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Online booking is the easiest; just click the “Book Now” button on the web page, or click here. If you need any help please call/text 207-415-5858 or email abby@broadreachsailing.us, whatever you prefer.
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No experience is needed or necessary. Our licensed captains and co-captains are there to help make your boating experience relaxing, comfortable, fun and connect you directly to nature – try it – Come Boating With Us!
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- There are two pickup locations, the Saco Pier is the default pickup location. The alternative Biddeford pickup location, which there is an additional fee, saves about 20 minutes each way if coming from the Kennebunk, Kennebunkport or Biddeford. The address and directions are provided in your Confirmation and Reminder emails.
- If you are coming to the Saco Pier by car, there is plenty of parking, Come to 5 Bay Avenue, Saco Maine. The GPS in this area is a bit finicky, when getting close to the destination, Bay View Avenue makes a ninety degree turn to the left, just after the turn, make a right into the large parking lot. There is an island to the left as you enter the parking lot, if the pay station is installed in this island (in season), stop and get a ticket and put it on the dash of your vehicle. Park on the furthest end of the lot closest to the water. To save the parking fee, there is parking on the street, however there is a 2 hour time limit.
- The alternative Biddeford address for sailing is 579 Pool Street, Biddeford and for lobstering and fishing is 16 Marblehead Lane Biddeford. Directions to these locations will be provided in your Confirmation and Reminder emails.
- If you are coming from Old Orchard to the Saco Pier please be aware that the Trolley no longer stops at the Saco Pier at Camp Ellis.
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Please be on the dock 10 minutes before departure time. For the Saco Pier location, there are 2 small buildings at the end of the parking lot. The building near the center of the parking lot has two bathrooms, one on either end of the building. On the left is the Dock Master’s building, we will meet you there.
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- Dress in layers – windbreakers or a warmer layer is usually needed on the water, it can be pleasantly cool. After sunset, it can cool quickly, especially early and late in the season. We have lap blankets. Conditions at sea are normally similar to the beach except a bit cooler & windier.
- Sunscreen – sunhat, sunglasses & whatever other sun protection you require is always good.
- Shoes – Soft-soled shoes are best for comfort and ease of walking around on the boat.
- Raincoat – can be useful, though most of the time we will work to avoid rain, and if need be, it is dry under the dodger & in the cabin.
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We provide free Poland Spring’s cold water and when it is cold outside we also provide tea, coffee and hot chocolate. We sell Maine made beer, cider, mixed drinks and wine as well as soda, Gatorade and ice tea. We also offer a Maine made lobster roll meal. You can bring any drinks/food you wish including alcohol. We have a refrigerator to keep anything you wish cold. We also have bottle openers and glasses for your drinks.
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Yes for sure! Children under the age of 18 need to be accompanied by an adult. Children under the age of 12 need to wear lifejackets while aboard, which we can normally provide. Please let us know how many children are in your party and their estimated weights when booking in the note section or contact us separately.
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We always see some type of wildlife on the trips, what we see is varied based on the time of the year and the sea conditions. The possibilities are jumping fish which are normally sturgeons; seals, porpoises, herring gulls, grey gulls, bald eagles, hawks, Canada geese, cormorants, loons, great blue herons, great white egrets, schools of fish (such as pogies), bluefish, sunfish and whales.
You will see the hidden secrets of the Saco River and Saco Bay in an intimate setting. See and hear the rich history and stories of the 8 fascinating islands of Saco Bay and the long sandy beach of Old Orchard. Enjoy the New England charm of Wood Island Lighthouse and Biddeford Pool. Often times we see lobstermen/women at work and deep-sea fisherman returning with their catch. We’ve seen tuna being hauled onto the pier, some more than 400 pounds.
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Please know this is a common concern. Also many people don’t know if they are susceptible to motion sickness and that is OK. The chance of motions sickness on our boats over a 5 year period is less than 0.04%, so it is a rare occurrence. Here is why:
- Our boats are very stable.
- We talk about motion sickness during the briefing for each trip.
- We offer 5 preventative measures on how to be best avoid sea sickness. One of these is sea bands, which is free to anyone who wants to wear them for the trip, see picture below.
- We will alter course for calmer conditions if anyone is feeling slightly seasick.
- We don’t recommend medications such as Dramamine, Benadryl, etc. due to their side effects.
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Guests must have the mobility to get in and out of a dingy from the back of the boat and walk the ½ mile walkway on Wood Island. No prior boating experience is necessary. Each person must comply with the FOWIL’s On Island Rules and General Release, which are linked. Please have all members of your party review both document prior to departure. On Wood Island there is no bare feet, flip-flops or clogs allowed. Children must be at least 10 years old to go up the lighthouse tower.
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Each boat can take about a dozen, however, we limit to 6 passengers per boat so the environment is intimate and casual. Boats are always more comfortable when limited to about 2/3 of the capacity. We have 7 different boats we use for different types of boat tours. Parties with more than 6 people can be different boats which adds to the enjoyment.
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For those that want to drive the sailboats and/or learn to sail we get excited about helping with this! Learning to sail can be fun and connects you deeper to the wind and water. We also offer sailing lessons if you are interested.
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Our larger sailboats do have bathrooms. They are simple to use with all the conveniences. There are also two bathrooms on the dock at the Saco Pier.
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Gratuity is customary for good service and is much appreciated by the crew! We say, the winds and waves can tip the boat and only you can tip the crew.
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Please ask, we love to be able to extend excursions. We will accommodate this request, if we have no other commitments in the next time period.
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We have a wealth of knowledge of Maine and would gladly provide our recommendations based on what you like and directions to where you decide you want to go. Please feel free to ask before, during or after you see us!
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There is no smoking of any kind allowed on our boats.
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In case of operator cancellation due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances, you may choose to reschedule, receive a 100% refund or receive a gift certificate for future use. Cancellation due to weather is rare.
If for any reason you need to cancel 7 days prior to your departure you may choose to reschedule, receive a 100% refund, or receive a gift certificate for future use. Contact us by phone to cancel or inquire about a cancellation. Cancellations made less than 7 days, no-shows and those that arrive after departure times will be charged the full price.
If Trip Protection is purchased, customers will receive a 100% refund minus the Trip Protection fee, when calling by phone to cancel with less than 7 days prior to departure and at least 8 hours prior to the departure time.
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We watch the weather closely. Cancellation due to weather (rain, wind or big seas) is rare. We may sail in light rain. We will not sail in unsafe conditions. Since weather forecasts are not as reliable as we would like, we most often wait until the morning to decide if any rescheduling or cancellation is needed due to weather. In case of operator cancellation due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances, you may choose to reschedule, receive a 100% refund or receive a gift certificate for future use.
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We do not give or sell your contact information to others! Your email address will be entered into our Mail Chimp contacts. We are thoughtful in the frequency of how often we contact you.
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No. We our happy to assist passengers of all physical abilities get aboard. We can assist getting wheelchairs from the Saco Pier onto the boat. There are two steps to get onto the boat from this pier. We can’t accommodate getting wheelchairs with people in them on the boat, we can assist with a transfer into a seat on the boat. Folks that use canes and walkers can certainly get on the boat. Please let us know if you need any assistance getting on the boat
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If you have any questions please email Abby at abby@broadreachsailing.us, or call/text, 207-415-5858. You can also use the form on this page.
