Sailing on the Matthew Turner, August 2025
I couldn’t have known how much my trip on the Matthew Turner would stay with me in memory as one of the richest experiences of my life.
When I boarded her for a four day sail from Sausalito to Santa Cruz, I was welcomed by captain and crew, and together with the guests formed a circle to introduce ourselves and start our friendships and our close relationship with this special tall ship.
Before we left the dock we were invited to familiarize ourselves with the ship and even to climb the yards (always with safety gear on). The Matthew Turner has clear safety standards.
Our crew was organized and competent, executing maneuvers that were new to me, and I was so appreciative of the kindness and patience of Rachel, our Boson and Mike, another crew member who never tired of repeating a lesson for me. Chad, who I came to think of as the backbone of Matthew Turner, was really generous and gave me a detailed tour of the engine room when he had an opportunity during the trip.
As we sailed under the Golden Gate bridge we faced the open sea and our adventure really began. I felt the majesty of tall ship sailing when we were offshore with all the thrill of setting sails and the rhythmic pitching of the bow. I’ll never forget looking up that day to see the massive sails filled with wind, the Matthew Turner in all the glory she was built for. We were in the wild now, with spouting whales and winds that needed an expert like Captain Miguel to guide us. While capable and always aware, he also had an easy demeanor, approachable and kind.
I was invited to read the navigation instruments and charts to keep track of the route. It was a unique challenge to find the landmarks on land as they looked on the chart. We spent one night in Half Moon Bay inside the protected breakwater. I was awakened to the solemn quiet of mirrored waters with hundreds of birds perched motionless along the rocks and the sun just peeking over the horizon, coffee brewing and a delicious breakfast on the way. An extraordinary experience if you can find it.
Over the days together we would learn the routines of sailing this brigantine, with moments of urgency pulling lines and then neatly coiling them, then quiet, sunny afternoons where sleeping on the deck was irresistible. Our chef Seth, fished off the side of the boat and Mike gathered sea life to look at under a microscope. It was a trip full of surprises. We also found laughter and song in the glow of the evening light where we all gathered in the intimacy of the chart house. We even had a movie night with popcorn!!
All the crew and guests were a friendly group, and I found fast friendships with a trio, Frank, Catherine and Neil who had volunteered to help build the Matthew Turner. Over several hearty and really tasty meals, they told me the history of the recreation of the ship and the community around it that helped bring her to life. I am so appreciative of the work involved and the volunteers who participated.
Our last leg of the sail to Santa Cruz was a perfect sailing day. The magnificence of Matthew Turner on the open ocean with the sun gleaming down, the steady, warm winds guiding us south was one of the most memorable afternoons I’ve known. Thank you more than I can say, to everyone at Call of the Sea, to captain and crew and to the Matthew Turner herself.
Sabrina Kalleen