Marc Evan Jackson: Actor and Windjammer Enthusiast

You may know Marc Evan Jackson from his memorable television roles on Parks and Recreation and Brooklyn Nine-Nine, but beyond acting he has a deep and enduring passion for traditional sailing vessels. Raised in a suburb near Buffalo, New York, Jackson developed an early fascination with Maine windjammers—those classic schooners that evoke the region’s long maritime history.

As a young teenager, Jackson was already drawn to life at sea. At 13 he wrote to captains, asking for work as a deckhand even though he had no prior experience. Those early letters did not result in immediate openings, but they revealed a determination that would persist into adulthood. In 1993, after years of ongoing interest in sailing, Jackson landed a position on a schooner and eventually served as first mate aboard the Mercantile in Camden, Maine. That hands-on experience gave him direct insight into the rhythms of life on deck and the responsibilities of running a traditional schooner.

When Jackson’s acting career began to gain momentum, his time at sea became less frequent. Still, his affection for windjammers never faded. Traditional schooners and windjammers remain powerful symbols of New England’s coastal culture, and Jackson’s connection to them is both personal and purposeful. He has returned to the maritime world not only as a sailor but as an advocate for preserving and sharing Maine’s seafaring heritage.

In late last year, Jackson expanded his involvement with traditional sailing vessels by becoming a partial owner of the historic windjammer Grace Bailey, which is based in Rockland, Maine. His ownership stake is more than a personal investment: Jackson intends to be aboard the Grace Bailey on selected sailings to help draw attention to the ship and to attract passengers who are interested in an authentic, hands-on maritime experience. Having a public figure who is genuinely engaged with the vessel and its history can help broaden interest in coastal cruises and the stories those vessels tell.

Beyond the practical benefits of increased visibility, Jackson’s involvement aims to highlight the broader cultural and historical importance of windjammers. These schooners are living reminders of a time when sail powered commerce and coastal communities relied on the sea for their livelihoods. By participating directly—both as a sailor and as an owner—Jackson contributes to efforts to preserve the skills, traditions, and narratives associated with traditional sailing craft. His presence aboard selected voyages is meant to be educational as well as promotional, inviting passengers to learn about seamanship, navigation, and the maritime heritage of Maine.

For visitors to Rockland and the surrounding coastal towns, opportunities to sail on a working windjammer like the Grace Bailey offer a unique blend of history and adventure. Trips on these schooners range from leisurely coastal excursions to fully participatory voyages where guests can assist with lines, learn about rigging, and hear first-hand accounts of life at sea. Jackson’s participation is consistent with a larger trend of entertainers and public figures using their platforms to support cultural preservation and experiential tourism.

Marc Evan Jackson’s journey from a curious teenager writing to captains to a partial owner of a historic windjammer underscores a long-term devotion to maritime tradition. Whether he’s acting on screen or sailing aboard a schooner, his commitment to the sea and to sharing Maine’s seafaring story remains clear. Passengers who encounter him aboard the Grace Bailey can expect an experienced and enthusiastic advocate for the enduring legacy of New England’s windjammers.