For 20 years, the vessel was crewed by volunteers on an environmental mission. The idea was that a good way to educate folks about the river was to get them on the water. So volunteers served aboard Sojourner, providing free sails at riverside festivals. Taking ten passengers per hour, these "guest sails" have introduced hundreds of people to the river each year. With a brief introduction to the Hudson's ecology, people were encouraged to become "advocates for the river." 

The idea worked for many, but most especially for the Ferry Sloops group who sailed the historic replica. Now without a classic "Hudson River Sloop," the small band still refuses to give up. It's not just the boat a community was formed around the activity, and the group, although small in numbers, still feels the collective energy that activists put in to building Sojourner Truth in the 1970's.

Experience had taught that wood boats require much upkeep. So Pete Seeger started Sojourner Truth in 1979 by having a sort of eggshell like hull of cement and wire built. Cement was cheap and durable, and thought to last a lot longer than wood with less upkeep.

From that base, authentic wood crafting of the cockpit, topsides and rigging the boat became a community project. Starting near Kingston and moving from Yonkers to Hastings, the boat was hand crafted by volunteers. Half-forgotten techniques for steaming and bending planks were recalled and put into practice to form the cockpit rails on Sojourner, modeled like those vessels that plied the river 150 years ago.

After several years of shared labor, the sloop met the Hudson. Sail training became an immediate priority. Skills were passed from those who had them to those that did not. Winter "Classes on Sailing the Hudson" were open to the public, a Ferry Sloops tradition that has continued. Ferry Sloops conducted this spring's sail class at Phillipsburg Manor. The mission of taking folk to see the river has been built on a sense of responsible seamanship.

This year, on-the-water the sail training can continue for Ferry Sloops members, courtesy of an Ensign sloop donated by Randy King of King Marine in Verplanck. The Ensign is a vintage 1960s one-design. And the dream of sailing a historic vessel is still alive. A project is under way for Ferry Sloops to participate in OP Sail 2008, with a traditional type boat that is made of modern materials.

Cy Hamlin, who adapted Clearwater 's Hudson River Sloop plan to the Woody Guthrie, is on board as a design consultant.

Although the red sails and yellow hull of Sojourner Truth will not be seen this year on the Hudson, Ferry Sloops will be visible at community events like the Riverlovers Shad Festival on Sunday, May 16 at Croton Point Park, and the Great Hudson River Revival, Saturday and Sunday, June 19 and 20 at the same location. The yellow Ferry Sloops tent will be crewed by sailor-volunteers recruiting members and raising funds to pursue the building of a new "Hudson River Sloop," from whose decks they hope to continue to educate people about the river.