The well-loved J. & E. Riggin is a beautiful, historic, two-masted schooner that has been rebuilt to accommodate guests on overnight adventures. She was built in 1927 as an oyster dredger for Charles Riggin in Dorchester, New Jersey and is one of a very few vessels of this kind that still sail today. Her name, J. & E., comes from the names of Mr. Riggin’s two sons, Jacob and Edward. This special windjammer has enjoyed the reputation of being able and fast and lays claim to having won the only official oyster schooner race ever held in 1929 on the Delaware Bay. After being rebuilt and re-rigged as a passenger vessel, the Riggin has sailed Penobscot Bay since 1977. She was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1991.
The Riggin is fully equipped with GPS, radar, and radio. She meets all Coast Guard requirements for construction and safety equipment. Certified to carry passengers, she fully meets all requirements for stability and watertight integrity. With her sleek lines preserved, the Riggin is still the fast and reliable sailor that earned the respect of the oystermen on the Delaware Bay. Just as she was when she was built, the Riggin has no inboard engine. Her sixteen-foot diesel-powered yawl boat, built by former Riggin Captain Jon Finger, can be used during calm spells for maneuvering into or out of tight harbors. The Riggin‘s superior sailing ability allows us to cruise by the islands and coastal scenery without the noise and fumes of an engine to disturb the spell.
The Riggin’s eleven cabins are cozy yet comfortable. Each cabin has a sink with cold running water, overhead and reading light next to each berth, and a USB port. Your cabins are made when you arrive with fresh sheets, warm blankets, quilts, pillows, and towels. Every private cabin also has a window that provides light and can be opened for fresh air and ventilation. Our toilets (“heads”) are cleaned three times a day, well-ventilated, and are located above deck. If you wish to rinse the salty sea air from your tresses, you’ll be happy to know we have a hot freshwater shower available as well. We find that most of our passengers, actually spend very little time in their cabin — why would you when it’s so gorgeous outside?
While we do take requests for specific cabins, we do not make a guarantee that you will end up there. We want each of our passengers to be as comfortable as possible and sometimes need to make changes last minute. Requests for cabins are taken in the order of booking dates.
Capacity: 24 overnight guests, 45 day sail guests, 6 crew
Private Cabins: 2 cabins with double berths, 7 cabins with 2 single berths, 2 cabins with 3 berths
Length on deck: 89 feet
Length overall: 120 feet
Beam: 23 feet
Draft: 7 feet with her centerboard up, 13 feet with her centerboard down
Sail area: 4,000 square feet
Number of sails: 4 lowers
Rig: Gaff-rigged, bald-headed, 2-masted schooner
Tonnage: 61 gross tons
” …a cruise on the Riggin is just a pleasant way to spend five days with good food and no pressing responsibility. You have maintained a delightful low-key and uncomplicated loving atmosphere…you make it easy for your passengers to stop fluttering long enough to touch earth.”
~ Dumont, R., Vermont
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