{"id":15055,"date":"2018-06-13T19:57:49","date_gmt":"2018-06-13T23:57:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.portlandmonthly.com\/portmag\/?p=15055"},"modified":"2019-04-04T13:17:44","modified_gmt":"2019-04-04T17:17:44","slug":"ultimate-yacht-charters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.portlandmonthly.com\/portmag\/ultimate-yacht-charters\/","title":{"rendered":"Ultimate Yacht Charters"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Summerguide 2018 | <a href=\"http:\/\/ftp.portlandmonthly.com\/public_html\/pdf\/SG18%20Yachts.pdf\">view this story as a .pdf<\/a><\/p>\n<div data-configid=\"37604829\/68909139\" style=\"width:100%; height:600px;\" class=\"issuuembed\"><\/div>\n<p><script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"\/\/e.issuu.com\/embed.js\" async=\"true\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p1\">Get ready for the ride of your life along the Maine coast.<\/h3>\n<p class=\"p1\"><strong>By Karen Hofreiter<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-15056 alignleft\" src=\"http:\/\/www.portlandmonthly.com\/portmag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/SG18-Yachts-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"SG18-Yachts\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.portlandmonthly.com\/portmag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/SG18-Yachts-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.portlandmonthly.com\/portmag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/SG18-Yachts-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.portlandmonthly.com\/portmag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/SG18-Yachts.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>Terraces for stargazing. Gleaming oak woodwork and ornate bronze fixtures. Feasts of fresh oysters and flutes of golden champagne. Private chefs. 360-degree ocean views. It may sound like a deluxe suite in a luxury hotel, but this decadence is served up on the open seas. Sure, the sleeping quarters may be \u201ccharming and cozy\u201d (i.e., not for the claustrophobic), but in every other sense, a yachting vacation can be an unparalleled experience, particularly if the yacht is cruising along the stunning Maine coast.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">To enjoy the pleasures of yachting is to participate in a seven-centuries\u2019-old recreation. When 14th-century Dutch aristocrats began using former pirate\u2013and smuggler\u2013hunting boats for pleasure cruises, the yacht (derived from the Dutch <em>jachtschip<\/em> meaning \u201cship that goes fast\u201d) in its modern sense was born. Since <em>Cleopatra\u2019s Barge<\/em>, one of the first pleasure yachts in the U.S., sailed out of Salem, Massachusetts in 1817, there\u2019s been a steady evolution of creature comforts, aided by staggering computer-engineered enhancements those early Dutch maritime recreators could hardly have imagined, from temperature-sensing marble showers to iPod docking stations.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">Those early leisure <em>zeilers<\/em> might also have boggled at a coastline over four times as long as that of the current-day Netherlands: including islands, Maine has over 5,000 miles of coastline to the Netherlands\u2019 1,200. While the Dutch coast is certainly beautiful, it pales in comparison to Maine&#8217;s undulating coastal landscape, with its rugged cliffs crowned by evergreens, time-weary drooping bluffs, scraggly dunes, placid beaches, and roughly 4,500 islands ranging from the hauntingly desolate to quaintly picturesque. The true luxury of yachting in Maine is the astounding scenery.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><strong>WORLD-CLASS SAILING<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">\u201cThe coast of Maine, particularly Penobscot Bay, yields some of the best cruising grounds found anywhere,\u201d says Peter Johanson, president and owner of Rockland-based <strong>Johanson Boatworks<\/strong>, whose charter clients travel from as far away as Europe and Hong Kong for the experience. \u201cThe rocky granite coast is magnificent to view, and the many unpopulated islands provide hours of exploration and gunkholing.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">Jack Bullock, owner of <strong>Evening Star Yacht Charters<\/strong>, agrees. \u201cI\u2019ve sailed the entire East Coast, Bahamas, Virgin Islands, and Caribbean. However, Maine is unique, considered by many to be one of the best cruising areas in the world. There\u2019s almost always a 15-20 knot breeze, and the water is relatively flat. And with the endless miles of coastline, one could anchor in a different place every day for decades and never anchor in the same spot twice.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">That\u2019s not to say Maine can\u2019t present daunting challenges for even the most experienced sailor. \u201cIt takes strong navigation skills,\u201d Bullock says. \u201cThe most challenging routes in Maine are those in areas where there are many uninhabited islands\u2013it can be easy to get confused and lose one\u2019s exact location,\u201d says Johanson. \u201cFor example, along the Deer Island Thorofare\u2013which is extremely raw and beautiful\u2013it can be tricky maneuvering in and around the islands, especially in times of fog.\u201d However, according to Johanson, the crack-a-beer-and-chill captains who want to take it easy can choose to \u201chug the coastline where the fog tends to be less, pick up a mooring or dockage each night, and enjoy shoreside amenities by sailing from one harbor town to the next, like Rockland, Camden, Belfast, Castine, and Bucks Harbor. Each of these towns has its own ambiance, but what they all share equally are dockside lobster shacks, five-star restaurants, gourmet delis, and shops selling fine wines and craft beers.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><strong>FLOATING HAVENS<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">How you go about your exploration depends on your budget and tastes. Whether your splurge amount is $1,500 or $20,000 a week, whether you prefer homey cabin-style interiors or Old World opulence, there\u2019s a range of options for charter yachts.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><strong>Johanson Boatworks<\/strong> (Rockland, charters from $2,800\/week, 596-7060) offers a varied cadre of sailing yachts for bareboat (without a crew) charter. The <strong><em>Fascination<\/em><\/strong> (44-foot sailboat, accommodates six, $5,200\/week) is a classic beauty, featuring a generous main seating area with L-shaped white couches, a galley kitchen, warm wood paneling, and traditional maritime-style d\u00e9cor with clocks, oil lanterns, and bookshelves. Guests have the convenience of having everything on board they may need for the trip. Miriah Swan, charter coordinator, touts this as a big plus. \u201cThe beauty of chartering is you have the entire boat equipped with a full galley so your lodging and meals are packed into one package.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><strong>Buck\u2019s Harbor <\/strong>(South Brooksville, charters from $1100\/week, 326-8839) offers bareboat charters in all types and sizes. If it\u2019s celebrity glam you\u2019re looking for, then the <strong><em>Velocity<\/em><\/strong> (44-foot catamaran, accommodates 8-12, $7,500\/week) is your modus transportius. Sleek and modern, she\u2019d look more at home in flashy Miami than sturdy New England. The breezy interior is decorated in neutrals and soft blues and bathed in sunlight from the windows that wrap around the seating area in the main salon, which means dinner is served with a panoramic view. Besides four staterooms with private showers, the open-concept space includes a galley kitchen and cockpit (with mini-bar, of course). The trampoline provides space for sunbathing, and the flybridge is the perfect spot for getting that giddy, cloud-nine feeling. If your style runs a little less ostentatious, the <strong><em>Maine Idea<\/em><\/strong> (50-foot trawler, accommodates six, $7,000\/week) is your gal. This merry trawler is typecast for a Maine adventure. Large windows and glass doors enclose the airy salon, which features gorgeous oak and fir woodwork with casual furniture upholstered in a cheerful green.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">Just like Jack Bullock of <strong>Evening Star Yacht Charters<\/strong> (Belfast Harbor, 479-5403), you\u2019ll fall in love with the <strong><em>Evening Star<\/em><\/strong> (45-foot yawl, accommodates four, $4,000\/week June, $4,500 July-September). Built in Holland in 1968, \u201cshe\u2019s elegant, beautiful, and classic, and exhibits a high standard and quality construction not found in most production boats today,\u201d Bullock says. \u201cShe\u2019s also extremely well outfitted for sailing in Maine.\u201d The interior is varnished teak throughout and includes two staterooms with private bathrooms and a <em>gem\u00fctlich<\/em> salon with a Dutch soapstone and bronze fireplace. Sail her into peaceful, wide-open Tenants Harbor or wild and narrow Perry Creek on Vinalhaven, two of Bullock\u2019s favorite places.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">If lifting a glass of ros\u00e9 to your lips is the most strenuous activity you want on your vacation, look no further than an all-inclusive cruise on the historic <strong><em>Schooner Ladona <\/em><\/strong>or <strong><em>Stephen Taber<\/em><\/strong> (Rockland, 207-594-4723, multi-day specialty and private charters available). Both are owned by Noah and Jane Barnes, who spare no effort or expense to give their guests an unforgettable experience. Meals made fresh onboard feature local Maine ingredients, and the multi-course dinners include expert wine pairings. Accommodations and amenities are first class. The <strong><em>Schooner Ladona<\/em><\/strong> (82-foot schooner, accommodates 17), built in 1922 at the Hodgdon boatyard, showcases an elegant nautical-style d\u00e9cor with ecru wood-plank ceilings and walls, blue-hued textiles, rich wood accents, and lavish bronze fixtures throughout. Each of the nine staterooms has its own private vanity with sink; the showers feature mosaic marble tile and rainshower heads. The spacious galley kitchen flows into the main living area with its custom L-shaped sofa seating and polished wood table. Guests can dine al fresco at the farmhouse-style table on the deck or lounge on one of the pillow-piled daybeds. The <strong><em>Stephen Taber<\/em><\/strong> (110-foot windjammer, accommodates 22), built in 1871 and a National Historic Landmark, has an American Colonial-meets-Adirondack cabin feel, with wood paneling throughout and Scottish touches like oil lamps and tartan blankets. There\u2019s even a tiny library tucked away in a nook. The sprawling deck features white Colonial-style railings, a dining area, and enough room for a small musical band. Both boats offer activities such as kayaking, skiff rowing, small boat sailing, paddle boarding, navigation instruction, and occasionally evenings of acoustic music, compliments of the crew. Wine, food, and music cruises are offered throughout the summer, and fall color cruises are offered in early autumn. Event cruises include the Great Schooner Race (July 2-7), Rockland Windjammer Parade (July 12-16), Eggemoggin Reach Regatta (August 1-6), and Camden Windjammer Festival (August 28-Sept 1).<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">Whatever your choice, yachting in Maine is a singular experience. As Johanson perfectly sums it up: \u201cThere\u2019s nothing quite like disconnecting from the hectic hustle and bustle of today\u2019s technological world and enjoying the peace and serenity found sailing in Maine. It is an amazing way to decompress, refresh, and recharge.\u201d Can we say \u201cYachts, a joy!\u201d?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Summerguide 2018<br \/>\nGet ready for the ride of your life along the Maine coast.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":15079,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[226],"class_list":["post-15055","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","tag-summerguide-2018"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.portlandmonthly.com\/portmag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15055","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.portlandmonthly.com\/portmag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.portlandmonthly.com\/portmag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.portlandmonthly.com\/portmag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.portlandmonthly.com\/portmag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15055"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.portlandmonthly.com\/portmag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15055\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16125,"href":"https:\/\/www.portlandmonthly.com\/portmag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15055\/revisions\/16125"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.portlandmonthly.com\/portmag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15079"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.portlandmonthly.com\/portmag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15055"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.portlandmonthly.com\/portmag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15055"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.portlandmonthly.com\/portmag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15055"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}