Schooner Timberwind Joins Maine Windjammer Fleet

Mid-coast, MAINE—The Maine Windjammer Association is pleased to announce its fleet has expanded to include the Rockport-based schooner Timberwind, owned and operated by Captain Bob Tassi. With 13 members, the Maine Windjammer Association is the largest fleet of historic windjammers in North America.

Launched in 1931, the Timberwind served as a pilot schooner until 1971 when she was converted to the passenger-carrying trade. Originally named Portland Pilot, the 96-foot vessel was designed to carry pilots to and from ships entering or leaving Portland Harbor. Built to withstand heavy-weather conditions, the vessel was available 24/7, 365 days a year; for 40 years the vessel was either on station fifteen miles offshore or dockside preparing for her next trip.

Owned by Tassi since 2002, the Timberwind is one of the fleet's smallest windjammers and only carries twenty guests. The Timberwind’s 2011 sailing schedule will include three-, four- and six-day cruises, with a special emphasis on trips for families with children as young as five.

Although Tassi grew up in San Francisco around boats and had relatives who were fishermen by trade, no one looking at his former life would have predicted a future as a windammer captain. “It was an accident really,” Tassi says.

It began in Nashville where he was working in the music business. It was mid 80’s through the 90’s and money was flowing. “These were the days before Napster and free downloads,” says Tassi. Relaxing one night in front of a PBS documentary about wooden boat building in Maine, Captain Bob was mesmerized by a segment on windjammers. “It was one of those ‘Holy Smokes’ moments when you know your life is about to change.” He immediately called for brochures and scoured the package until finally settling on Maine Windjammer Association vessel Stephen Taber, captained at the time by Ken and Ellen Barnes. After an idyllic week of windjamming aboard the Taber, his career path took an alternate turn.

“I had just won a couple Grammys. We had just completed our twenty-second #1 single as producers and engineers. So, the top brass at Warner Brothers were as surprised as I was when I waltzed downstairs and said, ‘Hey, I’m leaving all this to go pull ropes on a wooden sailboat for $125 bucks a week.’” That was 1999.

Over the next three years, Tassi worked his way up from deck hand to first mate aboard the Stephen Tabor and then finally sat for his Captain’s license. In his fourth year, he took a job as Captain aboard Timberwind. One year later, he bought the vessel and hasn’t looked back. Since then, Captain Bob has rebuilt Timberwind almost completely. From stem to stern, 90% of her is new and she’s in the best shape of her life.

According to Tassi, he is looking forward to working with the other MWA captains where they all share a common bond and passion for maintaining, preserving and promoting the ways of traditional sailing vessels.

Founded in 1977, the Maine Windjammer Association includes 13 windjammers that are individually owned and operated by U.S. Coast Guard-licensed captains who work together to ensure the highest standards of safety, comfort and professionalism.

For more information, contact the Maine Windjammer Association, 800-807-WIND or info@sailmainecoast.com.