So just before Labor Day weekend, 17 employees of the software development company set sail for a two-hour excursion aboard Maine Sailing Adventures’ windjammer Frances (several enjoyed pointing out that one sucker had to stay on land to man the office). Cyr and her mates enjoyed the sun and waves of Casco Bay, along with close-up views of Cushing Island, Fort Gorges and the back side of Peaks. They chowed on catered food from Aurora Provisions, which works with Maine Sailing Adventures, and washed it down with wine and local beers. (Fortunately, there’s also a mechanical marine head that comes with directions.)
“If I had guests from out of state I’d recommend it as opposed to a ferry,” Cyr said at the start of the cruise. About an hour later the South Portlander was lamenting the fact that too few Mainers take advantage of what the state and the water surrounding it have to offer.
There’s still plenty of time for locals to change that scenario. Frances, a replica of a working windjammer which was built by Megan Jones and Hasket Hildreth, sails seven days a week from the Maine State Pier from Memorial Day through Columbus Day. Frances is engineless, running on wind alone, making it a local green business — no fumes, no engine noise, no additional pollution for the bay. The windjammer heads out for three two-hour trips a day, including a sunset sail, which features an on-board band on Wednesdays. The vessel can also be chartered for groups up to 40 people. According to Jones, Francis also has sailed with just a romantic party of two aboard, but four is generally the minimum.
With no engine, the 74-foot Frances must be towed away from the pier by a motorized yawl before her sails go up. Three crew members help hoist the sails and with the Casco Development team aboard Hildreth asked if anyone wanted to give a hand. The software specialists remained seated but began applauding.
“You live here and there’s so much to do you take it for granted,” said John Bronson, 25, a technical writer for Casco Development whose other “boating” experience was taking the ferry to Peaks for reggae fest. There’s really no comparison.
Frances was built during the winter of 2003. As a traditional working boat, she would have hauled granite, limestone and lumber on her wide, flat deck had she been around in the 1800s. She’s the only working-style boat that sails out of Portland.
The design is perfect for those who want to ride the waves or drift in the harbor without worrying about holding on or being unable to walk around. And everyone aboard has the pleasure of being out in the open, salty air. If not for the gourmet hors d’oeuvres it could have been a trip back in time.
Jones said she was the apprentice on the job while Frances was being built and planned to be the one who would run the business end of things. She now mans the booth on the Maine State Pier, where guests purchase their tickets for public sails. She also organizes charters and serves as bartender on board. Hildreth captains the vessel, which takes four different routes through Casco Bay, depending on weather and wind direction.
“I’m a huge fan of Ram Island light,” Jones said as Frances made her way to the southern end of Casco Bay. The ocean swelled and rolled that far out but those on board got to view some of the parts of the bay that can’t be seen from the Commercial Street shoreline.
“To live in Portland and not spend time out here ...,” said Jones, who particularly enjoys sailing when the weather turns colder. Frances even offers harvest sails for leaf peepers.
“You can take the Peaks Ferry and not see anything you can’t see at the end of the Maine State Pier,” Jones said. But Frances is so different. “It’s a wonderful way to unwind.”