Cruise Planning NYC to Maine 2008 Update and Info request

[mike ritenour]

The ice is gone from our Northern harbours (except for the stuff held back by the ice boom in Buffalo) and we've got about 55 days before we push off for the first leg.

More information on anchorages and float ins would be most appreciated.

thanks,
Rit

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As some of you already know, LaVida is leaving Lake Ontario this coming spring and heading down to NYC and then a transit up the East Coast to haulout somewhere in Maine in prep for our Greenland, Labrador and Newfoundland voyage in the spring of 2009.

We anticipate arriving in NYC around the middle of June 2008, if the Erie canal is open and operational.

I'd like to ask for some suggestions on anchorages and places not to miss on our way up the coast. Please include lat longs if you have them. Having only worked the coast, I'm a bit short on intimate sailing knowledge of the really special places, known only to my fellow CDer's appreciation of the draft.

We especially like to anchor out, but a good dockside pub is hard to sail by!

In addition we are looking for a do it yourselfer yard in Maine, the farther North the better.

We also are looking forward to hearing the firmed up dates of various raft ups this summer so we can try and make some or all of them.

Thanks in advance for your advice and information.

sea u,
rit

[jerryaxler]

My list not to miss is as follows in no paticular order:
Block Island,Provincetown, Vineyardhaven, Menemsha Harbor, Charles Island at Guilford Ct., Rockport Ma., Nantucket, Stonington Ct., Isle of Shoals, Mystic(if you have the time), The Thimbles, Oyster Bay and Gardiners Bay anchorages.

[mike ritenour]

they sure look like interesting spots.

rit

[Clay Stalker]

Mike-

In addition to Jerry's list, any trip up the east coast should include Newport, R.I. Good anchorage, lots of moorings if you want that, tons of good pubs, lots of history, and some of the most beautiful boats you will ever see anywhere.

[Ed Haley]

Another place not to miss is the Harlem YC on City Island after Hells Gate heading W. Great dining and great people. There's even a spot to anchor.

Great restaurants in Mystic right near the water.

It's hard not to find interesting places while cruising. Anticipating them doubles the enjoyment time!

[jerryaxler]

I simply forgot to include Newport on the list. Another in the area is Wickford (41 34.34W 071 26.32N)with it's free town moorings and close proximity to grocery shopping. There was a drug store and separate grocery market at the town dock. Very handy.
I agree that the HArlem yacht club(40 50.93N 73 47.55W) is a great place to stay after coming up the East river, nice people.

[Cathy Monaghan]

Hi Mike,

You'll be sailing in our neck of the woods where we have lots of experience and lots of favorite destinations between NYC and Maine.

If you've saved any of your MASTHEAD issues, there's a series of articles, written by me, about many nice places to stop and drop the hook along your route.

Anyway, let me know when you'll be in the NY area. If Realization's in the water and ready to go, we'll meet up with you somewhere. If she's not in the water, we can still meet up with you and bring you to the supermarket or something.

By they way, one MUST SEE destination that hasn't been mentioned yet is NY Harbor itself. Get a slp at Libery Landing Marina or at Liberty Harbor Marina & RV Park, both in Jersey City directly across from Manhattan -- Liberty Landing is on the south shore of the old Morris Canal and Liberty Harbor Marina is just across the way on the north shore. They are right next to Liberty State Park with easy acces to both the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. You can also take the water taxi from there into NYC. These marinas are expensive, about $3 per foot daily transient rate, but worth it if you want to explore.

Liberty Harbor Marina & RV Park: http://www.libertyharborrv.com/
Liberty Landing Marina: http://www.libertylandingmarina.com/

Cathy
CD32 Realization, #3
Rahway, NJ
Raritan Bay

[Carl Thunberg]

Hi Mike

When you get to Maine there are hundreds of scenic anchorages. Here are a few that I'd put in the category of "must-see". These have been selected for scenic beauty, not for marine services. I also picked ones that are reasonably accessible from open water and don't require penetrating deep into some of the rivers and bays. Here they are, progressing roughly from southwest to northeast.

Jewell Island N43 41.3 W70 05.8
Damariscove Island N43 45.2 W69 36.9
Monhegan Island N43 46.9 W69 18.7
Fox Islands Thorofare N44 07.5 W68 52.5
Somes Sound N44 18.5 W68 18.4

Damariscove Island is pretty exposed. Only anchor overnight if the weather is calm. It's a fantastic lunch spot though. The cliffs on the south side of Monhegan Island are spectacular but don't plan on anchoring on Monhegan. Somes Sound is as far north as I personally have sailed, so I'll let others take it from here.

[Big E]

Don't Forget Marblehead & Salem harbors in MA for historical purposes...There's a floating pub on a barge right in the middle of Salem harbor called the Rockmoor. Perhaps you could hit Gloucester on the way up as well. Sounds like a great trip!

[cbrenton]

Hi Mike,

Isle of Shoals: but not on a summer week-end, or in a Westerly

Richmond Island: a convenient stop near Cape Elizabeth; nice sand beach.

Quahog Bay: Many options; water actually warm enough to swim; great to explore in the dinghy

Sebasco Harbor Resort: Pub, Restaurant, Showers and other amenities, close to Cape Small.

The Basin: further up the New Meadows, but isolated and perfectly protected.

Sheepscott River: you could spend a week here and not see it all.
Love Cove, Sawyer Island with it's impressive botanical gardens, the wonderfully protected Oven Mouth

Witches Island in Johns Bay.

Burnt Island: a scenic, convenient stop before running up into Penobscot Bay.

Pulpit Harbor, North Haven

Winter Harbor on Vinalhaven

Anyplace in Merchant's Row

Burnt Coat Harbor on Swan's Island

Frenchboro Long Island

Roque Island

Just a few of our favorites, but have not even touched the possibilities! Hope to see you on the coast.

Charlie Brenton
"Carol Anne"
CD 33 #75

[mike ritenour]

This is gona be a FUN cruise.

I'm madly plotting all these on my charts and laying out a cruising plan.

Please keep them coming and THANKS

Now back out to pulling the prop.

Rit

[Ed Haley]

Gee, Mike, we're down to 2.63 nm per day. ;0))

[mike ritenour]

Ed,
did you factor in the following winds?
rit

[Oswego John]

Going to Maine is uphill on the map, isn't it?

BTW, is that with a locked prop or not?

O J

[Neil Gordon]

Going to Maine is uphill on the map, isn't it?

BTW, is that with a locked prop or not?

O J

Locked prop or not, when you go "uphill" in Maine you are actually going "down." How that affects boat speed could be the subject of yet another endless thread.