BEST OF 2013: Gone Sailing!

Doug Mills
Maritime Editor
RCN America Network

This week the staff of RCN America Network Have gone sailing.  We sail on Sunday, June 29 aboard the historic tall ship Victory Chimes, built in 1900.  This will be my 3rd year sailing on this magnificent ship.  There are 13 of these historic ships that sail these waters off the coast of Maine which carry passengers on a vacation that few will ever forget.  To anchor in a quiet harbor near a small island village that time has forgotten, with the gentle sounds of the waves on the hull, the music drifting across the water from several of the other tall ships that have anchored near by and the smell of dinner cooking on a wood stove.  The cell phone doesn't work and there is no WiFi, so there is time to make a new friend or actually read a book, or maybe just marvel at the beauty of Maine.
The end of the week the whole fleet nearly two dozen ships will gather off Islesboro for The Great Schooner Race, the largest annual gathering of tall ships in North America.  The race will run from Islesboro to the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse in Rockland Maine.  After the race the boats will all anchor in the head of the harbor at Sharp's Point for an evening of celebration and schooner fun.
By Saturday it is time to head home and start planning for next years cruise.  Yes, you heard right.  One week is never enough and once you sail once you will have to come back again and again.
You may have missed out on The Great Schooner Race this year, but there is a whole summer and fall filled with exciting events you can experience.  If you can get away at all this year...Do IT.

2013 Sailing Events

with

The Maine Windjammer Association

July 5        Great Schooner Race

Be a part of North America’s largest annual gathering of tall ships as more than two dozen schooners race from Islesboro to Rockland. Special Awards Ceremony includes live music and festivities.

July 6 & 7   Open Schooner Tours

Stop by and tour Maine’s legendary windjammers at their docks each afternoon from 2:00-4:00 pm. The participating windjammers can be found at North End Shipyard and Windjammer Wharf (off Tillson Ave) in Rockland; the Public Landing in Rockport; and at the head of the inner harbor in Camden. Hope you can join us!

July 12      Maine Windjammer Parade

The entire fleet participates in an afternoon Parade of Sail past the mile-long Rockland Breakwater, providing spectators with stunning, close-up views of Maine’s fleet of tall ships.

August 5   Sweet Chariot Music Festival

More than a dozen groups perform traditional music of the sea on Swans Island, with live shipboard performances as well.

Aug 30-Sept 1     Camden Windjammer Festival

Festivities include a parade of sail, maritime heritage fair, contra dance, fireworks, lobster crate race, chowder challenge, free concerts, schooner crew talent show, family scavenger hunt, outdoor movies and more.

September 10    WoodenBoat Sail-in

The fall gathering of the fleet takes place in Brooklin, Maine, headquarters of WoodenBoat Magazine and WoodenBoat School. Live music, local refreshments, boatschool tours.

Don't wait book your getaway today!

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