AUTUMN, WINDS, COLORS, and PRESS RELEASES

The smell of autumn is in the air, the wind has a bit more punch this time of year making for some good sailing and star filled nights. Angelique has been sailing better than ever!
We have had some press aboard this year. Ben from Downeast magazine, Laura & Dennis , from the New York Times. They sailed with us and shared their experiences with their readers. We have a good thing going here aboard Angelique, we are what we are, and proud of it.
Windjamming aboard Angelique is truly unique! Here are some of the links as to what other experienced aboard our vessel. Ben’s video of whale watching aboard captures the afternoon!.
Hope you can join us aboard!

Captain Mike McHenry
Chickadee Pine Camp, Maine.

Whales!

Whale Watching

A few times every season we make the effort and head offshore in search whales, sea birds and other creatures that inhabit the briny blue. We woke to a brisk northerly and clear skies at Burnt Coat Harbor, Swans Island, a good chance for whale looking. We hove up the anchor and were under way at 0715, with the 4 lowers set we reached toward Mt.Desert Rock, 18 miles from Burnt Coat.
Gannets appeared shortly after breakfast, plunging from 30 to 50 feet in search of food, air sacks beneath their skin protect them from impact during their dives, Quite a sight watching the 25 -30 graceful flyers. An elusive finback whale was next on the docket, spouting in the distance then feeding nearby on the surface vanishing only moments later.
We arrived at “The Rock” around 1000, home of College of the Atlantic Whale Monitoring Station, we jogged around looking for spouts with no luck. A lighthouse and keepers house is on Mt. Desert Rock. I can only imagine the tough gardening for the lighthouse keepers of yore on this sometimes hostel place. During winter gales huge boulders have been known to roll to new spots on the Island.
Topsails were set as we headed off to Inner Scoodic Ridge in hopes our hunt for whales would improve. Puffins and Shearwaters flew and floated nearby. On the east side of the ridge we spotted some spouts, Humpbacks, 6 of them. We were treated to a great show, flippers and tails waving for the crowd. What a day, enthusiasm ran high, it has been a while since we have seen Humpbacks, close up, glad they are back!
The G.P.S. said that we were 22 miles from Southwest Harbor, the wind had been dropping out all afternoon. We fired up the Detroit's, Heckle and Jeckle, and cruised toward Southwest Harbor glowing from the day. A great day on planet earth.


Captain Mike
At Anchor Southwest Harbor

Windjammer Race Week

I feel very fortunate that I love my job. The fact that I sail with a fleet of beautiful traditional vessels, in one of the best cruising grounds in the world is a great combination. Once a year we all get together for a more “formal” race than the usual run ins around the bays. Last week was race week. I got goose bumps watching all the vessels strutting their stuff. Vessels of different sizes, shapes and colors with personalities to match.
I admire the other vessels and their captains, I know for a fact that if I want to get ahead of them they are going to try their hardest to make it difficult to do so. Angelique and her crew will do the same. I take joy knowing that if Angelique is behind someone on race day that they are looking over their shoulder.
Watching 15 traditional sailing vessels and captains trying their darnest to get the most out of their boats is a sight to behold. Never underestimate any one of them, every boat has its day. The person at the wheel and crew never stops trying to do their best and give it their all.
We won our class (leeward) on race day this year. It was our turn to look over the shoulder during this years race, so much so that I got a crook in my neck. We will hold on to the “trophy” for a while till someone else gets a turn to get a crook in their neck. Every boat has its day...

Captain Mike
At Anchor Dark Harbor, Maine

SAILING AGAIN!

The crew climbed aboard with duffels and sleeping bags in hand April 1st. Angelique was covered from stem to stern in shrink wrap. We coaxed a head to work and breathed some life into the batteries with the chargers. A two burner camp stove, an extention cord, a $10 Mr. Coffee maker, a hand-me-down microwave and a couple of jugs of water rounded out the makeshift “galley”.

Angelique was a cold and lonely place in early April. The crew spent many weeks sanding and painting, followed by shedding the cover, more painting and varnishing. Topmasts were raised from the deck, booms and gaffs hung, running rigging followed by the bending of the 7 heavy sails, a little more painting, laying out braided rugs in the deckhouse and hanging pictures on the bulkheads. The moment the crew has been waiting for, the day we head “out there”, where vessels belong, has arrived! The crew was happy to trade in their paint brushes for brass polish and windex.

The crews excitement was contagious, this season marks my 22nd year as owner (along with Lynne my lovely wife) and captain of Angelique, the excitement of their anticipation has even rubbed off on me. Twenty two years and I feel like a little kid getting ready for an adventure for the first time.

Our guests arrived settled in for the evening, suddenly Angelique became warm and cozy, a far cry from the frosty April days. Laughter and conversation filled the air. Chad our cook treated us to blueberry pancakes, sausage and juice for breakfast. Soon we closed the boarding gate, took in lines and headed out of Camden Harbor.

We were greeted by a 18-20kt breeze at the Camden R2 bell. The 4 lower sails were set, the mizzen followed by the mainsail, staysail and jib. Angelique fell off on to a port tack, slowly heeling dipping her shoulder into Penobscot Bay like she had never left.

I couldn’t help notice the grins from guests and crew alike as we gathered speed in the Northeast breeze. Our wake was framed by Curtis Island Lighthouse as we set our course east, North Haven Island in the distance. Angelique was once again doing what she was meant to do. It’s good to be back!

ANGELIQUE SPRING OUTFITTING

Snow finally gave in and let our early spring temperatures melt the banks and piles left in the woods and on the north sides of any structure.
The floats are in, the crew with duffel bags in hand have climbed aboard eager to get Angelique ready for the season. Hours of sanding, painting and varnishing will occupy their time for the next few weeks. Those that step aboard Angelique when they finish will be rewarded with a shiny new coat of paint and varnish.
Soon, the crew will be in the rig, hanging blocks, running halyards, stepping topmasts and bending sails, all in preparation of heading “out there” where vessels belong. Our first trip will be to the shipyard in a couple of weeks to haul out, clean and paint the bottom and have our yearly Coast Guard inspection.
Last year, Rick and Scott who enjoy sailing with us during the season came up and gave us a hand in laying the new deck for a couple of days. We were quite delighted when they wanted to come up again this year and lend a hand with spring outfitting. We let them loose on the windless which was showing signs of ware, what better project for two engineers? A few sketches later they came up with a solution to fix our wandering hydraulic motor that drives the 130 year old windless put to task to haul the anchor and chain. We are happy to report that their work was done in jig time and with outstanding results. I have said all along, one of the best things about the windjamming business is the people we get to meet. Thanks Scott and Rick for your efforts and enthusiasm!



Crew members, Andrew, Shelly, Chad, Chris, Rick and Scott getting Angelique ready for the 2008 season.