Maine Coast Sailing

Baltimore Cheasapeake Bay Outward Bound
Baltimore, MD, United States

Course Format: Classroom | E-learning | Virtual Class | Online | On-site | Blended | Self-paced

Course Description:

'' Learn to sail in the longest-running sea program in the United States, and explore the spectacular Maine Coast where sheer, granite cliffs meet the rhythm of pounding waves. Come learn open boat seamanship, including sail handling, knots and navigation as you cruise the coast -¨C in and around islands, living aboard our 30-foot, ketch-rigged boats. Modeled after the 19th century whaling boats, Hurricane Island ¡°pulling boats¡± are legendary on the coast of Maine. Begins in St. George, ME.
Course Area

The coast of Maine, with its intricate and indented shoreline, is a unique segment of the North Atlantic seaboard. It is known for its picturesque beauty, abundant bays and harbors, rocky islands, and relative lack of development. Your course will begin at our Sea Program base at Wheeler¡¯s Bay in St. George, Maine in the ¡°mid-coast region¡±. This departure point is about mid way in our cruising area of nearly 200 linear miles of the Maine Coast, with numerous rivers, bays, and islands to explore.

The coast of Maine is rich in history. The islands still hold evidence of the Abenaki Indians, the use of islands for farming and timber, the quarrying of granite, and centuries of fishing. Natural history is also abundant. The coast is home to a wide range of sea birds, harbor seals, porpoise, and several types of whale. The coast has unique and varying geological features.

Each course will spend time at one of our island base sites. Hurricane Island, located in the Fox Islands archipelago in Penobscot Bay, was the original site for this Outward Bound school. Burnt Island has been an island base site for over 25 years and is located in the outer reaches of Muscongus Bay. The islands provide time ashore for rock climbing, running, a period of solitude (solo), team building activities, expedition planning, and reprovisioning.

Sailing courses will cruise in a variety of bays, rivers, and coastal areas. Actual itineraries are based on weather, tides, and length of expedition. There are over 3,000 islands along the Maine coast, which offer limitless options for exploring, anchoring, and camping. The course area ranges from the Boothbay Region and Sheepscot River to the ¡°Downeast¡± area, including the Acadia/Bar Harbor region.

The Expedition

You don¡¯t need to have previous sailing experience. We will teach you everything you need to know¡ªpacking your sea bag, loading a boat, ¡°camping¡± aboard, sail handling, anchoring, seamanship skills, navigating using charts, compass, and navigation tools. Your course will begin at Outward Bound¡¯s Sea Program base on Wheeler¡¯s Bay in St. George, ME. Here you will get a basic introduction to your boat, be briefed in emergency procedures, and offered information to get you started and on your way. You will soon cast off lines and begin your adventure into the wilderness on the water, where the real magic takes place.

During your course you will be traveling expedition-style, with all provisions and gear on board. ¡°Expedition-style¡± means that you will depart our main land base of operations on the first or second day of your course and not return to it until the end of the course. You will travel with all the food and equipment you need to conduct your expedition: stoves, tarps, food, etc. Your group will navigate your boat to a new anchorage each night. Occasionally you may camp ashore, but generally you will make camp right on the boat, spreading the oars to make a sleeping platform. You will not have showers, telephones, television, or any other modern luxuries that you may be accustomed to. You should come to your course emotionally prepared for, and excited about, devoting all of your time and energy to your expedition, your group, and your Outward Bound experience.

The instructors¡¯ goal is to teach you the skills you need to become self-sufficient on the water. The instructors will spend the early days of the course coaching you in seamanship skills. As you grow more competent and confident with your skills, the instructors will ask that you take more responsibility for the leadership of the expedition. Neither guides nor counselors, the instructors are teachers and mentors whose goal it is to train you to travel independently on the coastal waters.

Student Independence

There will be times on this course when instructors will not directly supervise you. This will include time around camp cooking or setting up tarps, running, sleeping, and solo. Outward Bound has found that a degree of independence is an effective educational tool and we expect that all students come to this course with a willingness to learn skills and practice them without instructor supervision, either alone or with other group members.

Weather, Remoteness, and Other Challenges

Your sailing expedition will be demanding. Sailing to windward takes teamwork and skill, navigation is complex and with the addition of darkness of night or thick fog can be very challenging (and rewarding!). You will cruise under sail or oars (if there is no wind) to places to hike, run, and explore. Arriving physically fit will enhance your experience and ability to do well on the course and ultimately allow you to take full advantage of every aspect of a Hurricane Island Outward Bound sailing expedition.

Weather is quite varied in Maine; the old-timers say ¡°If you don¡¯t like the weather, wait five minutes.¡± Summer days can be mild and pleasant or wet and cold, with fog, wind, or no wind. In May, June, and September the average temperatures will range from 40 to 70 during the daytime to as low as 30 in the evening. In July and August the temperatures will be between 50 and 90 during the day and as low as 45 at night. The average temperature of the water will range from 45 to 50 in the spring to between 50 and 65 in the summer.

You will be traveling in a relatively remote coastal area. Each boat carries a VHF Marine Radio and a cell phone for emergency communication, and make periodic contact with our bases. Even with this technology, cell phone coverage in inconsistent and it can take several hours to evacuate someone to a medical facility. A consistent theme in our instruction is identifying and managing the risks of travel in remote areas. The instructors are trained in wilderness first aid, search and rescue, and emergency management, but they cannot guarantee your absolute safety¡ªyou must take a certain amount of responsibility for your own well-being. You should come to your course prepared to work hard, take responsibility for yourself, and master the skills taught on the expedition.

Solo

A solo (a period of rest and reflection alone in the woods) is a standard element of many Outward Bound courses. With sufficient food and equipment, you will spend two nights alone at an assigned campsite to rest, reflect, and practice the campcraft skills you have been learning throughout the course.
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Phone:410-448-1721

School Address:

1900 Eagle Drive - Leakin Park
Baltimore, MD 21207
United States
410-448-1721
baltimore@hurricaneisland.org

Jobs & Resumes: Baltimore
Houses & Roommates: Baltimore

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