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.

Tucked in for Winter!

Angelique is all tucked in for the season. Moored at her berth in Camden at the head of the harbor. We are lucky we sail from such a beautiful and protected spot. Angelique’s cover is on, winter lines have been made fast, chains checked and chafe gear in place. It can be quite cold and lonely aboard during a winter blow, it is best to be prepared rather than caught by surprise in the middle of the night when the temperature is zero and the wind howling, not much fun.

The shrink wrap cover will,with luck, shoulder the winter and spring gales. Under the cover is a great place to carry out maintenance aboard. As soon as the cover is on, outfitting begins for the next season. We give it a good couple of weeks, before the crew departs for their winter professions. A fresh coat of varnish and paint on all the booms and gaffs. The rails and bright work were also tended to. All the work was finished off by a wash down before the water is turned off for the winter.

The floats that create the walkway to get to the vessel are also removed to prevent ice damage. The harbor does indeed freeze, making getting to Angelique sometimes challenging. The ice usually does not come in until late December at the earliest, until then a shoe box like skiff named “Livingston” will be our transportation to the vessel. Poor Livingston, he arrived at the head of the harbor after a summer blow, I think the blow was merely an excuse for the owner to get rid of such an ugly skiff. Livingston’s new career being dragged over the sea wall and on to the gravel beach and sledding across the ice will suit him fine; every boat should have a purpose.

After replacing the quarter deck the fall of ‘05 and the foredeck the fall of ‘06 and spring of ‘07 we have no major projects this fall. a welcome relief. It is not to say that we don’t have a lot of little ones.
Lets hope for some snow.

All the best!