor spreading, helping shape the theory of plate tectonics & put in over a million nautical research miles.
1980s
Acquired by Windjammer Barefoot Cruises & renamed Mandalay, serving as a passenger sailing vessel in the Caribbean.
2010s
Various attempts were made to restore or sell the vessel.
2024
Restoration begins with The Windjammer Way.
1923
Designed by Cox & Stevens as a luxury yacht Hussar IV.
1924
Built by Burmeister & Wain in Denmark and launched as Hussar for financier E.F. Hutton and his wife, Marjorie Merriweather Post.
1926
Broke the transatlantic record by sailing to New York in 10 days & 21 hours.
1935
Rebuilt and lengthened; continued as one of the most luxurious private yachts of its time. Sold to Georg Unger Vetlesen & his wife Maude Monell. Renamed Vema after a combination of their names.
1941
Donated by Maude Monell to the U.S. Navy during WWII in which it was converted into a patrol vessel & training ship, renamed USS Hussar (PYc-43).
1946
Decommissioned & returned to private ownership.
1950
Renamed Vema again, used as a research vessel by Columbia University, contributing to significant oceanographic discoveries. Discovered the first evidence of seafloor spreading, helping shape the theory of plate tectonics & put in over a million nautical research miles.
1980s
Acquired by Windjammer Barefoot Cruises & renamed Mandalay, serving as a passenger sailing vessel in the Caribbean.
2010s
Various attempts were made to restore or sell the vessel.
2024
Restoration begins with The Windjammer Way.
1923
Designed by Cox & Stevens as a luxury yacht Hussar IV.
1924
Built by Burmeister & Wain in Denmark and launched as Hussar for financier E.F. Hutton and his wife, Marjorie Merriweather Post.
1926
Broke the transatlantic record by sailing to New York in 10 days & 21 hours.
1935
Rebuilt and lengthened; continued as one of the most luxurious private yachts of its time. Sold to Georg Unger Vetlesen & his wife Maude Monell. Renamed Vema after a combination of their names.
1941
Donated by Maude Monell to the U.S. Navy during WWII in which it was converted into a patrol vessel & training ship, renamed USS Hussar (PYc-43).
1946
Decommissioned & returned to private ownership.
1950
Renamed Vema again, used as a research vessel by Columbia University, contributing to significant oceanographic discoveries. Discovered the first evidence of seafloor spreading, helping shape the theory of plate tectonics & put in over a million nautical research miles.
1980s
Acquired by Windjammer Barefoot Cruises & renamed Mandalay, serving as a passenger sailing vessel in the Caribbean.
2010s
Various attempts were made to restore or sell the vessel.
2024
Restoration begins with The Windjammer Way.
1923
Designed by Cox & Stevens as a luxury yacht Hussar IV.
1924
Built by Burmeister & Wain in Denmark and launched as Hussar for financier E.F. Hutton and his wife, Marjorie Merriweather Post.
1926
Broke the transatlantic record by sailing to New York in 10 days & 21 hours.
1935
Rebuilt and lengthened; continued as one of the most luxurious private yachts of its time. Sold to Georg Unger Vetlesen & his wife Maude Monell. Renamed Vema after a combination of their names.
1941
Donated by Maude Monell to the U.S. Navy during WWII in which it was converted into a patrol vessel & training ship, renamed USS Hussar (PYc-43).
1946
Decommissioned & returned to private ownership.
1950
Renamed Vema again, used as a research vessel by Columbia University, contributing to significant oceanographic discoveries. Discovered the first evidence of seafloor spreading, helping shape the theory of plate tectonics & put in over a million nautical research miles.
1980s
Acquired by Windjammer Barefoot Cruises & renamed Mandalay, serving as a passenger sailing vessel in the Caribbean.
2010s
Various attempts were made to restore or sell the vessel.
2024
Restoration begins with The Windjammer Way.
1923
Designed by Cox & Stevens as a luxury yacht Hussar IV.
1924
Built by Burmeister & Wain in Denmark and launched as Hussar for financier E.F. Hutton and his wife, Marjorie Merriweather Post.
1926
Broke the transatlantic record by sailing to New York in 10 days & 21 hours.
1935
Rebuilt and lengthened; continued as one of the most luxurious private yachts of its time. Sold to Georg Unger Vetlesen & his wife Maude Monell. Renamed Vema after a combination of their names.
1941
Donated by Maude Monell to the U.S. Navy during WWII in which it was converted into a patrol vessel & training ship, renamed USS Hussar (PYc-43).
1946
Decommissioned & returned to private ownership.
1950
Renamed Vema again, used as a research vessel by Columbia University, contributing to significant oceanographic discoveries. Discovered the first evidence of seafloor spreading, helping shape the theory of plate tectonics & put in over a million nautical research miles.
1980s
Acquired by Windjammer Barefoot Cruises & renamed Mandalay, serving as a passenger sailing vessel in the Caribbean.
2010s
Various attempts were made to restore or sell the vessel.
2024
Restoration begins with The Windjammer Way.
1923
Designed by Cox & Stevens as a luxury yacht Hussar IV.
1924
Built by Burmeister & Wain in Denmark and launched as Hussar for financier E.F. Hutton and his wife, Marjorie Merriweather Post.
1926
Broke the transatlantic record by sailing to New York in 10 days & 21 hours.
1935
Rebuilt and lengthened; continued as one of the most luxurious private yachts of its time. Sold to Georg Unger Vetlesen & his wife Maude Monell. Renamed Vema after a combination of their names.
1941
Donated by Maude Monell to the U.S. Navy during WWII in which it was converted into a patrol vessel & training ship, renamed USS Hussar (PYc-43).
1946
Decommissioned & returned to private ownership.
1950
Renamed Vema again, used as a research vessel by Columbia University, contributing to significant oceanographic discoveries. Discovered the first evidence of seafloor spreading, helping shape the theory of plate tectonics & put in over a million nautical research miles.
1980s
Acquired by Windjammer Barefoot Cruises & renamed Mandalay, serving as a passenger sailing vessel in the Caribbean.
2010s
Various attempts were made to restore or sell the vessel.
2024
Restoration begins with The Windjammer Way.
1923
Designed by Cox & Stevens as a luxury yacht Hussar IV.
1924
Built by Burmeister & Wain in Denmark and launched as Hussar for financier E.F. Hutton and his wife, Marjorie Merriweather Post.
1926
Broke the transatlantic record by sailing to New York in 10 days & 21 hours.
1935
Rebuilt and lengthened; continued as one of the most luxurious private yachts of its time. Sold to Georg Unger Vetlesen & his wife Maude Monell. Renamed Vema after a combination of their names.
1941
Donated by Maude Monell to the U.S. Navy during WWII in which it was converted into a patrol vessel & training ship, renamed USS Hussar (PYc-43).
1946
Decommissioned & returned to private ownership.
1950
Renamed Vema again, used as a research vessel by Columbia University, contributing to significant oceanographic discoveries. Discovered the first evidence of seafloor spreading, helping shape the theory of plate tectonics & put in over a million nautical research miles.
1980s
Acquired by Windjammer Barefoot Cruises & renamed Mandalay, serving as a passenger sailing vessel in the Caribbean.
2010s
Various attempts were made to restore or sell the vessel.
2024
Restoration begins with The Windjammer Way.
Own a piece of maritime history — and the company behind it.
Meet Our Team
From the helm to the galley, this team knows hospitality, heritage, and how to mix a damn good rum swizzle.
Charles Kropke
Founder & CEO
Zack Luttrell
President & COO
Julian Peterson
Captain of the Mandalay
Taylor Bradley
Director of Marketing
Boston Brown
Executive Chef
Mashup Thompson
Head Bartender
faqs
Or as we call them, good questions.
When will the Mandalay be ready to sail?
When will the Mandalay be ready to sail?
When will the Mandalay be ready to sail?
How does the investment opportunity work?
How does the investment opportunity work?
How does the investment opportunity work?
What will it be like onboard?
What will it be like onboard?
What will it be like onboard?
Can I book a voyage yet?
Can I book a voyage yet?
Can I book a voyage yet?
How are you approaching sustainability?
How are you approaching sustainability?
How are you approaching sustainability?
Will you be adding more ships?
Will you be adding more ships?
Will you be adding more ships?
Join our mailing list
© 2025 The Windjammer Way
Join our mailing list
© 2025 The Windjammer Way
Join our mailing list
© 2025 The Windjammer Way