The Charter Connection Blog

If sailing a 35′ classic wooden Hinckley around the coast of Maine is your idea of heaven, take a look at Huntress. She is the first Hinckley Pilot - hull #1, lovingly maintained by her owner. Naturally she has far less space below than a modern 35′ sloop, but sailors used to this type of yacht will appreciate and enjoy her. Technically she can sleep 4 guests, but she is far more practical for 2. The captain sleeps forward and guests take the single pilot berths in the salon. There is one head amidships for guests and crew and a galley in the companionway. Based in Robinhood Marina, a few miles from Bath, she is ideally suited to cruising Down East Maine.

We have known her owner/captain, Kevin, since the early 1980’s, when he helped Ed teach at our sailing school, in Robinhood. We can therefore personally confirm that he is a patient, highly qualified, dedicated instructor. A boat surveyor by trade, he has a broad knowledge of a wide range of boats, power and sail, old and new.

You can charter Huntress for the low rate of $450 per day, for two or four guests. Kevin is also happy to teach sailing and can tailor classes to any level of experience.

He is a capable cook and for an additional $30 per person, per day, can offer full provisioning. A week’s charter with all meals for two would therefore cost just $3570 and a four day weekend just $2,040. No, there’s no ice maker or waterskis - just a lovely traditional yacht to bring old memories alive.

For the right guests, she’s the best value around. For more information, call us at 800 621 7855, email us, or visit the Ed Hamilton & Co site.

Ask any cruising sailor from the 70’s and 80’s about a Bowman - they were one of the great world cruisers we all dreamed of owning back then. ‘Elysian’ is an 84′ Bowman, built in 1984 and in great condition for her year. Owners have thankfully resisted the temptation of changing her 80’s styling below, which is a combination of metal and fine woodwork that was fashionable at that time. This is an incredibly strong boat, built to cruise any ocean at respectable speeds. Typical of most private cruising boats, there’s a fine master cabin with a centerline queen berth, a settee and plenty of storage for the owner. The other two cabins are smaller, one with a double berth and one with over/under singles (the top bunk is smaller than the lower). Each cabin has an en-suite head.

The salon is attractive, with red accents, a large table for formal dining and a periwinkle ultrasuede settee that comfortably seats six. There is air conditioning throughout the boat. The spacious cockpit is particularly comfortable, with large, royal blue settees and nice cushions. There is a table for outside dining and the large bimini provides ample shade. Her teak decks, nice sun mats forward and sundeck on top of the pilothouse, provide additional space for lounging. Elysian offers scuba diving for those certified.

She will be cruising New England this summer, from Newport to Maine. She is not as flashy as some more modern yachts, but for someone who values the fine sea keeping qualities of a great cruising design, this might be a perfect choice for cruising this area. She’ll fit right in with the lovely traditional yachts that congregate here in the summer.

Regular readers will know we try to pick specials that we find interesting rather than quote every special that comes along (see our crewed and bareboat specials pages if you need the full list). Her regular rate is $20,000 plus expenses. At $12,000 plus expenses she’s a steal, but you need to book her before June 1st to get that price!

We are based on the Maine Coast and know New England well. If you are planning on chartering in this area, call us at 800 621 7855, email us, or contact us through the Ed Hamilton & Co site, and tell us about your plans. We can offer you a wide range of yachts, from smaller crewed sailing charters to the largest luxury motor yachts.

If a unique crewed yacht charter along the coast of Maine, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland sounds interesting, consider ‘Wanderbird‘. This beautifully converted 90 ft North Sea Trawler can accommodate up to 12 guests and specializes in expeditiond style, eco-tourism charters in more remote areas of the world.

For their New England charter season, they include a Pelagic Seabird Cruise (June 2-7), a coastal Labrador cruise to see Polar Bears (late August or early September), an Island Hiking Adventure (October 6-11) and even a Wine Tasting Cruise featuring local Maine wine (October 13-16). Prices start at $1000 per person for the shorter cruises, or you can charter the whole vessel depending on availability.

Owners, Rick and Karen are both licensed captains. This fascinating couple have created a beautiful home on the water and really do offer a wonderful cruising experience for anyone interested in nature, glorious unspoilt scenery and conservation.

For more information on their individual cruises or whole boat charters, you can email or call us (800 621 7855), or use our request literature format (please mention ‘Wanderbird’ if using this form).