Frenchman Bay to Candian border

[Roger F]

We are considering a couple days above MDI this year. I have the invaluable Maine Coast Guide and understand that most stops on the way are working harbors without much in the way of facilities for cruisers.

I am looking for a couple decent locations to stop for the night and ideally with moorings or dock space.

Thanks for any suggestions!

 

[Roger Long]

I am looking for a couple decent locations to stop for the night and ideally with moorings or dock space.

The main reason for going past Schoodic, to the least spoiled and wildest part of the Maine coast, is to get away from marinas and moorings and experience being a real cruiser again.

This is my favorite part of the Maine Coast. Many consider Roque Island, and Bunker Cove in particular, the most beautiful place on the entire east coast. I'd have a hard time picking a favorite myself but I couldn't argue with that point of view.

A lobsterman keeps a mooring in Bunker Cove to wash down at the end of the day and sell very cheap lobsters to anyone anchored in the cove. Eating lobster in that spot is about as good as life gets.

To fully enjoy this part of the world though, you have to go up on the bow and get reacquainted with that hook like thing that lives there. You'll be putting it down in some of the most beautiful places you will ever see.

You can find maps and tracks of some of my cruises here:

http://www.cruisingonstrider.us/StriderCruises.htm

These will tip you off to some nice spots.

 

[Roger F]

Hook

Thanks Roger. Yes we are looking forward to that. I have been on the inland side plenty of times but not on the water. From reading the Maine guide it makes it clear of the differences as to what one can expect as far as facilities and traffic go - and we are plenty good with that and all that goes with it. Nonetheless, I always sleep much better on a mooring though we are slowly getting used to the hook alone over this past couple of seasons.

I will check your links out, thanks again.

 

[Roger Long]

I always sleep much better on a mooring though we are slowly getting used to the hook alone over this past couple of seasons.

Some threads that might help:

http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=132926

The only place I've ever dragged north of Cape Cod is Lunenburg, N.S. the holding downeast is generally pretty good although you do want to be sure you are not just hooked on a kelp plant and held only by its roots.

http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=135122

http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=135160

The anchor alarm function on your GPS will help with sleep. I worry more on unknown moorings. If the chain parts, you'll be ashore before you can get the engine running. An anchor drag is almost always slow.

 

[TomY]

We are considering a couple days above MDI this year. I have the invaluable Maine Coast Guide and understand that most stops on the way are working harbors without much in the way of facilities for cruisers.

I am looking for a couple decent locations to stop for the night and ideally with moorings or dock space.

Thanks for any suggestions!

Our last trip to Roque we spent a night in Correa Harbor. I remember we found a vacant mooring and got permission from a lobsterman. It was a settled night and the inner harbor is very snug. I bet you'd find an available mooring. Get there early though, in case you don't.

It's a wonderful working harbor and feels like going back in time several decades.

 

[Roger Long]

Get there early though, in case you don't. It's a wonderful working harbor and feels like going back in time several decades.

It's also worth working your way up through one of the thickest fields of lobster pots in the state, around the corner, and up into the river at the head of the bay.