Tall Ship Lynx Partnership

Looking ahead to summer 2026, the Tall Ship Lynx has been invited to participate in Sail250, a global gathering of tall ships and military vessels commemorating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. Sail250 events will take place throughout the Northeast in June and July 2026, marking a significant honor for the Lynx and its educational partners.

Due to the Lynx's Sail 250 commitments, Captain Don and his crew won't arrive on the Island until Mid-July. Stay tuned for our lineup of fun, affordable, on-the-water excursions.

Set Sail with Lynx: A Private Charter Experience for Nantucket Businesses

Egan Maritime Institute and the Tall Ship Lynx have joined forces to offer Chamber members a unique opportunity to book a discounted charter aboard the Tall Ship Lynx this September.

This charter includes a mezze platter from Lemon Press and seltzers from Polar Seltzer. Guests are welcome to bring their own libations and snacks.

This opportunity is perfect for a staff party, team building and bonding, client or donor recognition, or treating your friends and family to sail through Nantucket’s harbor.

What is included:

• 2-Hour Sunset Sail for 36 (5:30 – 7:30)
• Round-Trip Launch Fees aboard the Nantucket Harbor Launch (if needed)
• Non-alcoholic drinks
• Mezze Platter & Assorted Aps from Lemon Press

Exclusive Chamber Members Price: $2,500

Package Value: $4,500

What is included:

• 2-Hour Sunset Sail for 36 (5:30 – 7:30)
• Round-Trip Launch Fees aboard the Nantucket Harbor Launch (if needed)
• Non-alcoholic drinks
• Mezze Platter & Assorted Aps from Lemon Press

Available Dates:

• September 1^st
• September 6^th
• September 8^th
• September 10^th

To learn more and book this one-of-a-kind experience, contact Hayley Nelson - HNelson@eganmaritime.org

Since 2014, Egan Maritime has partnered with the Tall Ship Lynx to provide on-the-water sailing opportunities. In a typical year, during May and June, Egan and the Lynx Educational Foundation work together to offer a unique experience for local students. Sailing aboard the historic Tall Ship Lynx—a cornerstone of the Egan Maritime student experience—provides an unparalleled experiential educational opportunity. Over 500 local students climb aboard the Lynx each year, immersing themselves in Nantucket’s maritime history and oceanography while applying what they learn in the classroom to their sailing experiences. These opportunities are completely free and funded by generous donations.

Our Lynx sails are about more than just sailing; they aim to inspire future learning and career opportunities. At Egan, we aspire to cultivate the next generation of “Salty Nantucketers.” Our sails include two extended expeditions of three and five days, during which students learn the ropes and build confidence at sea. Upon their return, these youth earn the title of Student Mariner.

In 2026, our programming will undergo some changes. The Tall Ship Lynx has been invited to participate in Sail250, a global gathering of tall ships and military vessels commemorating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. Sail250 events will take place throughout the Northeast in June and July 2026, marking a significant honor for the Lynx and its educational partners.

Sail250 presents a unique opportunity for more experienced student mariners. Egan Maritime will sponsor student groups to sail aboard the Lynx from two ports: Baltimore and Boston. In total, six student mariners will embark on this experience of a lifetime.

Rather than reducing access, Egan Maritime is committed to reconfiguring its On the Water Education program so that Nantucket students can continue to benefit from meaningful, hands-on maritime learning. Instead of the traditional June sails, Egan Maritime has partnered with the Nantucket Community School, Nantucket Boys and Girls Club, Maria Mitchell Association, and Small Friends to provide special daytime sailing opportunities during August. The Lynx sails will be integrated into these organizations’ camp schedules, which primarily serve local Nantucket families through summer camps and summer school programming.

Egan's Tall Ship Sails offers many local youth their first opportunity to explore Nantucket's harbor. All youth sails aboard the Lynx are offered free of charge to Island youth. By eliminating this cost barrier and partnering with established Island camps that primarily serve year-round residents, we can provide additional enrichment opportunities to local youth who would typically have sailed with Egan during the school year.

Thank you to our very generous sponsors:

Sail 250 Sponsors

Stephen and Joanne Caulfield

Nancy Rosenthal

Alfred Sanford

These experiences are 100% free and supported through generous donations. If you want to support the 2025 sailing season, please email Carlisle Jensen at cbjensen@eganmaritime.org or click here.

The Tall Ship Lynx is an educational sailing vessel dedicated to hands-on educational programs that teach the history of America’s struggle to preserve its independence, with close attention to the maritime challenges during the War of 1812. The replica Privateer Schooner employs a comprehensive, interactive program designed to enrich personal achievement through teamwork and the discipline of sailing.

Lynx is an interpretation of an actual privateer, Lynx, built by Thomas Kemp in 1812 in Fell’s Point, Maryland. The original Lynx was among the first ships to defend American freedom; she evaded the British naval fleet, which was blockading American ports at the time, and served in the important privateering efforts. At the outbreak of the War of 1812, the American Navy consisted of only 17 ships – eight frigates, two brigs, and seven assorted smaller vessels including a few schooners which where in service during the Barbary Wars. When a nation went to war, owners of private vessels were granted special permissions, called “letters of marque,” to prey upon the enemy’s ships; earning the title of “privateers.” While rarely engaging enemy warships, the impact of privateers was felt by English merchants who insisted on warship escorts for their vessels.

In order to perform their duty as an escort, warships were drawn away from engaging the scant American Navy and blockading our coast, and thus the privateers, motivated by profit, assisted in our national defense. Privateers were so effective at running the British blockade and harassing the British merchant fleet that the ship yards that built them, became primary targets for British revenge.