HOMEPAGE
Come for an oar and sail adventure on Vancouver's Viking Ship Munin, a 40 ft. authentic half-scale replica of the Norwegian Viking Ship Gokstad, which was built around 890 A.D. and unearthed in 1880 near Oslo. We sail year round and typically take passengers for 2 hour sailings on weekend mornings or afternoons. Munin departs from Heritage Harbour at the Maritime Museum in the Kitsilano area of Vancouver, British Columbia.
Reservation information is on the Contacts page. Passenger capacity is limited to about 10 (plus 2 or 3 crew) so email or phone ahead to reserve seats. Donations are appreciated to help cover the insurance and maintenance costs. Munin has an all volunteer crew and we are always looking for enthusiastic new members.
What to Bring Aboard
The most important item for you to bring along (or put on before you leave home) is sunblock as the UV rays are extra strong due to the reflectivity of the water. It's also a good idea to have sunglasses and SPF lip balm. A wide-brimmed hat and bottled water will help prevent heatstroke on the hottest summer days and a windbreaker jacket, fleece hood or other layered clothing is handy for cool, windy or cloudy days. The temperature is lower and the wind is often stronger on the water than on land. If you plan on helping pull the sheets (ropes) or being one of the six rowers, a pair of leather gloves, such as sailing or biking gloves, will help prevent slivers and chafing. Many of our passengers bring a backpack and some prepare a small lunch or thermos of coffee. Don't forget to bring your camera for an over-the-water shot of downtown, the mountains or other sailboats. We usually have binoculars on board for wildlife watching (birds and seals) and a cow horn that the kids have fun blowing whenever a sailboat or kayak comes near. There is a locked storage shed for bikes or strollers. The pier and ship are both wheelchair accessible with special prior arrangements. Sorry no pets are allowed onboard.
Oar and Sail Tours
After signing our waiver you will be fitted with a certified lifejacket (we have enough for everyone and a variety of sizes for adults and children). Board the vessel at its widest part while holding on to one of the shrouds (mast stay lines). The seating capacity of the 40' Munin is about 15 adults including 3 to 4 crew. If you show up without reservations there is often an open spot for a few extra persons. We don't go out if it looks like heavy rain or if there are whitecaps due to high winds. Typically we row for about 15 minutes to open water and then hoist the square sail. If winds are light to moderate we sail for about 1½ hours, tacking (changing direction with rudder and sail adjustments) about 5 to 10 times. The bench seating is comfortable and the ship hardly heels (tilts leeward) at all compared to a deep-keeled sloop sailboat. Seasickness, which is largely caused by a disparity between visual perception and the inner ear sense of balance, seldom occurs since the boat is open with a view of the horizon. There is a battery powered bilge pump which takes care of the little bit of water that leaks in the sides and runs beneath the floor boards. Before dropping the sail we get as close to home as possible to minimize the rowing back to the pier. To keep the boat moist it is often watered at the end of the sailing day and it receives a yearly coat of linseed oil, which has darkened the wood over the years. As a non-profit organization, the money we receive from sailing donations (and other fundraising activities) goes towards insurance and maintenance of the ship and trailer. Munin is an exhibit of the Vancouver Maritime Museum, so we encourage you to take a tour of their excellent facility after your sail.