Anchoring/Cruising Questions for Maine Sailors

[Carl Thunberg]

There are so many great places to explore in Maine, but there are also some great events. If you can be in Penobscot Bay during the first week of August, you can catch the Eggemogin Reach Regatta, which is a classic wooden boat race. The same week, on Swan's Island is the Sweet Chariot Music Festival. Google both of these events for dates when your plans firm up. The Merritt Bracket Lobster Boat races are in the third week of August in Pemaquid (not Penobscot Bay). Just a random sampling of events, and I'm sure I've only scratched the surface. Our summers are short, so we like to celebrate them. Then there's also the Northeast Fleet Maine Cruise which also happens in August.

[Mbigos]

Best wishes planning your trip, John. You've received great advice on Maine cruising. The single best time you can spend planning is the Taft guide that others recommended. All of your questions will be answered and you'll make connections with your Maine camping experiences to tie it all together. Never stay in an anchorage less than a rating of a "3" and try to only stay in "4's" and "5's." Private message me if you'd like.

Anchoring is manageable everywhere. Mostly mud with excellent holding in anchorages. It is clear from your posts that you will know before you anchor and think through staying safe. Don't buy anything new. Just come again. Enjoy the magic of summer in Maine by sea.

Michael

[Megunticook]

Used as you recommend, does my dandorth need a length of chain? If so, how long? I typically keep the kedge without chain to make it easier/faster to deploy. I have plenty of extra chain I can shackle between the anchor and line.

I'd recommend having at least a short length of chain on the Danforth because the weight will help keep the shank more horizontal than vertical (parallel to the sea bottom in other words), which means the pull from the rode will make it dig in and hold better.

[wikakaru]

Used as you recommend, does my dandorth need a length of chain? If so, how long? I typically keep the kedge without chain to make it easier/faster to deploy. I have plenty of extra chain I can shackle between the anchor and line.

I'd recommend having at least a short length of chain on the Danforth because the weight will help keep the shank more horizontal than vertical (parallel to the sea bottom in other words), which means the pull from the rode will make it dig in and hold better.

I have found that on a mixed chain/rope anchor rode a good length of chain to have is (draft + height of bow roller above water + 1 foot) times 3. For your CD36 that should be about (5+4+1)(3)=30 feet. This is the minimum amount of rode you would ever deploy, and that would be in ideal conditions anchoring in shallow water with no tidal range and 3:1 scope. You get the maximum effect of the weight of the chain to help keep the pull on the anchor close to horizontal while keeping the weight of chain to a minimum at deeper depths. And you never have to use a chain snubber because the nylon part of the rode is your snubber. I have tried the "recommended minimum 6 foot" length of chain and was not impressed by the holding power.

Like the old Alka Seltzer commercial used to say, "Try it, you'll like it!"

[Cathy Monaghan]

Definitely invest in a copy of ‘A Cruising Guide to the Maine Coast’ as mentioned in John Ring’s post copied below. A very limited version is available online and I’ve supplied a link below:

https://www.mainecoastguide.com/explore-index

Most of Maine’s anchorages are in mud with good holding but you will be surrounded by rocks and ledges. You’ll find plenty of places to drop the hook in both beautiful, quiet anchorages; busy commercial ports; and harbors dominated by lobster, and other commercial fishing boats. Here are some examples:

In Maine’s southernmost town of Kittery, you’ll find Pepperrell Cove in busy Portsmouth Harbor. Anchor west of the mooring field near Fort McClary. You can also get a mooring from the Portsmouth Yacht Club. There are lots of marinas and marine facilities in Portsmouth Harbor. If the wind is calm or out of the SE like it was when we visited, you should stop at the Isles of Shoals. There isn’t really anywhere to anchor but the moorings are free. Look for moorings marked with PYC, KPYC or PCYC (the rest are private). If a yacht club member shows up and wants your mooring, you’ll have to move. So the Isles of Shoals are best visited on a weekday rather than on the weekend.

Also along Maine’s south coast you can try Cape Neddick if the weather is settled and the wind is somewhere out of the west. Working your way north there’s Cape Porpoise where you can anchor anywhere between the entrance and the moored lobster boats. Then there’s Wood Island Harbor at Biddeford Pool. The anchorage here can be a bit roly but if the summer southwesterlies are blowing it won’t be a problem. You can get a mooring here from the Biddeford Pool Yacht Club. Continuing northward there’s Seal Cove (you’ll find lots of Seal Coves in ME) located between Richmond Island and Cape Elizabeth. Even though it’s only 7 or 8 miles from Portland, it seems a lot farther away. This is another fair weather anchorage safe when the winds are anywhere out of the west.

I’ve mentioned these ports because so many cruisers, Bruce and I included, tend to sail a straight shot from Cape Cod Bay to either Casco or Penobscot Bays completely missing these places.

John - pick up a copy of the latest "Taft Guide," what the locals call a book titled A Cruising Guide to the Maine Coast, currently in it's sixth edition I believe. Link: https://www.landfallnavigation.com/cata ... qsEALw_wcB

You could easily spend a whole summer cruising around Penobscot Bay, thought by many to be the best cruising grounds on the East Coast. If you have time wander east to Roque Island. Cruising anywhere east of Shoodic Point leaves the crowds (and services) behind for sure, true natural beauty.

If you're short on time, I'd start around the west end of Penobscot Bay (around Tenants Hbr) and slowly work east exploring every nook & cranny. Camden, Pulpit Hbr, Eggamoggin Reach, Dear Isle Thorofare, Fox Island Thorofare, Southwest Hbr, Northeast Hbr, and Bar Harbor should all be on the list just to start.

If you decide to jump across to Nova Scotia, be prepared for a wall of fog. Shelburne is a convenient and friendly small port of entry for boats crossing over from Maine.

I'm sure lots of others will chime in here with great info. Shoot us a note when you're just north of Boston.

Cheers,
John Ring
CD36 Tiara