“To preserve the Amara Zee as a living vessel of maritime heritage while creating opportunities for education, community, stewardship and connection to the water.”
ABOUT THE AMARA ZEE
The Amara Zee was built in 1993 in Kingston, Ontario, inspired by the traditional Thames River sailing barges that once carried goods and people up and down historic waterways.
She was designed to combine the grace and character of traditional sailing vessels with contemporary marine and theater technology—creating a unique platform for education, performance, and community.
Today, the Amara Zee sails as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, connecting people of all ages to our maritime heritage and inspiring stewardship of our waterways.
HERITAGE
Honoring the past by preserving a working historic sailing vessel.
EDUCATION
Inspiring curiosity and hands-on maritime learning for youth and adults.
COMMUNITY
Building connections through shared maritime and theatrical experiences.
STEWARDSHIP
Caring for our waterways, rivers, and coastal estuaries for future generations.
Engineering a Living Legend
Length Overall
90 Feet
Beam Width
28 Feet
Shallow Draft
5.5 Feet (Flat Bottom)
Rig Type
Spritsail Barge Rig
Her flat bottom allows the Amara Zee to enter canals, shallow estuaries, and city basins that conventional deep-keel tall ships could never reach. This makes her one of the most versatile educational and cultural vessels in existence.