Singer/Sailor David Crosby Sails Off on Final Voyage
David Crosby, of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, passed away yesterday. Of course, he was best known for his musical career, but he was also well known for his sailing and his years of owning the 1947 59-ft Alden schooner Mayan. When Crosby bought Mayan he would have been about 28 years old. He owned the wooden schooner from 1969 until 2014, when it was purchased by Beau Vrolyk of Santa Cruz.
In our Good Jibes podcast with current owner Beau Vrolyk, he described Crosby’s early purchase and ownership. “He grew up in Santa Barbara and had been sailing his whole life. He borrowed some money from the lead guitarist of the Monkees ($25,000 from Peter Tork). It’s a fascinating tale. David then proceeded to sail around the Caribbean for many years and eventually sailing her himself with buddies, with possibly Graham Nash aboard for the trip. He went through the Panama Canal and up to Sausalito.” Beau went on to say, “She also really served as a cruising boat for David. He sailed her to Tahiti and to Hawaii, at least twice, and back again. In almost every port we pull into there are people who come up to the boat and say, ‘I partied on that boat.’ I think she had many, many entertaining evenings.”
After sailing from the Caribbean, Mayan lived in Sausalito for many years in the ’80s, berthed at Pelican Harbor. At that time, Billy Martinelli, builder of the scow schooner Gas Light, did lots of work refining her. Martinelli also sailed off to the South Pacific with Crosby. During Martinelli’s refit of Mayan, John “Woody” Skoriak ended up with many of her discarded sails and items off the boat that were then sold and passed on to other wooden-boat owners. Many local sailors found their way aboard for parties during that particularly boisterous, bohemian time along the Sausalito shoreline. It was another era in life along the waterfront from which many well-remembered but now-fading stories were created and told. Later Crosby moved Mayan to Santa Barbara, where he kept her for the last 20 years of his ownership.
1970s dock neighbor Brook Townes has some fond memories of his time berthed next door to Mayan in Herb Madden’s Sausalito Yacht Harbor, “The Mayan was in SYH’s Pier 3 (later called C-dock) next to the Freda (my home at the time) in the late ’60s, beginning of the ’70s. CSNY road manager Bob Wilson’s gaff schooner the Sea Runner was on the other side of the Freda. The Croz and friends added icing to Pier 3’s resident cast of great and interesting liveaboard characters.
“David was a fine boat husband and employed numerous local boatwrights. He had numerous nicely-done inlays, ivory porpoises and such, here and there, about the boat. As reported, he was a mite mercurial and could be nasty one morning, pleasant and considerate in the afternoon, but considerate in general. When the ’straights’ on the dock complained about too many groupies and their antics, he would do his best to quiet things down and usually succeeded for a while.
“It was a mixed blessing, having him next door. At times it was a little hectic; other times a treat to hear him and his friends play live 20 feet away. Mostly he and his friends enlivened the dock nicely. Best was getting invited to crew an evening sail on the Mayan, leaving David free to play music under sail with his pals, ghosting along at sunset.”
We contacted Beau Vrolyk, who told us about his ownership, and more about Crosby’s life and his preservation of Mayan.
“Without David’s deep affection for Mayan she would have never survived. In the mid-’90s he moved her to Santa Barbara, and by 2000 she was in need of a full refit.
“The master shipwright Wayne Ettel (who recently rebuilt Chubasco‘s hull) went over her and then sailed her back to Santa Barbara, where she would stay as he and David discussed her future. After that sail in the strong winds and big seas that can build up along the north side of Santa Cruz Island, Wayne decided, ‘This boat needs to be saved.’ In 2005, after two years of work at Wayne’s yard, she was re-launched with her hull and deck entirely rebuilt, her rigging renewed, and her engine rebuilt. Mayan would not be here today without David having poured affection and treasure into her.
“When we saw her in 2014, my wife Stacey and I fell in love. Wayne had preserved much of her original interior, built of the beautiful mahogany of Belize, where she was built. We’ve had Wayne return some of the interior closer to Alden’s original design, and we recently had Matthew Coale in Santa Cruz return her rig to a transitional schooner with a gaff foresail.
“Of course, we’ll race any boat we own, even though that was not why we bought Mayan. She has turned out to be far swifter than we expected, having taken second in the Classic Class of the Rolex Big Boat Series twice, and first once. When racing or cruising in the ocean, she is amazingly stable and easygoing. We expect to continue cruising her in 2024, when she’ll have retired from being the StFYC flagship.
“I talked to David a few weeks before he crossed the bar; he was happy and told me we were crazy to race her. ‘Relax and go someplace warm with your family and friends.’ Great advice from a great sailor.”
When he put the boat up for sale in 2009, we quote Crosby saying, “After 40 years of sailing and writing many of my best songs aboard, I have reached the point where I must let her go.” Mayan was reportedly the inspiration for many of his songs, including Wooden Ships and Lee Shore.
Fair winds, sailor.
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Fair Winds Capt Crosby, you have changed me for the better with your music….
I am also a wooden boat fan and am attempting to raise funds to save the William Garden Ketch Pocahontas , a 41′ double ender Seal design built in Italy in 1960, who is in need of new stewardship in SanFransico!!! Please see more online at GoFundMe@savingPocahantas
Interested….
Correction, the GoFundMe is Save Pocahontas and time is of the essence, all hands on deck please… [email protected]
I am 68 and have had a DEEP LOVE for CSNY since I was 15. Where I live is a concert mecca and I was blessed to see hundreds of great concert. ( It is a college town) But no CSN….I had given up. And then right before my 60th birthday they came within an hour of me. Happy Birthday to me. I bought a ticket and went by myself….did not want to share that night with anyone. I was on the floor 8 rows from the stage. And I cried from joy the entire night. They were my last concert….as it should be. Goodbye David…..I am in mourning! Y’all brought much joy to my life.
Wind on the water . Eight bells for a man who brought joy and love to millions .Including this 20 year old .I was sailing out of Sausalito yacht club ,having been introduced to San Francisco Bay and The Sausalito yacht club. Being a junior member was the time of my life I cherish .thank you John amen.Is FOEN still around ?
I had to look up, read the lyrics, and, listen to Southern Cross, which I always associate with CS&N.
Steve Stills wrote lyrics to a Curtis Brothers song reworking it into Southern Cross.
I imagined it to be describing a passage on Mayan. (It looks like her on the record cover …remember those?)
I fell down this whirlpool thinking about David Crosby, Mayan, Southern Cross and playing it (on the sound system) when we crossed the equator on a passage from Eureka to Fatu Hiva.
Thanks to David Crosby for the harmonies to the soundtrack of my youth, and wooden boats.
Fair winds and following seas.
“Forty feet of waterline” would be about right for the Mayan (those traditional Aldens have a lot of overhang!).
Related to Jeanne(sp?)…journalist woodworker?
RIP David for that magical musical era… Beau Vrolyk is a long-time family friend. His father took me on my first “offshore” sail to Catalina with my father and brother. I was more than intimidated but it led to a lifetime of sailing and racing from Hawaii to the Greek islands. His wife was a very close friend of my mother’s which is how we met.
Nice piece John ??
There were three Alden Schooners in Tahiti in 1974, Mayan, Golden Hind and Mariah. Golden Hind died against the sea wall in a storm in Papette, Mariah lost 200 miles off Atlantic City in a 1981 gale (a new owner after our circumnavigation). Alas. Mayan is the only one that has survived.
Thanks for passing along the information about the Mayan and her sister ships.
Thank you all for your memories. I can only remember David as a musician, and so it gives me great pleasure to read of his other interests, and the joy that it brought to so many people.
I remember seeing CS&N performing numerous times in toledo,Ohio. Once at the zoo amphitheater in the second row and having made eye contact with him as he sang and played flawlessly. His voice was a gift we should all be thankful for. An exhilarating moment in my life. I will never forget. He had many faults, as we all do. But his positives far outweigh the negatives. God bless you David for sharing your life with us. Hope to see you on the other side.
Dear Mr Arndt, Thank you for the wonderful article. I knew that David Crosby loved to sail but I did not know all the details. I am a native of Northern California and I have spent a lot of time in Sausalito. David Crosby and Stills, Nash and Young brought so much beautiful, timeless music to our generation
(I am in my 70’s) and to all generations. I always listen to their music, even after 50+ years. It never grows old. Sail on, David, and sing with the Heavenly Angels.
For what it’s worth, Michael Nesmith played guitar..Peter Tork, bass.
Sail on, sailor
From the headline, I thought he had been buried at sea…
At sea? Or middle C???
I also I thought he had been buried at sea frrom reading the headline
I’m betting that his remains will be handled the same way as he did for his late girlfriend Christine and also, some years later, for his mother. They were both cremated and their ashes sprinkled at sea right outside the Golden Gate bridge from his beloved Mayan. Barring that, cremated and sprinkled at his residence in Santa Ynez. He absolutely loved loved loved California like I do. I’ve been monitoring for any updates on his remains but I haven’t seen any.
All of them on the cover of CSN? the song Darkstar always spoke to me. The tale of David’s ship is beautiful
Crosby keeps it clean
Music or sailing indeed
Sail on music man
Nice article ?
When I hear southern cross, I feel like I’m on the boat. That’s what a great song can do.
CSN inspired a genre that I was lucky enough to have listened as it unfolded at the perfect stage of life. Tweens to twenties. There’ll never be it’s like again. R.I.P. Mr Crosby.
David Crosby’s music has been a constant binding force in my life for 50 years. I became a pro muscian, songwriter, and finally a sailor, all inspired by the foundation of his music, lyrics and spirit.
If there is another side, I can only hope he feels the love and gratitude we all share in his legacy.
Tanya Dennis
Part of my youth died the day David passed. A Byrds fan as well as CSNY. These were the sounds of my youth. Hundreds of record playings, concerts and the joy his music brought, the likes of which shall never be heard again. Thank you David, for the soundtrack of my youth.
I became an adult during the 70’s and the music of that age kept me alive. I saw C,S,N,Y in concert as many times as they came to CT! Their harmonies cannot be duplicated! I heard a remake of one of their songs about 15 years ago by someone who foolishly thought they could. It took me hours after to realize it was a CSNY piece. ? Not even close. It wasn’t just the music it was the harmony that could not be duplicated. They were the best of an era.
The fact he was a sailor has magnified his bio.
Croz will be missed. Nice to read all these stories.
Just remember his name,……….
Awh a void, a great is passed. He was a bit of a bad boy to my mind, as I found him a strong force, leader even. He had no fear of speaking his strong insightful mind in the face of authority. American he was deap inside as it showed in commentaries he’d do like one I remember about China and it’s introspective view of itself as the Middle Kingdom. Bless a man that fought for fun, and seemed to do a bit of penance where a fence or two might need mending among friends.
Dearly Missed Already,
Sail On Sailor
I-ve been listening to all of his songs and reading articles about his Life all weekend ..so saddened to hear of his death BUT what a legacy he left .. My husband saw CSNY the night Nixon resigned. He said it was AMAZING..
Reading thus story makes me ache for Calf and how I need to go there soon. I absolutely love Sausalito . R.I.P David. You will be missed ?
I saw CSN several times, and it’s amazing how the music takes me back to a magical time. Saw him and Stills fighting on stage in Houston in the 80’s and in 2014. Stills was having problems with his hearing, but their harmonies we’re still tight. Very sad that he’s gone.
Wooden ships
Lee shore. Two of my absolute favorite songs ever. An incredible talent. Sad that all fences were not mended before his passing.
Sail on Sailor, dear David, who was so encouraging when we met at Red Rocks, then again in Boulder on tour with his son. I play LEE SHORE as my closer. “Women are calling me to end my tales; See you, the next quiet place.
I was Joe Walsh’s tour manager in the 70’s. We were in Sausalito recording when Joe bought a 30′ Alden sloop with a club footed jib he found there. David came by to check it out and spotted the clam shell pulls on the drawers in the cabin. His Alden did not have this distinctive Alden touch and took one to be copied for casting his own set. I hope they may still be part of the outfitting.
I shed a tear upon hearing of David’s passing. His music has been a part of the vast majority of my life. Fair winds and following seas sailor! You will be missed!
I’m 69 and a former sailor ( both a recreational AND a former US Navy sailor) and I have loved the music of CSNY since I was 15 also. “ Guinevere” and “ Wooden Ships” stand out as does “ Ohio” . I liked the Byrds even earlier as a young boy in Bridgeport Connecticut
David wrote this beautiful , haunting , psychedelic music which would become Wooden Ships. He brought it to Paul Kantner who then wrote most of the lyrics. The song first appears on the last Jefferson Airplane album Volunteers which is a masterpiece as is the entire album. David sang harmony ❤️ on the song , he was the greatest harmonizer ever. He and Paul are probably writing together again right now , two of the greatest Hippies ever. Ever R.I.P. guys.
Definitely the music of my generation of sailors. It surprises me that no radio stations are doing any tributes, but thankfully and notably, dear Latitude did !
Sail on David Crosby !
What a cool story. Loved CSN. a child in the ’60s, I remember sitting between my sister and her Boyfriend in an El Camino. Flying over Topanga Canyon headed to Zuma Beach. CSN drowning out the rumble from the exhaust, in the bright yellow beast, in which I was riding. He will always live thru music as our memories recall. Sail on Captain Cros..
Had a twin brother who loved CSN he has passed also always brings a smile to my face when I have their music.
We, as Baby Boomers, are blessed to have this beautiful music bookend our journey from launch (of awareness) to the end of our voyage on the other shore. The music is timeless, almost ethereal, and will outlive us all. It sounds as fresh now as it did then, and I’ll listen to it until the day I die. David, from your earlier “choir boy” looks (the Byrds) to the later rough’n’gruff, moustacheod persona, we grew old together. You were loved. Bon voyage, matey!
Fair winds and following seas my friend I met him in 71 in Midway, his kin was a great friend of mine
A legend has passed. His collaboration with Phil Collins for the hit song, “Hero” is a favorite of mine.
In 1974, I worked as a trim carpenter refurbishing McWayne Marine Supply in Honolulu’s Kewalo Basin. Boat owners would dock at McWayne for nautical supplies and boat maintenance. One afternoon, I saw Croz using the store’s pay phone. Didn’t have any idea why he would be in there. Later that evening, I told a friend about it. “Oh yeah”, he said. “Croz has a boat called Mayan. Probably sailed her all the way from California”. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to see the beautiful Mayan. Croz had sailed by the time I arrived at work the next morning.
Great share – thank you. CSN was the first concert I went to at the LA Forum 1969 at age 14 (I begged my mom to let me go with a girlfriend – she drove :-). I was mesmerized that evening by the harmonies and acoustics. A talented spirit ????
Thank you sir
God bless your soul, family and friends.
A true Legend.
Lovely to hear of Crozs love of sailing.
Fair well to the Southern Cross and beyond.
“So I’m sailing for tomorrow, My dreams are a-dying.
And my love is an anchor tied to you, tied with a silver chain.
I have my ship, and all her flags are a-flying.
She is all that I have left, and music is her name.”
You lost me at Peter Tork lead guitarist for The Monkees… really???
That’s the story we heard!
My wife Vivian and I were on the road many years playing music and in the early years kept our 40 ft sailboat in various locations around the San Juan islands. In 1980 we decided to marry in the little chapel at Roche Harbor. Unbeknown to us David had made arrangements for a wedding ceremony right after ours. It was a crazy day with Young’s schooner S/V Raglund there as well as S/V Mayan. We were told that David was getting married but the records don’t show it but those were wild days. I was of course a huge fan and Southern Cross is an anthem for those of us who sail and perform. Calm seas David.
May 4th 2020, Kent State University planned a Concert for the 50 year Anniversary of the tragic Kent State shootings. First person to sign up was David Crosby, opening for Kent State Alumni Joe Walsh. What a night it would have been, but cancelled due to Covid. Thank you David for your voice and involvement to Justice to the 4 Dead and Kent State. Sail on
Interesting life the article leads you yo beleive a burial at sea.
We may have passed out on SF Bay, sailed on Leuders Yawl from NAS Alameda harbor. Your songs were an inspiration to my sailing. RIP, fair winds, following seas
In tears reading the comments. Learned to sail on a 38ft Hans Christian, my dads boat for nearly 30 years. They’ve both sailed on now, but decades ago I turned him on to Southern Cross. We’d play it on the water. I loved Crosby, the constant soundtrack of my earliest falling in love years. Got to a lot of shows of every combination of the 4 boys. I was lucky enough to get my oldest guitar playing son to two shows, the last CSN tour show in Chicago, and a solo David show, in a tiny venue, just a couple of years back. So grateful to have his beautiful music in my life. Peace.
Fair Winds & Calm Seas, David Crosby.
73’s and Following Seas, Capt Croz. You are already missed.
Another music legend moves on. I was not aware of his love for wooden boats. I will miss him on both counts.
To a very interesting fun loving old friend, sitting on the steps across from the Saualito City Park playing music to panhandle money from the locals, I sat down to listen; this was in 1964, still going to Marin Collage I was drawn to the way he played. Striking up a conversation, he stated that he was going to be “Great Some Day”; little did I know to whom I was talking! We later became more acquainted, staying in touch I later heard that he was involved in sailing so I pursued to see what he was doing. Later in the years, I did inlays and interior work on his boat Mayan and got to know many of his friends leading me to do great things in my life in being a shipwright, for which I’ve been working for some 57 years. This statement states that it was David Crosby that influenced me to carry on. Will always have you in my thoughts, for my life is also coming to its ending tides. “Sail on with steady winds and a soft rolling sea.”
Great memories of his music, and still listening to his legacy. Farewell my very distant cousin from across the ocean, and sail on. From a fellow old sailor and admirer.
We were docked in Honolulu and invited the man on the sailboat next to us for some Ahi that was caught on the way over from Maui. After dinner he invited us to go partying at the clubs. It was only then that he mentioned he could get us in without queuing because he was Crosby of CSN. So off we set for a night in which I only remember the beginning.