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MEET YOUR HOSTS
| Captain Rick
has been on or around boats his entire life. Over the past three
decades the sailor's life has found Rick fishing year-round on the
Grand Banks between Gloucester and Newfoundland. Rick fished for Bob
Brown (of ‘Perfect Storm’ fame) and in the offshore lobster industry
for many years as a young man. After leaving the fisheries, he made a
career of sailing traditional schooners on oceans between Maine, and
the West Indies. Capt. Rick also owned and operated the 96’ traditional
pilot schooner Timberwind for twelve years. Timberwind had no engine on
board so he relied solely on the wind, weather and tide to sail the
rugged Maine coast. Rick does all of the repair and engine maintenance
with mechanical expertise gained from decades as captain aboard off
shore fishing vessels. Rick enjoys company in Wanderbird’s wheel house
where he is most at home. With Rick's love of seafaring, capabilities
as a captain, and his jovial nature, you will come to feel like old
friends or rather ‘shipmates’ after a day aboard. |  |
| Karen Miles is also a licensed ship captain, from a Maine coast fishing family. She holds a U.S. 200 on licence and is a capable hand in all areas of seamanship. She enjoys being the ship’s night skipper, mate, chief cook, welder, carpenter, or photographer all equally as much. She has spent the last 15 years on the water aboard vessels ranging from schooners to square riggers to fishing vessels, and is very proud to have worked along side her father as a lobster fisherman. She has formal training in art and commercial design, but embraces a strong ‘can-do’ spirit that comes from growing up on the Maine coast. Karen did the mechanical drawings for the conversion of Wanderbird from rough fishing vessel to a classic little ship with fine wood interiors, and she did a good bit of woodwork aboard the ship. She spends most winters working as a fine furniture maker or restoration carpenter, as well as an artist. She invites you to come aboard and photograph amazing wildlife along side her. You will really love her care and attention to detail for your comfort. |  |
Pilot & Maggie: Super friendly seafarers and sail on every cruise!
Their story:
Rick & Karen met while sailing Penobscot Bay on the Maine Coast, each working aboard different vessels. Rick says: “She came by my boat one day, almost 15 years ago... walked right by me and sat down with my loyal (and now 16 year old), black lab "Pilot". I thought Karen had come to meet me, but I was wrong. I was able to divert her attention from Pilot, and the rest is history! Karen, Pilot and I have sailed over 30,000 miles together and we all still love each day together... and all of our adventures!
In 2002, we purchased Wanderbird as a fishing vessel in Europe, sailed her across the Atlantic Ocean back to Maine and on to Nova Scotia where we live. Wanderbird was selected for her hull design, steel thickness and quality, and for her fine and efficient slow revolution engine. We gut her to bare steel, leaving only the engine and basic systems in place. Over the course of one very intense winter with lots of talented hands, Wanderbird was refit.
We have used each of our personal experiences and worked together to create Wanderbird for adventuring far and wide with guests in both safety and comfort.
PARADISE CONNECTIONS YACHT
CHARTERS
Your Yacht Charter / Sailing Vacation Specialists
www.ParadiseConnections.com
Your Yacht Charter / Sailing Vacation Specialists
www.ParadiseConnections.com