Got off the Western Union schooner a couple hours ago, wanted to contribute back to the resource this forum is. Not the best sunset on this Tuesday in Key West but nonetheless moments of brilliance. That's what you learn - every day is like a fingerprint - the sunset is unique & different. In my opinion it's the challenge of the person taking in the sunset - to find aspects of it to appreciate. Gorgeous and striking colors in the sky are to behold in even very hazy days - tonight was one.

Nonetheless, the wife and I set out on the Western Union Schooner for the sunset cruise. Now in coming to Key West - I wanted to get into the spirit of the place - and it is with that in mind it was an easy no brainer to do a sunset sail on a schooner. Now I arrived thinking it would be the Jolly II Rover or Roger.....which I am sure is a fine vessel, however I am told it is a steel hull. The Western Union is a wood hull - makes a difference in the ride - so I am told.

So I did a bit of research, learned about this vessel's build in '38 in Key West, how its mission was "maintenance of cable" between Cuba & Florida, Miami and Key West, etc.....this vessel has a lot of history - the details of which I am sure you can explore on line. Does History matter to you? Well history does matter to me - and it is with the spirit that sailing on this ship was attractive for me and the wife.

I'm told the Western Union has only been back for 3 weeks - tickets were $39 - and it's a cruise wherein you can bring your own beverage or snacks or whatever. I brought a 1.5L large bottle of Pinot Grigio for me and the wife - the crew happily tucked it away in cooler chest of ice for us. They have plenty of platic cups, corkscrews, etc....and before you get on board....there is a nearby market where they sell chilled wine, beer, etc.

When we left the dock.......it's motor driven...they have to cut through the tide....and you can volunteer to work with the crew to hoist the sails - which is what I did, a lot of fun. It's actually serious muscle work....in doing this....for real! But it is so laid back...it's incredible. The boat can hold 75+ people, we had 25 or so on board....again, they are going through their "soft launch".....their return to Key West......so now is a great time to be on a large sailing ship....with little to no crowding what-so-ever.

I'm told the Wood Hull schooner sail differently than the steel hull schooners, etc. The wife and I were able to lay out looking up most of the whole exercusion....at the sky, etc....it's amazing being out there....and when the cut off the diesel engines and run on sails alone?....wow....SERENE, TRANQUIL....amazing.

In all honesty, I'm a frugal guy (I have to be) and it's grat to be able to buy you own beverage (bottle) and simply have a bag or backpack and get on board and enjoy the ride. There's something kind of neat about being on board of a historic schooner too. I'm not well read on schooners or Hemingway or Key West anything....however if I had the heads' up on this....I might have gotten a novel or two on schooner life or something. It just further engagees you to the experience of being on this boat. What funny is when you're on the water...people do look at this boat! People take photos, etc....it's a real attraction to people..

While I was on the boat...and looiking at the sky...I just thought of the history of the vessel and all the people that before me done the exact same thing. If history matters to you and you're interested in a Sunset cruise - The Western Union is a no brainer. I was charged $39 + tax, it was from 6:30pm to 8L30pm......the wife loved it.

We spent the cruise sitting in the rear of the vessel under the sails on a section wherein you can lay down and look up...it's really astonishing when you take it in from that perspective....looking up at the Sails....all their repairs and stiches...the wood of the mast....and it's very wonderful to be free sailing....and only hear the wood mast and metal housings creating a cracking type of sound...as you sail and look at the sun setting in one direction, and the curvature of the world in the other.

I don't want to down those party boats and Catarmarans, etc...but I am no idea why you would want to sunset cruise those vessels when you can sunset cruise real history. I would say on the Western Union tonight we were 50% diesel engine driven, 50% of the time true sailing. If I could do it all over again....I would try to find a book on schooner sailing or something....to make the experience even a bit more engaging. I give the Western Union a Thumbs Up! LAID BACK crew/experience in every way....bring your drinks/food...just chill out for 2 hours...terrific. No stress, no hassle - total Old Key West.