Wooden Boats for Veterans

Our mission is to offer veterans a path for restoring overall health and well being, by getting them on the water with sailing instruction and teaching new skills through wooden boat restoration. Through common purpose and teamwork they will rediscover inner strengths and share in the camaraderie of fellow veterans.

A small but growing group of dedicated volunteers has established a sailing and restoration program for bay area veterans. Wooden Boats for Veterans, based in Vallejo, has since 2015 brought to veterans a shared sense of renewal that comes from connection through sailing and working together. Its current project is restoring CLOVER, a gaff-rigged topsail cutter, WWII veteran, and Caribbean queen.

Founded by Terry Moran, a retired F-14 naval aviator, WBFV’s vision is to deliver a prolonged impact to veterans through building sea-based community in the Bay and Delta regions. This is put in motion every day by planning and executing the steps leading to a capstone voyage to Hawaii.

“Sign on, young man, and sail with me.

The stature of our homeland is no more than the measure of ourselves. Our job is to keep her free. Our will is to keep the torch of freedom burning for all. To this solemn purpose we call on the young, the brave, the strong, and the free.

Heed my call, Come to the sea. Come Sail with me.”

- John Paul Jones