Sailing Downeast
Exploring the Great Wass and Roque Island Archipelagoes.
- On Board The 36′ Cruising Ketch PATIENCE B with ANDY OLDMAN — July 28–August 3
Tuition: $1500
Note: Due to the extensive physical challenges of the trip, excellent physical condition, good balance, and agility are basic requirements for this voyage, along with previous large-boat sailing experience.
In this course on board the 36′ ketch PATIENCE B, Andy Oldman and three students will chart a course for the unsurpassed beauty of Maine’s Downeast cruising grounds and islands east of Mount Desert. We will visit and explore the Great Wass Island and Roque Island archipelagoes. Our itinerary, always subject to weather and sea conditions, will include Jonesport, Mistake Island Harbor, The Mudhole and Crumple Island, and on to Roque Island, famous for its cirque sand beach, and adjacent islands: Great Spruce and The Brothers. This course has an ambitious schedule, and students can look forward to extended days under sail with possible overnight sailing in the mix. Undoubtedly, the weather will vary, consisting usually of fine summer winds mixed in with some thick Downeast fog.
Students will commence loading at noon on Sunday, and depart for Frenchboro in plenty of time to arrive before dark. At first light on Monday, PATIENCE B will depart for Moose Peak lighthouse and Mistake Island Harbor on Great Wass, and arrive by sunset. The return is timed to enjoy the spectacular scenery and sunset off Schoodic Point and Mount Desert as we head west to Frenchboro again for our final night at anchor. We will return in time to regale our fellow classmates with exciting Downeast tales at the Friday night lobster bake. Navigation, sail handling, maritime safety, anchoring, our own meal preparation, and island landings/exploration will occupy much of our time. Under sail we will have the opportunity to extensively use radar and the latest state-of-the-art chart plotter. On land, plenty of time is available for hiking, sketching, and photography. PATIENCE B has carried two families some 45,000 miles on two major open water passages, and is fully equipped and well found. She is spartan by contemporary yacht standards, filled with old-world ambiance and comfortable, cozy accommodations. Andy will communicate with the selected students to arrange basic meal planning, gear necessities, etc. well in advance of our departure.
