Sailing Vessel

Denis Sullivan

The Sailing Vessel (S/V) Denis Sullivan is a seasonal experience with our sailing season running usually between the end of May to early October. Please note though that 2019 is a Tall Ship Festival Year. This means that the S/V Denis Sullivan will be out of port and away from Milwaukee for a large portion of the summer, likely between late June to late September 2019.

Explore the wonder, beauty, and fun of Lake Michigan from the deck of Discovery World’s Tall Ship, the S/V Denis Sullivan. Climb aboard the world’s only re-creation of a 19th century three-masted, Great Lakes schooner.

Enjoyed by All Ages
Varies depending on Sail type
Outside of Discovery World

PUBLIC SAILS & PROGRAMMING

Sadly, our 2018 sailing season has ended, but please check back with us in the Spring for 2019 sailing dates.

If you’re interested in pricing, 2019 pricing is currently set to be as such (subject to change):

Regular 2-Hour Day/Evening Sails

  • Member [Children & Adults]: $40
  • Non-Member [Children & Adults]: $50
  • Children 2 years and under: $10

Family Sails

  • If you purchase 3 or fewer tickets:
    • Member [Children & Adults]: $40
    • Non-Member [Children & Adults]: $50
  • If you purchase 4 or more tickets:
    • Member 4-Pack: $140
    • Non-Member 4-Pack: $160
    • Additional Tickets
      • Members: $35
      • Non-Members: $40

Brew Sails

  • Member [Children & Adults]: $85
  • Non-Member [Children & Adults]: $95

2018 RESERVATION, REFUND, & RESCHEDULING POLICIES

In order to reserve your spot, you must either call the Reservations Department at 414.765.8625 or register online. Full payment is due at the time of registration. Reservations may NOT be held without full payment. Sales close 30 minutes prior to sail time.

Refund and rescheduling requests must be submitted to the Reservations Department by the deadlines indicated below. Deadlines differ per sail type.

Day/Evening Sails & Family Sails

In order to receive a full refund for any reservation YOU cancel, you must contact the Reservations Department at least seven (7) days prior to your scheduled sail date. Cancellations received less than seven (7) days from the sail date will receive no refund or credit.

Cancellations received less than seven (7) days from the sail date will receive no refund or credit.

Brew Sails, Fireworks Sails, & Lazy Day Sails

In order to receive a full refund for any reservation YOU cancel, you must contact the Reservations Department at least fourteen (14) days prior to your scheduled sail date. Cancellations received less than fourteen (14) days from the sail date will receive no refund or credit.

Cancellations received less than fourteen (14) days from the sail date will receive no refund or credit.

Adventure Sail

In order to receive a full refund for any reservation YOU cancel, you must contact the Reservations Department at least ONE MONTH prior to your scheduled sail date.

Cancellations received less than ONE MONTH from the sail start date will receive no refund or credit.

Day/Evening & Family Sails

If you wish to reschedule your sail, you must also contact the Reservations Department at least seven (7) days prior to your scheduled sail date. Rescheduling requests received after the seven (7) day window will not be accepted or granted. Any cancellation request received after the seven (7) day window will receive no refund or credit. All rescheduling requests are subject to availability.

Brew Sails, Fireworks Sails, & Lazy Day Sails

If you wish to reschedule your sail, you must contact the Reservations Department at least fourteen (14) days prior to your scheduled sail date. Rescheduling requests received after the fourteen (14) day window will not be accepted or granted. Any cancellation request received after the fourteen (14) day window will receive no refund or credit. All rescheduling requests are subject to availability.

Adventure Sail

Rescheduling requests are not available for Adventure Sails as only one sail of this type will be offered during the 2018 sailing season.

All Sails

A sail may be cancelled if the captain thinks it is necessary to do so for reasons of safety. This is at his/her discretion. Normally we do NOT cancel due to rain or temperature. However, a sail may be cancelled due to severe storms, high wind, or fog advisories. If WE should cancel a sail, you may either reschedule your sail to a different date or receive a full refund. However, there is no refund if you simply choose not to show up, arrive late, or change your mind.

If a sail is cancelled, the Reservations Department will call all registrants as soon as the captain makes the official call to cancel.

GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE

Give someone the unique gift of adventure. S/V Denis Sullivan Day/Evening Sail Gift Certificates are now available for our regular, 2-hour sails.

You can purchase your S/V Denis Sullivan Gift Certificates in person at Admissions or by calling the Reservations Department at 414.765.8625. Gift Certificates cannot currently be purchased or redeemed online.

These particular certificates are valid for the 2019 S/V Denis Sullivan sailing season and for regular 2-Hour Day/Evening Sails only.

Please note, 2019 is a Tall Ship Festival Year. This means that the S/V Denis Sullivan will be out of port and away from Milwaukee for a large portion of the summer.

If you are looking for gift certificates for any other sails or programs we offer, you can purchase a General Discovery World Gift Certificate that we can set for any denomination (in $1 increments).

Purchasing gift certificates in any denomination provides the recipient flexibility to choose their experience.

These certificates may be purchased at the Admissions Desk, are valid for one year from the date of purchase, and must be presented in person for redemption. Gift Certificates cannot currently be purchased or redeemed online.

Please note, 2019 is a Tall Ship Festival Year. This means that the S/V Denis Sullivan will be out of port and away from Milwaukee for a large portion of the summer.

ONBOARD EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

For information regarding all of our educational programs onboard the S/V Denis Sullivan and more, please click here to view our Education pages.

PRIVATE EDUCATOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CHARTER

Professional development charters aboard the S/V Denis Sullivan challenge teachers to live and work aboard the traditionally rigged schooner. Educators on the S/V Denis Sullivan specialize in getting teachers out of the classroom and inspiring them to share these experiences with their students.

A charter on the S/V Denis Sullivan will give you a new passion and excitement for teaching, experiential education training, and a wealth of knowledge to take back to your classroom.

The S/V Denis Sullivan is modeled on a traditional vessel, but is equipped with the technology for a hands-on study of ecological systems. Journey the open waters of the Great Lakes for three hours or seven days.

For more information, please contact our Reservations Department at 414.765.8625 or reservations@discoveryworld.org

Professional & Private Charters

A private, 2-hour charter sail on the S/V Denis Sullivan offers an environment that no other venue can match.

As a captivating and impressive platform to network, express gratitude, celebrate or simply socialize, the experience offers a peaceful setting on Lake Michigan and a quiet sail on the world’s only traditional Great Lakes schooner.

While aboard, you and your guests will be able to participate in raising sail, take a turn at the helm, tack through the wind, learn something new, or simply relax, unwind and sail! Take your people into an environment surrounded by water, where the benefits of working together truly sail you home to safety. Charters are a great option for team-building events, employee appreciation events, weddings, vow renewals, anniversaries, and other special occasions.

There is a 50 person maximum limit per charter. Any bartender, caterer, or other vendor on-board would count toward this 50 person limit.

2-Hour Charters begin at $3,000. Additional fees apply for Beer and Wine Options.

For more information, please contact the Reservations Department at 414.765.8625 or email reservations@discoveryworld.org

History

The S/V Denis Sullivan was completed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 2000 by professional shipwrights and nearly 400 volunteers. The schooner is a modern educational sailing vessel with two diesel engines, a scientific laboratory, two computer workstations, and modern communication and navigation equipment. She maintains single bunks in co-ed areas, shared toilets (heads) and showers, and limited storage. The vessel can carry up to 50 passengers on day sails and 21 participants overnight. She is complemented by a professional crew of ten.

The S/V Denis Sullivan provides an array of genuine maritime experiences, from two-hour Lake Watches for families to multi-day educational sails for teens and adults. Water is the world’s most precious resource, and the S/V Denis Sullivan provides a unique platform from which to provide marine education, leadership training, and personal development to visitors of all ages.

Technical Information

Technical Information

GENERAL INFORMATION

Length Overall 137’
Length on Deck 98’
Displacement Tonnage 150
Gross Tonnage 97
Beam 24’
Draft 8’9”
Number of Sails 10
Sail Area 4597 sq. ft.
Mast Height 95’
Heads 3
Berths 32
Day Sail Capacity 50
Fuel Capacity 960 gal.
Fresh Water Capacity 850 gal.
Sewage Capacity 670 gal.
Grey Water Capacity 640 gal.
Main Engines 2×180 HP
Generator 20 kW

DISTANCE LEARNING EQUIPMENT

Inmarsat Capsat Fleet 77 communications satellite antennae (MPDS 64 kbps ISDN thru-put)
Wireless 802.11 Antennae (11MB thru-put, w/ 4 nm range)
Canon Power Shot Digital Camera
Nextel Cellular Modem (19.2 kb thru-put)
Polycom Codec Camera (H.320 at up to 64kbps, Satellite & H.323 at up to 768kbps, TCP/IP network, wired or wireless)

NAVIGATION EQUIPMENT & ELECTRONICS

Color RADAR 2
Depth Sounder 1
DGPS VHF Chart Plotter 1
SSB Radio 1
MF/HF Radio 1
Weather Fax 1
NAVTEX Receiver 1
Satellite Comm. Station 2
Automatic Identification System 1
Computer Workstations 2
Large VIdeo Display 1
DVD/VCR 1

SAMPLING EQUIPMENT

Niskin Tow Winch 1000 meter ¼” wire
Bottles 6 (2.5 L Cap.)
Gravity Corer 1
Ponar Grab 2
Plankton Nets 1
Bottom trawl 1
Microscopes 5
Incubator 1
Centrifuge 1
Lamotte Surface Sampler 1
YSI 6600 Multi-parameter Sonde 1
Hach DO Photometer 1
Oakton pH tester 1
SSEC Sun Photometer 1

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Membership is the best (and most cost-saving way) for your family to enjoy fun and learning throughout the year!

With all of our memberships you’ll receive free admission, program discounts, special member-only events, and more! Members also enjoy FREE access to the Kohl’s Design It! Lab every weekend of the year.

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  • Special Member Only Events
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Getting Here

We are located on Milwaukee’s lakefront with easy access on and off of the expressway.

500 N Harbor Dr
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Get Directions

General Admission

Adults $19
Child (3-17) $16
Child 2 & Under $Free
Senior (60+) $16
College Student* $14
Military Active and Veterans* $14

*Valid ID Required.

Purchase tickets at Admissions. Prices are subject to change.

Hours

Open until 0 (before close) 4p today
Tues-Fri 9a - 4p
Sat & Sun 10a - 5p

Getting Here

We are located on Milwaukee’s lakefront with easy access on and off of the expressway.

500 N Harbor Dr
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Get Directions
Adults $19
Child (3-17) $16
Child 2 & Under $Free
Senior (60+) $16
College Student* $14
Military Active and Veterans* $14
Military* Active Duty & Veterans $14

*Valid ID Required.

Purchase tickets at Admissions. Prices are subject to change.

Hours

Open until 0 (before close) 4p today
Tues-Fri 9a - 4p
Sat & Sun 10a - 5p