I first became involved with One World nearly 20 years ago, though her story began long before. She was not an abandoned vessel, but already in the hands of a capable sailor — an old acquaintance of my father, a professor from Loyola College in Pennsylvania.
He had originally purchased her in Nanny Cay, BVI, and taken her north to Pennsylvania. There he welded on the raised poop deck, re-rigged her with a yard arm, and bought a full new suit of sails. At the time, he was granted a year’s sabbatical from his academic career — so rather than completing a refined interior, he and his sons simply made do with the rough layout she had and set off to sea.
What followed was a remarkable adventure: they sailed her across the Atlantic, through the Mediterranean, down the east coast of Africa, around the Cape, and onward to South America. They took her deep into the Amazon River before returning north to the Chesapeake Bay. Though no written record of this voyage survives, her track certainly circumnavigated Africa, and she returned seasoned from a true bluewater odyssey.
As built, she was a Colvin Pipistrelle design, but the modifications — deeper keel, raised afterdeck, and improvised interior — made her unusual. When my father acquired her, he saw both her strengths and her unfinished potential.
In 2009, we carried out a bare-hull refit in Annapolis. I personally oversaw this work, restoring her interior and systems to Tom Colvin’s philosophy of strength, practicality, and self-reliance. The result was One World reborn — a fully outfitted, ocean-ready ship.
Her history since then has been equally notable. Built of Corten steel and carrying the distinctive rig of a gaff brigantine, she embodies Colvin’s ideals of yachts that are practical, seaworthy, and capable of carrying families safely across oceans with confidence. As One World, she raced on the Chesapeake and Chartered in the Caribbean, voyaged to the Galápagos, and spent years introducing thousands of guests to the magic of tall-ship sailing in the San Blas Islands.
This is not a “toy boat” like the modern vessels you often see on YouTube. She is a true sailing ship. Where a modern catamaran is designed to mimic shoreside life, One World carries history, strength, and the spirit of the sea. Sailing her teaches teamwork, self-reliance, and seamanship. She turns heads in every harbor, sparking curiosity and admiration. Families or groups who choose this kind of vessel are rewarded with camaraderie, adventure, and stories worth telling. Modern comforts can of course be added — she already carries solar, refrigeration, and comfortable berths — but the essence of life aboard One World is freedom and discovery.
That said, buyers should know she now requires a comprehensive refit. Many systems will need replacement or restoration, and the only way to fully understand her present state is to make an offer and travel to see her.
Accommodation
- Cabins/Heads: 4 cabins, 2 heads
- Berths: Sleeps 10 (12 incl. convertible settee)
- Crew/Charter Capacity: Seating for ~20 on deck
- Headroom: 6’5” max – 5’6” min
Interior Comforts and Amenities
- Refrigerator (110V – needs replacement; 12 volt setup including cold plates and condenser included and onboard)
- Stove/Oven (stolen – needs replacement -was Force Ten LPG 3-burner)
- 11-gal hot water heater (engine/shore)
- Manual propane shutoff and deck bottle mounts
- Ventilation fan wiring in cabins (some fans are present and working)
- Manual and pressure water at galley
- Manual water at aft head
Deck and Hull Equipment
- 110lb bruce anchor
- 80lb delta anchor
- Fisherman anchor (heavy!)
- Ample rope rode for many situations
- NOTE: there is no anchor chain included
- Hydraulic windlass for 1/2" chain needs a new hydraulic hose on one part (non functional without the hose)
- Stainless steel swim ladder
- Welded on stanchions and lifelines
- Welded-on super-strong davits
- 4gpm salt water deck wash down system
- Lots of teak for new cockpit benches is onboard
Sails and Rigging
- Rig: Gaff-rigged brigantine schooner with square topsail
- Masts, Booms, Gaffs, Bowsprit and Yard Arm: Aluminum -very clever sound design (custom welded and fit with alum ratlines)
- Standing Rigging: Steel, degraded condition –requires replacement before any launching or use of vessel
- Sails (fair/good - unknown age):
- Gaff main, gaff foresail, fisherman, staysail
- Furling jib, flying jib, square sail, raffee topsail
- Several spares
- Anchors: 110lb Bruce, 80lb Delta, heavy fisherman
- Ground Tackle: Ample rope rode, no chain currently included
- Windlass: Hydraulic (non-functional – hose required)
- Other: Stainless swim ladder, welded davits, strong stanchions/lifelines, saltwater deck washdown
Mechanical Equipment
- Manual & electric bilge pumps
- Emergency tiller
- Fire extinguishers (incl. CO₂ above engine)
- Hydraulic steering (minor leak at one ram seal)
- No liferaft aboard (previous unit expired/removed)
Engine Info
- Make/Model: Ford Bowman (marinized)
- Year: 1991
- HP: 90 hp diesel
- Prop: Fixed bronze propeller (~14”)
- Hours: ~6,300 hrs
- Fuel System: Dual filters, bronze strainer, shutoff valve
- Notes: Engine runs but needs new exhaust flange, engine mounts aged, paint wouldn't hurt...
- CO₂ extinguisher installed above
Tankage
- (1) 350 gallon double baffled steel built in fuel tank
- (4) 55 gallon plastic fresh water tanks - total 220 gallons
- No holding tanks
Owners Comments and Boat History
We were searching for a tall ship, but everything we came across was far beyond our budget—until we found One World. She was everything we dreamed of, wrapped in a compact, seaworthy package.
She carried us through storms and adventures, teaching us more life lessons in a few short years than most people learn in a lifetime. For a gaff-rigged vessel, she sails remarkably well—pointing higher into the wind than we ever imagined possible. Her elegant welds and gracefully curved steel hull often fooled admirers into thinking she was fiberglass.
One World is truly one of a kind. She can take you anywhere in the world.
We were drawn to her beauty, to the romance of her historic rig, and to the challenge of sailing her. At the same time, her size offered surprising comfort and confidence. We learned to sail on One World, and because of her, we now feel capable of sailing anything.
The boat is not insured and has had no survey in the past decade. There is no copy of any previous survey.
One World was discovered derelict in a boatyard in Annapolis by her previous owner, who lovingly brought her back to life. He raced her in the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race, where she placed 2nd, and then again in the Caribbean 1500, taking another 2nd place finish. After voyaging as far as the Galápagos and back, he passed her on to us—two siblings with a dream.
We turned One World into a charter vessel and sailed her throughout the Caribbean, from Florida to Panama, via Cuba, the Bahamas, and the Cayman Islands. For over a decade, we lived aboard and operated charters in the San Blas Islands and made regular passages to Colombia. Over the years, more than 6,000 people stepped aboard One World, sharing in her magic and spirit.
She’s a true showstopper—wherever she drops anchor, people take notice. One of the smallest tall ships in the world, she is a custom-built, gaff-rigged brigantine schooner crafted in Canada with a Corten steel hull and aluminum masts. Now, she’s ready for her next adventure and a new steward to carry her legacy forward.
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