39th Great Schooner Race Casts Off July 3rd

Penobscot Bay - The thirty ninth annual Great Schooner Race will cast off from Isleboro to Rockland for a great day of racing on Friday, July 3rd, 2015. This is the largest gathering of tall ships in America. Some schooners featured are American Eagle, Heritage, Victory Chimes, Bowdoin, Lewis R. French and Stephen Taber, to name a few.

Race day schedule:

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

11:30 am        Cannon signal for Leeward Class

11:45 am        Cannon signal for Windward Class

2-4:00 pm      Finish at Rockland Breakwater

4-6:00 pm      Schooners tie up/anchor in Rockland Harbor

7:30 pm         Awards Ceremony for Race participants. Live music, food and drinks.

Every summer since 1977, the Maine Windjammer Association has hosted the Great Schooner Race, providing an opportunity for captains, crews and passengers aboard traditional vessels from all over the Eastern Seaboard to rendezvous for a fun day of racing.

Hailed as "the largest annual gathering of traditional schooners in America," fourteen schooners are expected to participate in the 39th Annual Great Schooner Race scheduled to take place on July 3rd in Penobscot Bay.

The best place for spectators to view this race is the mile long breakwater in Rockland, Maine. This is the place to catch this gorgeous sailing ships up close. Don't forget your camera and wear good walking shoes.