Events - Event View

Maine has to be one of the premier cruising destinations in the world if you like moderate temperatures, gentle breezes (most of the time), lobsters, lobster buoys, fog, and ever so many rocks.

And then there are seals, whales, eagles, ospreys, dolphins, and lobster boats. Sailing the coast of Maine is seldom boring and one must be prepared to navigate all the time!

The cruise generally will head for Penobscot Bay, providing several ports for crew changes. The major harbors to be visited for re-supply and crew changes will be Boothbay and Castine.

Be prepared to deal with lobster pots. For the sake of the lobsterman and his expensive gear on the bottom, the best practice is just don’t mess with them. We will have basic snorkeling equipment if it is necessary to dive under a boat to cut it free.

Each day’s departure time will be dependent upon the weather forecast and distance to be covered. Some of the legs of the cruise are only a few miles, so plan on sleeping in on at least a few days.

Keep in mind that the schedule presented here is a guideline, and is subject to change depending upon the weather. Boats joining the cruise after the start date should try to stay in cell phone contact with the leader to be sure we will be where you expect us to be! Contact cell phone is 508-826-0619

Cruise Overview and Itinerary

August 2, Wednesday. Arrive Safe Harbor Great Island Boat Yard. (SFGI).
Orrs Cove in Quahog Bay, pick up a transient mooring (reserve far ahead!) Or anchor outside the mooring field in settled conditions or be prepared to head over to Snow Island if conditions unsettled. There will be a kickoff dinner at “Iris Eats” at the top of the hill in the SFGI parking lot for Burgers or lobster, catered by Iris on their deck or inside if the weather is poor. Reservations and food order in advance as part of registration

August 3rd, Thursday , 22 miles
Depart Great Island and head for Sawyers Cove North of Sawyers Island. Nothing to do here...just a quiet place to anchor. Alternatives include Robin Hood Cove or Ebencock Harbor.

August 4th Friday, 28 miles.
Turkey Cove or Maple Juice Cove.
Again, a quiet place to anchor, no particular attractions.

August 5th,Saturday, 24 miles
Ouside “The Basin” on the east side of Vinalhaven. Boats can also venture down to Hurricane Island and tour the facilities there, or dinghy into the Basin itself.

August 6th and 7th Sunday and Monday,15-17 miles
Sail around Vinalhaven either north (15 miles and the Fox Island Thorofare) or south (17 miles with a possible stop at Brimstone Island if conditions are settled) to Deer Isle and Stonington Harbor. We’ll stay in this general area for 2 days to visit Stonington as well as other delightful places like Camp Island, Wreck Island, Crotched Island. Exact plan to be determined .Pizza dinner in Stonington.

August 8th Tuesday, 14 miles
Continue north on the west side of Deer isle to Bucks Harbor, or, take the long way and go east to Eggemoggin Reach. Pick up a mooring and look for dinner ashore!

August 9th Wednesday, 13 miles
Turn around and head south the Winter Harbor on the east side of of Vinalhaven for a secluded and comfortable anchorage. On the way we will stop in the Barred Islands for a picnic lunch ashore.

August 10 and 11th, Thursday and Friday,15 miles
Turn north again and head for Castine by way of the Fox Islands Thorofare. There will be a layover day with activities ashore, including a walking tour of historic Castine.

August 12 Saturday, 13 miles
Isleford and Dark Harbor, Anchor or pick up a mooring, Marina has showers and limited supplies. Sneak over to Warren Island in your dinghy on a high tide for a hike, or to the ferry landing for burgers and ice cream.

August 13, Sunday, 26 miles
Time to start heading for home! Tennants for a mooring or anchor in adjacent Long Cove

August 14 Monday, 21 miles
Round Pond for a mooring with dinner on your own.

August 15 Tuesday, 15 miles
End of the cruise in Boothbay Harbor, Make reservations for a mooring or dock space at Carousel Marine. Traditional Commodores Dinner ashore in the evening.

August 16, Wednesday, 21 miles
Head home but for people heading “up west” make a stop at “The Basin” in Casco Bay.

For further information contact Bill Dobson at 508 826 0619, or at Lazyjacks1@gmail.com or Pat Dieselman at 508-878-2141 or Starfire3737@yahoo.com

References:
“A Cruising Guide to the Maine Coast” by Hank and Jan Taft, and Curt Rindlaub. A must-have for the Maine cruiser. Don’t leave home without it!