Island Rover Institute

Island Rover Institute Capt. Harold Arndt is turning surplus and recycled material into a steel ship on Lower Flying Point, Freeport, Maine. of canvas when under full rig.

The Island Rover Institute demonstration project is a very unique undertaking. The steel topsail schooner is being built from raw materials which the previous owners considered surplus or unwanted materials and “Stuff” which were in fact destine to be discarded as “waste” were it not for the intervention and salvage by the volunteers of the Island Rover Institue. The construction of the Schooner “

Island Rover” is a demonstration of how big and how beautiful a project can be built from what others would have thrown away in the wasteful “American-Throw-Away-Society” of the last two or three decades. The ship “Island Rover” is a 89 foot steel vessel, as measured on deck, but will be 113 feet overall in length with the bow sprit in place. The two 100 foot steel masts will accommodate not less than seven sails with over 5000 sq.ft. Weighing in at over 100 tons displacement, with a 10 foot draft and a 22 foot beam, the ship will be a very sturdy, stable platform from which to conduct numerous activities and will be a very fast comfortable sailing vessel. While the design lines are those of a classic late 1800’s coastal schooner hull, the deck cabins and internal construction is being performed to make it very versatile in functionality. With cabin tops that are to be constructed as one unit of light weight fiberglass (with solar photo-voltaics embedded ) and cabin beams, deck beams and soule beams that are constructed to be easily removable by removing one to three bolts at each beam end, the internal volume can be set up with several modular accommodation configurations. The slotted soule beam configuration will allow numerous plug and pin modular installations, while the dropped deck Salon Cabin configuration maintains a pleasing exterior profile configuration but accommodates normal full head room within.

04/29/2026

Hello supporter. I’m sorry to say we did not get enough signatures to make the ballot. There were 7 duplicates and 46 non registered voters. There will be further discussion at the next town meeting. Hang in there.

04/24/2026

GREAT NEWS FOLKS! With 8 signatures more than required, THE ISLAND ROVER WILL BE ON THE REFERENDUM IN JUNE!!!! HUGE THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED MAKE THIS HAPPEN!!!! 👏

04/21/2026

Dear Freeport Residents,

We need your help to secure a temporary boat ramp for the launch of the Island Rover. Please consider signing our petition to include this initiative on the upcoming ballot.

You can sign the petition tomorrow at George's Barber Shop on South Street between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM.

The proposed amendment, "Ordinance to Launch the Island Rover Vessel," is included below in the comments.

Thank you for your support.

Best of 2025. This is what was shown on ABC Boston on 12/30/25 at 7:30PM.
01/08/2026

Best of 2025. This is what was shown on ABC Boston on 12/30/25 at 7:30PM.

Anthony's favorite stories included this epic quest in Freeport, Maine

01/07/2026

Harold Arndt has spent more than 30 years building an educational schooner out of recycled steel behind his home in Freeport, Maine.After decades of legal co...

Please watch this documentary on the Island Rover and Captain Harold Arndt.
08/31/2023

Please watch this documentary on the Island Rover and Captain Harold Arndt.

Harold Arndt has spent more than 30 years building an educational schooner out of recycled steel behind his home in Freeport, Maine.After decades of legal co...

Having been strategically constructed from surplus naval shipbuilding materials Island Rover is a tangible example of ho...
07/26/2016

Having been strategically constructed from surplus naval shipbuilding materials Island Rover is a tangible example of how waste mitigation principles can be put into action. Through operating education under sail programs she will empower our youth and open doors to both continuing education and industry career opportunities, not only learning but living important conservation principles.

160 feet left! Please help us finish by donating today at . Thank you!
07/19/2016

160 feet left! Please help us finish by donating today at . Thank you!

07/19/2016

How can you help Island Rover Institute achieve a successful launch of our namesake vessel? Visit Islandrover.org today to see our updated construction phase plan, meet our board of directors, and determine how best you can support the mission.

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93 Maquoit Drive
Freeport, ME
04032

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