Choose your Maine adventure…
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This 4-day, 4-night adventure will be full of toe-tapping music and contra dancing!
Joining your trip will be the legendary Gawler Family Band & Company for concerts, contra dancing, and an all-around good time. Whether the Gawler Family Band is crooning a poignant ballad or delivering a rollicking fiddle tune, their unique arrangements are especially engaging and often go along with anecdotes of historical or humorous content. John and Ellen Gawler and their daughters Molly, Edith, and Elsie bring you an assortment of old and new sounds from many folk traditions. They accompany interweaving family harmonies with fiddles, banjo, wooden banjo, cello, guitar, ukulele and piano as well as a few surprises.
Don’t forget to pack your dancing shoes!
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On this classic J. & E. Riggin adventure, we honor Maine’s most iconic imagery with the two things that have become synonymous with the Maine experience.
The Lighthouses
With over 20 lighthouses in our cruising ground of Penobscot Bay, seeing them all would be a feat, but we will see as many as possible during our cruise. Some of the lighthouses we might see are: Rockland Breakwater Light, Owls Head Light, Hockamock Head Light, Curtis Island, Marshall Point, Fort Point, Brown’s Head, Pumpkin Island, Saddleback Ledge Light, Goose Rocks Light, Grindle Point Light, Two Bush Island Light.
The Lobsters
One evening we will go ashore and enjoy a traditional Maine lobster bake with all you can eat fresh caught lobster, corn, and grilled steak from our local butcher. Chef Jocelyn will also feature lobster in other meals during your trip which could include Lobster Bisque; Lobster, Scallion & Alfredo Pizza; Maine Lobster Rangoon; Chilled Lobster Dip with Garlic Crostini; or Lobster Benedict.
So grab your camera and join us for a spectacular Maine Lighthouse & Lobster Cruise!
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Booking Closed for Private Charter
The trip you have selected has been chartered privately this season and is no longer available for booking. Please consider choosing another available cruise or give our office a call to inquire about other availabilities.
Interested in chartering the boat for an event or group of your own?
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This adventure is a great way to kick off the summer!
Early June in Maine is a perfect time for reliable sailing breezes, and some of the most incredible sunrises we see all year.
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Celebrate the Maine Windjammer Fleet and tour Maine’s other historic ships!
Explore the coast of Maine under early summer skies. One night of the cruise, we will join the rest of the Maine Windjammer Fleet for a raft-up that features live music, fabulous food, and a grog toast. The festivities will take place in a harbor determined by the wind and tide and will include opportunities to walk from one ship to another enjoying music & tapas along the way!
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Knitters & crocheters of all levels are invited to join us for an early summer adventure with Kim Hamlin of Fiber & Vine.
A native Mainer, Kim is a fiber artist, designer, and dancer who has been knitting for over 25 years. She loves to knit, talk about “gauge,” sew, embroider, quilt, crochet, macrame, needle felt, nuno felt, spin, eco-print, make clothes, and teach these skills to others. Kim is also the owner of Fiber & Vine, a fun fiber arts and wine shop located in historic downtown Norway, Maine that boasts a wide selection of yarn, felting and spinning fibers, tools and notions for knitting/crochet/felting, buttons, handmade gift items and also…wine!
As always, you can follow along with the planned itinerary, or choose your own adventure. Bring whatever projects you’d like to work on, or anything you need help with. Kim is up to the task and she hasn’t been stumped yet!
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Celebrate the official start of summer with an adventure through the longest days of the year and capture all the beauty of Penobscot Bay with the support of Nick Parson!
Nick Parson is a professional photographer based in Brooklin, Maine, who currently serves as the staff photographer for the Maine Island Trail Association. When not shooting among the islands, he specializes in classic boat photography and has worked on assignment for the Maine Windjammer Association since 2022. He fell in love with traditional sailing long before he began his career in photography, and has served as crew aboard multiple schooners in Maine waters and beyond.
Whether you have a full bag of lenses ready to go, or just your faithful phone camera at hand, Nick will be grateful to share his knowledge with you. If you are a novice photographer, you will learn key elements of photography that will ensure you capture the memories of your trip aboard the J.&E. Riggin in the best way possible. More advanced photographers can take advantage of Nick’s extensive experience in shooting aboard traditional sailing vessels and learn how to work with the rhythm of the boat and the crew to make impactful photographs the way a sailor would.
Penobscot Bay offers so many layers of beauty for photographers to take advantage of, and having the opportunity to be a part of the scenery yourself aboard a spectacular wooden schooner is not to be missed. Nick looks forward to helping you find your eye and hone your camera skills as we all share in the extraordinary experience of sailing the coast of Maine.
You may view Nick’s work on Instagram at @thesearesomephotos, or on his website at nickparsonphoto.com.
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Enjoy craft beers from local brewers and cider houses paired expertly with fabulous meals you have come to expect from the Riggin galley.
Your very own Captain Justin & Chef Jocelyn will be your guides on this adventure! Taste and choose a beer to pair with your lunch from a selection Jocelyn has chosen, and at the end of a long sailing day, head ashore with Captain Justin for a tasting and tour at one of the many small breweries along the coast. One night of the trip, we will head to a beach to enjoy a lobster feast.
All tastings & excursions are included in the cost of the cruise.
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Race aboard the winner of the only Oyster Schooner Race ever held on the Delaware Bay!
Join us on this 6-day, 6-night adventure for stunning visuals of historic schooners sailing along Maine’s iconic rocky coast. Every summer since 1977, the Maine Windjammer Association has hosted the Great Schooner Race, providing an opportunity for captains, crews and guests aboard traditional vessels from all over the Eastern Seaboard to rendezvous for a day of racing.
The evening before the Great Schooner Race, crew and guests from participating boats can indulge in a zany, character-filled race complete with costumes and themes. It’s a time-honored tradition – and if you’re lucky enough to be sailing on one of the nine vessels of the Maine Windjammer Association – it’s an absolute riot!
Celebrate Independence Day from the deck of the Schooner J. & E. Riggin!
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On this classic J. & E. Riggin adventure, we honor Maine’s most iconic imagery with the two things that have become synonymous with the Maine experience.
The Lighthouses
With over 20 lighthouses in our cruising ground of Penobscot Bay, seeing them all would be a feat, but we will see as many as possible during our cruise. Some of the lighthouses we might see are: Rockland Breakwater Light, Owls Head Light, Hockamock Head Light, Curtis Island, Marshall Point, Fort Point, Brown’s Head, Pumpkin Island, Saddleback Ledge Light, Goose Rocks Light, Grindle Point Light, Two Bush Island Light.
The Lobsters
One evening we will go ashore and enjoy a traditional Maine lobster bake with all you can eat fresh caught lobster, corn, and grilled steak from our local butcher. Chef Jocelyn will also feature lobster in other meals during your trip which could include Lobster Bisque; Lobster, Scallion & Alfredo Pizza; Maine Lobster Rangoon; Chilled Lobster Dip with Garlic Crostini; or Lobster Benedict.
So grab your camera and join us for a spectacular Maine Lighthouse & Lobster Cruise!
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Each cocktail is crafted with the intention to combine unique flavors from around the world with fresh local ingredients from our community and our own backyard. Learn how to create delightful combinations of your own from our knowledgeable host or sit back and enjoy a cocktail pairing with hors d'oeuvres, dinner, or brunch. Mocktails are also available for those who do not wish to indulge in the available cocktail.
All tastings & pairings are included in the cost of the cruise.
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On this classic J. & E. Riggin adventure, we honor Maine’s most iconic imagery with the two things that have become synonymous with the Maine experience.
The Lighthouses
With over 20 lighthouses in our cruising ground of Penobscot Bay, seeing them all would be a feat, but we will see as many as possible during our cruise. Some of the lighthouses we might see are: Rockland Breakwater Light, Owls Head Light, Hockamock Head Light, Curtis Island, Marshall Point, Fort Point, Brown’s Head, Pumpkin Island, Saddleback Ledge Light, Goose Rocks Light, Grindle Point Light, Two Bush Island Light.
The Lobsters
One evening we will go ashore and enjoy a traditional Maine lobster bake with all you can eat fresh caught lobster, corn, and grilled steak from our local butcher. Chef Jocelyn will also feature lobster in other meals during your trip which could include Lobster Bisque; Lobster, Scallion & Alfredo Pizza; Maine Lobster Rangoon; Chilled Lobster Dip with Garlic Crostini; or Lobster Benedict.
So grab your camera and join us for a spectacular Maine Lighthouse & Lobster Cruise!
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Taking a vacation together is one of the most memorable ways to spend time together as a family; whether it’s just parents and children or a multigenerational adventure. The Schooner J. & E. Riggin Kids & Family cruises offer something truly magical – a place to reconnect without the distractions of life ashore.
While aboard, sailors of all ages can learn to tie knots, help prepare meals in the galley, take a turn at the helm, help crew haul the anchor and sails or chart, navigate, and identify names of islands & lighthouses just like a 19th century captain. When we anchor for the evening you can explore uninhabited islands, comb the beach for shells and sea glass, participate in the annual scavenger hunt, and take in the saltiness of fishing villages and quaint coastal harbors.
The deck of the J. & E. Riggin is the perfect place for parents to unwind, and these formative experiences for children can be life-altering and inspiring. How do we know? Captain Justin Schaefer himself first set foot aboard this very boat as a 12-year-old boy with his parents in the summer of 2005. Now, he invites you to come and enjoy the magic of the sea with us!
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Come along to experience all the night sky has to offer with the darkness of the new moon, the night sky will be filled with stars!
This adventure takes us off the beaten path to some of the darkest and most serene harbors for the best views of the nighttime sky. Join us for full days of sailing and nights filled with starry open skies.
Don’t forget to bring your sleeping bag & pad along if you wish to camp out beneath the stars!
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Lift your voice and join the fun with Geoff Kaufman singing songs that make raising the sails a breeze!
For over 30 years, Geoff Kaufman has been leading audiences to find truth, humor, and beauty in folk music. Geoff has entertained and touched audiences near and far singing songs of the sea, the earth, the heart and the spirit.
Ancient ballads, work songs, and songs of love; poignant songs of people in struggle, humorous glimpses of human foibles, and insights into history—all of these are likely to be woven into Geoff's performance on the Schooner J. & E. Riggin.
You can learn more about Geoff Kaufman at his website.
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Knitters of all levels are invited to join us on this 5-day/5-night adventure with Bristol Ivy to Knit Outside the Box!
Bristol Ivy is a knitting designer, teacher, and author from Bangor, Maine. Her work has been published with PomPom Magazine, amirisu, Quince & Co., Making Magazine, and her own eponymous pat tern line. She has taught at such events as Squam Art Workshops, Edinburgh Yarn Festival, and Vogue Knitting Live, as well as yarn shops worldwide.
Her recent books, Knitting Outside the Box and Knitting Outside the Box: Drape and Fold, both with PomPom Press, explore her lifelong commitment to breaking rules and finding beauty in unexpected places. When not knitting, she’s sewing, running, watching far too many murder mysteries, and baking a mean loaf of oatmeal honey bread.
Find her online at bristolivy.com and on Instagram as @bristolivy.
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Set your eyes to the skies!
This adventure takes us off the beaten path to some of the darkest and most serene harbors for the best views of the nighttime sky. This trip is scheduled over the peak of the Perseid Meteor Shower to give us the best chance of seeing a truly spectacular show.
Don’t forget to bring your sleeping bag & pad along if you wish to camp out beneath the stars!
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On this classic J. & E. Riggin adventure, we honor Maine’s most iconic imagery with the two things that have become synonymous with the Maine experience.
The Lighthouses
With over 20 lighthouses in our cruising ground of Penobscot Bay, seeing them all would be a feat, but we will see as many as possible during our cruise. Some of the lighthouses we might see are: Rockland Breakwater Light, Owls Head Light, Hockamock Head Light, Curtis Island, Marshall Point, Fort Point, Brown’s Head, Pumpkin Island, Saddleback Ledge Light, Goose Rocks Light, Grindle Point Light, Two Bush Island Light.
The Lobsters
One evening we will go ashore and enjoy a traditional Maine lobster bake with all you can eat fresh caught lobster, corn, and grilled steak from our local butcher. Chef Jocelyn will also feature lobster in other meals during your trip which could include Lobster Bisque; Lobster, Scallion & Alfredo Pizza; Maine Lobster Rangoon; Chilled Lobster Dip with Garlic Crostini; or Lobster Benedict.
So grab your camera and join us for a spectacular Maine Lighthouse & Lobster Cruise!
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It’s not too late to soak up the summer sun!
This adventure combines the warmth of the Maine summer with the crisp breezes of the fall that bring us some of our best sailing days of the year. This trip is perfect for a quick escape before autumn arrives.
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Join us for the Camden Windjammer Festival, an annual maritime celebration where the largest gathering of windjammers in the northeast takes place!
On Friday afternoon, we arrive with the rest of the fleet in Camden Harbor. The harbor will be filled with the sails and masts of nearly two dozen windjammers, schooners, and even a ketch. On shore, and in the harbor, there will be a variety of activities, games, and displays of maritime traditions and crafts. We will stay in Camden Harbor for the night.
As we will be dockside, you will be able to go ashore and enjoy the festivities including the Schooner Talent Show and fireworks over the harbor later in the evening. This is a great opportunity to see a variety of windjammers up close.
Before we arrive in Camden, we will spend the first part of this trip sailing along the coast and weaving our way around islands. One of these evenings we will anchor a little early for a traditional lobster bake.
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Knitters of all levels are invited to join us for a 6-day, 6-night retreat with Margaret Radcliffe.
A knitter for almost 60 years, a designer for more years than she cares to remember, and a teacher for more than 30, Maggie is the author of four popular knitting books: The Knitting Answer Book, The Essential Guide to Color Knitting Techniques, Circular Knitting Workshop, and The Knowledgeable Knitter.
Bring your current knitting projects and questions and enjoy wide-ranging knitting discussions geared to all levels of knitters and relaxed lessons tailored to your individual interests. Our theme this year will be “If you can knit a triangle, you can knit anything.” Maggie will lead you on a voyage of discovery through projects you can design right on the needles, as you knit, using any yarn, any needle size, to fit any body. Free yourself from the tyranny of finding yarn to match pattern instructions and never have to make a gauge swatch again! Maggie will teach this truly creative, open-ended approach to knitting and will lead you gently into making scarves, shawls, bags, hats, and even sweaters, without a pattern.
As always, you can follow along on the planned knitting journey or take any side trips that entice you. Bring whatever projects you’d like to work on, or anything you need help with. Maggie is happy to help get projects over the rough patches!
For more information on Margaret Radcliffe, her books & patterns visit her website.
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You won’t want to miss this historic occasion to celebrate boatbuilding and seamanship!
On one set night we will sail into the harbor in Brooklin, Maine, home of the WoodenBoat School, store, and magazine. This fall gathering of the Maine Windjammers marks the last of the sailing season and includes refreshments from local sponsors, live music & dancing, and tours of the WoodenBoat grounds.
Nowhere else in the world can you see this many historic schooners under sail together.
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Come sail away on this rug-hooking getaway, hosted by 207 Creatives, a collaborative group of esteemed rug hookers who joined forces to create this one-of-a-kind rug hooking retreat off the Coast of Maine.
Our instructor for this adventure will be announced soon.
All materials except your personal hook and scissors will be included and you can meet your fellow sailors and ask all your questions before the trip by joining our private “Get Hooked at Sea” Facebook group. Class suitable for novices as well as experienced hookers – come one and all!
For more details, pricing, and availability, or to book your trip, visit 207 Creatives.
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On this classic J. & E. Riggin adventure, we honor Maine’s most iconic imagery with the two things that have become synonymous with the Maine experience.
The Lighthouses
With over 20 lighthouses in our cruising ground of Penobscot Bay, seeing them all would be a feat, but we will see as many as possible during our cruise. Some of the lighthouses we might see are: Rockland Breakwater Light, Owls Head Light, Hockamock Head Light, Curtis Island, Marshall Point, Fort Point, Brown’s Head, Pumpkin Island, Saddleback Ledge Light, Goose Rocks Light, Grindle Point Light, Two Bush Island Light.
The Lobsters
One evening we will go ashore and enjoy a traditional Maine lobster bake with all you can eat fresh caught lobster, corn, and grilled steak from our local butcher. Chef Jocelyn will also feature lobster in other meals during your trip which could include Lobster Bisque; Lobster, Scallion & Alfredo Pizza; Maine Lobster Rangoon; Chilled Lobster Dip with Garlic Crostini; or Lobster Benedict.
So grab your camera and join us for a spectacular Maine Lighthouse & Lobster Cruise!
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Each cocktail is crafted with the intention to combine unique flavors from around the world with fresh local ingredients from our community and our own backyard. Learn how to create delightful combinations of your own from our knowledgeable host or sit back and enjoy a cocktail pairing with hors d'oeuvres, dinner, or brunch. Mocktails are also available for those who do not wish to indulge in the available cocktail.
All tastings & pairings are included in the cost of the cruise.
-
Booking Closed for Private Charter
The trip you have selected has been chartered privately this season and is no longer available for booking. Please consider choosing another available cruise or give our office a call to inquire about other availabilities.
Interested in chartering the boat for an event or group of your own?
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Fall in Maine is synonymous with stunning landscapes in fiery hues as the leaves change colors and cool crisp breezes that make for some outstanding sailing!
Join us for our final trip of the season with fantastic sailing days, and cozy evenings in the warmth of the galley. Participate in fall activities like carving pumpkins and enjoy mulled cider aboard.
After our return to the dock, stick around for one final meal and join the crew to help us to take the sails off of the boat for the winter!
Sailing Schedule 2025
Please note that all themes & prices are subject to change until December of the previous year.
Discounts are Available for Early Booking & Our Loyal Returners
5% off all cruises* for first-time guests booking before February 1, 2025.
10% off all cruises* for returning guests booking before February 1, 2025.
Discounts and promotions are available for new reservations only. Only one offer can be applied to your reservation. Promotions may not be combined with any other offer, discount, or charter rate. Cancellation of trip and re-booking with a new discount or promotion is prohibited.
*Schooner discounts do not apply to the 207 Creatives Rug Hooking Getaway. Please visit their website for details, pricing, incentives, and discounts.
Deposits & Payments
A deposit of $350/bunk reserved is due at the time of booking for any cruise.
The balance is due 6 weeks before the start of your cruise.
Payment plans are available – call to make arrangements.
Cancellation Policy
Due to our small size, cancellations or rescheduling of dates affect us significantly. We limit the number of guests to a maximum 24 passengers each trip to keep our guests’ experience personal and customized. As a small, family-owned and operated business, this means that every booking is important to ensure an exclusive, authentic experience, and excellent service.
All cancellations made 8 weeks before your arrival are eligible for a refund less a $150 per person cancellation fee*. For cancellations made on or inside 8 weeks before your boarding date any and all payments are non-refundable unless we are able to rebook the entire space. If we are able to fill the entire space, any payments will be refunded less a $150 per person cancellation fee. If your space is not completely filled, any payments are forfeited.
If you need to change your trip date and do so before your final payment is made 6 weeks before sailing, any payments made can be applied to a future visit. If the date change happens on or inside of 6 weeks there is a $150 per person change fee. Trip dates may be changed once. Following a change in trip date, the funds become non-refundable.
*In the case of natural disaster or pandemic, please understand that we are a micro-small business, and we are unable to issue a refund.
Trip Cancellation Insurance Recommended
Because the Schooner J. & E. Riggin serves a limited number of guests, we strongly suggest that you purchase trip cancellation insurance. If you choose not to purchase trip insurance and an unforeseen event keeps you from being able to travel to us, we will be unable to refund your deposit and/or paid balance as set forth in our cancellation policy. We do not offer insurance directly but do recommend Allianz Travel Insurance at 1-866-884-3556. Of course, you may use any travel insurance company you prefer.
Not ready to sail yet?
Check out our schedule for next year and give yourself more time to plan.
Interested in chartering the whole boat?
We would love to host your group or event here! Visit our charter information page for more information about availability, pricing, and special events.
Give the Gift of Adventure!
We are happy to help you find a gift card of an appropriate value for the intrepid travelers in your life.