Notes:
Cruising Guide to the Maine Coast by Hank & Jan Taft and Curtis Rindlaud: Pages cited are from the Fifth edition as the newer Sixth edition is on my boat in Norfolk. I’ll update in April, after we return to the boat.
Provisioning:
Most of this year's cruise stops are remote, with few facilities. Recommended provisioning stops are Portland and Rockland, about a week apart. Facilities at other stops are listed, either here or in Taft.
Date: Sunday, Aug 2
Port: Chebeague Island Inn
Location: Great Chebeague Island, northwest bight, Casco Bay,
N 43° 45.3’ W 70° 06.6’
Distance: n/a
Moorings, etc.: A few moorings are available through the Chebeague Island Inn and they provide launch service for their guests.
Activity: Opening party on rafted boats of Dudley & Ann Welch and Lizanne & Don Mitchell. Make your own dinner reservations at Chebeague Island Inn
Provisioning: Portland
Taft: Pages 76-77
Date: Monday, Aug 3
Port: Quahog Bay
Location: N 43° 49.2’ W 69° 54.4’
Distance: 15 Miles
Interesting spots along the way: Opportunity to stop at Eagle Island and tour the Admiral Robert Peary museum, moorings are available or stop for lunch at Jewell Isle or go North to Goslings. There are many ledges and narrow passages, so careful navigation is required.
Moorings, etc.: Excellent anchoring to the North of Snow Island, moorings available from Great Island Boat Yard 207-729-1639, Ch. 09
Activity: Unwind in a beautiful bay
Provisioning: Very little
Taft: Pages 94-95
Date: Tuesday, Aug 4
Port: The Basin
Location: N 43° 48.3’ W 69° 51.2’
Distance: 8.6 Miles
Interesting spots along the way: Pretty, very narrow passage behind Yarmouth Island on way to New Meadows River. Cundy’s Harbor, a working lobstering port you will pass to Port. Or continue up the New Meadows river
Moorings, etc.: Anchor in western part of Basin
Activity: Afternoon raft/float party. Water warm enough to go for a swim
Provisioning: Very Little
Taft: Pages 99
Date: Wednesday, Aug 5
Port: Derecktor Robinhood Marina
Location: Riggs Cove, N 43° 51.2’ W 69° 43.8’
Distance: 21 to 25 miles
Interesting spots along the way: Opportunity to stop at Seguin and hike to the top. A narrow passage behind MacMahan Island is interesting or Goose Rock Passage into Riggs Cove- the tide runs strong here.
Moorings, etc.: Moorings, slips and anchoring available. 207-371-2525, Ch. 09
Activity: Party ashore on the lawn. Restaurants are available.
Provisioning: A courtesy car is available. About six miles to Bath and supermarkets
Taft: Pages 124
Date: Thursday, Aug 6
Port: Greenland Cove
Location: Muscongus Bay, N 43° 59.1’ W 69° 25.7’
Distance: 22 miles
Interesting spots along the way: Enjoy the inside route up through Ebenecook Harbor and Townsend Gut. The swing bridge opens on the half hour. Hog Island is owned by the Audubon Society and welcomes respectful visitors.
Moorings, etc.: Anchorage
Activity:
Provisioning: Very limited
Taft: Pages 158
Date: Friday, Aug 7
Port: High/Dix Islands
Bad weather alternative: Tenants Harbor
Location: Entrance to Penobscot Bay, N 44° 0.3’ W 69° 4.0’
Distance: 22.5
Interesting spots along the way: Take nearly direct course or snake around many islands for an interesting inside passage. (chartlet will be posted
Moorings, etc.: Anchorage
Activity: Row to High Island’s granite dock and scramble up to remains of a granite quarry
Provisioning: None
Taft: Page 195
Date: Saturday, Aug 8
Port: Rockland:
Location: N 44° 5.8’ W 69° 5.6’
Distance: 10.2
Interesting spots along the way: Muscle Ridge Channel, Owls Head
Moorings, etc.: Landings Marina with moorings and slips or anchor out in the harbor
Activity: Party ashore in restaurant. Farnsworth museum and Strand theater an easy walk.
Provisioning: Major supply stop. Supermarket about a mile from dock. Hamilton Discount Marine an easy walk. Fish market and convenience store closer Schooner Bay Taxi: 207-594-5000
If desired, cruisers could spend a second day here and sail directly to Castine
Taft: Pages 198-202
Date: Sunday, Aug 9
Port: Cradle Cove, Seven Hundred Acre Island
Bad weather alternative: Remain in Rockland
Location: N 44° 15.8’ W 68° 56.3’
Distance: 12.5 miles
Interesting spots along the way: The beauty of Camden Hills and Penobscot Bay
Moorings, etc.: Dark Harbor Boatyard 207-734-2246, Ch. 09 About 20 rental moorings and anchorages North of the moorings
Activity: Walks on shore on Seven Hundred Acre Isle and Warren Isle. Dinghy to boatyard float
Taft: Page 232
Date: Monday, Aug 10
Port: Smith Cove
Location: Castine N 44° 22.4’ W 68° 46.7’
Distance: 14.7 miles
Interesting spots along the way: Turtle Head, at the North end of Isleboro Island, Castine and the Maine Maritime Academy
Moorings, etc.: Anchorage
Activity: Walk around historic Castine and see the many battlefields and the Maine Maritime Academy. Go ashore at the isthmus and walk the trails of the Holbrook Island Sanctuary.
Provisioning: A health food store is a long walk up Main Street hill. An ice cream stand is on the town landing, with a convenience store just across the street.
Taft: Pages 247 to 251
Date: Tuesday, Aug 11
Port: Southeast Harbor
Location: North East corner of Deer Isle N 44° 12’ W 68° 38.9’
Distance: 26.1 Miles
Interesting spots along the way: Either Eggemoggin Reach (longer) or through Deer Island Thorofare, both offer beautiful scenery
Moorings, etc.: Anchorage
Provisioning: None
Activity:
Taft: Page 281
Date: Wednesday, Aug12
Port: Burnt Coat Harbor
Location: Swan’s Isle N 44° 8’ W 68° 26.7’
Distance: 10.0 Miles
Moorings, etc.: Swan’s Island Boathouse manages about 30 moorings 207-526-4201
Provisioning: Take out at several places, including cooked lobster delivered to your boat
Activity: An interesting fishing community and a nice walk
Taft: Pages 288-289
Date: Thursday, Aug 13
Port: Wreck Island
Bad weather alternative: TBD
Location: Merchant’s Row, N 44° 7.8’ W 68°37.9’
Distance: 8.6 Miles
Interesting spots along the way: The many islands of Merchant’s Row. Lobster traps so thick, you could walk there. A diver named Jaques operates a lobster pot removal operation out of Stonington
Moorings, etc.: Anchorage
Provisioning: None
Activity: Cocktails and a potluck dinner ashore
Taft: Page 278
Date: Friday, Aug 14
Port: Long Cove
Location: North of Hurricane Island Sound, N 44° 5.4’ W 68° 5.3’
Distance: 16.6
Interesting spots along the way: Go North through Fox Island Thorofare or South, outside of Vinylhaven through The Reach and Hurricane Island Sound
Moorings, etc.: Anchorage
Provisioning: None
Activity: TBD
Taft: Page 225
Date: Saturday Aug 15
Port: Boothbay Harbor
Location: N 44° 5.0’ W 69° 37.8’
Distance: 40.4 Miles
Interesting spots along the way:
Moorings, etc.: Carousel Marina, 207-633-2922, Ch 09
Provisioning: Courtesy car, Hannaford’s groceries
Activity: Cocktail Party at Whale’s Tale, many nice restaurants in town
Taft: Pages 136-139