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Appledore II

History

Appledore II

Nothing stirs the romantic heart more then the Appledore II’s classic wooden hull whispering its way into the seas. The Appledore II – more then a boat, it’s a tradition.

Proven She Is Built To

Sail The World

Launched on August 22, 1978, the wooden schooner Appledore II is proud of her colorful history. The Appledore II is a majestic 86’ windjammer and the largest of her sister ships, Appledores I, III, IV, and V. She is the last schooner custom built by the Gamage Shipyard. Established in 1924 in South Bristol, Maine by Harvey F. Gamage, the shipyard built and launched many famous tall ships, including the Mary Day, Harvey Gamage, Shenandoah, Bowdoin, Bill of Rights and the Spirit of Massachusetts.

The Appledore II was built traditionally, using time honored techniques of shipbuilding. Looking at her, you are reminded of the phrase, “wooden ships and iron men.” Designed by Bud Macintosh, a renowned naval architect and shipwright, the Appledore II is constructed in the finest tradition of New England ship building. His design is now recognized worldwide for the schooner’s heavy weather, open ocean capabilities.

From the moment you set foot upon her solid deck, you sense something special about the Appledore II. You are taken with the massive spars, the symmetry of the rigging and sheets coiled on their pins, the glossy grain of varnished wood. The Appledore II is strong, stable and swift, with a ten-and-a-half-knot hull speed and 110-degree knockdown rating. In laymen’s terms, this ship will get you there, quickly and without incident.

Herbert and Doris Smith, the original owners and captains of the Appledore II, helped build the schooner. The Smith’s named their series of schooners after Doris’ hometown, Appledore Island – part of the Isle of Shoals – located off the New Hampshire coast. Appledore II was launched in 1978 from Portsmouth, New Hampshire for an 18-month circumnavigation stopping at numerous ports around the world, before returning home to Portsmouth. This voyage has been chronicled in two books, Dreams of Natural Places, A New England Schooner Odyssey and Sailing Three Oceans, both authored by Herbert Smith.

Since that time, the Appledore II has sailed extensively throughout the Caribbean, serving as an educational platform and private charters. For a number of years the ship served as the Semester At Sea vessel for Marine Biology majors from South Hampton University. For over 35 years now she has served double duty offering day sails from her home ports of Camden, Maine and Key West, Florida. Twice a year this stout, seaworthy ship makes the 2,000-mile off shore voyage along the Eastern seaboard between her two harbors.

The McKean Family (John and Jane) purchased the Appledore II in 1988, sailing the historic schooner in both Key West, Florida and Camden, Maine. In 2003, the McKean Family partnered with Sebago Watersports for the Key West operations. This partnership expanded in 2016 to include the Camden, Maine operations. Both parties are extremely excited about this partnership expansion which allows them the opportunity to maintain the history and tradition of this magnificent schooner while making new and exciting changes.

Nothing stirs the romantic heart more then the Appledore II’s classic wooden hull whispering its way into the seas. The Appledore II is more than a boat, it’s a tradition.

A gaff-rigged topsail schooner

A gaff-rigged topsail schooner

General Specifications

Year Built 1978
Designer Bud McIntosh
Drafting and Consultant Spencer Lincoln
Builder Linwood Gamage, Gamage Shipyard
Original Captain Herbert Smith
Length Overall 86 feet
Length on Deck 65 feet
Length along Waterline 53 feet
Beam 18 feet 9 inches
Draft 10 feet
Outside Ballast (Cast Iron) 30,000 lbs.
Inside Ballast 8,000 lbs.
Displacement 52 tons
Fuel Capacity 400 gallons
Fresh water Capacity 300 gallons

Scantlings

Keel 12 in. sided 10 in. molded
Keelson 8 in. sided 8 in. molded
Stem 10 in. sided 14 in. molded
Sternpost 10 in. sided 17 in. molded
Horn Timber 10 in. sided 10 in. molded
Double Sawn Frames 31/2 in. sided 8 in. molded
Deck Beams 4 in. sided 6 in. molded
Mast Partners 6 in. sided 6 in. molded

Outside Planking

Garboards and Bottom Strakes 2 in. white oak
Topsides and Bilges 2 in. fir
Butt Blocks 2 1/2 in. locust
Covering Boards 2 in. white pine
Deck 2 1/2 in. Douglass fir
Fastenings Galvanized, wrought iron and low carbon steel

Bulwarks

Stanchions 4 in. by 4 in. locust
Boards 1 1/2 in. white pine
Capping 1 1/2 in. white oak

Inside Planking

Shelf 3 in. sided by 9 in. molded
Clamp 2 in. sided by 12 in. molded
Bulkheads 2 in. pine
Ceiling 2 in. white pine
Cabins White pine with oak trim

Auxiliary Diesel

Engine 210 h.p. Cummins Marine Diesel 6BT with Borg-Warner Marine Gear
Propeller Bronze 4 bladed 36 in.

Welcome back!  We are pleased to announce our official re-opening on June 5th with reduced capacities and additional safety protocols to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for both passengers and crew.  Advanced reservations (book Online or Call) are required. No walk ups are permitted per the City of Key West at this time.