Sea Escape Cottages & Charters

Bailey Island, Maine

Your Sea Escape Family

Donna and Les McNelly bought the cottages in 1985 and became the hosts. It was a leap of faith they have never regretted. In 1985 wild brush and sumac grew above your head right up to the porches with a narrow path to the Oceanside deck. Les, the human skidder, improved the view rapidly. They came up with the name “Sea Escape” because that is how it felt. It has been an ongoing effort to keep the cottages well kept and modern. In 1992 they built the Sunset Suite Duplex. When Les retired from L.L. Bean in 1995 he got his U.S. Coast Guard Captains License and started doing fishing charters.  Donna and Les  have raised three kids here. Bethany was three when they  moved to Bailey Island. Perry and Bethany  now are working with Donna and Les in the business as well as running their own sailing charter business out of Bailey Island on the sailing vessel Tevake.

 

Mrs. Donna McNelly

The Mom, nurse, teacher, plumber, painter, candlestick maker, jam & jelly connoisseur, cleaning lady, office person, accountant, baker, and Mrs fix it.  She taught nursing at the University of New England and has her masters in nursing. She takes care of Aunt Ardy and loves pilates. She likes her decaf coffee black.

Captain Les McNelly

The Dad,  groundskeeper, berry grower, fisherman, tour guide, lobster cooker, fire tender, hunter, and all around go to guy. He is a former computer program designer that will only work on a computer now by force. He drinks Budweiser and drives a John Deere tractor.

Captain Bethany McNelly

Donna and Les’ youngest daughter started Tevake Sailing Charters  with Perry in 2006. She graduated from Roger Williams University with a degree in Architecture and worked for several years on traditional sailing ships. She now helps Donna and Les run and maintain Sea Escape. Her favorite food is steamed artichoke.

Captain Perry Davis

Perry is Bethany’s other half. He has sailed to over 10 different countries crewing and captaining square riggers and schooners while living  aboard Tevake. Now Perry  captains the  mail boat to Monhegan Island. Perry and his old boat, Tevake, are now happy to be part of Sea Escape Cottages & Charters.

Miss Tami McNelly, Conlon & Quinn Ranta

Donna and Les’ oldest, Tami,  frequently visits in the summer months with her two boys Conlon and Quinn. They love to ride bikes, play games, fly kites, and go to the sea shore. Tami likes carrots raw, not cooked. Conlon likes orange juice and Quinn likes chocolate  milk.

Minor Dog

Minor is Les’ Golden Retriever. He is currently in charge of public relations. He is usually the first to greet the cottage guests with a bark and a wiggle. During the week he is more often than not found lounging on a porch with a new friend. He likes to play fetch and play dead.

Casco Cat

Casco is Bethany and Perry’s big orange sailor cat.  He is a traveling cat. Car rides, kayaking, rowing, skiing, flying, snowmobiling, when Tevake is sailing, he goes sailing to.  He likes beef jerky.