We had a very nice sail across the Penobscot Bay from Isleboro to Camden, a quaint maritime town and the country’s windjammer capital.
Camden is a very popular harbor for boaters, with modern cruisers alongside the classic windjammers. It’s also home to one of two Lyman-Morse facilities. Lyman Morse is a famous luxury yacht manufacturer and boatyard.
It was fortuitous to come when we did. Beside the beautiful late summer weather with sunny days and clear crisp nights, it is Labor Day weekend during which Camden hosts the Windjammer Festival. In addition to multiple stands and activities scattered throughout the waterfront, one can board the numerous windjammers permanently docked here or visiting for the festival. There is also live music at night.
We tied up to a “floater” belonging to the Camden Yacht Club. Floaters are small floating docks that are anchored out in the harbor and to which a boat can tie up on either side. It’s a 2 minute dinghy row to shore… not even worth starting up the outboard. Our neighbors, Phil and Joy, are a very nice couple from Connecticut cruising on an 1970s Swan.
After the sail across, mostly a close reach in 10-13 knots wind while dodging lobster pots, we tied up and went in to town for a delicious lobster roll lunch. After lunch, we wandered around, enjoying the festival, visiting windjammers and browsing the many fantastic art galleries.
The definition of a windjammer is somewhat loose, but it refers to classic sailboats or replicas, many of which are currently used as training boats or for cruises. The ones we visited had crews of 4 to 6 and accommodate guests of similar numbers. They preserve sailing traditions. Some are void of engines and electronics. Those without engines have smaller launches with “pudding” (a latticework of rope) on their bows that push the windjammer out of the harbor before she can set sail. The ones with square rig sails require crew going aloft to furl and unfurl the sails. We talked to the cook on one vessel that still uses a wood fired stove. It’s a real contrast to our modern cruisers with diesel engines, electronic navigation gear, solar panels, heat, air conditioning, microwave oven, etc.
We plan to spend a few days enjoying Camden and hiking the hills behind it, before pushing on down toward Portland.
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