A Compendium of Captains

Written by Marti Mayne

Friday, 02 March 2007

Rockland is the schooner and windjammer capital of the country Bugeye Schooner Jenny Norman Captains Mike and Julie Rogers love to tell of their storybook romance, rowing from his windjammer to hers in the dark of night as they crewed aboard different historic schooners in the Maine Windjammer fleet.  Once married, they set out to create their own traditional schooner and closed on their Chesapeake Bay Oyster Dredger on Halloween, 2000.  In the spirit of most “fixer-uppers,” the boat required more work than expected, both due to its condition and the tenacious historic accuracy demanded of the captains in her overhaul.  Today, the Bugeye Schooner Jenny Norman’s varnish shines in the sun as she sets out on music and dessert cruises.  Folk music mixes with blueberry cake, the perfect taste of Maine on Penobscot Bay.  The newest addition to the Jenny Norman is 2 year-old first mate Lilly.  She may still be gaining her sea legs, but she already provides as much entertainment as the lighthouses and sea shanties.  Look for the Bugeye Schooner Jenny Norman’s 2-hour day sails and full moon tours from May through October.  Located on the Pier at Harbor Park, Rockland, 207.542.3695  www.sailmainebugeye.com Captain Jack’s Lobsterboat Tours Steve Hale, owner of Captain Jack’s Lobsterboat Tours, beams as he tells his guests about his 7 year-old grandson for whom he named the boat.  If you’re lucky, you’ll get the chance to see the 2 working together hauling traps in the sturdy–yet oldest–fiberglass lobster boat in existence.  Captain Jack’s Lobster Cruises are a guided eco-tour of Penobscot Bay, exploring the lore and lure of the lobster, and lurid it can be; Steve will even describe the lobster’s sex life if you inquire.  Shortly into the trip, participants go to work, donning aprons and gloves and pulling traps.  If you’re successful, you may even keep your haul.  For those who’d rather watch the catch, ringside seats are available.  When you return to port, you’ll regale your friends with an encyclopedic knowledge of Penobscot Bay’s lobster community.  Other tour options?  Lunch and dinner cruises; Sunday lighthouse cruises; and “A Day on the Bay,” combining a ride with Captain Jack, lobster roll lunch and an afternoon schooner ride on Morning In Maine.  Tours operate from Memorial Day through Columbus Day, weather permitting.  Located on the Middle Pier at Harbor Park, Rockland, 207.542.6852 (cell), www.captainjacklobstertours.com

Marti Mayne About the author: Marti Mayne has taken 20 years of marketing experience and dedicated it to providing marketing and public relations services for the tourism, and bed and breakfast industry with her company Maynely Marketing. Specializing in public relations and marketing for vacation destinations, country inns, and bed and breakfasts, Maynely Marketing works with convention and visitors bureaus, state lodging and bed and breakfast associations, country inns/bed and breakfast consortiums and individual country inns/bed and breakfasts to offer consultation in development of press kits, press releases, press FAM tours, and placement of articles in local, state and national publications.  Read More >> Articles by this Author: Rockland Rocks Danica Hand Dipped Candles Historic Inns of Rockland Rockland 4 Kids Atlantic Baking Company View all articles by this author

Last Updated ( Wednesday, 28 March 2007 )

 

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