Aerial view of Bucks Harbor Marina surrounded by green forest and water, with docks and boats, under a partly cloudy sky.
Several sailboats on calm water with forested shoreline in the background, black and white photo.

Classic Sailing Opportunities in Maine

Historic vessels such as Herreshoffs and Aldens are often preserved as museum pieces, with little opportunity for the public to experience them underway. We’d like to change that.

Sailors have been coming to the Eggemoggin Reach for hundreds of years, and Buck’s Harbor was once home to a thriving fleet of classic knockabouts. The Maine Classic Boat Collective was founded to reconnect people with that heritage by offering access to living history through our collection.

We provide opportunities to get out on the water for sailors of all ages and skill levels, though some vessels require instructor checkout prior to solo use. All of our boats are maintained to U.S. Coast Guard safety standards, so you can sail with confidence.

Every rental includes:

  • All required safety gear, including flares, a first-aid kit, and fire safety equipment

  • iPad-mounted Navionics navigation, with a full orientation provided during your briefing

  • Electric Torqeedo propulsion on most vessels

  • A cooler for lunches and beverages, with ice and additional provisions available as add-ons if requested

Our process for rentals is fairly simple.

  • Anyone can access our smaller boats. The 12 1/2, Marlin, Pearson Ensign etc. All applicants will need to submit their experience - you can make a booking without payment, and from there we start the application process. Applications are approved within 24 hours generally.

  • If you’d like to sail our larger fleet a membership is required. These can be somewhat complicated boats and the membership allows us to take time to get you out on the boat with us so we can both feel comfortable.

  • Once you’ve purchased a membership you can now make bookings on our entire fleet. You’ll receive 30% off every booking you make, and also get 1 complimentary sail per season. A Full Season membership is good for 12 months, and a weekly memberships is good for 7 days.

I’m looking for….

  • Four people sailing on a small boat with white sails on a sunny day, American flag at the stern, on a large body of water with a distant shoreline and partly cloudy sky.

    Easy Daysailing

    We’ve thoughtfully curated our fleet to make classic day sailing more accessible. Three knockabouts are available to non-members and can be sailed with friends, or singlehanded with application and instructor approval. Our 12½ Cricket, Herreshoff Marlin Nat, and Herreshoff Petrel Ibis are all ready to sail—and yes, we even have a Pearson Ensign waiting for you.

    Go for a Sail
  • A group of four people sailing on a boat in the water, with a large sail and distant land in the background.

    Seasonal and Weekly Membership

    Seasonal and Weekly Members enjoy access to our larger fleet—an approach that ensures everyone feels confident and comfortable aboard our more complex boats.

    Membership benefits include:

    Access to our larger 30’ knockabouts for group bookings, including the Dark Harbor 20, the 1927 Herreshoff S-Class, and the 1925 John Alden Triangle

    30% off all fleet bookings

    One complimentary sail per season

    Access to our monthly Community Sails aboard Elf

    Purchase a Seasonal Membership
  • Sailboat docked at a marina with the name 'EY' and 'Earleville, MD' on the hull, featuring a wooden deck and furled sails.

    Classic Sailing aboard ELF

    Elf was built in 1888 at the Lawley Yard in Boston, Massachusetts. A forerunner of small yacht racing, she is America’s oldest active racing sailing yacht. Elf carries a classic gaff-cutter rig and a flush deck that allows for easy movement aboard—making her an absolute joy to sail.

    Elf is available for private charter for daysails, special events, weddings, and regattas.

    Book a trip on ELF

  • We offer a wide range of ways to get you out on the water. For our basic knockabouts, we ask that you have some dinghy experience. If you are brand new to sailing its best to bring a friend! The booking process includes a small application where you can tell us about your sailing skills

  • Full Season and Weekly Memberships provide access to our larger fleet (more complicated boats). You’ll also receive exclusive access to our online scheduling system, and 30% off your rental bookings. All memberships come with 1 complimentary sail.

  • Yes! We offer chartered vessels with USCG licensed captains. All of our boats are restricted to 6 passengers or less. You can also hire a captain for any of your daysailors if you’d like.

  • Almost all of our rentable vessels carry a Torquedo Electric Outboard on board. We provide all the safety equipment and navigation aids as well. We are close-by incase you need a tow

  • Our “Easy Knockabouts” are available for booking online. Simply fill out the form and send in the application.

  • We are always looking for good people. Give us a email at info@bucksharbor.com.

Frequently Asked Questions