What Else Should I Know?

1. How many people does the boat hold?

The Lannon holds 49 passengers. When we serve our Saturday night Lobsterbakes however, we like to limit it to 40 passengers in order to give everyone a little extra breathing (eating) room.

2. What should I bring?

Sweatshirt or windbreaker. It's always cooler on the water.

Camera. Binoculars if you have them.

Sneakers or other comfortable shoes. No high heels, please.

Sunglasses and sunscreen.

Please do not bring alcoholic beverages onboard with you. Coolers are not allowed for space reasons. (See below).

3. What about food and drinks?

On most trips, we serve a fine selection of salty junk food, such as chips, Fritos, Doritos, etc. We also have beer, ale, champagne, wine, soft drinks, and spring water for sale at reasonable prices. Because of our liquor license, you are not allowed to carry on your own alcoholic beverages. We appreciate your cooperation.
There is a restroom (marine head) onboard. It is located below deck and the access is down a steep set of stairs. There are public restrooms located in the Seven Seas Cafe, on the water end of the Gloucester House Restaurant, which you are welcome to use before you sail.

4. What about the Weather?

Meteorology is not a perfect science. For this reason, we do not call off our trips when we first get the five-day forecast that invariably calls for "a chance of thundershowers". Rather, the captain makes the call regarding whether or not to sail very close to departure time. This link will take you to the local radar and satellite forecasts that help us make the determination whether or not to sail. Just think positive and remember that it will be a beautiful sunny day or clear evening with a great breeze any time you decide to come.

5. Will I get seasick?

What about getting seasick? We've got some great news for you! Most people don't. Over the past twelve years, with thousands of people coming out for sails, only a handful have been seasick. There are a couple reasons: we shut off the engine (engine vibration and/or the diesel smell send some people over the edge), and the shore is always visible (often without land, people don't have a reference point.) We sell acupressure wrist bands for those that still feel uneasy. We usually have ginger caplets onboard. They act as an anti-nausea agent and are a natural alternative to Dramamine, which can make you drowsy.

6. Do you take credit cards?

Because so many people want to come for a sail, if you make a reservation and do not show up, it means that someone else who wanted to, can't go sailing, so we take a credit card # (either AmEx, VISA or MC) to secure your reservation. When you come for a sail you can pay by cash, check, travelers check, or by credit card. You may cancel or change reservations 24 hrs. before your sail is scheduled. We will only charge your credit card if you don't show up, or if the number of your party has decreased and you haven't called ahead to tell us. If you do not call us 24 hrs. ahead for a change or cancellation, you will be charged for the original number of tickets you reserved. We think that these reservation requirements are fair and appreciate your cooperation.

7. Where are you located?

          Our Schooner Sails shed is located in front and to the right of the Gloucester House Restaurant, on Seven Seas Wharf in downtown Gloucester. This is where you should come to pick up your tickets before getting in line to board the Lannon. We have great directions at: http://schooner.org/tel/booktrp3.htm. Or, plug "Hancock & Rogers St." into your GPS. We begin boarding ten minutes before sail time. The Lannon sails on time. Please allow yourself extra time to allow for summer and weekend traffic. Come early and enjoy Gloucester.

   Here is our sign on Rogers St., with the water on your right.

8. Tips for Parents.

We are often asked about our policy on having children aboard. We welcome children of all ages. Every child is included in our head count and there is a charge for every child. If you are trying to decide whether or not to bring your young children, our advice is this: Our trips are generally quiet and relaxing. If your child is at the age where he/she can't do two hours of quiet and relaxing, you might want to rethink bringing him/her along. Children are not allowed to roam the vessel on their own, so you will be spending quality time velcroed to your child while we sail. Toddlers can be tough. You know your children best. If you think your child won't be able to handle the length of the trip, you are probably right. Lots of young children have sailed with us and loved it. But, to be honest, some parents who have brought their young children have wished they hadn't.

For older children, the issue of wearing life jackets often comes up. We are a Coast Guard inspected vessel. What that means is that the Coast Guard does a safety inspection of the Lannon and all our safety gear once a year. We are required to carry enough life jackets for every passenger, but our passengers (including children) are not required to wear them while onboard. The kind we have onboard are the stiff-orange-hold-your-head-above-water-in-case-of-emergency type. They are not comfortable for a child to wear for the duration of the sail. If you have comfortable vest-type life jackets that your children wear whenever they go on a boat and you want them to wear a life jacket while onboard the Lannon, then by all means, bring your children's life jackets with you.

If you have other concerns about children onboard, please ask.

Kids enjoy helping to raise the sails.

8. Telephone #

Okay, you've read through all of the above steps. Now it's time to call us up and book a trip. You can call us at:

(978) 281-6634

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