Publishers and Writers Set Sail to Benefit Maine Sailors

Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors writer Art Paine showed recently that he can drive a boat as well as well as spin a story. He skippered the Maine magazine’s “Boatyard Dogs” to an overwhelming win at the Sail Maine Corporate Regatta on Sept. 15 in Portland.

Paine, his son Nat, Publisher John Hanson, and Editor Polly Saltonstall beat out 10 other teams with three firsts in four races in Sail Maine‘s J-22s to win the trophy. Second place went to Demers Ketchum, third to Hussey Seating, and fourth to Curtis Thaxter. The event raised money for Sail Maine‘s sailing programs for high school students and others in the Portland area.

Throughout Sail Maine‘s existence, the organization has promoted the sport of sailing in a manner that offers access to the local community as a whole, not just the few. In the Portland area, the nonprofit is based at the Casco Bay Community Boating Center (CBCBC), located at 58 Fore Street. The CBCBC serves as the physical home to a number of programs supported by Sail Maine, the University of Southern Maine, Maine Special Olympics Sailing, Rippleffect, and the Compass Project boat building program. On Penobscot Bay farther downeast, Sail Maine affiliate Windward Passage offers a scholarship program providing high school students with affordable opportunities for traditional sail training aboard the 50′ gaff-rigged sloop Vela.

Sail Maine also provides logistical support and resources to other Maine sailing organizations, helping to involve people in sailing opportunities.