Points East Magazine

06/18/2024

An interesting and fun voyage to follow, Maine Maritime Academy's arctic schooner BOWDOIN.

05/08/2024

What a great opportunity for women sailors or those who would like to become sailors! Check it out!

Don't forget! Registration closes Friday.
https://forms.gle/vRzxBtymsgQbU2ap7

05/08/2024

Great opportunity for women sailors! Or those who would like to become a sailor! Check it out!

Don't forget! Registration closes Friday.
https://forms.gle/vRzxBtymsgQbU2ap7

04/03/2024

Skippers and crew, come join the annual Points East Crew Match party on May 1, 5:30 -7:30 p.m. at Afloat & Regatta, 400 Rt. 1 in Falmouth.

12/11/2023

Join this end-of-year appeal for worthy cause!

11/28/2023

Consider supporting this terrific organization and help them reach their goal.

$1000 left until we hit our match goal of $3500! Thank you everyone for your generosity over the weekend. Today and tomorrow are the last days for our Giving Tuesday Match Challenge, donate soon! https://www.sailmaine.org/appeal

09/29/2023

A great opportunity.

Register now.

09/28/2023

The fall issue of Points East will be at your favorite marine location shortly. If you can't wait, you can always read it online at www.pointseast.com/our-current-issue

09/13/2023

Sage advice from our friends at Hallett Canvas and Sails, Inc.

09/09/2023

https://www.pointseast.com/event/record-breaking-solo-sailor-kirsten-neuschafer-to-speak-in-rockport-maine/

CAMDEN, Maine, September 6, 2023 — Kirsten Neuschäfer, who recently became the first woman to win a solo, nonstop round-the-world sailboat race, will speak at 7 p.m. Friday, September 22, at the Rockport Opera House. Neuschäfer won the 2022 Golden Globe Race in June, besting 15 competitors, 12 o...

09/05/2023

They know how to say goodbye to summer on Plum Island Sound! Thanks to contributor Dan Raycroft for capturing this image while out enjoying the holiday

They know how to say farewell to summer on Plum Island Sound! Contributor Dan Raycroft caught this band of nautical minstrels jamming while out on the water this Labor Day.

09/03/2023

Important guidelines to keep everyone healthy and happy.

🚨🚨Humpback whale sighting alert🚨🚨

Marine Mammals of Maine has been monitoring a young humpback whale in the Sheepscot river since earlier this week. Our response team has observed active feeding behavior along with other normal behaviors from this individual. We are happy to report that because this whale appears healthy and is currently following the abundant pogie congregations no intervention is needed. However, there is increasing concern for both the whale, and the public due to the amount of boater activity. While this whale’s presence is exciting and an amazing sight we hope the public gets the opportunity to enjoy, we urge people to appreciate this whale safely and respectfully by maintaining at least 100 feet of distance.

Humpback whales are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and this makes interacting with them (touching, feeding, harassing, etc.) illegal.

🐋 Federal guidelines suggest viewing humpback whales at a minimum distance of at least 100 feet.
🐋 Navigating in an area with whales should be done slowly at a no-wake speed, and engines put in neutral when whales approach to pass.
🐋 Vessels should not enter into an area where whales are actively feeding.
🐋Whales can change direction quickly when following prey and exhibit unpredictable behaviors that can result in an unsafe situation for both people, and whales if approached too closely.

These guidelines are established to minimize the risk of harassment or encroaching on the animals in a way that changes their behavior or interferes with their activities, which is prohibited under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). However, even when following these guidelines boater behavior can still impact animals and it does not guarantee that a harmful interaction will not occur. People have been injured and thrown from vessels, had their vessels damaged from close approaches to feeding humpback whales, and caused injury to the whales.

Happy safe and respectful viewing of this amazing animal!

For more viewing guidelines, visit https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/topic/marine-life-viewing-guidelines/guidelines-&-distances

09/02/2023

How awesome is this? Well deserved recognition.

08/21/2023

If you have the time and inclination, this is a worthy cause spearheaded by MITA.

We’re making a big push on the midcoast with The Crushtacean (our hydraulic trap crusher!) later this week. We’ll be teaming up with and for a trap cleanup on Hart Island (launching from Port Clyde) on Thursday and Friday, and we would love to have you come be a part of this big group effort. Sign up for one or both days now at mita.org/volunteer. Maybe even bring a friend! We’d be so happy to have you aboard.

08/12/2023

If you’re in the area, come join the fun! Congratulations on passing $70k! Keep it going!

08/05/2023

A scene from the periphery of the 2022 Round Island Regatta.

08/05/2023

Talk about team spirit! Way to go Henry and Jules!

Team Highlight: Huge shoutout to the Opti Race Twins. These guys have been at SailMaine most of the summer on the Opti Race team and have amazing energy at the waterfront. They are not sailing the regatta but decided to make a team anyway to raise money for community sailing! They have already passed their goal of $500! Thank you Henry and Jules, you are amazing!
Check out their page and support the Regatta!
https://www.classy.org/team/517459

08/02/2023

Join the fun for a great cause!

We are over $11,000 in donations and our fundraising teams are kicking butt! It's not too late to register a boat, support a team with a donation, or both! Help us reach our goal and support community sailing! Click below for more info:
https://www.sailmaine.org/sailmainefest

07/19/2023

Launch of Rudolph Whitman in Nova Scotia took finesse! Neat set of photos by Sue Hutchins documented the launch.

06/30/2023

The annual Great Schooner Race out of Rockland is scheduled a week from today. Maine Windjammer Association shared an interesting bit of history from 1953 when the event first took place. Guaranteed to be a crowd pleaser from land or on the water. Hopefully the visibility will improve between now and then! Dredges up memories of being on the Nathaniel Bowditch’s foredeck in the late 80’s. Note photo in comments, which appeared in the WoodenBoat calendar that year.

Headline from the Sept 10, 1953 Bangor Daily News. Looks like you couldn't have asked for a more exciting first schooner race!

A week from today we'll hold the 46th annual Great Schooner Race (yeah they skipped a few years in the 50s and 60s) with all nine of our windjammers plus several visiting schooners competing for bragging rights. If you're in Rockland, ME that day head down to the Breakwater for the best views of the race! Greatschoonerrace.com for details.

06/15/2023

Could be fun to follow Schooner Bowdoin’s summer voyage, already underway.

After departing the lovely small town of Baddeck, Bowdoin and her crew set course outbound the Great Bras D’Or lake for the Narrows. The Narrows is a 15 Nm stretch that leads you out of the lakes in into the NE coast of Cape Breton Island. With plenty of favorable current in the Narrows Bowdoin ma...

05/18/2023

https://anythingbutordinary.travel/section/offthebeatenpath?utm_source=Meta&utm_medium=displayad&utm_content=NLT2952-NE30D&utm_campaign=NLT-2952M

Of all the things here that’ll take your breath away, music is surely one. There’s a certain rhythm to this place. Leave no song unsung.

05/16/2023

An exceptional opportunity check it out!

Calling all artists! Windward Exhibition is happening this August...more info and artist application at the form linked below:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfHqdVbugFBCndWOZfeuQ6YYwbhmLmV0EBJOtSOWUqpFGKuuQ/viewform