This is a one to three week sailing expedition on the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Maine. It is one of our original courses and, since 1965, has been a big part of how Outward Bound became what it is today. This course takes place on an open sailboat where students live aboard at sea for most of the course. Ideal students are ready for a team experience that is physically challenging and infinitely rewarding.
Course Area
The intricate and indented shoreline of the coast of Maine is unique along the North Atlantic seaboard. It is known for the picturesque beauty of its bays and harbors, rocky islands, and relative lack of development. Your course will begin at our Sea Program base at Wheeler's Bay in St. George, Maine.
The coast of Maine is rich in history. The islands still hold evidence of the Abenaki Indians. Early Europeans use of islands for farming and timber, the quarrying of granite, and centuries of fishing. Natural history is also abundant. The coast is home to a wide range of sea birds, seals, porpoise and the occasional whale. The many islands were once the peaks of a sunken mountain range, and the geology reflects its volcanic origins.
Course Description
Your sailing expedition will be demanding. Sailing windward takes teamwork and skill, navigation is complex at night and picking a route through shallow flats can be very challenging (and rewarding!). You will cruise under sail or oars (if there is no wind) all day. Alumni and instructors agree that arriving physically fit will enhance your experience and ability to do well on the course and ultimately allow you to take full advantage of every aspect of a your expedition. Your course will begin at Outward Bound's Sea Program base on Wheeler's Bay in St. George, Maine. Here you will get an introduction to your boat and get basic instruction. You will soon cast off lines and begin your adventure.
With the rising sun, we begin our day. After a refreshing and cleansing dip in the ocean, come to breakfast and a meeting to listen to a weather forecast and plan the day's route. Once you raise anchor you will row or sail all day taking turns navigating, handling lines, rowing, steering, etc. The cry of anchor is set from the bow watch means that you can furl the sails or stow the oars and begin cooking dinner and rigging the sleeping tarp.
Over dinner, enjoy the stars of the summer sky and relax as the boat rides peacefully at anchor. After an evening meeting to discuss tomorrow's plan or talk about the events of the day, you'll spread the oars across the boat to create a sleeping platform under the tarp, lay out your sleeping bags and crawl in. Throughout the night, everyone takes a shift awake at anchor watch making sure all is well and maybe journaling a bit, while the sleeping crew rocks gently to the motion of the boat.
Sail the spectacular Maine coast, where sheer granite cliffs meet the rhythm of pounding waves. Come learn small boat seamanship, sail handling, knots and navigation as you cruise the coast, living aboard our open 30-foot, ketch-rigged boats. Modeled after 19th-century whaling boats, Hurricane Island pulling boats are legendary on the coast of Maine.
What is a pulling boat?
Pulling boats are 30 foot open boats. Groups live, cook and sleep on board. Travel is either under sail or using oars. Groups spend some nights on shore but the majority of the nights are spent aboard under a tarp pitched between the masts.
To apply for this course click the apply button next to the course dates that work for you. The non-refundable application fee of $125 is due at the time of application. Full course tuition and in-course transportation fee are due within 60 days of course start date. Course tuitions listed do not include our application fee or transportation fee. You can also call one of our expert Admissions Advisors at 866-467-7651.