Empire Sandy

Empire Sandy is a steel schooner built in 1943 in the United Kingdom and sails Toronto Harbour and Lake Ontario.

About the venue

The ship is about 200 feet long and is Transport Canada certified for up to 275 passengers, with seating for 160 below decks. A standard private charter is four hours: half an hour to board, a three-hour sail and half an hour to disembark. Private charters are offered for corporate events, weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, reunions, retirement parties and school functions.

On EventPlans.ca it is listed as a boat in Toronto.

Event spaces

The venue lists these spaces. Capacities are the venue’s own figures and change with the layout you choose.

• Below-deck lounges: 160 seated
• Whole ship: up to 275 passengers (Transport Canada certification)
• Upper deck with whirlpool and DJ area (no capacity published)

Capacity

The venue publishes a maximum of 160 seated, 275 standing reception. Those are top figures for an empty room. A dance floor, a stage, a buffet or a photo booth each take space, so plan on fewer guests than the maximum once your layout is drawn.

A useful rule: a seated dinner at rounds of ten needs about 1 to 1.2 square metres per guest, a standing reception about 0.7, and theatre seating about 0.6, before you add a stage or dance floor. The venue capacity calculator does the arithmetic for your room.

Events it hosts

According to its own event pages, the venue hosts weddings, corporate events and private social events.

For timelines, budgets and checklists, start with the wedding planning hub, corporate holiday party hub.

Questions to ask on your site visit

Bring these to your walk-through. Get the answers in writing before you sign.

• What is the boarding time and the exact departure and return time?
• What is the capacity in the indoor space if the weather turns?
• Is the boat licensed, and how is the bar charged?
• Are there accessible boarding and washrooms on board?
• Can a performer or DJ set up on deck, and where is power?
• What is the cancellation policy for weather?

Planning entertainment here

On a boat, entertainment must stay safe while the deck moves. Strolling magicians and acoustic musicians work well; avoid anything that needs rigging, open flame or a large stage.

Send every performer’s technical needs to the venue before you book: floor space, ceiling height, power, sound and changing room.

Getting there

Check the venue website for directions, parking rates and accessible entrances, and send the details to guests with the invitation.

Official website: empiresandy.com/private-charters

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