Sail The Caribbean On A Private Yacht, Belfast, Puerto Rico Sailing & Yacht Charters

Photo

the galley

Amenities:
· Intimate Setting - 12 Passengers Aboard Our 90 Foot Vessel
· Varnished Woodwork in Galley, Library, Dining Area & Deck Salon
· Large Spacious Decks
· Spacious, Bright & Open Galley
· 6 Cosy and comfortable double cabins
· Private Head & Shower in Each Cabin
· Observation Deck & Teak Steamer Chairs
· Two Small Boats for Shore Side Adventures

the coach house
One of the favorite shipboard places for relaxation is the deck house. The deck house is completely protected from the weather, with lots of windows, beautiful varnished wood panels, a reading library, comfortable couches and even a traditional shipmate stove. At night, the salon is filled with lantern light, song and stories. Musical instruments are always welcome!

The below-deck salon is laid out in the typical style of a 19th century pilot schooner, with a warm comfortable wood interior. It was designed for educational films and natural history demonstrations, and can double as an informal classroom.

Shore-Side Adventures:
We carry two boats that take us on shore side adventures:
· Our stout 20' skiff with 75hp outboard engine
· Our favorite little row boat; a wooden classic

Our choice blend of old and new:
The WANDERBIRD is a traditional styled vessel with modern navigation & safety equipment. Our engine is used to take us on our planned course, and sails are supplementary. Modern equipment is used for whalesong recording and other safety/research purposes. But our loving restoration of the WANDERBIRD has retained the feeling of the old Dutch fishing vessel by using traditional materials wherever possible.

Her steel and wood construction combine the 20th-century's highest safety standards with the authenticity of classic 19th-century North Sea fishing vessel.

Safety and Equipment:
Owner operated, WANDERBIRD meets or exceeds all safety requirements for her class of transportation, and Lloyd's specifications for vessels carrying passengers: offshore First Aid kit, full fire detection & fire fighting equipment, high water alarms, Coast Guard approved life jackets, Coast Guard approved survival suits, 2 life boats, 2 bouyant apparatus (20-person capacity), 4 inflatable life rafts (46-person capacity), E.P.I.R.B., oversize life rings with emergency strobe lights, rocket propelled line launchers, full flare kit, 6 water-tight compartments, marine safety & First Aid certified crew.

Navigation & Electronics:
2 VHF radios, 2 radar sets, Sailor Radio Equiptment 2 GPS, wind instruments, satellite communications, depth sounder, SSB radio telephone, compass, auto-pilot, weather fax, Furuno NavTex receiver, electronic chart plotters, computer, and cellular phone.

Mechanical:
Powerful Industrie 510hp diesel engine, three generators, desalinator for converting sea water to fresh, and fuel capacity to carry her 6,000 nautical miles.

Safety First: Aboard Wanderbird we have a healthy respect for the power of nature, and passenger safety is always our main concern.

History:
Wanderbird was built as a classic North Sea fishing trawler by the H. de Hass shipyard in Maassluis, Holland. She was launched as beam trawler for the Jaczon's, a Dutch fishing family, in 1963 and fished until 1990. A beam or side trawl carries fishing nets from the side of the vessel. The Dutch have a reputation for being some of the worlds finest shipbuilders, and the North Sea has a reputation for being one of the most cold, harsh, rough seas in the world. She was built to Dutch standards and operated year round in the extreme conditions of the North Sea for 27 years! We chose Wanderbird for her ability to combine tough, dependable transportation with comfort, safety and 19th century European style. Her massively constructed steel hull and high bulwarks make her an optimal choice for safely carrying passengers in Alaska, the North Atlantic and Canadian Maritmes.

Dimensions:
Length - 90 feet on deck
Beam 21 feet
Draft 10 feet
147Gross Tonnage

Photo

-The WANDERBIRD is Owner Operated & Family Run

-Personal, friendly atmosphere (only 12 passengers per trip)

-Knowledgeable, Experienced & Friendly Crew Members

-Our Two Black Labs, Pilot & Maggie, Sail With Us!

Sailing among humpbacks

Relaxation & Comfort:

Feel free to relax and enjoy the space & splendor of life at sea… catch up on reading or needlework, take pictures, write… we have restored the WANDERBIRD with your comfort in mind. The topside observation decks provide amazing views for birdwatching or stargazing. Relax in our classic teak or rattan steamer chairs.

An Afternoon Snooze

Espresso Brownies, Mmmmm...

The below-deck saloon is laid out in the typical style of a 19th century pilot schooner, with a warm comfortable wood interior. It was designed for educational films and natural history demonstrations, and can double as an informal classroom. At night, the saloon is filled with lantern light, song and stories. Musical instruments are always welcome!

New Found Friends

Cabins are cozy and comfortable - public areas are spacious! Everyone enjoys fine meals together in our open bright coach house. Coffee, tea and home made pastries baked on a vintage stove, can be found in our classic galley at any time. The pilot house and adjoining lounge is always open; come up and learn to plot a course!

Fun in the Ship's Kayaks

Discovery Style Cruising:
Our cruises & expeditions offer a unique experience of voyaging off the beaten path. We'll visit places of cultural and historical significance, wildlife sanctuaries, and many places of amazing and remote beauty. We foster the true spirit of adventure as each voyage has no formal itinerary. We let the weather, terrain and wildlife set the pace - and discover what each day has to offer! On an expedition cruise, you will have the experience of time at sea, although most evenings will be spent at anchor in remote & pristine harbours. Expeditions offer opportunities such as whale watching, pelagic birding, research, hiking, navigation and joining the crew in day to day activities. Please see our Schedule page for expeditions to Alaska, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador!

Shore Excursion with Captain Rick

All excursions take part in our Interactive Research Program:
On-board library and sensing instruments available, onboard wildlife education, and wildlife surveys reported to conservation organizations.

Photo

Vegetarians Welcome
We can accommodate vegetarians on any of our Maine Coast Voyages. Due to remote destinations and limited sources for provisions on our Northern Expedition trips, we are not able to accommodate special dietary requests on those trips; please check with us directly before making your reservation.

Anticipation is the first course of every delicious meal. We hope you will enjoy reading about some of our favorite meals served aboard Wanderbird...

A Few Of Our Evening Meals - Served At Anchor
In A Quiet Cove

Roast Pork Loin
Appetizer: Creamy Mushroom Soup
Beef & Stilton Pie
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Glazed Baby Carrots with Tarragon
Hot French Bread
Sponge Cakes Layered with Fresh Strawberries and Cream
Coffee and Tea

Appetizer: Focaccia and Infused Olive Oils for Dipping
Salad Niscoise
Hand Made Raviolis Stuffed with Maple Roasted Squash
& Sautéed in Fresh Basil, Walnut Oil & Pinenuts
Karen's Favorite Chocolate Mousse Cake
Coffee and Tea

Appetizer: Maine Mussels Steamed in Wine Sauce
Wanderbird House Salad of Mixed Greens Topped with Mushrooms, Red Onion, Mandarin Oranges, Sliced Almonds with 'Our Own' Honey Mustard Dressing
Chicken Picatta
Jasmine Rice
Steamed Broccoli
Home Made Yeast Rolls & Honey Butter
Lemon & Berry Tart with Hand Cranked
Black Raspberry Ice Cream
Coffee and Tea

Appetizer: Fresh Fruit & Baked Brie Cheese
Rolled Stuffed Pork Loin l'Orange
Rosemary Onion Wheat Rolls & Honey Butter
Maple Roast Acorn Squash Halves with Peas
Fresh Cranberry Sauce
Peach Cobbler with Fresh Whipped Cream
Coffee and Tea

Just a Few of Our Lunches:

Sweet Potato Soup & Salad Niscoise
Creamy Carrot Ginger Soup,
Spinach Salad with Hot Bacon Dressing,
Rosemary Onion Wheat Rolls

Focaccia Bread Sandwiches with Smoked Turkey, Camembert,
Lettuce, Tomato, Mayo & Cranberry Relish

Hearty Maritime Fish Chowder in a Bread Bowl

Made to Order Mediterranean Pizzas & Sicilian Salad

French Tarragon Chicken Salad with Swiss Cheese &
Lettuce on Crusty Baguette Bread

Hot Out of the Oven Bread

Seafood chowder served on deck

A Few of Our Cookies:

Coconut Macaroons
Chocolate Espresso Brownies
Oatmeal, Dried Cranberry, White Chocolate Chip
Snickerdoodles
Chewy Molasses Ginger Cookies
Shortbread
Almond Biscotti Dipped in Chocolate
Strawberry Jam Filled Ginger Bread Hearts
Russian Tea Cakes

Breakfast Aboard WANDERBIRD:

Quiche & Almond Poppyseed Scones

Orange Juice
Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes
Maple Breakfast Sausage
Coffee and Tea
Basket of Fresh Fruit

Orange Juice
Home Made Granola
Fresh Sliced Fruit Toppings
Milk & Yogurt
Home Made Cranberry Orange Scones
Coffee and Tea
Basket of Fresh Fruit

Sunnyside Up Apricot Pastries

Orange Juice
Fresh Omelets Made To Order
'Hot From The Oven' Lemon Poppyseed Muffins
Coffee and Tea
Basket of Fresh Fruit

Cabins
Private Restroom in each cabin
Six Double Cabins Available

In Each Cabin You Will Find:
· Private Head
(Marine Composting Toilet)
· Sink with Hot & Cold Running Water
· Private Shower
· Reading Lights & Stocked Book Case
· 110 Volt AC Power & Heat
· Linens, Soft Wool Blankets & Towels
· Hand Made Soaps
· Large Drawers & Hanging Stowage
· Local Arts & Crafts
· Hand Made Quilts & Rugs
· Small Writing Desk
· Your Own Wanderbird Journal

Availability Calendar