A Labor of Love: The Story Behind The Redwing

Some boats are purchased. Others are built. And then there are rare vessels like The Redwing—a sailboat that seems less constructed than crafted, shaped by patience, artistry, and an unwavering respect for tradition.

Owned and restored by Shane Sekul, The Redwing is an all-wood sailboat with a story that spans decades, hurricanes, coastlines, and countless hours of meticulous work. Today, she sails again—this time offering sunset cruises and coastal adventures through South Coast Sailing Charters, based out of Ocean Springs, Mississippi.

For Sekul, boats have always held a magnetic pull.

“I’ve been an artist my whole life,” he says. “Even before I realized that’s what I was.”

Though he discovered art formally in high school, Sekul initially hesitated to pursue it as a career. Practical concerns led him down a different academic path, but the urge to create never left. Over time, he found his way back—first through sculpture and pottery, then woodworking, furniture-making, and eventually, boats.

His family history only deepened that connection. Sekul’s family emigrated from Croatia, where generations worked in the seafood industry on the Adriatic Sea. When they arrived in the United States at the turn of the century, they established a seafood cannery in Biloxi, Mississippi. Though they weren’t boat builders by trade, the sea—and the livelihoods it shaped—was always central.

“Boats are probably the hardest thing you can build,” Sekul says. “But I’ve always been drawn to them.”

That draw became reality in the early 2000s. While owning an art gallery and making furniture to hone his woodworking skills, Sekul slowly began acquiring the tools, space, and experience he knew boatbuilding would demand. After Hurricane Katrina, he transitioned into cabinetry work—helping rebuild homes while refining the craftsmanship that would later define The Redwing.

In 2009, he encountered the sailboat that would change everything.

Originally built in Sugarloaf Key by Alan Miller, The Redwing had a rich history of her own. Miller and his wife once chartered her out of Key West, where they also owned the iconic Pepe’s Café. After changing hands and eventually landing in Orange Beach, Alabama, the boat caught Sekul’s eye.

“I wasn’t even looking to restore a boat,” he admits. “I just saw it for sale, loved it, and suddenly it was mine.”

What followed was not a simple refurbishment, but an ongoing, layered restoration that unfolded over years. Though the boat was structurally sound—with surprisingly little rot—the work became what Sekul describes as “peeling back an onion.”

“If I fixed one thing, I’d realize something behind it might need attention later,” he explains. “I didn’t want to repair over problems, so I kept going deeper.”

Eventually, that dedication paid off. Sekul and his wife lived aboard their 42-foot Bristol Trawler for several years while running sailing charters in Destin and Key West, chartering The Redwing as part of their livelihood. Now, after a final year-and-a-half restoration back in Mississippi, the boat is sailing once again.

Departing from Ocean Springs Harbor, guests can explore the Mississippi Sound and nearby barrier islands, including Deer Island—places Sekul calls “a hidden gem.”

Charters typically include two-hour sunset sails, with options to sail to a destination, paddleboard, relax on deck, or simply take in the quiet rhythm of wind and water.

Perhaps the most striking detail of all is the boat herself. In a world dominated by fiberglass and plastic, The Redwing stops people in their tracks.

“People ask if it’s wrapped to look like wood,” Sekul laughs. “They can’t believe it’s actually all wood.”

The Redwing is not just a sailboat. She is a testament to craftsmanship, perseverance, and a life shaped by art and the sea.

South Coast Sailing Charters plans a full launch in 2026, with sunset sails currently starting at $500. For more information, visit southcoastsailingcharters.com.