Looks like we may cruise Maine this summer

[Steve W]

In planning our summer getaway, we were thinking of Maine. I love the State but my knowledge is really limited to the interior, especially the Long Lake/Sebago area. My knowledge of the coast is really limited to the wonderful honky-tonk ambiance of Old Orchard Beach.

The way the trip could lay out would be that I'd bring our boat up to someplace (Portland?) and then The Admiral and another couple would meet me there (fly/train/drive?) and we'd cruise for 5-6 days, return to Portland (or wherever they met me), I'd drop them off and then head back to NY on my own. The criteria are simple:

Convenient to transportation from/to NYC
Destinations where The Admiral and the other couple could get "athletic" - either kayaking, bicycle riding, running trails, etc.

I'm totally open to suggestions for 1) where to meet the "crew" and 2) harbors or Islands where they could "get athletic".

Unfortunately, because everyone else works for a company, their vacation time is limited. I'm thinking that if I met them someplace on a Friday or Saturday, wherever we went, we'd want to be back at that same town/city the following Friday at the latest.

Any thoughts?

 

[Tim R.]

Portland is the best transportation hub for going south. Buses, trains and planes can be found within a couple miles of Portland Harbor. Plenty of places to cruise to from here but if you want decent hiking trails you really need to get into Pen Bay or to Acadia. Unfortunately a little too far from Portland for a 5-6 day cruise. Although Casco bay does offer a few places for great swimming and walking trails.

 

[Prime Time]

Been There/Done That

In 2010, after doing the Around Long Island Race, a few of my racing crew and I took Blue Note to Rockport Maine where my wife and kids drove up to meet us. The crew took my car bakc and the family cruised up to Camden, Penobscot bay, Castine, and then down to Booth Bay, Tenant Harbor, York, Glouster, Province Town, the Vineyard, and Falmouth. Great time!

 

[Stu Jackson]

Your friends need longer vacations...

 

[Steve W]

Thanks for all the information. I'm beginning to think Maine might not work. While I can spend hours sailing and enjoying the voyage, the Admiral and the other couple don't have the patience for sailing. They enjoy the ride (as long as I don't let the boat "tilt" too much <g>!). They're maximum sailing time is about 4-5 hours and then they need to get off and do something like go for a run, rent kayaks, rent bicycles, etc. The good news is that I usually get 2-3 days of solo sailing to bring the boat out east where I'll meet up with them. So I get to sail, and they get to avoid the "getting there"... a win-win situation.

From the responses I'm seeing here, while I'd love the 4+ days of sailing the boat up to the Portland area, it doesn't sound like there are too many places within a 4-hr sail to end up where they could do their stuff.

Maybe I'll think "south" and have them meet me in Annapolis and cruise around the Chesapeake!

Thanks, all!!!

Steve

 

[PaulK]

Portland is a GREAT place to go for 3 to 4 hour sails, followed by various shore activities. The islands in Casco Bay by Portland are great for bicycling, kayaking, walks, and there are forts (plural) and beaches to explore and lots of rocks, shells, flowers, seagulls and restaurants all over. Freeport's shopping district (you've heard of L.L.Bean) is not far from the water, either. (walkable) The islands in the bay break up the ocean swells, and the usual summer breeze comes up in the afternoon to about 12 knots. Stick with your plan. You will not be disappointed.

 

[Maine Sail]

Thanks for all the information. I'm beginning to think Maine might not work. While I can spend hours sailing and enjoying the voyage, the Admiral and the other couple don't have the patience for sailing. They enjoy the ride (as long as I don't let the boat "tilt" too much <g>!). They're maximum sailing time is about 4-5 hours and then they need to get off and do something like go for a run, rent kayaks, rent bicycles, etc. The good news is that I usually get 2-3 days of solo sailing to bring the boat out east where I'll meet up with them. So I get to sail, and they get to avoid the "getting there"... a win-win situation.

From the responses I'm seeing here, while I'd love the 4+ days of sailing the boat up to the Portland area, it doesn't sound like there are too many places within a 4-hr sail to end up where they could do their stuff.

Maybe I'll think "south" and have them meet me in Annapolis and cruise around the Chesapeake!

Thanks, all!!!

Steve

Steve,

Casco Bay has all that as does Mount Desert/Acadia. Portland is a GREAT city. If your ladies like great food then Portland really is a must sail to city. Most of our restaurants are chef owned and well above what is considered "fine dining" in most cities. The quality of food and restaurants in Portland is nothing short of spectacular. When I worked in the Pharm and Biotech sectors I got to eat out at the finest restaurants in the biggest cities and rarely did they compete with what we could get here at home.. You really should get up here it is beautiful.

If you need a mooring and want to sail her up then need to go back, let me know...

 

[dscribner]

Jewell is 1 1/2 hours from the dock. A little busy but a couple of nice trails. So Freeport, Baily's, Malaga, Harpswell all within 5 hours for a competent sailor (7 for me). Damariscove ( as must) is closer to 8. Maine and Portland are the bomb for sailing. We are the Calendar Islands

 

[Dan Hill]

You mentioned Sebago lake region in your OP. I sailed for 2 years out of Kettle Cove marina which is in the northeast area of the lake, we slipped our 240 there. Very good sailing! I seam to remember there is a charter service in that lake also, maybe called "sebago sailing". They had a 272 Oday in there fleet I believe. Maybe a nice little car site seeing tour up and down the coast and then head to the lake for a couple days. FYI, if the wind is out of the north, reef early and enjoy the ride .

 

[Scott T-Bird]

By no means am I familiar with very much of Maine, but I have been to Acadia. Maybe we lucked out for weather, but I can't imagine that there is a better place on earth for hiking, biking, kayaking, etc. Scenery is absolutely stunning, hiking trails and bike trails abound and did I mention that scenery is stunning? Guests can hire rock climbing experts in Bar Harbor and do some fabulous climbing on cliffs that plunge right into the ocean. We didn't kayak, but it would be great, I imagine. Short sailing trips based from the area would have to be fantastic as well.

If you want to compare these kind of activities to the kind you might find around the Chesapeake, I think there is no comparison. Hmmmm ... hiking & biking in cool, crisp air around astonishingly clean water or flat lands, relatively boring scenery, HOT HUMID weather and Chesapeake water ... sounds like a no-brainer to me. Annapolis may be better for pub-crawling but it doesn't sound like your athletic friends would appreciate the trade-off.

If your time for sailing is unlimited and your friends time for vacation is limited, I don't really understand why they don't just drive to Acadia and you sail there and back. Maybe your sailing time is somewhat limited so I can sympathize. I am reminded of what my friend says about his drive from NJ to a family camp wayyyy up north in Maine ... He says that by the time they get to Maine, they are almost half way there! So I can appreciate that the additional drive from Portland to Acadia is also long, but in my mind, well worth it.