Maine Cruising Summer 2017

[Marc14857]

We are starting to plan our summer cruise and hearing and reading a lot about Maine that's where we would like to head. We would be starting out in Mystic Ct. going through the Cape Cod Canal and working our way up North. We were planning on two to three weeks and would appreciate input as to what would be an appropriate itinerary. We are pretty familiar with the run up to Boston and Marblehead but have not gone further north.

Our preference would be to be at a slip or mooring each night but anchoring is fine as long as we can get to shore to walk the pooch.

Thanks in advance

Marc

 

[RoyS]

Marc,
We head up that way every year with our standard poodle. Great sailing and lots of places to let the dog run. You will probably want to limit your sailing days to about six hours on account of the dog. If I were you, after leaving the canal I would stop at Plymouth. The second day stay in Scituate or the Quincy Bay harbor islands. While dogs are not welcome on the islands some of the smaller ones are pretty much wild and dogs are OK. Unlimited anchoring around the islands. The third day I would head for Gloucester or Salem. Marblehead is nice but boat layup space is not always available. The fourth day I would suggest Portsmouth or York River (if you have courage). Isle of Shoals is great on weekdays but dogs are not welcome there. The fifth day Biddeford or Kennebunkport. Kennebunkport is nice but call for dock space before heading out. Kennybunkport is the biggest problem along the coast as it is strategically placed but limited on dock space. Sometimes several 100+' motor boats arrive and take up all of the available transient dock space for days. After that you should head for Casco Bay where you can stay for days with plenty of islands for the dog. Continuing North in Casco Bay you should last stop at Dolphin Marina, the most friendly location we have ever stayed at. Fuel available there. Picture a knock on your cabin side in the morning while at a mooring there and a dock hand offering you free coffee and warm blueberry muffins from the launch. Free car available for shopping. Restaurant also. Next I would head for the Sheepscot River. Proceed up the river until you come to The Basin. This is a huge mostly empty anchorage surrounded by woods. Feels like a lake inside. There is a nice trail for the dog. Next up the coast is Boothbay with lots to see and do. You will probably be out of time by then.
Thanks for the invitation to think about this trip. You and your dog will certainly enjoy it.

 

[Maine Sail]

Head as far East as you plan to get eg: Roque Island etc. then slowly meander your way back, until you get to Casco Bay then jump back to the Canal. Good Maine Cruising really doesn't start until Casco Bay and even then the really good Maine cruising does not happen until you get beyond Pemaquid Point......

Don't waste your time getting here because two or three weeks barely scratches the surface...

 

[ifmdalvey]

Completely agree with Mainesail. Put in a few long days and reap the benefit of slowly heading back south. Casco bay is lovely, you could actually spend all your time there and not repeat an anchorage, but to enjoy Maine at its best be prepared to anchor. Arm yourself with a Cruising Guide to the Maine Coast by Hank and Jan Taft, its the bible for Maine cruisers.

 

[jdhohmann]

Roque Island would be a fabulous location to reach. We went there 2 summers ago, the inner horseshoe is fantastic anchorage. You can get with in 100 feet of sure and with your anchor at low tide. The beach was crazy nice, though, it is a private island and the only spot for you to go on is the beach. Have plenty of water and fuel though, there are no amenities there at all, the closest is Jonesport, and they have nothing for a travelling sailor as far as gas water or food. The small convience store at the top is only a convience store no extra's. The closest grocery store is 5 miles away. We were very lucky to find a gentleman overhearing that I was looking for groceries and was from Canada, so he offered to let us use his truck. Also the lobster pots up in that area are ridiculous.. Seems like a pot every 10 feet in every direction, it was a nightmare to even motor through, let alone sail... Saying all that, once you get up into eastport Campabello island, Saint Andrews.. You will have the time of your life. Nothing compares, and very few lobster pots.... HAve fun

 

[TomY]

We are starting to plan our summer cruise and hearing and reading a lot about Maine that's where we would like to head. We would be starting out in Mystic Ct. going through the Cape Cod Canal and working our way up North. We were planning on two to three weeks and would appreciate input as to what would be an appropriate itinerary. We are pretty familiar with the run up to Boston and Marblehead but have not gone further north.

Our preference would be to be at a slip or mooring each night but anchoring is fine as long as we can get to shore to walk the pooch.

Thanks in advance

Marc

If you want to get to Maine in a few days, we've gone from the Canal to Provincetown in a day, more than once, starting from Onset(our favorite anchorage in/on the canal). More than likely you'll have a favorable wind with you.

Next leg, you can put in a similar full day going to Isle of Shoals, just below the Maine border. We often have our dogs with us and you can take them ashore on one of the islands. You'll have to borrow a mooring but that hasn't been a problem for us in 10 or so overnights over several years.

Finally, I've made it from Isle of Shoals to Monehegan Island in daylight (just barely), but that's a long one even in comparison to the other two. But that puts you in Penobscot Bay in 3 days. The last time I connected these three legs, I was alone. The winds were not favorable for an overnight (which isn't rare!).

If you have more time, I like putting into Gloucester from the canal. An easy day and Gloucester is fun! From there, it's an easy trip to Isle of Shoals or Portsmouth NH, either going outside or through the (?) canal inside Cape Ann.

Then another easy leg from the Isle of Shoals to Casco Bay (endless anchoring just in Casco). Ditto from there to Boothbay area. Then another easy day into Penobscot Bay.

I advise people to get to Pen-Bay fast - not because I live there(and am biased) - because you're all set for sailing in any weather in the bay, all the way to the MDI area. That's not always the case on the southern or more eastern coast where stiff winds, fog, storms, can hold you in a harbor for a few days.This is a world class cruising area.

Then as MaineSail says, allow more time for getting back. But having said this, my fastest - and easiest - trip from Penobscot Bay to the CCCanal, has been under sail overnight, in a typical Southwest wind, blowing 10 to 20 knots.

 

[gettinthere]

Can you possibly do an overnight? The run from P-town to Pennobscot Bay is at most, 18 hours. Day hopping seems severely limiting with only 3 weeks total time. Penn Bay and Acadia area can fill 3 weeks easily!!! Best cruising on the east coast.