Sail away
Cast your cares into the sea

By Mary Hurley, 06/24/99

You could almost hear the collective moan when a couple with an infant and toddler climbed aboard the Schooner Thomas E. Lannon. More than a few people abandoned hope that their afternoon cruise of Gloucester Harbor would be a peaceful one.

But they needn't have worried: Children, like adults, are soothed by the sea. A boat trip, no matter how brief, is perhaps the most relaxing of summertime experiences.

You don't have to be rich to enjoy the scenic wonders of the New England coastline. Public cruises abound, and practically every harbor boasts at least one.

It would take a book to list them all. So we set out to provide a small sample of some of the more unusual boat trips. We limited the search to scheduled cruises that capture the local character. We excluded ferries, overnight excursions, and (sorry, Captain Ahab) the ubiquitous whale watches.

Some tips for smooth sailing:

Call ahead to check on availability and weather-related cancellations.

The air temperature on the water is typically 10 to 15 degrees cooler than on land, so dress appropriately, ideally in layers. Wear comfortable shoes. And don't forget sun protection.

OK, now let's pull up the anchor.

TGIF in Gloucester

You glide past two lighthouses, a castle, a fantasy house museum, and the remnants of a fishing fleet. A sail in Gloucester Harbor aboard the 65-foot fishing schooner Thomas E. Lannon combines a history lesson with a scenic tour. But the main attraction is instant relaxation. During July and August the Lannon offers the ultimate in Thank-God-It's-Friday relief: a sunset sail with a lobster bake served on board.

The 49-passenger Lannon was built in the shipyard of the nearby Essex Shipbuilding Museum. Launched in 1997 as a sightseeing vessel by owner Tom Ellis, a Gloucester native, the Lannon was named for his fisherman grandfather. On a recent Saturday afternoon sail, passengers were greeted by Ellis and his wife, Kay, who took orders for soft drinks, beer, or wine. Their son, Brian, 19, was on board to help raise the sails (everybody is welcome to assist). The sail took us by the Beauport Museum, a house containing 26 public rooms, each designed to depict a different American era; and the Hammond Castle Museum, built in the 1920s in medieval European style and noted for its 10,000-pipe organ.

Two-hour sails run daily from 10 to 6 p.m. Cost is $25 for adults, $22 seniors 60 and older, and $17 ages 2 to 16. Specialty cruises include a Downeast Maine humor sunset sail on Wednesdays, featuring Fred Dodge's "Bert & I" tales (add $5); and a sunset cruise on Thursdays accompanied by the harp, bagpipe, violin, and guitar (add $10). The Friday lobster bake is an additional $30. Reservations are recommended. The Lannon sets sail from the Seven Seas Wharf on Route 127. 978-281-6634 or visit www.schooner.org.