A Cove Fit for a Pirate - Episode 316 - Acorn to Arabella: Journey of a Wooden Boat
Steve and Robin are glad to be back aboard Arabella after a long week back in Gramby with his mom’s cancer. They haven’t been able to plan anything in advance for quite some time, so they take advantage of Little Adventures when and where they can.
The Journey Begins
With just a firm destination ahead – to be in Rockland soon about 80 miles up the coast – they consult their guidebook for a suitable place to stop along the way. Robin browses the cruising guide while Steve navigates out of the harbor.
Discovering Dearis Island
Sitting on their boat, Steve and Robin decide upon Deer Isle to rest for the night, having discussed Boothbay as a possible destination. Deer Isle proves to be a great choice with rich history that includes pirates once settling there. They are glad they have avoided venturing further away which would mean a longer in-and-out trip just for one night.
The History of Dearis Cove
Steve and Robin learn about the fascinating history of Deer Isle. It was once called ‘Dearis’ and possibly served as one of the earliest human settlements in the New World.
A Pirate’s Haven
Once inhabited by European fishermen since the 1600s, Deer Isle also has connections with pirate Black Sam Bellamy who had plans to form a pirate republic here. Sadly, his life was cut short at age 28 when he went down with his ship.
Embracing the Adventure
Able to stay close to home due to his mom’s illness, Steve’s sailing plans for Arabella have remained relatively near-shore. Though they still enjoy their time aboard, they continue to dream of distant adventures one day.
The Journey Continues
With upcoming events like the launching of the Schooner Hindu on their horizon, Steve and Robin are keeping viewers engaged by documenting their life at sea. And they’re even starting to teach their dog to use the facilities aboard!
Stay tuned for more adventures from Acorn to Arabella.
Steve and Robin are back aboard Arabella after a long week in Granby.
The plan is to make their way to Rockland, about 80 miles up the coast, to help with the final touches and the launch of the schooner Hindu. It will take a few days to get there, with plenty of potential stops to hit along the way.
Searching through a guidebook for the Maine coast, Robin discovers Damariscove Island located in Boothbay, Maine. It’s known to be a place of wild and desolate beauty filled with rich history—worth a visit, for sure.
It’s crazy to believe, but Arabella celebrates her 1st anniversary on the water. And while she hasn’t ventured too far just yet, she’s been able to explore some beautiful areas close to home.
While Robin and Steve continue to dream of sailing to destinations far away, there’s still plenty of learning to be done in the meantime. Right now, it’s all about being close to family and supporting Steve’s mom.
And for everyone wondering how Akiva’s adapting to life on a boat, he is still learning how to relieve himself on board. More to come on that…
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Acorn to Arabella started as a wooden boat building project in Granby, Massachusetts. Steve began the journey as an amateur wooden boat builder crafting a 38' wooden sailboat in his backyard: designer William Atkin's Ingrid with a Stormy Petrel's gaff rig. These videos follow the journey from tree felling, to lumber milling, to lofting, to the lead keel pour and now sailing the boat—sharing details of the woodworking, carpentry, metal smithing, tool building, and tool maintenance that traditional wooden boats command. This ultimate DIY project continues beyond the boat shop, as Steve and crew travel and learn to cruise aboard the handmade wooden boat that they've built. Just kidding about all that, this channel is about a Siberian Laika named Akiva.
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A Cove Fit for a Pirate - Episode 316 - Acorn to Arabella: Journey of a Wooden Boat Locations
- Deer Isle is located in Penobscot Bay, off the coast of Maine. (44.2839,-68.5727)
Acorn To Arabella
We are building a 38’ sailboat from stump to ship, once complete she will take us around the world. We hope to inspire and educate as many people as possible along the way. Join us on our journey and let us show you that with a bit of dedication, good company and some old school smarts even the wildest of dreams can be made to come true! For inquiries about collaborating or integrations, please email [email protected].
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