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. The McNellys came up with the name “Sea Escape” because that is how it felt. It is an ongoing effort to keep the cottages well kept and generally modern. In 1992 they built the North and South 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. After 20 years of chartering the Sea Escape Too Les is an occasional hand on the Schooner Alert. Donna and Les have raised three kids at 23 Sea Escape Ln. 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 charters out of Bailey Island with their two children.
Meet the Family
We are excited to show you our gorgeous slice of Maine
Captain Bethany McNelly-Davis
Donna and Les’ youngest daughter started Tevake Sailing Charters with Perry in 2006. In 2013, they added the Schooner ALERT to their sailing fleet. She graduated from Roger Williams University with a degree in Architecture and works on traditional sailing ships. Bethany helps Donna and Les run and maintain Sea Escape. Her favorite food is steamed artichoke.
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 loves pilates and basketball. She likes her decaf coffee black.
Retired Captain Les McNelly
The Dad, registered Maine Guide, groundskeeper, berry grower, fisherman, lobster cooker, fire tender, hunter, grandfather, 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 Perry Davis
Perry is Bethany’s husband. He has sailed to over 10 different countries crewing and captaining square riggers and schooners while living aboard Tevake. Now Perry captains the Schooner Alert and Tevake with Bethany, and likes to tell jokes by the campfire at the cottages. Perry and Tevake are happy to be part of Sea Escape Cottages and Charters. He celebrates the 2013 acquisition of the Coast Guard Certified Schooner ALERT to the fleet.
Pussy Willow Cat
Pussy Willow is Donna and Les’s half Siamese cat. New to Sea Escape in the summer of 2012. He is smart for a cat and loves to hunt and bring his prizes home to show them off.
Sterling Haden and Hobie Cat
Sterling Haden and Hobie Cat are Perry and Bethany’s... no, Margaret and Calypso’s Rescue cats, native to New England. They are sneaky indoor cats when spending time at the cottages. They join Margaret when she sails on ALERT. We think they are Purrfect.
Margaret Danger McNelly-Davis
Margaret, Bethany & Perry’s daughter joined the family May 2013. She immediately became a sailor, often entertaining on board the Schooner ALERT. She loves to pick flowers and dance. She is endearing, charming, and the light of our lives.
Calypso Pearl McNelly-Davis
Calypso, Bethany & Perry’s daughter joined the family July 2016. She immediately became a sailor, first leaving Bailey Island on Schooner ALERT. She has a wonderful since of humor. She is smart and a wonderful little sister.
