seeking cruising wisdom for May in Maine

[Chip]

I am sailing my Typhoon "Unforgettable" from Portland, Maine, to Eastport, Maine this coming May.

Any encouragement, suggestions or warnings are welcome, particularly detailed weather resources, if you know of any. We should be looking at mild winds and seas, cool temperatures, moderate winds from the south and the ever-present chance of severe weather (and, of course, lots of fog and severe tides as we approach downeast Maine), but it would be nice to get confirmation of that from more sources!

We are planning to do this in two weeks, sailing during daylight only.

Thoughts? Ideas? Suggestions? Wisdom?

Regards,

Chip



chipgavin@alum.colby.edu

[Eric]

There is tons to say on this subject. First, you will see some of the most beautiful cruising grounds on Earth. Second, I hope you have strong navigation skills and a good chart (A GPS is a very good idea, too) for the fog -- although that shouldn't be too bad with the cold spring water.

Buy a Cruising Guide to the New England Coast.

Stop at the out-of-the-way places as often as you can.

Bring a tender so you can explore the islands.

Watch out for sunken lobster bouys (lots of toggle lines in Penobscott Bay).

Have fun!

I am sailing my Typhoon "Unforgettable" from Portland, Maine, to Eastport, Maine this coming May.

Any encouragement, suggestions or warnings are welcome, particularly detailed weather resources, if you know of any. We should be looking at mild winds and seas, cool temperatures, moderate winds from the south and the ever-present chance of severe weather (and, of course, lots of fog and severe tides as we approach downeast Maine), but it would be nice to get confirmation of that from more sources!

We are planning to do this in two weeks, sailing during daylight only.

Thoughts? Ideas? Suggestions? Wisdom?

Regards,

Chip

woodman_eric@emc.com

[bobm]

I have been cruising maine since i was 4yrs old...and now that I am close to 40 and still cruise there for three weeks every july with my wife and 2 kids I can give you a few things to look for
Can you say rain-I hope so because May and June have tons of rain down east...
You snag a pot in May and you better have a wet suit and mask, boarding ladder and a sharp knife or hacksaw-man the water is cold in August I would not want to go over the side in May...
Are you goin alone?
Heater-you be in the low 40s at night, every night-couple that with rain and its cold
We took a 43' shannon from Norfolk to Muscungous bay (Bremen Long ISland) last may-in the last week of may in fact, and by the end of the 5 day trip (1 night at block island) we were all in wool hats, ski gloves and full foul weather gear-it was COLD.
With all that said- you are a lucky sob to be goin in may-hell Camden, northhaven, vinlyhaven and even northeast will all be empty-nice-course thats why we go down east past shoodic,even in the summer, the bold coast is the empty coast-do yourself a favor-
just before Roque Island stop in at Great Wass and go all the way up into the Cows Yard-its entrance is about 30' and it opens up into a small bay-eagles, osprey and the water is FLAT-we came in there last year with x2 reef main, blowing 30-35 knots, 8' swells,and it was so hard getting in, the people in the other 2 boats there stood and clapped for us they were so glad to see us make it in...and with all that howling outside it was so peacful-like someone flipped a switch-we stayed there for 3 days and it was paradise-hurricane hole it is and if you get REAL bad weather up there once you are past tit manan-head for Mudhole-Ive never had the need or hell ill say it, the guts, to go in there-but i was in there once with my dad-its probably the safest hurricane hole on the east coast....good luck- July cant come fast enough down here in annapolis.

Oh Cows Yard has lots of seeweed on the bottom-just back in the cqr hard for a while and bury the sob in past the kelp-then youll be fine...

bob
31' hallberg rassy as of march 5 i hope

I am sailing my Typhoon "Unforgettable" from Portland, Maine, to Eastport, Maine this coming May.

Any encouragement, suggestions or warnings are welcome, particularly detailed weather resources, if you know of any. We should be looking at mild winds and seas, cool temperatures, moderate winds from the south and the ever-present chance of severe weather (and, of course, lots of fog and severe tides as we approach downeast Maine), but it would be nice to get confirmation of that from more sources!

We are planning to do this in two weeks, sailing during daylight only.

Thoughts? Ideas? Suggestions? Wisdom?

Regards,

Chip

merrick@pop.net

[kerrydeare]

I am sailing my Typhoon "Unforgettable" from Portland, Maine, to Eastport, Maine this coming May.

Any encouragement, suggestions or warnings are welcome ...

I have been cruising the Maine coast and the Maritimes for quite a few years now. I must admit that you have got me wondering whether doing so in May in an open boat is particularly a good idea. I certainly do not want to suggest that this kind of an adventure is a bad thing. In fact, it would be quite a good thing to pull this off in such a small boat, all else being equal.

But make no mistake about it, this _is_ indeed an adventure. Before setting out, you should have a very good idea of typical May weather along the Maine coast and on up the Grand Manan Channel into Lubec Passage. You should also study the charts and guide books to such an extent that you have a very clear mental picture of what you are likely to encounter. It is a lot of work, but it is the prudent thing to do.

... detailed weather resources, if you know of any ...

A good first choice is the US Coast Pilot, which is now available online for free download (e-mail me for details if you are interested and I will dig them up). Even though this book is usually considered "big ship" stuff, there is a surprising amount of information in there that is useful to small sailing yachts. Next I would take a look at the standard cruising guides for the area, especially "Cruising Guide to the Maine Coast" and Don Johnson's 2 volume set. Lots of good info in there also.

Best of all, if you are anywhere near Portland or the coast, take a walk down to the fishing piers early in the morning and ask a fisherman directly. If he or she isn't too busy they will probably be glad to help. Of course they will think you are crazy. They think all of us do don't _have_ to go out there but still do are nuts. But they are the best people there are, and they know what's what.

... We should be looking at mild winds and seas, cool temperatures, moderate winds from the south and the ever-present chance of severe weather (and, of course, lots of fog and severe tides as we approach downeast Maine), but it would be nice to get confirmation of that from more sources!

I am sorry to report that unfortunately you do _not_ know what you will be looking at. Forget averages on this coast, and just keep a weather eye. If things do not look good, don't force the issue.

In particular learn all you can about Lubec Channel before attempting this passage in a small yacht. The currents through here are a force to be reckoned with. Most first-timers take Head Passage instead of going through Lubec, and that would be my advice for you.

We are planning to do this in two weeks, sailing during daylight only.

I would allow much more time and a very loose schedule. If you simply must do this trip in a specific 2 week period, I am afraid that circumstances may conspire to thwart your aims. Most people get into trouble because they try to keep commitments that have no relationship to maritime realities.



kerrydeare@yahoo.com

[bobm]

Whoa-I didnt see you doing this a typhoon-an open boat-I think you are crazy

If you do do this in a typhoon-donot go anywhere near Wass Island, Head harbor, or Roque-and getting around Petit Manaan ie OUTSIDE is going to be TOUGH and INSIDE PEtit Manaan is almost impossible in a small boat

Bobm

I am sailing my Typhoon "Unforgettable" from Portland, Maine, to Eastport, Maine this coming May.

Any encouragement, suggestions or warnings are welcome, particularly detailed weather resources, if you know of any. We should be looking at mild winds and seas, cool temperatures, moderate winds from the south and the ever-present chance of severe weather (and, of course, lots of fog and severe tides as we approach downeast Maine), but it would be nice to get confirmation of that from more sources!

We are planning to do this in two weeks, sailing during daylight only.

Thoughts? Ideas? Suggestions? Wisdom?

Regards,

Chip

merrick@pop.net

[Chip]

Thanks to everyone and additional feedback is welcome.

One additional question: So long as we are cautious (2 person crew), I don't expect the Typhoon to be to small to handle this voyage. We don't plan to sail if the forecast calls for near shore conditions of more than 4 foot seas or 20 knot winds. She's enclosed for sleeping and foul weather days at anchor. Does anyone think the Typhoon to be incapable of this trip?

Thanks,

Chip



chipgavin@alum.colby.edu

[Kerry Deare]

... Does anyone think the Typhoon to be incapable of this trip?

Just about any plastic boat is "capable" enough for this trip. It's usually not the boat herself that gets people into trouble.



kerrydeare@yahoo.com

[Scott Scharf]

Chip

I think that you will have a wonderul time as long as you do your homework which is what you are doing here

I would suggest that you look into Maine Island Trails they have a guide book of Islands for cruising the Maine Coast.

As for Weather info you may want to check out http://www.maineharbors.com/ They have weather as well as tides and current. and is quite good. There is a link there to the National weather bouys which have historic weather information. Remember this year has been quite mild so that should be a plus

HAve a great trip
Scott



ssweb@aol.com