Ocean Sails

PLEASE NOTE – Parade of Sail and Sail to Gloucester trips – SOLD OUT

Sail aboard an historic tall ship

If you’ve ever enjoyed or even imagined the thrill of sailing the high seas, the Piscataqua Maritime Commission can help make it happen.

Every summer, often during Sail Portsmouth, the commission provides sailing trips on tall ships.

This year, the topsail schooner an 1812 privateer replica, Lynx, will provide a variety of sailing trips. Her first sail with passengers is Thursday, August 11 when she will participate in the 2022 Parade of Sail. She will conduct 2-hour trips on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and will conclude on August 16 with a one-way trip from Portsmouth to Gloucester.

Passengers come aboard for all kinds of reasons. Many just enjoy a day on the Atlantic Ocean. Others are motivated by a desire to learn about our maritime history in a real-time setting. Still others like the idea of sharing the experience with a date or grandchildren. Whatever the inspiration, passengers are welcome to help the crew with various tasks like raising, dropping and furling the sails or just relaxing and watching the coastline drift by.

Sail from New Castle, NH to Gloucester, MA

Join the crew on the first leg of her voyage back to Nantucket for an all-day sail. You will cruise along the beautiful New Hampshire/Massachusetts coastline in the company of sea birds, marine life; maybe even whales. You will step back in time as you relive history aboard an 1812 privateer. You may wish to help the crew steer or manage the sails. Or, you may choose to just relax and soak up the experience. The voyage normally is seven hours but could be shorter or longer depending on conditions.

The trip begins at the UNH Pier, Sullivan Lane, New Castle, New Hampshire and ends at Gloucester Maritime Heritage Dock, 23 Harbor Loop, Gloucester, Massachusetts.

Feel free to bring a picnic including wine and beer as food is not served on board.

The trip is one-way. Most passengers arrange their own transportation home, usually by meeting friends or family in Gloucester to explore the town and enjoy dinner at one of the local restaurants. If no one is meeting you, you can arrange transportation back to Portsmouth in advance by emailing pvonhemert@sailportsmouth.org.

All net proceeds go to Sail Portsmouth’s Sea Challenge Scholarship Fund to support deserving high school youth who participate in experiential learning programs at sea on tall ships. So almost all the money raised can go to programming, Sail Portsmouth is an all-volunteer, 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization with no paid staff and no office.

Notice: Passengers must be ambulatory, agile, and at least 6 years old (8 years for the trip to Gloucester).