Cruising from Maine to New York City

[Sailor Sue]

We're in the process of buying a boat in Northeast Harbor, Maine, which we will be sailing back to Lake Erie. I know this is a wide open question, but any tips, warnings, must see places, or places to avoid? We've done the Hudson River - Erie Canal portion of the trip three times so don't need too much info about that. Thanks in advance.

 

[FB111A]

Are you going off shore or down the Maine coast?

 

[Sailor Sue]

Since this is probably the only time we will be in New England with our boat we plan on coastal cruising to the Cape Cod Canal, then across Long Island Sound to the Hudson.

 

[Tim R.]

How much time between when you leave and when you want to hit the CC canal?


Has the Erie Canal re-opened?

 

[Sailor Sue]

Hi, Tim,
We have no definite time frame in mind. We're guessing we might take two weeks from NE Harbor to NYC. We're figuring just under three weeks to do the Hudson, the Erie Canal, and Lake Erie once we leave NYC.
The last we heard the canal is fully operational again.

 

[Stu Jackson]

One of our Featured Contributors, Roger Long, has written about his experiences on this trip. http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/forumdisplay.php?f=142

Good luck with the new boat, congratulations and have a great cruise.

 

[Rick486]

Hi, Tim,
We have no definite time frame in mind. We're guessing we might take two weeks from NE Harbor to NYC. We're figuring just under three weeks to do the Hudson, the Erie Canal, and Lake Erie once we leave NYC.
The last we heard the canal is fully operational again.

Having done the trip many times, I would suggest that if you want to enjoy the trip and visit interesting places, I would double that time to 4 weeks or more to NYC.

 

[Tim R.]

Sue, do you prefer quiet remote anchorages, small towns or a mix? Do liketo hike/walk quiet islands or window shop in small towns?

 

[FB111A]

I think you should stop in Belfast, Me, (Hamilton Marine nearby)then on to Pulpit Harbor on North Haven, then Robinhood Marina at Riggs Cove. All easy half day sails and great scenery , Provisioning, marine supplies, etc for shakedown of new boat. Would you like to borrow Taft's cruising guide to the Me coast?

 

[steve77]

We're in the process of buying a boat in Northeast Harbor, Maine, which we will be sailing back to Lake Erie. I know this is a wide open question, but any tips, warnings, must see places, or places to avoid? We've done the Hudson River - Erie Canal portion of the trip three times so don't need too much info about that. Thanks in advance.

There is probably close to a lifetime's worth of stuff to see if you're cruising the coast of Maine. You might want to pick up a copy of this book:

http://www.mainecoastguide.com/guides.html

Any marine supply store in Maine should sell it.

Edit: Didn't notice when I posted but this is the same book recommended in the post right above mine. It's a pretty amazing resource.

 

[Sailor Sue]

Sue, do you prefer quiet remote anchorages, small towns or a mix? Do liketo hike/walk quiet islands or window shop in small towns?

We prefer quiet, uncrowded anchorages when possible and hiking. We've driven through Maine and done exploring of small towns on land but if you have any "must see" spots please let us know.

On another note, should we be as concerned about lobster pots and fog as some people suggest?

 

[Sailor Sue]

I think you should stop in Belfast, Me, (Hamilton Marine nearby)then on to Pulpit Harbor on North Haven, then Robinhood Marina at Riggs Cove. All easy half day sails and great scenery , Provisioning, marine supplies, etc for shakedown of new boat. Would you like to borrow Taft's cruising guide to the Me coast?

Thanks for the suggestions and the offer of the cruising guide! We'll check out the spots. We are not familiar with that guide but do have Dozier's Waterway Guide for the area.

 

[Tim R.]

Ok, here is what I would do as we seem to have similar tastes.

- Spend time right there in NE Harbor. Great hiking at Acadia and a free bus. Provision at the market in NE Harbor. Eat some popovers at Jordan pond house.
- Next I would go to Buckle cove(Swan's Island) for a quiet anchorage and a nice walk around Buckle Island.
- Next to Hell's half acre or McGlathery Island in the deer island thoroughfare. Not much hiking but very beautiful quiet spots.
- Next on to Isle Au Haut for two days to do some hiking. Part of the island is part of Acadia National Park. Only a handful of people are allowed to visit the island via ferry so you will have the place to yourselves. You may even see Linda Greenlaw working on her boat or at the local market. Good place to provision.
- Next to Seal Bay on Vinalhaven. Very quiet and beautiful.
- Through the Fox Island Thoroughfare to Tennants Harbor
- Sail through Muscongus bay, past Pemaquid light to Christmas cove. They have a great little restaurant and bar that is perfect for cruisers.
- I would then make a long jump to Quahog Bay. Great swimming and lake like atmosphere. Swimming is awesome 75°+ water usually.
- Next I would take a long day to head for Isle au shoals near Portsmouth
- Then onto the Canal. Some timing involved to ride the current and also avoid the big waves in the top of buzzards bay when a SW wind hits the current coming out of the canal.

Feel free to email/PM me for any specific questions Sue.

 

[Tim R.]

Lobster pots and fog can be a concern. Radar is essential if you plan to move on foggy days. Lobster pots should be given a wide berth if you are not familiar with how to pass them closely especially if they have toggles. Check out the following link for detailed info.

http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gener...oiding-sailing-w-lobster-pots-lobstermen.html

 

[Sailor Sue]

Ok, here is what I would do as we seem to have similar tastes.

- Spend time right there in NE Harbor. Great hiking at Acadia and a free bus. Provision at the market in NE Harbor. Eat some popovers at Jordan pond house.
- Next I would go to Buckle cove(Swan's Island) for a quiet anchorage and a nice walk around Buckle Island.
- Next to Hell's half acre or McGlathery Island in the deer island thoroughfare. Not much hiking but very beautiful quiet spots.
- Next on to Isle Au Haut for two days to do some hiking. Part of the island is part of Acadia National Park. Only a handful of people are allowed to visit the island via ferry so you will have the place to yourselves. You may even see Linda Greenlaw working on her boat or at the local market. Good place to provision.
- Next to Seal Bay on Vinalhaven. Very quiet and beautiful.
- Through the Fox Island Thoroughfare to Tennants Harbor
- Sail through Muscongus bay, past Pemaquid light to Christmas cove. They have a great little restaurant and bar that is perfect for cruisers.
- I would then make a long jump to Quahog Bay. Great swimming and lake like atmosphere. Swimming is awesome 75°+ water usually.
- Next I would take a long day to head for Isle au shoals near Portsmouth
- Then onto the Canal. Some timing involved to ride the current and also avoid the big waves in the top of buzzards bay when a SW wind hits the current coming out of the canal.

Feel free to email/PM me for any specific questions Sue.

Tim,
Thanks for all the suggestions. We'll dig out the charts and see how many of these places we can find. Any chance of seeing whales in any of these areas?
Just yesterday we ran across the link you mentioned regarding lobster warps, and the boat we are looking at has radar. Radar is not a big deal in the Great Lakes but I hope it works until we get home.
Now we just need to find a couple of nice quiet anchorages going down Long Island Sound.

 

[Tim R.]

Tim,
Thanks for all the suggestions. We'll dig out the charts and see how many of these places we can find. Any chance of seeing whales in any of these areas?
Just yesterday we ran across the link you mentioned regarding lobster warps, and the boat we are looking at has radar. Radar is not a big deal in the Great Lakes but I hope it works until we get home.
Now we just need to find a couple of nice quiet anchorages going down Long Island Sound.

All of my suggestions are from East to West. Let me know if you have trouble finding any of them.

Good chance of seeing whales when transiting the larger bays. We have seen many.

One other stop I forgot to mention is Monhegan Island. Great place to hike and you will feel like you stepped back 100 years. Very rolly harbor though so a night in a hotel may be best comfort wise. Also a great place to spend 2 days.

I have heard that Fishers island is good but I have always transited LIS non-stop.

 

[Sailor Sue]

All of my suggestions are from East to West. Let me know if you have trouble finding any of them.

Good chance of seeing whales when transiting the larger bays. We have seen many.

One other stop I forgot to mention is Monhegan Island. Great place to hike and you will feel like you stepped back 100 years. Very rolly harbor though so a night in a hotel may be best comfort wise. Also a great place to spend 2 days.

I have heard that Fishers island is good but I have always transited LIS non-stop.

Tim,
We found all the places you mentioned. Some of the navigation looks like it might be challenging. I sure am glad we'll have chart plotting as well as paper charts.
Our understanding is that the winds are predominately out of the SW in the summer. What is the typical wind strength?

 

[Tim R.]

Tim,
We found all the places you mentioned. Some of the navigation looks like it might be challenging. I sure am glad we'll have chart plotting as well as paper charts.
Our understanding is that the winds are predominately out of the SW in the summer. What is the typical wind strength?

Yes, SW is typical in the summer. Sometimes it comes off the land(NW) in the morning and then changes to SW in the afternoon after the lands has heated up and sucked in a sea breeze. Most days in the summer you can expect 8-12kts.

That being said we are often at a crossroads of fronts coming from the SW and NW which can make weather prediction very challenging.

BTW, if you make it to Portland, look us up at DiMillos.

 

[NYSail]

There are many great stops along the coast. Block island is a must... So is watch hill.

 

[steve77]

While you're up in Acadia you might want to visit Schoodic Point. One of the more spectacular sights around: