Welcome to Seanook!
This long-time family summer cottage is now a year-round Mid-coast Maine vacation cabin.
Seanook has a unique vantage point in East Boothbay grandfathered on the beach next to its own rocky point. Four decks and floor-to-ceiling windows unfold water views in three directions, including this long vista all the way to the mouth of Linekin Bay where it joins the open Atlantic sea. From the dock in summer see spectacular sunsets across the water as you soak up soothing salt air, or in winter bask in the glow of the fireplace stove while
you watch through the windows wind-whipped snow whirling across the water. Seanook sits on the beach; the tide comes in under and around it. Staying here is like being on a boat except it doesn’t rock. On a rainy night, the pitter-pat on the roof will lull you to sleep. Wake up to the call of seabirds and the sloshing of little waves.
With a maximum of 6 guests, Seanook is an ideal place for a small reunion or retreat. Yet we welcome a couple as readily as a family or group. Enjoy our seclusion in summer as a weekly rental; other times as a weekend getaway, or you may come for any part of the week, or choose it as your month’s cozy cabin sojourn.
If immersing yourself in the relaxation of our spot doesn’t float your boat, you can venture out to discover woods and coastal activities in Boothbay and nearby Boothbay Harbor. Live theater, artist studios, gourmet seafood restaurants, antiquing, boating excursions, fishing or kayaking on the ocean, or hiking the lush Maine woods are some of the activities to be found in this area. See “About Boothbay” for more things to do.
To find Seanook on the map below you can actually zoom in on the earth or satellite versions to locate the “dog-leg” dock; Seanook is immediately next to that. Seanook, Paradise Cottage, and Paradise Studio (our shop/studio) appear in a straight line from West to East.
History: Seanook was built as a bungalow shortly after 1900 by John Seavey, then-owner of the East Boothbay General Store. This enterprising shopkeeper used it as an annex from which to sell snacks, bait, and fuel to lobstermen on the bay. His dock extended straight out from the lower deck. An opening underneath allowed small boats to be stowed under the bungalow. Gas, that Mr. Seavey sold to lobstermen, was stored in a shed just south and down a few steps off the front lawn. (Photo of painting, right.) When you enter the cottage you will see this painting showing the bungalow as it was when my parents owned it.
The breakwater on our north beach pre-dates Mr. Seavey. The previous owner of the land used it, to haul up and store his boat for the winter. Obviously, ocean levels were not as high then because that wall is often well under water now at a regular high tide.
Subsequent use of the cabin was for “people from away” who were escaping the summer heat in Massachusetts.
My parents bought the bungalow through realtor, Mr. Linekin, in 1947. My grandmother knew him because both their families were originally from Pittsfield, ME. My father came up with the name “Seanook,” a nook by the sea. Every summer he did an improvement project on the building. It was then a 5.5-hour drive for us to come from Natick, outside of Boston. Starting the year I was 5 years old until I was 17, I spent three months every summer here. I always knew this was where I wanted to be.
When I acquired the property in 1997, I started gradual renovations to winterize it and add the second floor, the sunroom, entry, and laundry room. After all the major work was done, Ron and I have been making gradual improvements ourselves.
Our shoreline is the quintessential authentic rocky coast of Maine. Seanook is grandfathered to be this close to the water; one cannot get anywhere near this proximity with new construction. On a very high tide I have thought, “That lobster boat might drive right into the living room!” For ocean sounds, weather, and nature viewing it is unparalleled. For relaxation it is divine. Come experience this proximity to weather, wildlife, and water, now available year-round.
