There isn’t a thing that hasn’t been written about the venerable Foxy Callwood of the British Virgin Island’s fourth largest island, Jost Van Dyke. Not enough, though, has been printed about a project underway there that began some years ago as a dream in Foxy’s lyric-writing, forward-thinking head. That dream is growing larger every day right in his own backyard.

Foxy, who’s fifth-generation born on this tiny island, remembers a different time. His schooling on the island lasted until seventh grade, when, according to him, “It ran out,” and he was turned loose into a world of men, young and old, plying the waters of the Caribbean. “I wark on de botes, sailin to Sen Thomas,” he says. “We take dem cows, goats, chickons, what eva we had to sell. De market was dere wid da butcher. Sometimes we haul charcoal dat was made right ere.” Trade with the U.S. Virgin Islands ended abruptly, though, when the FDA banned the import of BVI livestock. “Dey say our cows got a disease and we can’t take dem dere any more,” Foxy explains. With a sly smile he adds, “But dose people, dey could come ere and eat beef.”

Some of the boats he worked on were a design referred to as Tortola Sloops, built of wood and common lines; rough and rugged work boats. Time, lack of maintenance, storms and the introduction of modern construction materials slowly took down the fleet.

Perhaps because of his upbringing, or simply his love for fine traditional vessels, Foxy began a wooden boat regatta that last May celebrated its 25th year. When the event began in the 1970s, most yachts, private and charter, were built of wood and many of them were beauties. It was common for upwards of 70 of them to show up for the annual race. Last year there were around 25 participants, and although the numbers have declined through the years, enthusiasm runs as strong as ever.

Foxy and his wife, Tess, recognized a few years ago that something was missing from the regatta; there were no island boats involved. To fill the void, they tried resurrecting a Tortola Sloop, but to no avail. Next, they started building a 20-foot island boat, but stopped early-on, knowing what they really wanted was a boat that could sail in their race, as well as other races held in the Windward and Leeward Islands. The idea of something bigger, stronger, faster began to take shape.


That vessel, now nearing completion behind Foxy's Tamarind Bar, is a JVD 32 Sloop, the first large boat built on Jost Van Dyke in modern memory. Named Endeavor II, in honor of one of the Tortola Sloops, it is being built with modern tools and construction techniques, using wood and epoxy. The design came from sketches compiled by a group of local men, all possessing deep knowledge of the island sloops and local waters. The culmination of their work was sent to Nova Scotia, where naval architect Dr. Mark A. Gammon pulled their creativity together into a hull that encompasses the traits and character of a traditional BVI sloop. (Photo: Foxy, on the right, shows off Endeavor II to an old friend.)

Funding for construction began with random grassroots contributions. Soon, the project was enveloped by the Jost Van Dyke Preservation Society, a non-profit organization officially formed in 2003 to increase awareness of the history, culture and environment of the tiny island.

Another piece of Foxy’s dream was to give back something to the youth of his island. Building Endeavor II, therefore, was placed in the hands of local interested students, directed and supervised by knowledgeable boat builders, shipwrights and mentors. When completed, it will be used as a sail training vessel.

When we returned to Jost Van Dyke in November, Endeavor II’s hull sat upside down, planked and sheathed. A pile of Douglas-fir lay under a roof beside it, destined to become the mast and booms. Bruce was invited to guide that project, working alongside 19-year-olds Duane Donovan and JV.

Bruce consulted with boat building friends in Washington, made numerous sketches and came up with a plan for a 48-foot hollow tapered spar. Some of the power tools we carry on Woodwind were hauled ashore to supplement those in the shop and the teaching and work began.


After building a straight and solid workbench, Bruce showed Duane and JV how to rip down and plane the boards. With that accomplished, they sorted and scarfed the boards (joined together with a scarf joint), then cut a bevel and taper in one continuous motion. That important cut was “kissed” with the power planer. The four sides would be glued together one by one, forming a box that would then be made round. (Photo: Bruce applies epoxy on one end of the mast, JV on the other, while Duane mixes more.)

On the ninth day, island life dealt a blow. The project ran out of epoxy and it would take weeks for more to arrive … past the time for us to move on. Duane and JV, full of new skill and confidence, would be able to finish the mast and build the booms together, or with help from fellow students returning home from college for the Christmas holiday.

Endeavor II still has many needs. She has to be turned upright, decked and rigged. The ballast keel must be made and attached. The 50-horsepower diesel donated by Volvo will need to be installed. A costly list of sails, running rigging, ground tackle and gear keeps growing. Checking each off the list is dependent on a flow of generous donations.

Visitors to the island are encouraged to visit the project and see for themselves a piece of the past taking shape in the present. To view the project online go to www.sloopnews.org. Donations for American citizens are U.S. tax deductible and gratefully accepted. The Jost Van Dyke Preservation Society also can be reached online.

Jan