I am planning to cruise up the coast of Maine for a week in July. I will leave Portland and want to stop in Bar Harbor for 2 nights and would like to stay in Camden one night. I am looking for suggestions for places, ports to stop in along the way and how long of sail is it between ports. I would like any input of marinas and or places to moor.
July cruise up the coast of Maine
- Thread starter WilliamH
- Start date
- Status
If you..
If you have your heart set on Bar Harbor and Camden go for it but if you want advice I'd have to say no to both Camden and Bar Harbor. Camden less so than Bar Harbor though. These are our not to miss overnight places. Long Cove - Vinalhaven Island Seal Bay or Winter Harbor (they use the same entrance) - Vinalhaven Island Isle Au Haut - Stay in the thorofare best island hiking in the state! Merchants Row off Stonington - McGlathery Island, Harbor Island etc. Frenchboro/Long Island - Best lobster on the planet!!!! Second best Island Hiking in the state! Do not miss the hiking at Frenchboro or Isle Au Haut. Swan's Island Northeast Harbor - This is your access to MDI MUCH, MUCH, MUCH better than Bar Harbor. Catch the Island Explorer busses from the dock and they will drop you anywhere on MDI including Bar Harbor. This is THE MOST boater friendly harbor on the entire coast!! Perry Creek - Vinalhaven Fox Isle Thorofare - J.O. Browns has moorings Of course this is just a skimming of some good spots and I'd be crazy to tell you the really good ones in public...
If you like to be surrounded by people Camden is fine. Bar Harbor is exposed, rolly and VERY over rated for a transient boater. Take the free buses from NE and you'll be MUCH happier..
If you have your heart set on Bar Harbor and Camden go for it but if you want advice I'd have to say no to both Camden and Bar Harbor. Camden less so than Bar Harbor though. These are our not to miss overnight places. Long Cove - Vinalhaven Island Seal Bay or Winter Harbor (they use the same entrance) - Vinalhaven Island Isle Au Haut - Stay in the thorofare best island hiking in the state! Merchants Row off Stonington - McGlathery Island, Harbor Island etc. Frenchboro/Long Island - Best lobster on the planet!!!! Second best Island Hiking in the state! Do not miss the hiking at Frenchboro or Isle Au Haut. Swan's Island Northeast Harbor - This is your access to MDI MUCH, MUCH, MUCH better than Bar Harbor. Catch the Island Explorer busses from the dock and they will drop you anywhere on MDI including Bar Harbor. This is THE MOST boater friendly harbor on the entire coast!! Perry Creek - Vinalhaven Fox Isle Thorofare - J.O. Browns has moorings Of course this is just a skimming of some good spots and I'd be crazy to tell you the really good ones in public...
If you like to be surrounded by people Camden is fine. Bar Harbor is exposed, rolly and VERY over rated for a transient boater. Take the free buses from NE and you'll be MUCH happier..
Hey William
I saw Kokomo out sailing last week. Either Wed. or Sat. Don't remember which. Personally, I am not a big fan of Bar Harbor. Camden is ok but not very quiet or serene. I usually stop at Christmas Cove(Rutherford I.) on the way to Pen. Bay. It is quiet, uncrowded and has an excellent resturant. Don't bother with Boothbay Harbor unless you like the big powerboat party crowd. I spent one night there 5 years ago and have never returned even though I have a free mooring and island to stay on. Tennants Harbor would be the next good stop on the way to Camden. The sail up muscle ridge channel on the way to Camden is unbelievably beautiful. If you must go to Bar Harbor, Northeast Harbor is a great place to pickup a slip or mooring. You can then take the island bus to BH. I would be happy to speak to you in more detail if you like.
I saw Kokomo out sailing last week. Either Wed. or Sat. Don't remember which. Personally, I am not a big fan of Bar Harbor. Camden is ok but not very quiet or serene. I usually stop at Christmas Cove(Rutherford I.) on the way to Pen. Bay. It is quiet, uncrowded and has an excellent resturant. Don't bother with Boothbay Harbor unless you like the big powerboat party crowd. I spent one night there 5 years ago and have never returned even though I have a free mooring and island to stay on. Tennants Harbor would be the next good stop on the way to Camden. The sail up muscle ridge channel on the way to Camden is unbelievably beautiful. If you must go to Bar Harbor, Northeast Harbor is a great place to pickup a slip or mooring. You can then take the island bus to BH. I would be happy to speak to you in more detail if you like.
Thank you
Thank you for the input. I will skip Bar Harbor and check out some of the other places you suggested. It had to be Wednesday. I was showing my significant other how to handle the boat.
Thank you for the input. I will skip Bar Harbor and check out some of the other places you suggested. It had to be Wednesday. I was showing my significant other how to handle the boat.
I think I saw you too..
I was sailing at around mid day and I saw a C-34 with pacific blue canvas off Mackworth Island heading towards Falmouth. Did not catch the name though..
I was sailing at around mid day and I saw a C-34 with pacific blue canvas off Mackworth Island heading towards Falmouth. Did not catch the name though..
Thank you
Thank you for your input. I will avoid Bar Harbor and check out some of the other great destinations you suggested.
Thank you for your input. I will avoid Bar Harbor and check out some of the other great destinations you suggested.
William
You should come out and race your boat with us on Wed. nights. Your boat would do well in the cruising class. It is very laid back and easy to get started with us. I would be glad to have you out on my boat sometime to show you how the racing works. I will be short a few crew this Wed. so there would be plenty of room. Let me know if you are interested.
You should come out and race your boat with us on Wed. nights. Your boat would do well in the cruising class. It is very laid back and easy to get started with us. I would be glad to have you out on my boat sometime to show you how the racing works. I will be short a few crew this Wed. so there would be plenty of room. Let me know if you are interested.
- Status