Find your sail
Ready to set sail?
As you arrive at the parking area at Windjammer Wharf on boarding night, between 5 and 6 PM, you will see the masts of the windjammers that are docked just beyond, sails furled but flags flying. The J. & E. Riggin is just down the ramp, on the right at the first dock. Our dynamic crew will be there to greet you, help you bring on your belongings, and show you to your cabin. Chef Jocelyn will have some light refreshments waiting, although dinner on this one evening will be on your own from your choice of the many great restaurants just a short walk away in downtown Rockland.
Make sure you’re on deck at 6 PM for Captain’s Call! Captain Justin will introduce our crew, tell you the story of the boat, get you acclimated to all of its features and facilities, and answer questions.
After this, you might explore Rockland and beyond, pick up a few last minute items in town, or relax on deck getting to know your new ship mates.You’ll be sleeping snug in your cabin that evening, the boat still on the dock.
The next morning the coffee and tea will hit the deck by 7 AM, our galley crew having been awake for hours stoking up the wood stove and preparing breakfast. The sounds of the shorebirds and the water against the hull, along with the smell of wood smoke and breakfast cooking compare favorably against the usual alarm clock at home. You can linger in your cabin or come up for coffee, even if you’re still in your pajamas! When the brass bell rings, you’ll know the morning meal is served. It will ring many more times during your voyage, at around 8 AM for breakfast, noon for lunch, and 6 PM for dinner, after appetizers.
After a delicious and substantial breakfast, usually served al fresco on deck, you will again have a little bit of time to go into town before last minute parking adjustments are made, everyone meets back on board, safety protocols are reviewed, and it’s time to set sail! For this, we very much appreciate your active participation.
While you do not have to help sail or cook, most of our guests find this an exciting and rewarding aspect of windjamming. Every day we’ll be raising and lowering sails, adjusting them throughout the day, dropping and cranking up the anchor, and cooking three meals plus appetizers in the galley. When guests enjoy jumping in to help, we are truly delighted and you have the opportunity to learn something new, expanding your own knowledge and experience.
Between leaving and returning to Rockland at the end of the cruise, there is no itinerary! There will be plenty of shore excursions, however. Our gorgeous sailing grounds are between Boothbay to the South West and Bar Harbor to the East. We visit places like Brooklin, Islesboro, Castine, Stonington, Bucks Harbor and Vinalhaven. Some stops will be islands with trails, others will be seaside villages. There are so many beautiful places to choose from that we let the wind and tide take us to our next destination.
There is one destination that is assured, however, and that is a lobster bake island. On the day of the Captains’ choosing, you will experience an all-you-can-eat lobster extravaganza with all the fixings on a breathtakingly beautiful island, also of the Captains’ choosing. And don’t worry if lobster isn’t your thing; there is always plenty to eat regardless of your dietary needs and preferences.
The rest of the time you will be sailing, taking in the spectacular coastal scenery that makes Maine one of the most visited destinations on Earth. The coast of Maine is home to a wealth of animals, birds, and aquatic life, the most recognizable being puffins, moose, whales, and lobster. While we don’t tend to see puffins (as they stick closer to two islands normally outside of our sailing grounds) we do see harbor seals, porpoise, sharks, eagles, osprey, and a wide range of sea birds among the islands, bays, and inlets along the coast. Whales tend to be seen in the mid to late summer months, the most common in our area being the finback, minke, and pilot whales.
At anchor you might swim or fish, or perhaps take out one of our small boats for a row or sail with Captain Justin on our little ketch. If you are on one of our specialty cruises, there may be music on board, or you may participate in the Great Schooner Race or Camden Windjammer Festival, or perhaps practice a new art or learn some new co*cktail recipes. There is always something to learn, something new to explore.
On the last day of your cruise, Chef Jocelyn and the galley crew will not send you away hungry! Breakfast will be served as usual and you will arrive back in Rockland before noon.
Every cruise is unique, but what is assured is that you will leave the experience with new insights and treasured memories. We welcome you to join us.
