Schooners Stephen Taber and American Eagle

[sa...@buffnet.net]

Hi Jeff
I see you sailed on both the Stephen Taber as well as the American
Eagle, I have not been on either vessel but have always admired them,
what's your take on them ?

Thanks

Joe

[jys...@verizon.net]

American Eagle and Taber are in the top category as far as
condition.They are impeccably maintained and are as impressive as any
sailing vessel in America and beyond.

Both boats are well run. John Foss of American Eagle is kind of a
windjamming legend. He rebuilt Eagle completely and has as much
schooner and Maine knowledge as anyone alive. Taber's Noah Barnes is
the son of legends Ken and Ellen Barnes. He grew up on the schooner
and is very good younger captain who puts supreme effort into every
trip.

Style and design wise the boats are quite different. Taber is an
original coasting centerboarder with the cabins accessed through
separate hatches from on deck. Most rooms have limited headroom but
there is an aft compartment with some rooms off a very cozy little
saloon. The biggest surprise was on deck. Taber carries its beam well
forward and is very wide up there and in the galley.. The feel of this
schooner is art and culture. Their emphasis is food and music. Noah
plays several instruments and his crews are very talented players. He
and his wife are wine and cheese experts and spare no expense
providing you some.

Eagle is very laid back like her captain and very traditional. John is
a classic Maine mariner. Speaks little, but when he does you should
listen. He has a famously dry, biting sense of humor. He reads to the
crew at night and always has something neat to say to every passenger.
The interior finishing of this vessel is the best I've ever seen. She
doesn't quite look like a yacht, but has astonishing work boat detail
kept up by full time crew man Rick, who is also a first rate cook.

Eagle's cabins, though small, all have standing room and are accessed
from an interior halls. She has heads below and a real hot water
shower off the main passage. Her galley is very large. The boat has an
inboard engine, which John is not hesitant to use in order to show
people as many sights as possible. On my 4 day sail we reached
Southwest Harbor on Mt. Desert Island by motorsailing . Books and
cards are the top pastimes.

Eagle is a much larger ship with a deep draft keel. Taber is smoother
and quieter and has a yawl boat. Other than Nathaniel Bowditch, Eagle
is my favorite schooner in the fleet.

Jeff