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About Us


The Meaning Behind our Name: Broad Reach

A “Broad Reach” is a sailing term and refers to a position of the sail while sailing. There is also a fun double-entendre in the name with meaning the experiences on your adventure with us will have positive far-reaching effect.

“Hark, now hear the sailors cry,
Smell the sea, and feel the sky,
Let your soul & spirit fly, into the mystic.

Into the Mystic
― Van Morrison, Lit Up Inside: Selected Verses

The Story of a Broad Reach Adventure Guest & Wood Island

First Something About Wood Island Light!

Wood Island Lighthouse from 1808 to this day continues to be a navigation light and fog signal to mariners in the Saco Bay. There were 43 Light House Keepers between 1808 and 1986, when the light became fully automated.  The “Friends of Wood Island Light” (FOWIL) are responsible for the care and maintenance of this national treasure as well as giving guests an opportunity to tour the facility in the summer.  We encourage you to check out the FOWIL website and consider becoming members, volunteering or/and coming on a tour.    Of the 65 lighthouses in the state of Maine we believe this is one of just 8 locations that has been restored and that visitors can tour both Lighthouse and either the Keeper’s House or Museum and is located on an island.  In our opinion, this is the best restored Keeper’s House we’ve seen!  Abby and Bob are active FOWIL volunteers.

an island in the middle of a body of water
small tower near a body of water

Who Visited Wood Island - September 13, 2019

Barbara Burke was the Broad Reach Sailing guest that visited Wood Island on September 13, 2019.  Barbara is the Granddaughter of Charles Burke, who was the Lighthouse Keeper during the time period that the Keepers House was restored to in 1906.  Barbara’s Dad Wyatt was born while Charles was the Keeper at Wood Island and he lived on the island for his first 7 years.

FOWIL’s September 17, 2019, Newsletter beautifully tells the story of Barbara’s Visit and is attached below.

a sign on the side of a building
FOWIL's Story of Barbara Burke
a man wearing glasses and smiling at the camera

Barbara Burke's 5 Star Review of Her Sailing Excursion

“I couldn’t imagine having a more wonderful experience. I booked a trip to sail past the lighthouse my father and his twin brother had lived on the first seven years of their lives. I ended up with an introduction to the wonderful folks that have restored and maintain the lighthouse and keepers home and a personalized tour of the premises. All on a gorgeous sailboat, expertly crewed and ending with a world-class opera aria in the language of my choice. I can’t recommend this trip strongly enough. Even without a personal connection you get all the other wonderful aspects of a truly marvelous trip. Go sailing!”