Red Wing has a new address!

[Bob Emmons]

Hello all,
Just a note to let you know that Red Wing, our CD30 will now be moored at Robinhood in Maine. This has come after much consideration for the past few years. I will miss day sailing in the Toms River, NJ, where I have been sailing for the past 20 years, but rather will be opening up a new chapter in life by this move. This will be a new adventure that my family and me look forward too, with so much to discover and enjoy with time, instead of being confined to the usual 2 weeks after delivery from Toms River. So, after picking up a mooring at Robinhood Marine, and going on shore to experince this beautiful marina, I looked at my wife and said " this will be our new home".
Bob

[mahalocd36]

Congratulations! Is this a home move as well or just a boat move?
You too got the Maine bug....It bit us as well. Now the secret of sailing the Maine coast is out Just keep it between the Cape Dory owners, though, ok?

We aren't too far from there, in Gorham. About an hour drive, or a day sail from Portland. In fact, we'll be there this weekend maybe.

Melissa

[Warren Kaplan]

Its sounds just wonderful!!! What could be better. Just one "practical" question for those who are serious full time Maine cruisers. Is radar something you really must have to make the most of Maine cruising? I understand that fog is quite common and although I'm sure it burns off most of the time its probably a good idea to have radar aboard...especially if you might be caught out when it closes in!

Thanks!

[mahalocd36]

I will say the same thing happened to us as to the Emmons' when we cruised here 2 years ago, and reinforced last year. It just felt like "home" to us. Not just Robinhood (though that is a particularly beautiful marina) but the whole coast, and all the people we met.

Well for centuries ships cruised maine's coast without Radar.
Though we joke that's what all the little shipwreck signs are on the chart

Seriously, most larger boats here do have radar. People who daysail tend to not. Fog can happen any time here, day or night. In a harbor, or not. Windy or not (windy and foggy, that's a weird sensation, especially when the sun is shining overhead).

Your question was "to make the most of Maine cruising"...while it's obviously not required, I think radar and chartplotter make it a lot easier and safer. Radar isn't a guarantee you won't hit someone (some boats, especially lobster boats, don't show up well) but you probably won't hit a tanker then. It will tend to keep you off major land masses. But you really have to keep your eyes out and off the screen a lot to see what you can *see*.
We find the chartplotter particularly useful. Ask Leo how long it took him to get out of Robinhood on a dark foggy night without a chartplotter.

I'm sure someone will post so: Yes we have paper charts aboard, eldridge, and all tools to do hand plotting if necessary. We also have 2 backup GPS's and lots of batteries

But to make the most of Maine cruising, you can't always stay put when it's foggy or you might be stuck for a while, and often you have to go through some on your way somewhere.

Its sounds just wonderful!!! What could be better. Just one "practical" question for those who are serious full time Maine cruisers. Is radar something you really must have to make the most of Maine cruising? I understand that fog is quite common and although I'm sure it burns off most of the time its probably a good idea to have radar aboard...especially if you might be caught out when it closes in!

Thanks!

[Joe Montana]

enjoy with time, instead of being confined to the usual 2 weeks

Hi Bob. We know another couple who have made Belfast their summer base. Sounds like a great plan! It's a beautiful spot. Keep us posted via the board.

Joe

[Neil Gordon]

I understand that fog is quite common and although I'm sure it burns off most of the time ...

In New York, the fog burns off. Not so in New England. It can last for days.

[Joe Myerson]

Hi Bob,

Sounds like you've made the right choice. Now you, Anna and Deanna can all travel to Maine together by car--and then sail together in some of the most wonderful cruising waters on Earth.

--Joe

[Bob Emmons]

Hello all,
Fog and all of the weather elements are part of being in Maine. The first time sailing in Maine I had fog 25 out of 32 days...it was a foggy season. This time we had cool days and lots or rain.....but not much fog. I do not have a radar, but a good chartplotter and if course all of the paper charts with tools. In fact I did not have electronics for the first 10 years of sailing., and I'm glad that I did it that way. I will never forget coming through Fishers Island Sound in a dense fog with only a compass, my charts, and a taffrail log on my first boat. it builds your confidence and greatly makes you aware of your surrounding elements, current, etc. I am going to sail next year without adding anything to the boat, and than adjust as necessary. Most of cruising boats do have radar, even small vessels like our 30. My take on the weather in Maine so far....you will have those cool damp days....those foggy days....and you dress for it....but when it shines it makes it all worth it! Melissa and Rich, we did not purchase a house, although when I retire form teaching in NJ there is a chance. Just to paint a picture....the last day we sailed out of Sheepscot bay before we drove home, a 10 knot breeze, sunny and 75 degrees, and we were in company of a harbor seal and a finback whale (startled us)! When you come into harbor you could smell the fir and spruce on shore....
Bob

[Dean Abramson]

Bob,

Congratulations on the boat move. You will love being based up here, I think. Hope to see you out there!

Dean

[Cathy Monaghan]

Shouldn't you be in Northeast Harbor with the rest of the gang?


Cathy
CD32 Realization, #3
Rahway, NJ
Raritan Bay
PS: I'm jealous of all those participating in the Maine Cruise -- wishing I was there, rain and fog or not.

[Dean Abramson]

We did not sign on this year.

We did do our own cruise of two weeks, which started with an all-nighter from Falmouth to Northeast Harbor. (With the help of our buddy Jim and our own Rich Abato.) Then Marvo and I worked our way back home.

We had a GREAT trip, despite the weather. I am working on the pix now, and will post a link when I get it done. We were back on our mooring last Saturday evening.

The CDSOA gang is getting a little better percentage of good days than we did, I think.

You could maker a lot of money selling radars up here this summer!

By the way, I thought you and Bruce were going.

Dean

[Cathy Monaghan]

Hi Dean,

We had every intention of participating in this year's CDSOA Maine Cruise but we've had to settle for daysailing on Raritan Bay instead. We didn't sail to the rendezvous in New Bedford either (we drove) -- bummer. It's a long story but we and the boat are fine.


Cathy
CD32 Realization, #3
Rahway, NJ
Raritan Bay

[Dean Abramson]

Hey Cathy,

I hope that your wings don't stay clipped for long, and that you guys are soon back in full cruise mode.

Dean

[Carl Thunberg]

Hi Bob,

It was great crossing paths near the Cuckolds! I had told my daughter that was a CD30 approaching us, but then when I saw Redwing emblazened on your spinnaker, you can imagine my surprise. It was great chatting over the stern for a few minutes as we went our separate ways.