Boats in Maine - When to launch and haul

[Joe CD MS 300]

Just wondering when any fellow Maine members typically launch and haul during the season.

I launched the first week of May this year and it was a little too early. This was the earliest I have launched in a dozen years. Although my mooring was in, none of the floats in my section of Linelkin Bay save for one were in. The weather not cooperating either on the trip down from Rockport to Boothbay Harbor. Cold and rough. Luckily there was one neighbor with a float in that was nice enough to let me use.

Planning on making the trip back up to Rockport around 9/14-9/15. Seems like half of the boats in my mooring field are already gone. Hauling the middle of September is pretty typical for me. It can be beautiful this time of year but it also has the potential to be nasty. Direct hits from hurricanes are very rare in Maine but you have the issue of cold, air temps and water.. It's already starting to approach the high 40's on occasion at night. The season is too short.

Joe

[pjust]

I'd say mid-May to mid-October. I'm generally in the water from Memorial Day to Columbus Day.

[Megunticook]

My goal is always to be in by Memorial Day and out before Halloween.

Camden Harbor doesn't really fill up until July 4, and they've been pulling boats out for a couple weeks now. That seems awfully short to me, having your boat in for just 8-9 weeks.

May can be chilly but there are some nice days. Water is cold. September and October are the best sailing in my opinion, although you need to dress appropriately. Fall storms are definitely a danger, I have moved my boat to the inner harbor before (had to head out of town right before a Nor'easter was due to slam us). If a hurricane was headed this way, I would probably haul out for the season.