‘True Love’ sets sail for summer

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. ( WETM ) – The True Love Schooner was built in 1926 and since then, it has sailed its way through the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and many other waterways before making its way here to Watkins Glen.

“It’s had a life of its own. it’s had some glorious moments and some not so glorious moments; just like anyone else’s life,” said Captain & Owner Terry Stewart.

With all of the true love’s stops, it somehow made it into pop culture history.

“The boat spent a lot of years with a few different owners up until its famous time in the movie High Society with Grace Kelly and Bing Crosby in 1956. After that movie fame, it was highlighted with the song ‘True Love’ written by Cole Porter and the boat made its way to the Caribbean and spent about 40 years in St. Thomas,” said Stewart.

Now, it makes up to 350 trips through Seneca Lake; all depending on weather and tourism.

“We try to encompass the highlights of the southern tip. We’re wind dependent, so we use what wind we get. But, we always get to the famous painted rocks and the salt plant where they produce 1,200 tons of salt a day and Hector Waterfalls, the third tallest waterfall in New York State,” said Stewart.

Captain Terry Stewart says learning how to sail is a lost art.

“Learning how to orient the boat to the wind makes it sail like an airplane flies. Using Bernoulli’s Principle and setting the sails just right, you can make yourself go without any fossil fuels whatsoever,” said Stewart.

For the crew that paint and clean the boat, it ignites their passion for sailing.

“Being on a boat that’s almost 100 years old is just a really cool fact to me and being part of maintaining it is also I take good pride in. It’s just a good environment. You know, it’s fun to be on the lake and you see tons of new people every day and have all of these cool interactions with individuals. So, I really enjoy that social aspect of it,” said Crewmember Spencer Beaver.

“I take great pride in actually knowing that we’re keeping the boat from fading away into history, you know. Like each step, who knows how many generations have worked on the boat, painted the same pieces, varnished the same pieces. Who’s raised the sails and done all that stuff. We’re just doing our part in history, you know keeping her afloat,” said Crewmember Brock Sgrecci.

The True Love will celebrate 100 years in 2026. The captain and crew are in the planning stages of what special events will happen for the anniversary.

For more information on the True Love Schooner, click here .

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