Maine location with shoreside accomodations

[gettinthere]

We're cruising our boat to Maine this summer. We have 3 couples that would like to meet us there in early August, by car.
Looking for a good town where they can find a hotel, BnB or condo and we can find a cheap mooring. Likely a long weekend. Won't be any sailing, just shoreside visits.

thnx

 

[AnsleyS]

There are many towns that fit this bill but one that I will recommend is Rockland. Rockland is easy to sail to, has plenty of rental moorings and has hotels, restaurants, galleries, shops and an art museum so there will be plenty of activities for the group.

Google Rockland for hotel info. They range from the Samoset Resort on the high end to small B & B's. The Samoset has three moorings but they are a long way from downtown. Other ideas for a mooring are the Landings Marina, Journey's End Marina and the Rockland Harbormaster's office. Check your dates with the schedule of festivals in Rockland to see whether a reservation may be necessary.

Feel free to contact me for other local info.

Cheers

Ansley Sawyer
SV Pacem
Rockland, ME

 

[Stu Jackson]

Active Captain and Google.

Also Maine Sail who lives there, and Rich Stidger who visits on his boat, but probably stays on his boat.

Have a great trip.

 

[CarlN]

It's really hard to pick -

+1 on Rockland but may be hard to find rooms the week of the Lobster Festival.

Chebeague Island Inn in Casco Bay - Lovely isolated old inn with moorings (moorings likely to be free if you are spending money at the inn). Casco Bay is a much shorter drive with less traffic for your friends than Rockland. Reached by short ferry.

http://www.chebeagueislandinn.com/

If they want to drive as far as Mt. Desert, lots of choices in Northeast Harbor (and great moorings) or in Southwest Harbor they can stay at the Claremont overlooking Somes Sound - complete with competition croquet. There are less pricey options too.

http://www.theclaremonthotel.com/

 

[gettinthere]

Rockport it is. Others picked Labor Day weekend, oh joy!

Now we're looking for info on which mooring provider we should consider. Can we make a reservation? Thinking of a weekly rental Wed to Tue.

Is one part of the harbor preferred over another for less rolling from wake or weather and easy access to town? Family is staying north side of town. No idea what sort of activities will be planned by the bosses.

 

[AnsleyS]

Be careful that you are making reservations for Rockland not Rockport.

Rockport is often an rolly anchorage and there is not a whole lot within walking distance of the pier in Rockport.

 

[gettinthere]

Ainsley
Its not clear to me the difference between 'land n 'port. I think we're going to Rockland. They are staying at Samoset.
Thnx

Edit
Duhh; zoomed in, I see Rockland and Rockport notated on the chart. Zoom out and theres Rockport 10 miles north.
Thnx

 

[AnsleyS]

It is interesting that the Samoset Resort is built in both towns and they pay taxes to both.

You want to take the boat to Rockland. When you come in the harbor you pass the breakwater to stb'd. If you turn and run up the inside of the breakwater you will find the Samoset float and three moorings at the land side end of the breakwater. The float at the lighthouse end of the breakwater is for tourist cruise boats going to see the lighthouse.

The Samoset moorings are free but you can only walk to the Samoset from the float. If you want to walk around town, move across the harbor and anchor or rent a mooring.