Captain Ron's Boat: A Classic Yacht Adventure

The 1992 film Captain Ron, starring Kurt Russell and Martin Short, features a 60' ketch, a power cruiser, and a sailboat. The sailboat, named The Wanderer, is a Formosa 51, referred to as a 60 in the film. The film is based on a true story, with the original Captain Ron piloting a power cruiser. The Wanderer was one of only three Formosa 51 boats built and was used for both interior and exterior shots in the film.

Captain Ron's boat was a 60' ketch

Captain Ron's boat was a 60-foot ketch, and it played a central role in the film. The movie, released in 1992, is based on a true story and reflects a slice of cruising history. It stars Kurt Russell as the eponymous Captain Ron and Martin Short as his sidekick. The film is set in the 1960s, when the age of fiberglass brought sailing to the masses, and follows the adventures of a family who inherit a sailboat and set off on a journey to the Caribbean.

The boat used in the film, a Formosa 51, was referred to as a 60-foot ketch in the movie. It was chosen by the screenwriter, John Dwyer, to fit the new narrative he created when the film's studio, Disney, wanted to make it a family movie instead of an edgy adult comedy. Dwyer based the film on events that happened to his family during a 1969 boat delivery. In the film, the family hires Captain Ron, a drunken adventurer with a wooden peg leg, to help them sail their newly inherited sailboat to the Caribbean.

The Wanderer, a Formosa 51 sailboat, was one of the boats used in the film. It was put up for sale and purchased by its new owner, who then had it refitted. The Wanderer's sister ship, DreamChaser, is also mentioned as being used in the film. In addition to The Wanderer and DreamChaser, there were two other Formosas used in the film: one for exterior shots and one for interior shots.

The 60-foot ketch played a crucial role in the film, serving as the setting for much of the action and providing a sense of adventure and freedom. It also added to the comedic and farcical tone of the movie, with Captain Ron's drunken antics and the family's lack of sailing experience leading to a series of mishaps and adventures. Despite the film's goofy nature, it has endured as a beloved classic, capturing the spirit of sailing and the allure of the open ocean.

The film features a Formosa 51 sailboat

The film Captain Ron features a Formosa 51 sailboat, also known as The Wanderer. This sailboat is based on a boat used by the screenwriter John Dwyer's family during a 1969 boat delivery. In the film, the Formosa 51 is referred to as a 60.

The Wanderer is one of only three Formosa 51 LA Class sailboats ever built. It was used for exterior shots in the film, while another boat was used for interior shots. There may have been a third Formosa used in the film as well.

The Wanderer has had several owners since its appearance in Captain Ron and has undergone various refits and repairs. It was last reported to be located in Kemah, Texas, undergoing a refit.

The Formosa 51 sailboat played a crucial role in the film, serving as the setting for much of the action and providing a sense of adventure and nostalgia for sailing enthusiasts. Its presence in the film captures the essence of cruising and sailing, reflecting a slice of cruising history.

Overall, the Formosa 51 sailboat, affectionately known as The Wanderer, is an iconic feature of the film Captain Ron, contributing to its goofy and farcical tone while also offering a glimpse into the world of sailing and cruising.

The Wanderer was used in the film

The Wanderer is a Formosa 51 sailboat, one of only three Formosa 51s ever built. It is owned by Captain Bob, owner of Windsong. Captain Bob was asked to refit the Wanderer, which had been sitting at the Kemah Boardwalk for a couple of months. The Wanderer was for sale in 2009 at the Kemah Boardwalk Marina, and it has been undergoing a refit in Kemah, TX.

The Wanderer has a rich history, with its owner, Mike, sharing stories and repair woes with fellow sailors. Mike and his partner, Nicole, stopped by to visit the sister ship to the Wanderer, the DreamChaser, and spent time with the owners, Deb and her husband. Mike and Nicole's visit was a highlight for the owners of DreamChaser, who had been following the Wanderer's journey and were eager to meet its crew.

The Wanderer's appearance in Captain Ron has left a lasting impression on viewers, with some recognising the boat immediately and even calling its owner "Captain Ron". The film's goofy and farcical nature, combined with its reflection of sailing reality, has made it a memorable part of nautical cinema.

Captain Ron is based on a true story

Dwyer's father, a Mad Men-style advertising executive, bought a used Chris-Craft Commander at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. He then convinced his family that it would be an adventure to sail the boat back to Texas. However, his broker convinced him that he needed to hire a paid captain since he lacked sailing experience. This is how they came to hire Captain Ron.

The real-life Captain Ron had one functioning eye and a wooden peg leg, a detail that Dwyer left out of the film because it seemed too ridiculous. The captain was often drunk, earning him the nickname "Ron Rico" after his favourite cheap rum brand. During the family's trip to Texas, the boat's electronics and electrical systems failed, and Captain Ron even managed to get lost on the Intracoastal Waterway. At one point, the family feared for their lives during a stormy passage in the Gulf of Mexico, and Dwyer's father threatened to throw Captain Ron overboard.

The film changed some details, such as turning the powerboat into a Formosa 51 (referred to as a 60 in the film) and changing the family's motivation from seeking status to inheriting a sailboat and seeking adventure in the Caribbean. Additionally, the film's Captain Ron has the last name "Rico", which is the same as the real-life captain's nickname.

The film reflects a slice of cruising history

The film "Captain Ron" reflects a slice of cruising history. The 1992 film, starring Kurt Russell and Martin Short, is based on a true story and accurately reflects the cruising reality of the time.

The age of fiberglass brought sailing to the masses in the 1960s, attracting a diverse range of individuals, including adventurers and those seeking a unique lifestyle. This era saw an increase in boating enthusiasts, with Florida being a popular destination for both locals and fugitives from colder places.

The movie captures the essence of what happened when some of these individuals were forced to leave Florida in the 1970s and 1980s, as they ventured to the Caribbean in search of new horizons. This aspect of the film resonates with the experiences of many cruisers who have shared similar journeys and encounters.

The film's main character, Captain Ron, is based on a real-life individual with the same name. The real Captain Ron had one eye and a wooden peg leg, a detail that was considered too outrageous for the movie, even though it aimed for a ridiculous tone. The film also portrays the challenges faced by the Dwyer family during their boat journey, including electronic and electrical failures, getting lost at sea, and dealing with an intoxicated and unruly captain.

The movie "Captain Ron" serves as a humorous and nostalgic reminder of a bygone era in cruising history, offering a unique perspective on the adventures and misadventures that took place on the high seas.

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