Down East Yacht Club (DEYC) members were kept busy over the winter months with monthly gatherings in Maine and Florida, planning spring and summer meet ups, telling tales of voyages and adventures and dreaming of the perfect Maine day on the water. Well, here we are with gorgeous weather, boats in the water and plans and tales coming into play! Our kickoff to the season and revisiting with other sailors started on May 23 at the Commodore’s lunch held at Coastal Prime in Boothbay Harbor where we enjoyed a lunch of clam chowder, arugula salad, grilled salmon and braised beef short ribs topped off with the most fabulous blueberry cheesecake. A very special shout out and huge thank you to Metehan Sahin at Coastal Prime for working with us on an exceptional lunch!

Members were treated to stories of stranded adventurers and tall tales during lunch. In addition, our lunch guests were Founding Member R. Kenney Baker and his wife, Donna. Mr. Baker, a veteran and original DEYC member (the Club is over 60 years old), who turned 100 this year, valiantly served our country and is a decorated veteran.  The crowd of over 50 members welcomed Mr. Baker with a standing ovation, thanking him for his service. 

June is starting off as a busy month for DEYC members.  On June 10th Commodore Robert Ewing presented the DEYC scholarship award for 2026 to Rose Campbell who will be attending Bowdoin College in the Fall. On June 13 we met for our famous launch party at Luke’s Boatyard in East Boothbay. Our launch party was celebrated with over 150 members and guests, sixteen past Commodores in attendance and one widow of a Past Commodore, the ever-bubbly Carole McCarthy.  We also had eight DEYC Board members, the entire Bridge, and the Fleet Captain.  A mouth-watering BBQ catered by Mine Oyster (we love Ralph) in Boothbay Harbor left us all with significant BO (belly overhang) but it was worth it as we’ll have all summer boating to work off those calories! Of course, our favorite libation watering hole, the Woody Wagon was there as well as the most fashionable DEYC swag to keep us all looking Nauti!

As June continues, our first Day Tripper of the season is on Saturday, June 27 at Mill Cove between Hodgdon and Sawyer Islands. All are welcome. Come meet your fellow sailors and find out how you can be member too!

July is kicking off with a pre-cruise meeting for our annual cruise up the coast to Rockland, Camden, Bucks Harbor and other ports. Lots of details on stops, ports, food, and activities.  Rumor has it, a Blues Festival and Margaritaville party are on the horizon for these cruisers.  See the DEYC website for more information.  Future DEYC group activities include an ice cream social, more club gatherings, more Day Tripper events, and other surprises which if you are or would like to be member, you can experience and have bragging rights as well as tall tale adventures!  

If these events sound like fun and you want to dip your toe into the DEYC waters, check into membership at downeastyachtclub.com and click the Member tab. The season never ends when you are a DEYC member!