Cruising to Maine
Moderator: Jim Walsh
Cruising to Maine
I am considering moving my CD25 from Narragansett Bay, RI to Casco Bay, Maine this summer for efficiency reasons (we own vacation property in Maine). I am looking for other cruisers who may be considering sailing that direction at that time also in order to join them for navigation and safety in numbers reasons. How can I best make contact with potential cruisers with the same/similar plans in mind? I am looking at mid-July for a start date.
Re: Cruising to Maine
I won't be making that trip this year due to another commitment. It's a pretty straight forward trip as long as you have the ability to delay to avoid weather. It also depends how much time you can devote to the passage; longer is easier although the stretch from Cape Ann to Cape Elizabeth does not offer much shelter. There are many on this board who can give you advice.
I've done Salem, MA to Tenants Harbor, ME and a similar return, twice on my CD30. You, on CD25 with and outboard, would be a bit slower and a bit more constrained by fuel tankage (we motored most of 2 of the 4 legs). Do think about the return trip which requires that you get to most likely Cape Ann and will be one of 1) dead calm and motoring for 30 hrs 2) typical southwesterlies, meaning beating into 10-15kt wind and swells for 24+ hours or 3) a nor'easter which will get you there fast but still 16+ hours and the weather will stink.
There are several popular spots to moor along the way but all involve long days sailing; others here can weigh in: Gloucester, MA; Rockport, MA; Isles of Shoals, NH/ME (crowded on weekends); Biddeford Pool, ME.
Don't let this frighten you out of the trip, it is a great one. Just prepare.
Jeff
I've done Salem, MA to Tenants Harbor, ME and a similar return, twice on my CD30. You, on CD25 with and outboard, would be a bit slower and a bit more constrained by fuel tankage (we motored most of 2 of the 4 legs). Do think about the return trip which requires that you get to most likely Cape Ann and will be one of 1) dead calm and motoring for 30 hrs 2) typical southwesterlies, meaning beating into 10-15kt wind and swells for 24+ hours or 3) a nor'easter which will get you there fast but still 16+ hours and the weather will stink.
There are several popular spots to moor along the way but all involve long days sailing; others here can weigh in: Gloucester, MA; Rockport, MA; Isles of Shoals, NH/ME (crowded on weekends); Biddeford Pool, ME.
Don't let this frighten you out of the trip, it is a great one. Just prepare.
Jeff
Re: Cruising to Maine
Thanx Jeff for the insight. This may be a one-way trip as I plan to keep it in Maine for some time. Time will tell what I do. I had not thought of dead calm periods on the way up and motoring for long periods. I figured the summer SW's would carry me straight thru after Cape Cod. Maybe too optimistic.
Scott B.
Scott B.
Re: Cruising to Maine
jbenagh wrote: There are several popular spots to moor along the way but all involve long days sailing; others here can weigh in: Gloucester, MA; Rockport, MA; Isles of Shoals, NH/ME (crowded on weekends); Biddeford Pool, ME.
From Narraganset Bay
Onset would be a good stop close to the CC canal for the first night
Wait for the tide through the canal and up to Scituate which is 25 miles and Easy to get into.
That would be a good days travel for a 25 the 2nd day.
Jeff's moorings spots would come next.
If you need a mooring in Scituate there are many transient moorings available with launch service.
Let me know if I can help
Pete