Atlantic Challenge

Every two years, a dozen nations convene for a friendly competition and cross cultural gathering were crews showcase their seamanship skills in a series of rowing, sailing, docking, knot tying and navigation events, and build friendly ties with the international crews.

Beyond on-the-water skills, the Contest will further global understanding and build friendly ties internationally. is one small way we can help move quarreling humanity toward a path of cooperation and peace. We believe getting young people together in boats, learning difficult manual skills, competing for shared success and living and eating together for 12 days has the power to transcend cultural, political and linguistic barriers. Indeed, this is the basis for the development of trust, connection and friendship.

Contestants are young adults: all crew members must be over 15; at least half will be under 22.

The Contest events take place in the Bantry Bay gigs, which are copies of 18th-century French Navy Captain’s gigs. These vessels are 38ft long and are powered by three sails and ten oars. Each nation has their own vessel for the contest.

Lance Lee, of Rockland, Maine, co-founded the Atlantic Challenge International Contest of Seamanship with Bernard & Michelle Cadoret, of France in 1984 as a way to bring young adults of different cultures together while also preserving traditional seamanship. The first two gigs Liberté and Egalité were built at the Rockport Apprenticeshop, in Rockport, Maine and the first Contest was held in New York City in July 1986.

More than 80 gigs have been built by 16 nations for participation in Atlantic Challenge. Typically 12 nations gather for the biennial Contest of Seamanship.

There has been a Contest every two years from 1986-2018. Atlantic Challenge USA is hosting the 2024 Contest.

Blue Hill Maritime Heritage Festival

Mission Statement: To celebrate and preserve the significance of Blue Hill Bay to our history, economy and culture

This festival will take place on August 3rd at Blue Hill, Maine’s historic village waterfront. Various activities will be occurring throughout the day, such as boat building demonstrations, oar carving, traditional boats on display, kiosks of organizations supporting or involved with Blue Hill Bay. On the water there will be more boats, demonstrations, many offering rides. Musicians will be adding to the maritime atmosphere with sea shanties and fiddle tunes. The Downeast Chapter of the Traditional Small Craft Association will be hosting and cosponsoring. bhmhf.org

The Downeast Chapter of the Traditional Small Craft Association is proud to host and help sponsor the Festival. The Blue Hill Maritime Heritage Festival is scheduled for Saturday, August 5, 2023. We are planning a fun summer day by the bay, with a lot of maritime and historical related activities: boats, and boat building demonstrations, art on the lawn, sea shanties, seafood and more. If you’d like to participate, sponsor or volunteer let us know. Come join us for that fun summer day by the bay.

If you have a business or belong to an organization that would like to participate please fill out and submit: Exhibitor Contract(PDF) The Town of Blue Hill considers anyone not in a building to be a mobile vendor and therefore requires a permit if selling merchandise on town property. We will forward a permit application once your Exhibitor Contract is accepted.

Festival Content: Content should relate to Blue Hill Peninsula’s maritime heritage, Blue Hill Bay and it’s ecology.

There is no admission fee for the Festival. Donations to help fund the Festival will be accepted and appreciated. Contact [email protected] if you’re interested in making a tax deductible contribute to help support the Festival.

The Festival will be held in Blue Hill’s historic village, centered on the scenic waterfront. Various activities will be occurring throughout the day, such as boat building demonstrations, wood carving, traditional boats on display, kiosks of organizations supporting or involved with the bay. On the water there will be more boats, many offering rides. Musicians will be adding to the maritime atmosphere with sea shanties and fiddle tunes.

Festival activities start on Water Street, at the Blue Hill Historical Society’s Holt House. They will have ship captain’s artifacts on display along with other items depicting Blue Hill’s history. Across the street from the Holt House, Charlie the shark will be directing folks to the Shaw Institute. They will have their new touch tank, displays and docents explaining their environmental work and offering a microscopic look into the waters of our bay.

At the historic Pendleton House, PNB Interior Design/Arts will have nautical block print art, on paper, on kids tee shirts, and more. While next door at Bears n’ Me Captain Lee and Windrose Productions will have nautical books and DVD’s.

SeaLoft is across the street featuring women’s apparel, home goods, and gifts for all.

At the Town Wharf, The Downeast Chapter of the Traditional Small Craft Association will have boats on display and in the water, many offering rides. Hewes & Co. Marine Division will be explaining their CNC business, Wilson Museum with their rope making machine and very popular toy boats and pool, and Maine Maritime Academy will be under the tent. On the wharf Chase Small Craft, Brooks Boat Design, George Stevens Academy, and Cottrell Boatbuilding will also be joining us this year.

Emerson Park, adjacent to the Town Wharf, will be packed full of exhibitors. Penobscot Marine Museum will be returning bringing their popular photo booth.

Boats Partial list, check back for updates. On display (D) available for rides (R) sail (S)

St Ayles Skiff – Blue Hill Community Rowing, R
North Haven Peapod TSCA, R
Nutshell Pram, TSCA, R
Shellback Dingy, TSCA, R
Stelmok 15′ solo canoe, TSCA, R
Deblois Street Sailing and Rowing Dory, TSCA, R, S
Compass Skiff 10, CSC, D, R
Echo Bay Dory Skiff, CSC, D, R
Points East Pram, CSC, D, R
Acorn 17, DSC, D
Drake 17, TSCA, D

Harry Bryan Thistle Fin Boat, TSCA, Peddle
CLC Chester Yawl 15, TSCA, D
Caledonia Yawl 19, TSCA, D

MUSIC – We have a great line up of musicians scheduled to play at “The Window of the Sea Wind” sculpture by Hitoshi Tanaka in Emerson Park.

10:00 AM – Waterbound

11:00 AM – April Grant

12 PM – Handsome Molly

1 PM -Stephen Sanfilippo

2 PM – Castlebay

3 PM – Calico

FOOD – Stone Fox Farm Creamery – Homemade ice cream

There will be water available donated by Mt Desert Spring Water

SPEAKER SERIES – Blue Hill Historical Society in conjunction with the Maritime Heritage Festival will present a series of talks at the Blue Hill Public Library and at Bagaduce Music.

Chase Small Craft – Spring Open Shop

JOIN US TO CELEBRATE SPRING AND THE COMING BOATING SEASON

Join us! Friends, customers, associates, vendors and supporters to talk boats, boat building, and the joy of making and using small boats. We will have light snacks and refreshments. Hopefully, the weather is good and doors will be open and the backyard displaying the boats that are here for a look see. Feel free to spread the word and bring family or friends. See you soon!

Park anywhere in our lot, preferably further in towards the end if there is space. Overflow parking can be found immediately one driveway south, if needed. Park there walk over.

Parking update!

If there are pick ups happening at the karate studio next door, you can park in the next lot south of us in the old driving range. There is a sandy pull off type area with plenty of room and a path to walk over to our property.

Contact Info: Clint Chase cell #207-602-9587 and if needed as back up Katy Nicketakis cell #207-615-9500

Maine Boat & Home Show (CANCELLED EVENT)

(CANCELLED)

The Maine Boat & Home Show is back, August 9 – 11, 2024. If you love the coast of Maine, you won’t want to miss this high-end, high-summer event in Rockland, Maine, the second weekend in August. Each year we gather Maine’s finest artists, architects, boatbuilders, craftsmen, designers, furniture makers, jewelers, and marine gear vendors together in ONE place at ONE time! Meet them all in person at the annual Maine Boat & Home Show.

Elegant Boats
Live Music
Food Court
Fine Furniture & Jewelry
Just for Kids Area

It’s the pages of Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors magazine brought to life and the largest in-water boat show north of Newport, Rhode Island, with more than 60 boats in the water and on land plus additional exhibitors in tents.

2024 SHOW SCHEDULE & TICKETS

Dates: August 9-11, 2024

Times: Friday: 10-5, Saturday: 10-5, Sunday: 10-4

Location: On the waterfront in Rockland, Maine (Harbor Park)

Parking: Secure paid parking is available right next to the show in the DST Systems lot on Water Street. Proceeds benefit a trio of local nonprofits. Some handicap parking on Myrtle Street next to Walgreens.

Please Note: For the safety and comfort of all, only bona fide service animals, preferably marked as such can be allowed on show grounds. Also, we love young sailors, but strollers are not compatible with the show docks. Please plan ahead. Thanks in advance for your consideration.

Blue Hill Maritime Heritage Festival

Blue Hill Maritime Heritage Festival will be a day-long event focusing on Blue Hill’s historic connection with the sea. It will be held in conjunction with Maine200, Maine’s state-wide bicentennial celebration, supported by many local organizations and businesses. Boats are welcome, on land or on water. There is room for informational kiosks at the wharf or at Emerson Park as well as seminars at the public library or Shaw Institute.

The Festival will be held in Blue Hill’s historic village, centered on the scenic waterfront. Various activities will be occurring throughout the day, such as boat building demonstrations, traditional boats on display, kiosks of organizations supporting or involved with the bay. On the water there will be more boats, demonstrations, and races.

Take a short stroll over to the Holt House to see how a sea captain lived back when. Then up to the Blue Hill Public Library to view an historic film, hear a talk on our rich maritime history. While throughout the village stores and restaurants will be taking part in the festival.

There will be plenty to entertain: sea shanties, birch bark canoes, artists, crafts, a photo contest, and more attractions are being added.

At the end of the day there will be closing party at a time yet to be determined. Check the website for more details.

Supporting Organizations and Businesses



		KINGMAN GALLERY

2019 Small Reach Regatta

The idea of the SRR is to gather together small sail-and-oars boats for sailing, with the same kind of camaraderie and appreciation that the ERR has established. We will sail on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. This year, we plan a one-way sail from Herrick Bay to the waters off the campground, where we’ll anchor, so secure anchoring ability is especially important. The next day will be a return to Herrick Bay. Final haulouts, trailering, and departure will take place on Sunday, July 28, vacating the campground before noon and the boatyard as soon as possible.

Click here for full details about the event and how to sign up.

Boating safety is always a priority at the SRR, and the fleet is accompanied at all times by a chase fleet, usually six fast powerboats. Participating boats are required to meet a checklist of safety equipment. Our safety demonstrations in years past have included a firing of emergency flares and a deliberate capsize and self-recovery. We take safe seamanship seriously.

E-mail is our preferred method of communication. We’ll get back to you as soon as we can. We hope to see you this summer on the coast of Maine!

For more information, contact

Tom Jackson <[email protected]>; or
David Wyman, <[email protected]>.

Gathering of Traditional Small Boats at the Wilson Museum

A Gathering of Traditional Small Boats

It’s a boat show!

No, it’s a ribbon-cutting!

No, it’s a program with speakers!

No, it’s a yummy food event!

Actually, it’s ALL OF THE ABOVE!

The Downeast Chapter of the Traditional Small Craft Association is pleased to sponsor the dedication of the Wilson Museum’s new Antique Boat Exhibit and Boat Shop on July 3, 2019 beginning mid-morning. This will be a great opportunity to see a wide variety of small boats and chat with their knowledgeable and enthusiastic owners.

At 11 a.m. Penobscot Marine Museum Curator, Ben Fuller, will give a talk entitled On Matinicus It’s a Double-Ender about small peapods.

The aromas from the outdoor bake oven will entice attendees across the street at noon to sample Museum-made bean-hole beans, pulled pork, blueberry buckle, as well as a variety of smoked fish (mackerel, alewives, or smelt) from the Downeast Salmon Federation’s smoker.

At 2 p.m. take part in the Exhibit and Boat Shop ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony followed by Tom Jackson, senior editor at WoodenBoat, giving a talk entitled Modern Small Craft: Building on Tradition about the current use of traditional small craft. Then, to top it off, there will be a showing of the WoodenBoat video The 2015 Small Reach Regatta provided by Small Reach Regatta.

This event is free and open to the public! It’s a boat-enthusiast’s dream day—don’t miss it!

At Home Rowing Regatta Fundraiser and Salvage Sale

At Home will have its first annual Rowing Regatta fundraiser held at Hinckley’s on Saturday, June 15, 2019. All proceeds from the event will support the guaranteed nurse visits. There will also be a marine salvage sale from 9-2. Click here and scroll down for registration forms and more information.

At Home is a non-profit, member based, volunteer supported, medical model that provides elder residents of the Mount Desert Island community and the Blue Hill peninsula with essential services empowering them to continue to live safely in their homes as they age.

For more information please call the main office at: (207)374-5852 or send us an email: [email protected]

Any human powered boat
Food will be available for purchase

Thank you to our top sponsor, First National Bank. www.thefirst.com

Head of the Charles Regatta Level

Hinckley Company, Southwest Harbor

Stanley Subaru, Trenton

Henley Royal Regatta Level

Machias Savings Bank, Bar Harbor

Australian Rowing Championships Level

Carroll Drug Store, Southwest Harbor

National Park Canoe Rental, Mount Desert

Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors, Rockland

Maine Holiday Wreaths, Ellsworth

Mount Desert Island Lions Club, Mount Desert Island

Maine Boatbuilders Show

The organizers say, “A gathering of the finest fiberglass and wooden custom boat builders on the East Coast. Also exhibiting numerous manufacturers of boating equipment. Sailboats, powerboats, canoes, kayaks, and rowing boats with the builders there to discuss and sell their work.”

Friday March 22, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday March 23, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday March 24, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Admission is $15.00 per day at the door. Children under 12 accompanied by adults will be admitted free.

Limited, complimentary handicapped parking. (First come first serve) Access the Free Shuttle Bus at Maine Boatbuilders Show Signs posted along Warren Ave (offered by VIP Tour and Charter Bus Company). Visit out Facebook Page for more information.

Don’t FORGET our Exhibitors Party on FRIDAY night to celebrate our 31 years!

Maine Maritime Academy Alumnae Auction all three days.
To donate contact Steve Rendall – (207) 329-1515: [email protected]
All proceeds fund Maine Maritime Academy programs.

Volunteer at The Show!
Help us at the Doors of the Show for 4 hours and earn Free Show Admission and a Volunteer T-Shirt!

Please go to the Maine Boatbuilders Show Volunteer SignUp Page. You will find days, times and descriptions there.
Volunteer Coordinator, Kerry Ratigan: [email protected]

Produced by: Portland Yacht Services (207) 774-1067

Sparmaking Workshop

Learn how to make masts and other spars at the Sparmaking Workshop at Chase Small Craft’s shop in Saco, Maine. Bring the family: with a water park across the street and so close to Old Orchard Beach, there is plenty for the family to do while you learn the ropes. You will learn the birdsmouth technique as well as tips on how to make your spars smooth, straight, and sturdy. This is a 5-day workshop, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Across the Bar: Dave Getchell, Sr., Founder of Maine Island Trail

Posted on November 15, 2018April 21, 2020 by Anne Bryant

From Doug Welch of Maine Island Trail Association:

“It is with a sense of loss and reverence that I must announce that Dave Getchell, Sr. passed away at home Saturday night at age 89. A self-effacing soul, ‘Getch’ called himself co-founder of the Maine Island Trail, although he was our de facto leader.

“In 1987, following a period of exploration of Maine’s state-owned islands in his trusty tin boat, TORNGAT, Getch declared, ‘In studying this bounty, it occurred to me that here was a rare chance to develop an outstanding waterway for small boats.’ He further suggested that this unusual ‘water trail’ could be managed by the people who used it: The Maine Island Trail Association. These ideas met with mixed response, with some 500 people joining MITA in its first year and others expressing concern. Undaunted, Getch and his followers (you) persevered and multiplied for the next 30 years with the result being the Trail and organization we know today.”

Raise a pint to Getch today, and have look at his article about the trip that launched the trail.

His full obituary follows:

David R. Getchell Sr., 89, author, editor and outdoorsman, died as he wished, at home and surrounded by family, Nov. 10, 2018.

Over the course of 22 years, he was managing editor and editor of the Maine Coast Fisherman, National Fisherman, and founding editor of the Small Boat Journal and the Mariner’s Catalog in Camden. Later, he co-founded the Maine Island Trail and created the Georges Highland Path, a 40-mile hiking trail system in the Midcoast, for Georges River Land Trust. In 1994, he edited and was lead author of The Outboard Boater’s Handbook.

Active in the founding or operation of several nonprofit environmental organizations, he always made time for his favorite sport of surf fishing. He also partnered in 1980 with mountaineer Geof Heath of Hammondsport, N.Y., in a month-long two-man climbing expedition of 400 miles along the Labrador coast in an 18-foot open boat.

In the early 1980s, he and his wife, Dorrie, made a number of long bicycle trips, the most ambitious being a five-month, 8,000-mile cross-country tour to the West Coast and back to Maine. Both considered this a high point in a happy marriage of 67 years.

Getchell was born in Bangor, the son of George V. and Nettie R. Getchell. He graduated from Bangor High School, attended Bowdoin College and graduated from the University of Maine in Orono with a degree in journalism. He served in the Army as an infantry training officer.

He is survived by his wife, Dorrie; his son, David Jr., of Camden; his daughter, Heidi, and her husband, David Perkins, of Lincolnville; a sister, Virginia E. Naugler, of Hartford, Conn., two granddaughters, Ali and Holly Perkins, of Lincolnville; two nephews, Robert Verrier III of Cumberland and James S. Naugler of LaCrosse, Wis.; a niece, Michelle Verrier, of Cody, Wyo.; a sister-in-law, Barbara Hall, of Westbrook; and two cousins, Betty Heald of Lincolnville and Marjorie Lucas of Florida. A niece, Martha Kaul, of Lincoln, Neb., predeceased him.

A celebration of his life and work will be held Nov. 18 at Bay View Point Event Center, 18 Spring St., Belfast, from 1 to 4 pm. Donations in memory of Mr. Getchell may be made to the Maine Island Trail Association, 100 Kensington St., 2nd floor, Portland, ME 04103; the Georges River Land Trust, 8 North Main St., Suite 200, Rockland, ME 04841; or Friends of Baxter State Park, P.O. Box 322, Belfast, ME 04915-0322.

New England Junket: 2nd Annual Junk Rig Gathering

The New England Junket will happen this year on Labor Day weekend, in Gouldsboro Bay, Maine. This is a gathering of Junk Rig Association members and others who sail junk rigged boats and/or are interested in junk rig. Emphasis is on sailing together and visiting, in the context of sharing information and interest in junk rigs.

Accommodations: Protected anchorages are nearby and a small number of moorings are available. Camping is available about 3 miles away at Mainayr Campground, which boasts tidal access to Joy Bay, at the head of Gouldsboro Bay. There are two nearby boat ramps, one tidal, the other deepwater and paved. One is on Joy Bay, and the other on the west shore of Gouldsboro Bay, just south of the narrows into Joy Bay.

Gorgeous sailing is to be had in Gouldsboro Bay and outside of it to the east and west. Gouldsboro Bay is approximately 10 miles east of Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Park, and about halfway between Penobscot Bay and the Bay of Fundy.

For more information, or to RSVP, please contact Shemaya, at [email protected]

For online information, see:
Junk Rig Sailing Facebook page (scroll down for event notice)
Junk Rig Association member events listing

Sail Training Camp: Downeast Foxfire with Arista Holden

Greenhorns is pleased to present our first sail training program: Starting at Liberty Hall in Machiasport, Maine and visiting islands, coves, and historic sites while immersing students in the wild coastal ecology of Downeast Maine, this 10-day course offers a birch bark crafting workshop, traditional seamanship training, and naturalist adventure. You will learn to row and sail aboard 18th-century Bantry Bay gigs.

For details and to enroll please talk to [email protected], $450 for 10 days, scholarships available.

Greenhorns, is a 10 year-old organization that produces grassroots media and cultural programming for and about the young farmers movement, is located in Pembroke ME. We engage in publishing and cultural work for a national audience, as well as developing locally-oriented educational events including our “naturalist adventure” summer camp series that supports the entry of young people into sustainable agriculture.

Maine Small Craft Celebration

The inaugural Maine Small Craft Celebration will be a two-day event held on the shores of the Fore River in Portland. Occurring during the autumnal equinox, the MSCC will provide participants an opportunity to celebrate the end of New England’s boating season as we start dreaming and planning for next year’s boat, upgrade, or adventure.

Exhibitors will have small boats (sail, oar, and power) on display in both water and on land. Demonstrations, workshops, and lectures will be given throughout the event focusing on building, maintaining, and safely operating small boats.

The most unique feature will be on the water where visitors can “Try it—Like it.” Designers and builders will be there to discuss and demonstrate the features of their boats. Visitors will be able to take them for a test “drive” after learning the particulars about that craft.

There will also be boat races, easily viewed from shore, demonstrations on rigging and rowing techniques, and boat tours of Portland harbor. Back on land there will be a large exhibitor’s area.

A juried boat contest, a nautical flea market, and a children’s marine craft area are being organized. There will be plenty of music, local food, and craft beer available throughout the weekend.

Businesses and organizations that would like to participate in this celebration should contact [email protected] for more information.

International Maritime Film Festival

The International Maritime Film Festival (IMFF) is a juried contest of films celebrating the heritage, spirit of adventure, and ingenuity of boats and waterborne pursuits. It is the premier event for maritime-themed filmmaking.

The IMFF is a joint venture between Main Street Bucksport (MSB) and WoodenBoat Publications, Inc. (WBPI), in Brooklin, Maine. Bucksport’s state-of-the-art Alamo Theatre will host a gala awards event on the weekend of September 29-October 1, 2017.