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.

Did you know that Camden Maine was a fantastic place from which to tour Monhegan Island?

Another Great Full Day Excursion from Camden Windward House 6am-6pm or 9am-6pm.

If you take the 10:30 am boat you can enjoy breakfast at the Windward House

The 7am boat for a long day or the 10:30 am boat for enough time to have a picnic on the cliffs, see the island and the art studios, and get back in time for dinner on the mainland! Here’s a great tip – if you were planning on a picnic, buy your supplies on the island. It won’t cost much more than on the mainland, and there’s less carrying and packing. It’s your vacation right?

Schedule your trip in advance, make reservations aboard the world famous, historic mailboat Laura B., and tell the Innkeeper if you’d like breakfast extra early, or just coffee and buns to go. Leave Camden no later than 6:15 am for the 7am boat. Buy the Monhegan Island Associations trailmap on the boat or at the Island Store upon arrival in Monhegan. Hike, view art in the galleries, relax at Swim Beach, eat a very early dinner or late lunch and return upon the 4:30pm ferry, or if you’ve had a regular lunch time, eat dinner in Port Clyde at the Harpoon, the East Wind Inn or the Dip Net. Or better yet – drive back to Camden, park at the Camden Maine hotel, and walk downtown for a nice relaxing dinner at a great harbor-side chef-owned restaurant in Camden. If you plan on dining at Atlantica, make sure you have a reservation first.

Note – the ferry schedule is different on Weekdays and Sundays, and remember the island you are visiting the island home of a small community, read the Beware! below before deciding whether or not to take this Day Trip.

Monhegan Island located in the Gulf of Maine about 10 miles from the coast, it is about 1.75 miles (2.8 kilometers) long and .75 of a mile (1.2 kilometers) wide it is known as a refuge for artists and the livelihood of a small number of resident fisherman and lobsterman.

Why visit Monhegan?

Although off the beaten path (it is only accessible by boat or airplane) Monhegan Island is an example of the “simple and friendly way of life” of a Maine island. Maine has over 4000 coastal islands, and many are inhabited, and living there is considered a privilege, an art form, and a relic of the past all in one. While many of the islands boast wealthy and famous summer residents and estates, Monhegan is primarily artists and fisherman and its population hovers around 63 people. In 1954 Ted Edison founded Monhegan Associates to preserve its natural areas and its way of life.

Trails & Hiking

With 17 miles of trails, and a great trail map for purchase on at the Island Shop, or on the boatride over, Monhegan is wonderful coastal Maine hiking. Buying the map helps fund preservation efforts so don’t feel about about the one time use – plus it’s a great souvenir! Beware – The Island Association’s visit Monhegan literature discourages children, pets, bikes, litter, trespassing, and some trails and camping is forbidden. There are no public garbage cans so plan to carry in carry out. Also, unlike the mainland, trucks have the right of way – so you’d better be careful on roads and there’s no smoking outside the village.

Artists and Galleries- some galleries with a sample of the many artists who use Monhegan for inspiration…

Monhegan inspires artists, and there are a significant number of studios where you may view their art:

• Lupine Gallery
• Susan McDonough Jewelry
• Mike Stiler Art
• Ted Tihansky & Alison Hill
• Carina House Resident Betsy McLellan
• Crow’s Nest Studio

Getting There Port Clyde 25 minutes from the Camden Windward House B&B.

Monhegan Boat Lines out of Port Clyde Maine – the historic mailboat Laura B. and the Elizabeth Ann

Monhegan Boat Lines has regular scheduled departures for Monhegan Island and their schedule of boats going to Monhegan and back to the mainland may be viewed online at monheganboat.com, also, new for 2011, Monhegan offers reservations online, as well as added by popular demand their increased number of Puffin/Nature Cruises.

Monhegan Boat Lines does different tours, so if you’re interested in driving down the St. George’s penninsula, and seeing Port Clyde, and you don’t necessarily wish to visit Monhegan, you may enjoy a 2.5 hour offered 7 day a week Puffin Cruise, a 2 hour offered Wed-Sat scenic nature Sunset Cruise, or a Wed- Fri 2.5 hour lighthouse cruise. Make sure to check their schedule for availability! or call them at 207-372-8848.

The elegant schooner Surprise is the oldest sail boat in the harbor. A cruise aboard her is a wonderful addition to your stay at the Camden Windward House Bed and Breakfast. The boat launches 2 blocks form the Inn. 2 hour tours of Penobscot Bay. Captain Jack and 1st mate Barbara will educate you about the town and the surroundings. Captain Jack is very particular about when he takes the boat out, he likes to guarantee that his passengers will have an exceptional tour.

Out of beautiful Rockport Harbor, the Schooner Yacht Heron has a culinary twist on the day sail, offering their special Lobster Lunch Sail. Heron also does lighthouse and wildlife observation sails in addition to their gourmet sunset sail.
Heron also does custom charters.
Lobster Lunch Sail, Lighthouse/Wildlife Sails, Gourmet Sunset Sail and Custom.
A classic wooden yacht originally designed by John G. Alden in 1929, the 65 foot Heron is a sight to behold. With a roomy cushioned cockpit and spacious decks, passengers can enjoy a relaxing sail in true comfort.
For a schedule of their sails, as well as prices and special events aboard Heron, check out Wooden Boat Co’s website.

Are you a boat captain and would like to take a yacht out while you are in Camden? Or would you like to have your own personal captain take you and your family, or just a special someone out for a personal cruise? Redwings is a Peterson 46 center cockpit offshore cruiser for your rental pleasure. Day sailing rates are: $150. per hour with a 2 hour minimum. If you do not know how to sail, no worries, Captain Aaron Henderson will be your guide and navigate you around Penbay! http://www.northpointyachtcharters.com/redwings.html

Camden Windward House Innkeeper can help with the details.

Sailing Adventures – Spend a couple hours, a day or an entire week!
With ample anchorages and wildlife, one of the most unique opportunities in Camden is sailing. Maine has a long tradition of shipbuilding and is well regarded by sailors as some of the best sailing in the world. With the largest historic fleet of traditional sailing vessels, a coast dotted with thousands of tiny islands Camden is the place to be for many. The Windjammer Fleet, an association of twelve schooners, Nathaniel Bowditch among them, the schooner Surprise, the schooner yacht Heron are among a few of the best opportunities to participate in the living tradition of Maine coast sailing.
over 15 years Bay Island, in Rockland Maine  has been providing for rent Bareboat and Crewed Sailboats and Powerboats. They also offer sailing lessons, day sail rentals and guided tours.

Not exactly a sailing trip but a Lobster boat ride to learn about lobstering.

This is a fun and educational 2 hour tour of the harbor and lobstering on the Maine Coast.

Schooner Olad is a wonderful sail boat that takes guests out for tours of the Penobscot Bay. Schooner Olad has a wonderful Maine Captain – Aaron Lincoln. Schooner Olad is great for the 2 hour tour or for corporate or wedding functions. Schooner Olad is 1 block from the Camden Windward House. A Schooner ride is a great addition to your Camden stay.