Jun-2021
Famed fisherman, author offers boat tours
Captain Linda Greenlaw, a Maine author and fisherman who was portrayed in the 2000 film version of Sebastian Junger’s book “The Perfect Storm,” aims to get people out on the water this summer to see the islands, lighthouses and other points of interest that she knows so well, having navigated these waters for decades. All tours depart from Perry’s Lobster Shack off Newbury Neck Road in the Hancock County town of Surry.
One of Greenlaw’s most popular tours is on her lobster boat, Earnest, where her passengers learn how to haul traps and learn about the crustacean. Her 41-foot wooden lobster boat was built on Chebeague Island off Portland coast by fisherman Mark Olsen. She and her husband, Steve Wessel, co-own Wesmac Boats in Surry.
“It’s a great boat for doing six-person charters with,” Greenlaw said, referring to Earnest. “It’s a big cockpit; it’s very comfortable and safe.”

As part of her “Lobster 101” tour, Greenlaw teaches about half a dozen passengers how to bailt, set and haul traps in waters around Newbury Neck and Blue Hill Bay. If the catch is good, they can have their lobsters cooked at Perry’s after they come ashore.
Greenlaw, who also sword fished for years and has been featured on the Discovery Network’s “Swords: Life on the Line” program, is offering night cruises, too. Aboard a Wesmac yacht named Select, the two-hour cruises will feature an astronomer who will give passengers a tour of the night sky.
“I’m going to do some full-moon-rising tours,” said Greenlaw. A cookbook author, she will serve strawberry shortcake during the full-moon cruise in June — also known as the strawberry moon. “I’m real excited about that.”
From Surry, Greenlaw also plans to offer a weekly excursion to Bar Harbor. It’s a two-hour ride, but passengers will have plenty of time to explore, eat and shop in the famed resort town before catching a boat ride back late in the day.
“It’s a tough drive from Surry to Bar Harbor — traffic-wise — in the summer. On the way over, passengers will get “to see seals, and porpoises, you’re going to go by a lighthouse.”
As crew, Greenlaw will have a sternman, Keith Adams, who is a registered Maine guide, on board.
“He loves it and I love having him aboard,” she said. “He’s just very familiar with all the hiking in the area. He carries a trail map. He’s such a great guide to have in the stern of the boat. He’s really quite an asset for me.”
Greenlaw also has two other licensed captains including her son-in-law David Hitchcock and Phil Doyen of Wave Walker Cottage and Suites in Surry.
“They can run the big boat if I am otherwise busy running the lobster boat,” she said.
In addition, Greenlaw will provide boat tours for Under Canvas Acadia’s guests staying at its “glampground” off Route 172 in Surry. The Under Canvas Acadia property, straddling 1,200 feet of coastline, features 63 safari-style tents perched on elevated rocks with private bathrooms.
However, you don’t need to be a guest of Under Canvas to enjoy Greenlaw’s offerings. For more info, visit lindagreenlawcharters.com, call 266-9831 and email Sandy Sinclair at [email protected].