The Maine Windjammer Association--Cruising the Maine Coast

The Maine Windjammer Association is celebrating 75 years of cruising the Maine coast this year. Here are activities taking place in the Midcoast area to celebrate. Also included in this blog are pictures and information about the Windjammers sailing from our local ports. Check their individual websites for tour rates and schedules.

The Maine Windjammer Association will host the Windjammer Parade and Anniversary Party on July 15 in Rockland, Maine. Open to the public, festivities will include an afternoon sail parade past the mile-long Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse, a free evening concert at Sharp's Wharf by folksinger Gordon Bok deemed by Time Magazine the "poet laureate of those who go down to the sea in ships," a multi-media display of historic photos of the 75-year-old company, open schooner tours and more. For more information about the Parade, call the Maine Windjammer Association at 800-807-WIND. www.sailmainecoast.com.

Open Schooner Tours on July 16, 2-4pm North End Shipyard & Windjammer Wharf, Rockland. Stop by and tour some of Maine’s legendary windjammers! The Rockland windjammers in the Maine Windjammer Association will host Open Schooner Tours on Saturday, July 16. From 2-4pm, visitors can stop by North End Shipyard and Windjammer Wharf (off Tillson Avenue) for dockside tours of the American Eagle, Heritage, Isaac H. Evans, Nathaniel Bowditch and Stephen Taber. For more information about the Open Schooner Tours, call the Maine Windjammer Association at 800-807-WIND. www.sailmainecoast.com.


For pictures of this year's parade go to the Museum Happenings Blog for this month.

From top to bottom: American Eagle, Timberland, Heritage, Lewis R. French.

American Eagle
Captain John Foss
Homeport: Rockland, Maine
1-800-648-4544 info@schooneramericaneagle.com

The 92' schooner American Eagle was built in Gloucester, Massachusetts in 1930. For 53 years she was a working member of the famed Gloucester fishing fleet. She is also a National Historic Landmark. Guests: 26.

Timberwind
Captain Bob Tassi
Homeport: Rockport, Maine
1-800-759-9250 info@schoonerwtimberwind.com



The Timberwind served as a pilot boat before being converted to a cruise schooner in 1969. As both a pilot boat and windjammer, she has never left Maine waters. National Historic Landmark. Guests: 20.

Heritage

Captains Doug & Linda Lee
Homeport: Rockland, Maine
1-800-648-4544 info@schoonerheritage.com

The Heritage was built in 1983 by her owners at the North End Shipyard in Rockland, Maine. Designed for the comfort of her passengers, the vessel was built in the tradition of a 19th century coaster. Guests: 30.

Lewis R. French
Captains Garth Wells and Jenny Tobin
Homeport: Camden, Maine
1-800-469-4635
captain@schoonerfrench.com

Launched in 1871 in Christmas Cove, Maine, the Lewis R. French is the oldest commercial schooner in the USA, and was recently designated a National Historic Landmark. This season marks the 64' coasting schooner's 138th summer in Maine. Guests: 21. 

From to to bottom: Nathaniel Bowditch, Stephen Taber, Mercantile, Victory Chines, Mary Day, Isaac H. Evans.


Nathaniel Bowditch
Captain Owen & Cathie Dorr
Homeport: Rockland, Maine
1-800-288-4098
sailbowditch@myfairpoint.net

The Nathaniel Bowditch was built as a racing yacht in 1922 in East Boothbay, Maine. The 82' schooner won special class honors in the Bermuda Race in 1923, and served in the Coast Guard during World War II. She was rebuilt for the windjamming trade in the early 1970's. Guests: 24.

Stephen Taber
Captain Noah & Jane Barnes
Homeport: Rockland, Maine
1-800-999-7352
info@stephentaber.com

The Stephen Taber was built as a coasting schooner in 1871 on Long Island, New York. The 68' schooner is the oldest documented sailing vessel in continuous service in the United States, and she was recently designated as a National Historic Landmark. Guests: 22.

Mercantile
Captain Ray & Ann Williamson
Homeport: Camden, Maine
1-800-736-7981info@mainewindjammercruises.com

The 78' Mercantile was built in Little Deer Isle, Maine in 1916 to carry salt fish, barrel staves, and firewood. The Mercantile became a cruise schooner in 1942 under the ownership of Frank Swift, the founder of the Maine windjammer trade. Guests: 29.

Victory Chimes
Captains Kip Files & Paul DeGaeta
Homeport: Rockland, Maine
1-800-745-5651kipfiles@gwi.net


Built in 1900 in Bethel, Delaware to carry lumber up and down the shallow bays and rivers of the Chesapeake, the 132' schooner Victory Chimes is the last three masted schooner on the East coast, and the largest passenger sailing vessel under U.S. flag. Guests: 40.


Mary Day
Captains Barry King & Jen Martin
Homeport: Camden, Maine
1-800-992-2218
captains@schoonermaryday.com

Launched in 1962, the 90' Mary Day was the first windjammer to be built specifically with comfort, safety, and performance in mind. Carrying on the Maine shipbuilding tradition, she is the first pure sailing schooner built in Maine since 1930. Guests: 29.

Isaac H. Evans
Captains Brenda and Brian Thomas
Homeport: Rockland, Maine
1-877-238-1325
info@isaacevans.com

The Isaac H. Evans was built in Mauricetown, New Jersey in 1886 and spent many years oystering on the Delaware Bay. In 1973 she was completely rebuilt for the windjamming trade. National Historic Landmark. Guests: 22.

From top to bottom: Angelique, Mistress, Grace Bailey


Angelique

Captain Mike & Lynne McHenry
Homeport: Camden, Maine
1-800-282-9989
windjam@sailangelique.com

The 95' ketch-rigged Angelique was built specifically for the windjamming trade in 1980. Patterned after the 19th century sailing ships that fished off the coast of England, the Angelique was built for safety, and offers the 
unique feature of a deckhouse salon. Guests: 29. 

Mistress
Captain Ray & Ann Williamson
Homeport: Camden, Maine
1-800-736-7981
info@mainewindjammercruises.com

A miniature version of the grander ships, the Mistress was built with a loyalty to traditional lines and materials coupled with an attention to modern amenities. Forty-six feet long, with just three double cabins (each with private head), she offers an intimate sailing experience. Guests: 6.

Grace Bailey
Captain Ray & Ann Williamson
Homeport: Camden, Maine
1-800-736-7981
info@mainewindjammercruises.com

Built in Patchogue, New York in 1882, the Grace Bailey was engaged in the West Indian trade, and hauling timber and granite until 1940, when she started carrying passengers. This 80' coaster was the flagship for the original Maine Windjammer Cruise fleet. Guests: 29. 


Happy Sailing!