Windjammer and Sailing Tours in Southern Maine and Boothbay
Enjoy sailing along the natural beauty that surrounds you, while looking for lighthouses? You'll find information on sailing cruises aboard traditional sailing vessels and authentic windjammers, also known as "tall ships" in southern Maine and in the Boothbay regions. Many of the windjammers, and other types of sailing vessels, provide two-hour day and sunset sails for visitors.
Most boats in Portland leave Portland Harbor for sailing out into Casco Bay. Sailing ships in the Boothbay Region follow along either the mighty Kennebec River, where many ships were built since the 19th century, out into Boothbay Harbor. Boats mentioned below will usually pass by various lighthouses, although wind direction and weather is always a major factor in New England in determining the daily route.
Boothbay Harbor Windjammer Days involves many tall ships from around the world. It occurs annually around the beginning of the summer. There are races and regattas that many of these magnificent vessels participate in, where passengers can also be a part of the experience.
Southern Maine Sailing Tours
Schooner Eleanor
The 55-foot Schooner Eleanor was built in Kennebunkport by Captain Rich and a crew of local craftsmen as a replica of a traditional gaff-rigged two-masted schooner that would have sailed in the 1930s. Visitors can enjoy 2-hour sailing tours on this beautifully crafted vessel in either the morning, midday, or evening. Tours involve sailing down the mouth of the Kennebunk River and along rocky coastal shores, and they provide private charters. Visitors may be able to view Goat Island (Cape Porpoise) Light out of the harbor.
43 Ocean Avenue
P.O. Box 572
Kennebunkport, ME 04046
Phone: (207) 967-8809
E-mail: schoonersails@gwi.net
Finest Kind Scenic Cruises
They provide relaxing sailing cruises on a replica of a traditional wooden loberstering vessel named the Cricket, that would have been used over 100 years ago. They offer a lobstering trip where you can see lobster traps being hauled in as many lobstermen do every day. There is also a Nubble (Cape Neddick) Lighthouse cruise on one of their tourism motor boats that takes you around the lighthouse for some unique views, and up along the rocky coast.
70 Perkins Cove Road
Ogunquit, ME 03907
Phone:
(207) 646-5227
The Pineapple Ketch
For those who want a more private authentic sailing experience, sail with the Pineapple Ketch. She is a restored 38-foot downeaster ketch, built in 1976 with distinctive tanbark sails. There are morning, midday, and sunset 2-hour sails, private charters are available, and she can accommodate up to 14 people. Depending on weather she may pass near Goat Island (Cape Porpoise) Light.
95 Ocean Avenue
Kennebunkport, ME 04046
Phone: (207) 888-2445
Emial: info@pineappleketch.com
Deep Cove Sailing
The Halie & Matthew is one of the largest fiberglass schooners built in Maine, measuring 115 feet in length with beautiful woodwork in her interior. There is a 2 1/2- hour cruise along Casco Bay in Portland which includes views of Portland area lighthouses Portland Breakwater (Bug) Light, Spring Point Ledge Light, Ram Island Ledge Light, and Portland Head Light.
Berlin Mills Wharf, Portland, Maine
Phone: (207) 420-5682
Email: deepcovesailing@gmail.com
The Portland Schooner Company
They provide two-hour windjammer cruises on Casco Bay in Portland with morning, afternoon, and sunset sails, and private charters. There are four sailing ships that have been restored to their original condition from the early 1900s and 1930s. The Bagheera won races in the 1920s and spent much time cruising the world's oceans. The Heart's Desire, built in 1925, was used as a charter vessel along the Eastern seaboard in New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. The Timberwind is a large 96-foot two-masted schooner that was built in 1931 and used as a pilot vessel. The 88-foot schooner Wendameen, was built in East Boothbay, Maine, and launched in 1912, in the golden era of fast, sleek ocean schooners. There are also special event sails from rum history and tasting tours, to live music, happy hour sails with local artists, and overnight excursions aboard the Wendameen and the Bagheera. Depending on weather conditions, visitors may be able to see Portland Breakwater Light (Bug Light), Spring Point Ledge Light, Ram Island Ledge Light, or Portland Head Light.
Maine State Pier, Portland, Maine 04101
Phone: (207) 766-2500
Email: sails@portlandschooner.com
Maine Sailing Adventures
For an authentic sailing experience, the 74-foot Frances was built as a replica of a working coastal pilot cutter that would have sailed the waters of New England nearly 200 years ago. Her mast rises 80-feet above the water using only her five sails for propulsion. They offer morning, afternoon, and sunset 2-hour sails. Special event sails include Wine Sails, Acoustic Sails, and unique Yoga Sails. Sailing around the Casco Bay visitors may be able to view Portland Breakwater (Bug) Light, Ram Island Ledge Light, Spring Point Ledge Light, or Portland Head Light.
Maine State Pier, Portland, Maine
Phone: (207) 967-8809
Sea Escape Cottages and Charters
Visitors can stay in nearby cottages with views of the ocean, and they provide charters from Bailey Island to Halfway Rock Light. Sailing charters are provided aboard the Schooner Alert. She is a 70-foot Maine built wooden tall ship. Cruises include day and sunset sails,a two-hour Harpswell sail, a three-hour schooner sail, four-hour sailing around the islands tour, and a six-hour cruise around Casco Bay that may include views of Portland lighthouses, Portland Breakwater (Bug) Light, Spring Point Ledge Light, or Portland Head Light, depending on the weather, along with special event sails. For those who prefer the smaller more private sailing vessels, they also provide private charters aboard the Ketch Tevake, and the Friendship Sloop Gannet, built in 1903 as a Maine lobster sailing boat.
P.O. Box 7
23 Sea Escape Lane
Bailey Island, Maine 04003
Phone: (207) 833-5531 or (207) 841-9125 (cell)
E-mail: seaesc@gmail.com or tevakesailingcharters@hotmail.com
Boothbay Region Sailing Tours
Sail Muscongus: Friendship Sloop Sarah Mead and Catboat Paula Anne
This is for those who want a charter cruise with no more than six people allowed in the boat, a very private experience. The Sarah Mead sails out of Spruce Point in a fully authentic wooden sloop sailboat, used as a lobster boat, includes hauling some lobster traps or checking out islands and lighthouses in Boothbay Harbor. The Paula Anne sailing catboat is an old time fishing vessel. Sailing out to the nearby islands and lighthouses, possibly viewing Ram Island Light, Burnt Island Light, Cuckolds Light, or even Pemquid Point Light.
Muscongus, ME
Phone: (207) 380-5460
Email: Captains@SailMuscongus.com (Captain Nate and Chief Randy)
Schooner Eastwind and Schooner Applejack
Both schooner sailing vessels offer predominently 2-hour day sails, sunset sails, or private charter adventures on Boothbay Harbor’s oldest windjammers. Sails include wildlife, sunset, and local lighthouses around Boothbay Harbor, possibly viewing Ram Island Light, Burnt Island Light, and Cuckolds Light.
Pier Six
20 Commercial St., Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538
Email: info@boothbaysailing.com
Phone: (207) 633-6598
Books to Explore
This book is available in paperback, hardcover, and as an eBook for all devices.
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The Rise and Demise of the Largest Sailing Ships: In the early 1900s, New England shipbuilders constructed the world’s largest sailing ships amid social and political reforms. These giants of sail were built to carry massive quantities of coal and building supplies and measured longer than a football field! These true stories include competitions, accidents, battling destructive storms, acts of heroism, and their final voyages. |
Lighthouses and Coastal Attractions of Southern New England: This resourceful book provides special human interest stories from each of the 92 lighthouses along the southern coast, with plenty of indoor and outdoor coastal attractions and tours, and helpful contact info for your vacation plans. You'll also find info on haunted lighthouses, sailing, whindjamming, and whale watching tours among other of events along the coast. Look inside! |
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Lighthouses and Coastal Attractions of Northern New England: This book provides human interest stories from each of the 76 lighthouses in northern New England, along with plenty of coastal attractions and tours near each beacon, and contact info to plan your special trips. Look inside! |
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