Looking for Schooner Crew

We normally don’t do ‘crew wanted’ ads for individuals, but when it comes to folks who have made circumnavigations aboard schooners they’ve restored, we make exceptions.

Merl Petersen has owned the 75-ft schooner Viveka, which was built in 1929, since 1965, and spent a lot of years with her in Hawaii. She grew a little tired, so when Merl announced that he would be fixing her up and sailing her around the world, there were skeptics all up and down the Ala Wai. But Merl and friends busted their butts, and indeed did something like a seven-year circumnavigation in the early ’90s.

When Merl read about the Great San Francisco Schooner Race — created by Alan Olson and to be hosted by the San Francisco YC — it got his juices flowing. He wants to be on the starting line with Viveka for the August 23 race, but he needs crew. This is where you might come in. If you’re interested in crewing for a guy who once took an elephant waterskiing on San Francisco Bay — there are photos — email or call Merl at (510) 236-2336. For more on the race, see www.sfyc.org for details.