Broad Reach
A “Broad Reach” is a sailing term and refers to a position of the sail while sailing. There is also a fun double-entendre in the name with meaning the experiences on your adventure with us will have positive far-reaching effect.
The Story of a Broad Reach Adventure Guest & Wood Island
First Something About
Wood Island Light!
Wood Island Lighthouse from 1808 to this day continues to be a navigation light and fog signal to mariners in the Saco Bay. There were 43 Light House Keepers between 1808 and 1986, when the light became fully automated. The “Friends of Wood Island Light” (FOWIL) are responsible for the care and maintenance of this national treasure as well as giving guests an opportunity to tour the facility in the summer. We encourage you to check out the FOWIL website and consider becoming members, volunteering or/and coming on a tour. Of the 65 lighthouses in the state of Maine we believe this is one of just 8 locations that has been restored and that visitors can tour both Lighthouse and either the Keeper’s House or Museum and is located on an island. In our opinion, this is the best restored Keeper’s House we’ve seen! Abby and Bob are active FOWIL volunteers.
Who Visited Wood Island - September 13, 2019
Barbara Burke was the Broad Reach Sailing guest that visited Wood Island on September 13, 2019. Barbara is the Granddaughter of Charles Burke, who was the Lighthouse Keeper during the time period that the Keepers House was restored to in 1906. Barbara’s Dad Wyatt was born while Charles was the Keeper at Wood Island and he lived on the island for his first 7 years.
Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse
On Saturday evening October 12, 2019 a call went out from AbbyLynn and Bob Haskell, new FOWIL volunteers this season and also operators of Broad Reach Sailing. They found out unexpectedly that their guest for Sunday’s excursion was none other than Barbara Burke, granddaughter of Charles A. Burke (1905 – 1914) who was the first keeper to serve in the newly redesigned keeper’s house and is the focus of all our restorations. Her father, Wyatt and his twin brother Wallace were born during Keeper and Mrs. Burke’s time on the island and spent their first 6 years enjoying growing up out there. Barbara was visiting the area from Missoula, Montana…
