Maine Windjamming – a Carfree Vacation
Ditch your car and take a carfree vacation along the Maine coast. Ah, the summer road trip – a classic vacation experience that everyone must experience at least once. But this summer, with gas prices soaring and restaurant reservations hard to come by, perhaps you want to give your wallet a break. Ditch your car
Six super bonuses on a fall foliage Maine Windjammer Association cruise
Maine’s Midcoast, and the entire Penobscot Bay region glows in the harvest hues of Mother Nature’s fall colors from mid-September through October. From the water, the Maine Windjammer Association captains watch as color sets in and the reds, yellows, and oranges of the hillsides bathe the entire region in fall foliage vistas. Add in a
Windjammer cruises in 2021: Smaller cruising offers a safe unplugged vacation at sea
Many feel that travel will take a long time to return to “normal” or at least pre-pandemic levels. What’s rocked the world of travel more than health concerns is the loss of a sense of security, say many travelers. Enter the Maine Windjammer Association, the largest fleet of historic working windjammers in America. Many refer to historic windjammers as the “un-cruise”, offering bespoke small boat experiences, minus itineraries, ports of call, and massive buffets yet filled with exploring at sea, wind-driven days, star-lit nights and entertainment compliments of Mother Nature.
The Future of Windjammer Trips in Maine: Wisdom from Maine Windjammer Captains
With a season like no other now under our belt, the Maine Windjammer Association fleet is looking toward 2021 with anticipation and optimism. We asked the captains of the Maine Windjammer Association how they foresee the future of windjammer trips in Maine, and their answers will provide some real insight into your trip planning for next summer. Read on for some great insight.
After more than 50 years of windjammer sailing, Doug and Linda Lee retire
You might say Doug Lee was born into the windjamming trade. A tried and true Mainer, he grew up in West Bath, Maine and followed his father to visit rundown windjammers with the dream of one day restoring and owning one. As a young boy on trips to Rockland with his Dad, he spied windjammer
What do I need to know about coming to Maine & sailing season 2020? Your questions answered
We’ve answered your questions about requirements for coming to Maine, new safety and cleaning standards and how the windjammer experience won’t change (all that much) this summer. If you’ve got questions, we’ll hopefully answer them in this article.
Maine Windjammer Association fleet starts 2020 season with caution
All guidelines are now in place to allow the Maine Windjammer Association to start their 2020 summer season. While captains look forward to sailing, they are focused on the welfare of guests and crew. The 2020 season will bring a special emphasis on cleaning, safety and exploring more uninhabited places.
How much does the Maine Windjammer Association add to the local economy? You’d be surprised.
The Maine Windjammer Association’s economic impact extends beyond simply guests on board. Together, the Maine Windjammer Association members focus their spending locally. Their local expenditures exceed $1.6 million each year in food and lobster purchases, laundry services, marine services and products, paint, varnish, insurance, banking, personnel and much more. And that’s just the beginning of their economic impact to Maine’s Midcoast. Guest spending in the region adds another $5 million and repairs and necessary maintenance of the boats also add to the total, supporting local artisans and carpenters in the region. Read more about how the Maine Windjammer Association contributes to the local Midcoast Maine economy.
When the going gets tough, Maine’s windjammer captains get going
Last winter, Doug and Linda Lee – captains of the Schooner Heritage – were on cloud nine. They had just announced the imminent sale of the windjammer and were excited about their swan song 2020 season. After decades of successful windjamming, Doug and Linda were going to sail off into retirement after a nostolgic final season. Then came March, and the Coronavirus pandemic put the brakes on sailing aboard Schooner Heritage or any other windjammer in Maine this spring, just as summer vacation plans began to formulate among passengers. Joining their fellow captains at the Maine Windjammer Association – America’s largest fleet of working windjammers – Doug and Linda are navigating the COVID-19 hurricane of stormy seas in the challenge of their lifetimes with colleagues who collectively represent centuries of maritime experience. Normally friendly competitors, this stalwart fleet of captains is dedicated to salvaging their sailing season by working together to develop new standards for this unique industry in Maine.
