CAMDEN — This winter has seen a lot of business transitions in downtown Camden, and news that Mike and Lynne McHenry have sold their windjammer, Angelique, signals commercial changes in the harbor as well.

The McHenry’s have owned and operated the Angelique as a tourist vessel since 1986. It was built in 1980 specifically for the tourist trade. The 130-foot-long gaff topsail ketch carries 31 passengers and seven crew, and regularly plies the waters of Penobscot Bay during the summer season.

The new owners of Angelique are Capt. Dennis Gallant and Candace Kuchinski. Gallant is a familiar face, having worked as mate aboard the Angelique for the past 10 years.

In a letter to repeat guests, which the McHenry’s shared with the media, they said, “Angelique and the windjamming trade has been good to Lynne, myself and our family. After many lively, thoughtful discussions Lynne and I feel it is time to pass along the ownership and stewardship of Angelique.”

The McHenry’s described Gallant and Kuchinski as “...a caring, competent couple who have both worked in the windjamming trade,” adding that Gallant is “...a good captain with his roots in windjamming sprouted from the deck of Angelique, he came up through the hawsepipe as the old salts say.”

“Lynne and I enjoyed working with Dennis while he was aboard, a good mate, talented, clever craftsman, musician and most importantly, good company. Lynne and I feel that we have made an excellent choice to have Capt. Dennis at the helm and Candace taking Lynne's role as ‘admiral’ of our beloved Angelique. Candace has worked aboard windjammers in the Maine fleet and will be a great partner in this next chapter of Angelique and Yankee Packet Company,” said the McHenrys in the letter. “Dennis and Candace understand the spirit of windjamming and what it entails. The vessel and her guests are in great hands with gracious hosts. We would not be turning the helm over if we thought otherwise. Twenty-seven years of ownership and stewardship have been ground into Lynne and I, and will not wash out easily. It has been a great sail...what an awesome vessel and great shipmates! Thanks for sharing it with us and for your support!”

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