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Schooner American Eagle

Fall 2023

photo courtesy of Sofia Soderberg

In this issue



Offcuts and Tailings: Projects!


No More Masts!

(for now)



Cruise News:


Crew's News

Website
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With a flurry of activity (and now some snow flurries too) we have put our sunglasses, foul weather gear, and chef's knives away trading them for hammers, pin mauls, chop saws, crane hooks and heat shrink guns. The cover is finally on, the masts are out, the systems are winterized, the small boats are put away, and it is time to switch gears and get ourselves and the schooner ready for next season.

2024 is almost here!

Our schedule is out on the website and of the 20+ sailing trips we have next year there are a number of specialty cruises great for small and big groups alike. A few we would highly recommend are:


5-night Windjammer Fleet Raft Up: with Reese Fulmer & The Carriage House Band

Sat. June 8th - Thurs. June 13th


Reese Fulmer & The Carriage House Band are back for 2024. Join us for great music and a Maine Windjammer Fleet raft-up as we raise a toast to the new season! With an extra night added for even more exploring after the fleet-wide get-together, it is an incredible time to harness the last breezes of spring.


9-night Downeast Trip:

Tues. July 16th - Thurs. July 25th


With the granite islands and historic lighthouses of Maine to the west and the open waters of the Atlantic to the east, join the American Eagle on one of her longest trips of the season as we sail downeast.


The Downeast Trip is a fantastic opportunity to break out of Penobscot Bay and enjoy a quintessential Maine experience. Join us as we sail through remote fishing villages, walk the beautiful sand beach on Roque Island, or relax on deck and watch for whales. A longer trip also allows for more culinary exploration--dive into a menu chock full of local flavor.



4-night Yoga Trip:

Fri. June 14th - Tues. June 18th


A new addition to the calendar, join us for a tranquil 4-night yoga trip sailing around Penobscot Bay. Amplify the peace and quiet of your surroundings starting your morning with yoga on-deck as Mid-Coast Maine wakes up around you.


Give us a call or an email if you have any questions about these or any other trips on our schedule

See Our Full Schedule

Trip Spotlight: Reese Fulmer & The Carriage House Band

photos courtesy of: Sofia Soderberg

This year's gam was such a success and we are so thrilled that Reese Fulmer & The Carriage House Band want to come back aboard for the June 8th to June 13th Windjammer Raft up! With a beautifully serene take on traditional and modern folk music the trio will be a welcome addition to our adventure with informal concerts throughout the week.

Offcuts & Tailings... M/V American Eagle!

Above: Tyler and Logan pretending to have fun, while working the pin out of the Jibstay shackle

Every 10 years it is time to inspect the Eagle's masts. After down rigging it was time to call in the machinery. Bright and early at 7:45 A.M. the 80 ton crane squeezed into the shipyard. After this a carefully orchestrated ballet began with Tyler and Logan using radios to communicate to the crane operator to pull each of the masts (each weighs two tons!) and the bowsprit. The masts were then laid on wooden supports in the parking lot. After an extra heavy coat of grease to protect from the elements we built a series of buildings to allow for a dry (and occasionally warm) space to work on the masts over the winter.


Tyler noticed quite the difference in the eagles handling without her spars in turning the schooner around for the winter.

"Like an ultralight sports car!"

Right: Courtney using a heat gun and scraper to strip 10 years of varnish off the bowsprit. It's going to look fantastic!

Left: Logan fastening the last rafter into the ridge of the "southern" spar shed.

After some sketching, about 160 2x4s & 2x6s, and 3 1/2 days of chopping, bolting, and screwing we had some nice little buildings! They are even designed to break down and "flat pack" so we can use them again.

And Now For Something Completely Different

Photo courtesy of: Sean Sheppard

Light fog, mirror-smooth water, and a beautiful schooner.

Photo courtesy of: Sean Sheppard

Above: We had a great joint lobster bake with the J&E Riggin during race week this year. The Riggin is just getting ready to come alongside so their gang can join us on the beach Below: Race Day! Keeping those covering boards nice and tight as Courtney and Kate trim the boom vang to eek every knot of speed out of the Eagle as we tore along chasing the trophy in the

Great Schooner Race.

Photo courtesy of: Sean Sheppard

Photo courtesy of: Nate Cooper

Marty dresses a beautiful mango-lobster salad

Crew's News

Top Right: Courtney has been traveling around quite alot competing in regatta's and class races all over the country with the Maine Maritime Academy sailing team, even racing for the the McMillan Cup, the oldest cup in collegiate sailing.


Middle Right: Kate sailed all the way from Fiji to New Zealand on the SSV Robert C Seamans with the Sea Education Association. And sent us a postcard from Tuvalu!


Lower Right: Nate is busy learning all the ins and outs of a schooner office with Shary's expert guidance


Below: Chef Marty's beautiful Thanksgiving spread

From Beside the Wheelbox...


What a season it has been, and what a winter we have to come. Lots to keep us busy--before we know it the varnish brushes will start flying around again. An important thank you to all the amazing folks who joined us this season. Everyone is such an important part of sharing what we do and keeping our beloved schooner sailing.


A special thank you too to our incredible team of crew and friends. Whether shoreside, aloft, headfirst in the bilge, buried under a mountain of paperwork, or at the other end of a phone line with an answer to a basically complicated question we couldn't do such good things without the combined effort of so many.


You'll be hearing from us again before long, there is far too much going on to fit in just one newsletter.

We are happy to answer any questions that may arise, either by phone, email or online, Let's go sailing!

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Schooner American Eagle

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