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Schooner Yacht HERON Special Events
Special Day Sails

Camden Food & Wine Festival
May 20-22, 2005

Experience the beauty of the Maine Coast from the deck of a Classic Schooner. A signature event offered on Saturday and Sunday for the Camden Food & Wine Festival is an afternoon sail (3-5:00) aboard the Schooner Yacht Heron.
Heron sails from Rockport Harbor, a place rich in seafaring heritage. Enjoy a taste of Maine cheeses and seafood as you sail among the pristine islands of Penobscot Bay. We’ll share stories of that seafaring history that made Rockport famous.
The Schooner Yacht Heron was built by owners/captains Bonnie Schmidt & Nigel Bower and launched in 2003. She is of traditional design and construction, and the experience of sailing Heron is unique. Capts. Nigel & Bonnie know every inch of the boat from keel to masthead and are happy to share stories of the building of the schooner.
This sail is included in the day ticket price for the Festival available from the CRL Chamber of Commerce
(To sail aboard Heron for the afternoon sail without taking part in the other Festival events,contact the Heron directly at 236-8605.)

A special 3 hr lunch sail (11-2:00) with guest naturalist/ornithologist Richard Podolsky is also offered during the weekend. Spring is a great time to see all kinds of seabirds nesting on the islands and ledges, and also the prime time to see the harbor seals with their young on the ledges. Hot seafood chowder and fresh baked biscuits, along with fruit, cookies and beverages are included in this trip. Special Camden Food & Wine Festival Weekend rate for the lunch sail Saturday & Sunday is $45pp. Contact the Heron to reserve.




Maine Lighthouse Week
June 19 – 25, 2005
Join us for an afternoon Indian Island Lighthouse Wildlife trip as we share with you the history of the Maine lighthouses of the Penobscot Bay. The Maine coast has been a site of exploration by Europeans since the 1600’s, and even before that generations of native people have been fishing these waters for the great bounty of food it provides. Maine’s ever changing marine weather and its notorious fog brought on the need for lighthouses to guide merchant ships in and out of its harbors. The coastal communities were built on the seafaring trades, and the lighthouses are a spectacular reminder of that history.
Depending on wind & tide, we will see Indian Island, Owls Head, Rockland Breakwater or Curtis Island lighthouses on our afternoon sail (2-4:30).
Cost is $38pp.

We also offer a full day lighthouse sail on Sunday. Join us as we venture across the bay to Hurricane Sound & the Fox Islands to see the lighthouses that were so important to Maine’s granite trade. We will see 5-6 lighthouses and hear the history and lore of the lighthouses and its keepers. Morning pastries/coffee and lobster lunch are included in this all day sail (9:30-4:30)
Cost is $100pp.

Be sure to visit the new Maine Lighthouse Museum opening June 25th, 2005 in Rockland, Maine.

Lighthouse Tours
Join us aboard the Schooner HERON for a Sunday lighthouse tour. Departure at 9:30 am with coffee & pastries underway.
Depending on wind & tide, HERON picks her route. We will sail past several lighthouses, including Indian Island, Rockland Breakwater, Owls Head, Browns Head, Goose Rock, Saddleback Ledge, Heron's Neck or Curtis Island Lighthouses.
Enjoy a lobster roll lunch onboard and return to Rockport by 4:30 pm. Bring your camera to get photographs of these spectacular lighthouses from the water. We will entertain you with the history and lore of the lighthouses and the islands of Penobscot Bay.
(for the real lighthouse officianado, the place to stay is The Elms B&B in Camden)
Tour Dates:  June 12 & 26, July 10, 17 & 24, August 14, 21, 28.
Cost: $100/person
 

 
 
Father's Day Cruise
Say thank you to your Dad with a race around the bay onboard Schooner Yacht HERON. Take part in raising the sails or sit back and relax as HERON flies across the bay under full sail. Sail among the islands or into Hurricane Sound if the wind is right. To satisfy your appetite we offer coffee & fresh pastries to start the morning and for lunch- a hearty Yorkshire Beef Pie. (BYO Guinness).
Leave Rockport at 10:00 am and return by 2:00 pm.
Father's Day: June 19
Cost: $65/person
 



Fourth of July weekend
Independence Day Celebrations

 
Sunset/Fireworks Sail ---- July 2nd
Celebrate Independence Day weekend with an exciting sunset sail including hors d'oeurves (BYOB) aboardSchooner Yacht HERON. Sail among the islands, enjoy the scenery and see marine life in it's natural habitat, and watch the sun set over the Camden Hills. Then watch the Islesboro fireworks display from the deck of HERON.
Saturday, July 2nd
Depart Rockport at 7:00 pm, return 11:00pm.
$50/person, children under 12 are 1/2 price

 

Maine Windjammer Parade of Sail 
 July 15, 2005
Sailing in Great Schooner Race
Join us for an afternoon parade of sail with the entire windjammer fleet. We will sail past the historic Rockland Breakwater lighthouse and the Owl's Head lighthouse in company with the other Maine schooners. An excellent photo opportunity to capture these amazing sailing vessels under full sail with the dramatic view of the lighthouse as background. An exciting opportunity not to be missed. Don't forget to bring your camera!
Depart Rockport 2:00, return 5:00
$40/person
ERR Classic Yacht Regatta 
August 6th,2005
Eggemoggin Reach Regatta Spinnakers
The ultimate adventure aboard the Schooner HERON. This considered to be the finest trip of all.
Join us as crew or spectator for a classic wooden yacht regatta on August 6th.


Saturday, Aug 6th. ERR (Eggemoggin Reach Regatta), The race of the season! Up to 100 of the finest wooden sailing vessels in the world gather together to pitch their skills in the ultimate challenge for yachtsmen with a passion for  wooden boats! Incredible sight to see all of these beautiful vessels under sail in a good SW breeze. Race begins late morning in Eggemoggin Reach and heads out to a tacking duel in Jericho Bay. The race finishes at WoodenBoat with a chicken barbeque, live band and awards ceremony to pick up our trophy(?)!
Fun will be had by all. Pick up and drop off is at WoodenBoat Harbor, Brooklin, Maine.
Pickup time 9:00
Drop-off time: after we cross the finish line.

$200/person/day for the race .
Join us for the classic yacht race of the year.
Rates includes all lunch, snacks and non-alcoholic beverages.




Windjammer Weekend  Sept 2 - 4th
Schooner masts & rigging
 Labor Day Weekend means lots of activities on the waterfront in Camden.  Schooner parade of sail, fireworks and maritime music and  events.  It's the 10th annual Windjammer Weekend. This is the largest single gathering of the Maine Windjammer Fleet. Board Schooner HERON in Rockport at 12:00 am, enjoy a lobster lunch underway as we sail among the Schooners in the Parade of Sail;  an opportunity of a lifetime to see them all in one place under full sail. Or join us for a Downeast Lobster Dinner Sail from Rockport to Camden via Mark Island. We will dock in Camden Harbor to enjoy the activities ashore and see a spectacular display of fireworks Friday night. An amazing sight to see the myriad of masts and rigging against the backdrop of Mt. Battie.
Windjammer Weekend Sail: September 2nd
Parade of Sail w/lunch 12:00-3:00  $65/person
Downeast Lobster Dinner & fireworks  5:30-9:00  $85/person
 
 
 
 **Group Package Sails**

 
Puffins & Whales
By the end of the 1800's the Atlantic Puffin population in Maine was a down to a single pair on Matinicus Island. They had been hunted for generations for food and for their feathers. But thanks to Project Puffin, begun in 1973, these curious birds have been re-introduced and have made an amazing comeback to several of the islands. Matinicus Rock and Seal Island are such places. Located about 24 miles from the mainland, these islands are home to over 200 nesting pair of Puffins. We will venture out to the islands to observe these curious looking seabirds in their natural habitat. An added attraction is that this is where we may see whales as well. This trip will consist of a full day of sailing with lunch, snacks & beverages included.
Private Charter only. Call for information.
 
Weddings & Proposals
Plan your wedding or pop the question while sailing. Let us help you plan your wedding or wedding party aboard
the Classic Schooner Yacht HERON. Call us for creative ideas. We would love to cater to suit your needs.
Book early to ensure your reservation for that special day.
 
WoodenBoat Sail-in
Every fall WoodenBoat Magazine hosts a gathering of the schooners. All of the Schooners of the Maine WIndjammer Fleet meet in Brooklin for an afternoon/evening of fellowship and celebration of their craft. Stories are told and music is played by the crew and passengers of the windjammers. It is a celebration of these traditional vessels and the atmosphere around them that makes it an event not to miss.
WoodenBoat Sail-in: September 13, 2005
Contact us for more information.