The plan for the weekend is to attend the Seven Seas Cruising Association gam in Ilseboro, Maine, and then we hear about the Eggomoggin Reach wooden boat regatta. We anguish, up anchor, and turn left rather than right, heading for Brooklin.

The Eggomoggin takes place under the auspices of Wooden Boat Magazine (which is related to the Wooden Boat Building School and Professional Boat Builder Magazine). If you are a woody, old or new, you can come and play, which leads to an interesting mix. The New York 50 above has a brand new Steven Waring design off her stern and a more traditional modern sloop on the bow. Notice the mainsail plan forms. Given modern materials, the gaff headed main with topsail is more efficient than the triangular shaped sail off the wind and close uphill.

Note: there is a link to more photos in a high res collection at the end of this blog.

A 1903 New York 30, with a modern rig, looking lovely as she reaches along in late afternoon.

The anchorage is filled with fascinating craft, including this 110 year old steam powered yacht, acting as mothership to the New York 30 tied alongside.

Some have come to watch like us and the British owners of this John Alden inspired schooner.

This traditional fishing vessel cum yacht has some interesting features.

Race day, the sun is shining, and there’s a sea breeze awaiting, if you can get out of the windless hole at the starting line.

The diminutive 110 is out to prove waterline isn’t everything, especially in a drifting match.

The fleet is pulled along by the ebbing current.

With her tall rig sniffing the breeze aloft the New York 50 is first to the sea breeze front. She is absolutely flying in these six to eight winds.

This brand new Steve Waring design, starts ten minutes behind the New York 50, and we wonder if she has the legs to catch the older yacht?

Another hard charging gaff rig. Compare these sails to those of the NY50. These are much fuller, and we suspect not as efficient close to the wind.

A modern schooner giving a good account of herself. Notice the clean bow wave and lack of fuss at the stern.

An interesting free standing rig, which looks like it should be quick, but is off the pace and not competitive with the traditional boats on this day.

The NY50 still in the lead, with the wind on the quarter. She is trimmed so tight because of her boat speed pulling the apparent wind forward.

And the Waring sloop in hot, but futile, pursuit.

She may be old, but this lady  is dressed in modern fashion.

Ticonderoga, slipping smoothly along. Take her offshore, add a spinnaker, and she would surprise a lot of people.

The A-scow is potentially the fastest boat on the course, and a past winner, but not today.

This modern rendition of an English pilot cutter is well sailed, but more suited to a blow than today’s light breezes.

One of these Friendship Sloops is a part of our family history. This one is under charter to a Dutch couple, who are surprised to find themselves in the midst of such a gathering.

Traditional yachts need traditional dinghies.

Although not part of the regatta we thought a few work boat photos would make a nice close.

These vessels are part  of the Camden traditional day (or longer) sail fleet.

To see the complete collection of photos in high res click here.