Summer location
USA - New England
Winter location
USA - New England
The renowned Sailing Yacht Tree of Life is now offering a remarkable opportunity to experience the breathtaking beauty and charm of Newport, RI, or Belfast, ME. Whether you're seeking a tranquil retreat in Newport's historic harbor or a captivating journey along the scenic coastline of Penobscot Bay this luxurious yacht invites you to embark on an unforgettable journey.
Built in 1991, Tree of Life stands as a testament to timeless elegance on the high seas. With meticulous care and attention to detail, this stunning yacht has been lovingly maintained over the years, and constantly upgraded to meet the demands of modern oceanic exploration. Every corner of this vessel exudes a sense of refined luxury, from the premium linen bedding to the sumptuous wool blankets that envelop you in warmth and comfort. Offering the perfect blend of seafaring practicality and shoreside opulence, Tree of Life allows you to voyage with ease and grace, never compromising on comfort.
In the early 1990's the Tree of Life was named one of the 100 Finest yachts in America by Sail magazine. She was designed in 1989 for a Virginia owner who planned extensive world cruising and wanted a husky yacht that resembled the Baltic trading schooners. Tree of Life was beautifully and strongly built by Covey Island Boat Works in Nova Scotia, Canada.
Since launching she won schooner races in Nova Scotia and crossed the Atlantic to Ireland to win several races there too. A letter from her builder, claiming speeds in excess of 12 knots under sail, is adequate testimony to her performance while a world circumnavigation attests to her seaworthiness and ability.
The Tree of Life's rig is very traditional, with its fiddled bowsprit, reefing topmasts and deadeyes. She spreads 3,894 sq ft of canvas with all sail set, giving her a sail area/displacement ratio of 24; this is more than adequate to keep her moving nicely in even the lightest of breezes. There are enough lines to handle to keep the crew busy and she is a beautiful sight surging along on a broad reach.
Sailing Yacht Tree of Life is sailing out of Newport Rhode Island for the month of June. For the months of July- October Tree of Life is sailing out of Belfast Maine in Penobscot Bay.
Accommodations: SY Tree of Life Sleeps 6 guests in 3 cabins:
1 Master suite: The Master suite is placed in the stern and provides its occupants with a King bed, plenty of wardrobe space. The King size bed that can be split down the middle for two singles, and an en-suite bathroom with a sink, toilet and shower.
2 double cabins: The double cabins are forward of the salon on the starboard side, and both have a double bed, washbasin and clothes storage. The double size bed in both cabins can be slit down the middle for two singles, and both cabins are en-suite with their very own sink, toilet and shower.
Description notes:
The aft stateroom has a centerline king bed with built in drawers on the forward side of the bed. A settee with a reading nook is located just forward of the bed and a closet with a second set of drawers for clothing also adorn the room. You will also find that the stateroom has an ensuite head with an electric fresh water commode, a vanity and sink with hot and cold water, and a shower.
The aft stateroom is incredibly spacious and has four windows on the transom at the head of the bed. Additionally, there is a skylight, a second hatch, and stairway to the deck. Portholes line the walls giving you the option to take in the fresh air while sleeping.
The two forward staterooms have double beds with vanities, hot and cold water sinks, and a vanity mirror. Both staterooms have closets and chests of drawers for clothing storage. The forward stateroom has a fold down writing desk. Each room has its own deck hatch and multiple opening porthole openings for fresh air. Both staterooms have their very own private head and shower.
Price Details
TREE OF LIFE will be chartering in Summers in New England and is offering the following introductory prices:
Low season rates (May, June, September & October 2025): $29,500 weekly plus all expenses
High season rates (July & August 2025): $35,000 weekly plus all expenses
TREE OF LIFE is not available Winter 2024-2025. Shipyard in Newport for upgrades.
Winter 2025-2026 TREE OF LIFE will be available in the Caribbean basing Antigua / St. Martin for Leeward Islands charters but will also consider Windward Islands and the USVI.
Plus Expenses
Captain Joshua Jacques
Captain Joshua Jacques fell in love with the ocean at a young age. Spending his summers sailing the coast of New England and his winters surfing the cold waters of Maine he knew he wanted to make a life at sea for himself. Jacques began his professional sailing career with the Maine Windjammer fleet up in Rockland Maine spending his summers sailing Penobscot Bay and winters aboard the Tall Ship Lynx transiting the east coast. Jacques and his partner went on to purchase the 1886 Schooner Isaac H. Evans, rescuing the historic vessel and breathing new life and programming into her. Now he looks forward to sharing the beauty of Tree of Life and New England waters with the community
Chief / Mate Samuel Glenn
Chief Mate Samuel Glenn was born in the vast confines of a New York City suburb. In his college years he took off to sail the Caribbean islands, thru hike the Appalachian Trail, Colorado Trail, and Israeli National Trail. In 2017, after a prolonged graduation with a bachelor's degree in hand, he sought work with Hurricane Island Outward Bound School, where he learned fundamental seamanship. He then took his skillset aboard Tall Ship Lynx as a deckhand where he came away with a zest for marlinespike seamanship. After a few more seasons of sailing for Outward Bound, he and his wife Ashley set sail for many adventures together at sea. Directly following a 4,500 nautical mile sea journey, Sammy hit the books and passed his Captains
licensing exams in both the US and British systems. His first commands were the 1924 72’ classic schooner Bagheera and 1926 53’ schooner Heart's Desire for Portland Schooner Company. He now joins Schooner Tree of Life as Chief Mate and vibe curator
Deckhand Zenalyssa Packer
Zenalyssa (Zen) Packer grew up in the mountains of Massachusetts while sailing the summers in Rhode Island Sound, Vineyard Sound, and Long Island Sound. The summer after graduating high school, she saw Tree of Life at her sailboat’s homeport in Jamestown, Rhode Island and became immediately interested. She worked as crew until October 2023, and fell in love with Tree of Life. During the winter months, Zenalyssa worked on Mystic Whaler in Oxnard, California to help teach youth and adults about sailing and the sea. Zenalyssa is excited to rejoin Tree of Life as crew next summer