What’s the most common thing you hear about travel, boating, or even cruising specifically? What really makes cruising so special? The places? The boats? I’m sure you’re probably guessing where I’m going. What were you going to say? That’s right.
THE PEOPLE.
It’s the people that make it. You meet such incredibly diverse, interesting, funny, capable, courageous, quirky people while cruising. And, only by cruising do you meet such a wide range of people—from all ages, backgrounds, jobs, and cultures—with whom you can connect so immediately because of your bond over boats. That is, you have chosen to travel the world by boat and take on all the challenges and rewards that presents. The lifestyle itself creates an instant, undeniable connection.
This event, the last big item on our Maine 2024 list, a first-ever rendezvous of Outbound boats and their owners in Harpswell, ME, was no different. What made it? Say it with me …
THE PEOPLE!
August 2024
Three Islands in the New Meadows River, Maine
When the planning of this rendezvous was in its mere whisper phases—in the spring of 2024—Phillip and I had no idea what to even expect in Maine. Sure, folks can tell you about the gorgeous scenery, the succulent lobster and seafood, the hikes, the bikes, the friendly people, but you really have to go and experience it for yourself to truly get it. The glorious world of nature that opened up for us as we cruised through Maine could only be topped by a get together with a dozen other like-minded, incredibly diverse Outbound owners for a traditional lobster bake, boat rally, and fiercely competitive regatta.
The Outbound owners who dreamed this up—the notorious and now infamous Meg and Sandy aboard s/v Kennebec—were brave enough to invite a pack of wild boat owners to their family home in Maine in late August, 2024 for an Outbound rally.
Having never met anyone who had a “family home in Maine,” I expected to see a three story, glossy mansion with huge pillars in the front, eighteen foot ceilings, and perhaps lion sculptures on the porch, or maybe they’d be seal pups shooting water into a front-yard fountain (I have a vivid imagination), I was far more pleased with what I got—a comfortable, well-appointed, lived-in and happily used family home that offered the perfect backdrop for a fun, heartwarming lobster-infused get together.
When we first started pointing Ubiquitous toward the New Meadows River in mid-August of last year—after gorging ourselves on Portland, Camden, Boothbay Harbor, Bar Harbour, Mt. Desert Island and the like—we started chatting with our close friends and fellow Outbound owners, Leo and Diane, on s/v Orion. If you recall, Leo, was the Outbound owner who literally saved our very first cruising season on Ubiquitous back in 2021 when we were in desperate need of a new riser/elbow. Leo offered us his spare riser/elbow before even meeting us because that’s absolutely the guy he is. Leo has garnered such a reputation in the Outbound community—having met several other Outbound and other boat owners in the same manner, i.e., by offering them a desperately-needed helping hand or spare—that folks joke he has a spare for anything. “Need to change out your head? Go ask Leo, he may have a spare toilet aboard” became the running joke among Outbounders. With his heart of gold, smile of a thousand watts, and quick, adventurous wit, Leo is a standout in the Outbound community. Along with his wife, Diane, with her artistic flair, warm, welcoming heart, and never-ending thirst for “fun things to do,” the crew of Orion is always an enviable guest in boat gatherings.
Leo and Diane came up with the fun idea for the four of us—aboard Ubiquitous and Orion—to raft up for the first night in the New Meadows River and host a cocktail hour for all the Outbounders who came to the rendezvous. We were expecting 15-20+ people on each boat and the ideas for interesting cocktails, nibbles, host gifts, décor, etc. began to brew in the days leading up to the rendezvous. Diane is an expert party planner and she made découpage seashells for everyone as a parting gift. Phillip came up with the idea of a frameable map (of the area where the Outbound rendezvous was hosted) for all owners to sign and gift to Meg and Sandy for hosting. All told, the four of us—Leo, Diane, Phillip, and I—had a smashing time playing party hosts! The raft-up was a big hit and introduced us to a dozen more Outbound owners whom we now call close friends and communicate with regularly.
The next day, everyone gathered at Meg and Sandy’s place for a traditional lobster bake. This was the first lobster bake I had ever attended, and I had NO CLUE they would literally dig a hole in the ground for the fire and lay seaweed and a bed of fresh lobsters on top to steam right there atop the moist Maine soil. This country girl damn sure approved! Those lobsters were some of the best I’ve eaten in my life. And there were plenty. I think we each had at least two. Some had three! I’m not at liberty to say who, only that … it was worth it. ; )
The incredible team from Collection Yachts, who manufactures and sells Outbounds, also came to join us and brought every boat in attendance some custom Collection swag and goodies. Having John, Michael, Tate, and the entire Collection team in attendance made the event even more fun.
But, after the congenial festivities, we had to get serious. We all have sailboats for a reason, am I right? What is that reason?
Well, for men, it’s often … TO RACE! Ha! The third day of the rendezvous was devoted to an Outbound exclusive regatta around three points set up in the New Meadows River. There was some fierce competition—particularly in the startup—among the Outbound skippers with some strategic tacking, creative cursing, and somewhat-friendly heckling (lol), but it all ended in a sportsmanlike finish and great fun for all who sailed in the race. Although I captured a few quality shots during the race, the Collection Yachts team employed an incredible photographer—Cory Silken out of Newport—to come and photograph both the race and the rendezvous and put together a glossy, high-quality photo book from the rendezvous that every owner was grateful and humbled to get. What a memento from an unforgettable time with new and old friends.
All told, Phillip and I could not have sailed away from the Outbound rendezvous more fulfilled and excited about all the adventures we have ahead, both in our amazing boat Ubiquitous, and with our new set of hilarious, adventurous, resourceful friends. What more could cruisers ask for? Our time in Maine definitely solidified for us that we are spending our years wisely—among people who feel and think like us and are driven to savor every experience available. Cruisers are not afraid to get their hands dirty. They don’t let unexpected obstacles dampen their mood, or their drive. And, they simply have the best stories. Period. No matter how and where we travel, for Phillip and I, it will always be about the people.
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