Being an Innkeeper of a 1854 house, I can appreciate the beauty of the historic boats in the Camden, Rockport and Rockland Harbors. The Lewis R French and The Stephen Tabor Ships are the oldest ships in the Windjamer Association dating back to 1871. A house or a boat that has been cared for and lasted over 100 years is a fascinating thing. The people that choose to take the challenge of maintaining the charm of previous era are unique in their own right. The Captains love what they do and enjoy sharing their love of the sea. The Camden/Rockport/Rockland Maine area is unique in that it has so many ship captains willing to work together to promote the ageless thrill of sailing. The plethera of islands, lighthouses and marine life make sailing in this neck of the sea fun and visually amazing. People of all ages enjoy going leaving the beatin path and going out on the historic boats. Sleeping uder the untainted sky, smelling the ocean and swimming (yes swimming) in the cold and beuatiful sea is an experience that leaves you a better person. 10 Owner operated individually owned historic boats that go for overnight trips out of the Camden and Rockland harbors. These boats take you back in time and give you an experience of a lifetime. There are tours of 3- 5 days at sea. in 2013 there are specialty cruises with music, food, astronomy and bird watching. The Assocation also comes together several times over the season to host events that are fun and entertaining. Windjammer weekend in camden and the Great Schooner Race are 2 of my favorite events. For more information, please see: Maine Windjammer Association
Windjammer Weekend and the Camden Harbor Schooners
Every labor day weekend Camden holds its annual Windjammer Weekend, but you can marvel or add sailboat cruises to your Maine vacation anytime during the sailing season.
The Largest Historic Fleet Anywhere, Camden
Camden has the largest fleet of historic wooden schooners in the world. With the schooners Grace Bailey, Mercantile (both declared National Landmarks – maybe they should have been “Sea” marks, but whatever), Mistress, the elegant Surprise, exciting Olad, Appledore, Heron, the Lazyjack II, just to name a few, Camden Harbor, especially in the summer, can look like a scene out of Pirates of the Caribbean. You may go back in time and enjoy a cruise around Penobscot Bay for two hours or five days, if you prefer. Many of the Windward House guests are enjoying a day or two before or after their cruise, or are booked on a two hour trip aboard Surprise or Olad. For those taking the longer trips, we always forgo any two day minimum stay requirement if they only want to stay one night before and or after their multi-day cruise aboard a Windjammer.
All of our guests who have done a cruise, even self admitted land lubbers have come back astounded by the experience, and in love with the Maine Coast. The Schooners named above as well as many more that make their homes in other ports parade into the harbor and permit people to come aboard on Windjammer Weekend. There are several activities and events that go on during Windjammer Weekend. The wonderful Windjammer Fleet comes in and all can tour the these historic boats. There are fireworks and music that weekend. All of the fun is 1 block from the Camden WIndward House, book now, this weekend fills quickly.