BY: David Mills
Rockland, ME - Anyone out there that can't wait for Summer to get here? You won't have to wait as Spring/Summer is just around the corner. This means that you will have a chance to watch the 36th Annual Great Schooner Race in Rockland, ME. There is nothing like seeing these wooden Schooners sailing with only the wind powering them along.
The Maine Windjammer Association announced recently that the Great Schooner Race will start in Rockland, ME. Starting line for this year's Great Schooner Race will be the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse where people can watch and each seeing these beautiful sailing vessels.
Great Schooner Race is very special as this year will be the first where the public will be able to enjoy these beautiful vessel racing each other. The Great Schooner Race is North America's largest annual gathering of tall ships.
History of the Great Schooner Race:
Informality has always been a hallmark of the Great Schooner Race. That’s because the history of racing these magnificent wooden coasting schooners started over a century ago with sailors trying to beat their competitors to market. The first boat back to port always got the best price for their cargo—perhaps fish, lumber, granite or even Christmas trees. The “Race” was always unspoken, but ever present.
Contributing to the Great Schooner Race’s quirkiness, it is one of the only sailing events in the world that requires no prior sailing experience on the part of the participants! Granted, the captain and crew are Coast Guard-licensed and incredibly experienced sailors, but guests are encouraged to take a turn at the helm, tend the lines, raise the anchor and sails and enjoy the light-hearted camaraderie that quickly develops over the course of the Race.
Schedule of the Great Schooner Race:
Thursday, July 5
Late afternoon raft-up Rockland Harbor. All vessels welcome.
Informal small boat races and other salty competitions.
Friday, July 6
8:00 am Captains’ Meeting aboard Victory Chimes.
11:00 am Cannon signal for Flying Jib Class
11:15 am Cannon signal for Coaster Class (Le Mans start)
11:30 am Cannon signal for Leeward Class
11:45 am Cannon signal for Windward Class
2-4:00 pm Finish off Camden
4-6:00 pm Schooners tie up/anchor in Camden Harbor
7:30 pm Awards Ceremony for Race participants at Wayfarer Marine. Live music by Flash in the Pans, food and drinks.
Come Sail!
The 13 members of the Maine Windjammer Association welcome guests to sail during Race Week. Choose from 4, 5 or 6-day cruises that culminate in the Great Schooner Race on the last day of the trip.
While you hone your sailing skills for the big Race, you’ll enjoy relaxing days filled with great sailing, scenery, wildlife, shore trips to islands and fishing villages, delicious meals and a lobster bake! Prices start at $740 per person, including all meals, accommodations, activities and participation in the Great Schooner Race!
For more information about sailing during Race Week, visit our fleet pages.
Come Watch!
The next best thing to sailing in the Race is watching it from a good vantage point. Here are suggestions on where spectators can get the best views:
10:00 am – 1:00 pm Starting Line at Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse. Walk out to the lighthouse for close-up views of the fleet as they jockey for position at the starting line. Catch the Coaster Class’s Le Mans start and cheer on the captains as they row to their “sails-up-and-ready-to-go” awaiting schooners.
1:00 – 4:00 pm Finish Line off Camden Harbor.
There are many excursion boats in Rockland and Camden offering Great Schooner Race sight-seeing trips on July 6. For more information, visit the Penobscot Bay Area Chamber of Commerce website here.
We hope all those that can will watch July 6th, Great Schooner Race starting at the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse.
Rocky Coast News
Reporter David Mills
Rockland, ME 04841
Rocky Coast News is a division of Rocky Coast Media delivering Nautical, Community & Entertainment News
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