Maine Vacation

BillyK

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Hi Everybody,

I'm back again to get some local knowledge. I would like to go to Maine this year. I've got the route through the Cape Cod Canel figured out, but I'm looking for a jump point around Plymouth to stop, fuel up, stay overnight and get going the next morning.

The next advise is where to go and stay in Maine or surrounding areas. You really helped my trip last year so I hope I'm not going to the well too often. Thanks.

Billy K.

Hi Guys, I figured I would start a new thread to avoid scrolling through last year. Gene, Steve and Jack thanks for your help so far. I just found out when my vacation will be next year so here is a tentative itinerary

I plan to go through the Cape Cod Canal on Friday July 17th early afternoon and refuel at Sandwich. After that I think I want to make Scituate for the night. I will need to refuel in Scituate. On Saturday the 18th I plan to be in Portland as my furthest north destination unless someone has a "you can't miss location". I will have a week to see multiple ports or marinas. On Friday the 24th I will have to start going home.

Kennebunkport and Portsmouth sound like good ideas, thanks so far for your help.

Billy K.
 
Billy - I have three words for you... Casco Bay. Since you don't plan on going any farther north than Portland, you can use Portland as a base for two or three days, starting on the 18th, and explore the bay's approximately 150 islands. All the marinas are good but I'd recommend DiMillos as it's the most central to the downtown shops, restaurants, galleries and hot tub shop. Discover downtown Portland Saturday night; head north to the Royal River and follow it's winding path to the end and tie up for Sunday brunch at the Royal River Grillhouse. From there you can take a leisurely 60 minute cruise to Peaks Island and the Sunday reggae fest. Tie up at the marina there or drop the hook. Watch the sun set over Portland and after the music stops, head next-door to Big Diamond Island. You'll find a comfortable marina there and a world class restaurant. It's a great island to walk around (Peaks is, too) with the remains of Ft. McKinney - built during the Spanish-American War very close to the marina. Some of it is in disrepair and some of it's been built into a condo resort. You'll find tons of picturesque coves and islands to explore in the bay and I can give you some more choices but this get's you in the ball park. You might want to go back to Portland for a day and rent a car to get you up to LL Bean's main store in Freeport or visit "Eartha," the world's largest globe at the DeLorme headquarters in Yarmouth. I bet you can also get maps there... This is just small sample of what's available so just do a google search or check us out on GoogleEarth and if you have some specific questions or want some more ideas, fire away. And you're more than welcome to stop in on your way going or coming. We're about 20 miles or so south of Portland and have five feet of deep water in front of the house at low tide. Hope thjis helps.
Cheers-
Steve/Riverbed
 
Billy:

Everything Steve said is true. But let me offer some alternatives.

For some reason it's not letting me see profiles, so I don't know what you've got for a boat, or even judge whether you want "high brow" or "low brow" activities.

DiMillo's is the former. A very well-protected marina with a nice restaurant right there. Both the restaurant and marina charge a premium for their location, and while good, are not great. But you are right in the center of everything on the Portland waterfront, from fine dining to fishermen's bars. Moving down the food chain, you have Portland Yacht Services. Much cheaper, but not as classy a marina. Plus it's not as well protected, so you might roll a little. But it's still a short walk to town, and even closer to the brewery, a bakery, even a narrow gauge railroad with museum. Hamilton Marine (a must-see) is just around the corner. And you could still call a cab if you want to explore beyond the waterfront.

If you're going to take a cab anyway, you might also look at Spring Point Marina, a very nice, well-protected marina, and they have fuel. But there's not much within walking distance except parks, lighthouses, oil terminals, etc. I think there is one restaurant there that's at least equal to DiMillos, but I forget if that's right at the marina, or a short walk away.

Another option is spending the night on Peaks Island. The marina there has slips (sometimes) and moorings for either overnight or day trips. Again you might roll some in the chop. Spending the night gives you the same access to all the shops and restaurants on the island as the day trippers, but you get a feel for island living - the ferry schedule sets the pulse of the island, and time your activities by the coming and going of the mobs of tourists.

I tried Great Diamond. Apparently we'd just missed George Bush Sr, who dined there the night before. We didn't feel the least bit welcome. After tying up for the night, we were read a long list of things we weren't allowed to do and places we weren't allowed to go. All the guides talk about old forts and walking trails. Forget it. You're restricted to one road. No trails. The usable government structures have been converted to condos or clubs or whatever, and the rest are off-limits. The island is privately owned and VERY exclusive. The residents paid a lot to own vacation homes there, and don't want to share. We respect that. We asked for our money back and left.

Freeport is a good destination, but you can take the boat there, too. Both slips and moorings are available, but you will need to take a cab to town unless you're a serious walker/hiker. Of course "town" means LL Bean, a must-see if you haven't been there. Last time I was there food was available, I think it was a fried seafood take-out, right at the marina.

You asked about Kennebunkport and Portsmouth. Of the two, I'd lean toward Portsmouth. K'port is OK, very skinny water and not much more welcoming than Great Diamond. Not much there for transients, IMHO.

Portsmouth Harbor is my home port, so I never get the opportunity to be a transient there. Again starting high on the social ladder, Wentworth Marina is the absolute best North of Newport RI. Golf, fine dining, a bar on the dock, and all the amenities of a fine resort (run by Marriott). And a price tag to match. The only possible down side is it's pretty isolated, nothing else to do outside the resort, but of course the concierge can arrange a cab into Portsmouth if that's a problem for you.

On the other end of the scale are two good options. You can anchor or take a mooring in Pepperell Cove on the Maine side, and there is a nice restaurant and old time country store, but not much else there, except great views of the mouth of the river. The cove is surprisingly well protected and quiet at night.

Upriver there's the Prescott Park docks. Very inexpensive, and right in the center of town. During the summer you can watch the play in the park from your boat, or take deck chairs up and enjoy it close up. You're minutes from a dozen restaurants, from the fine dining to the best taco stand around. Portsmouth is a great "little city" for just walking around, shopping, eating, brew pubs, whatever. The down side here is that there's no shoreside facilities like heads or showers, and you'll be bounced around by the wakes of all the charter and commercial fishing boats. It'll settle down at night, but the lobstermen start out early. If you want more amenities you can go just upriver to Harbor Place marina, where all the larger yachts stay. Still right in downtown, but it's a little more private, there are marina facilites, and for some reason the wakes aren't quite so bad.

If it's snotty outside, you can do an inland cruise to Great Bay. There isn't much to do there, but it's a scenic trip. You can anchor or (I didn't tell you this) find a mooring that no-one is using. For some reason, NH doesn't do very well at assigning moorings to people who actually USE them. Many sit unused for years, or even get handed down generation to generation. You take your chances though, some are better maintained than others.

The great cruising only starts at Casco Bay. But I think your plan is fine, don't overdue it your first time. You WILL want to come to Maine again, and each trip further down east will be an adventure. Plus there are lots of other good stops on your way up, Boston, Salem, etc.
 
Hi everybody,

Capt.Tom and Riverbed thanks for your help. Here is my plans contingent on availability.

Sat. 7/18-Mon.7/20 Yarmouth - Yankee Marina and Boatyard

Mon. 7/20-Wed.7/22 Portland - DeMillo's

Wed. 7/22-Fri.7/24 Portsmouth - Wentworth by the Sea

It's not so much that I'm highbrow Capt. Tom but on vacation I like to have the ammenities and things nearby if possible. I'm really looking forward to this trip, I hear the views are awesome. I look forward to hearing from you.

Thanks

Billy K.
 
Congrats on booking your trip Billy! You did good! One of our favorite restaurants is next to Yankee - the Royal River Grill. Great Sunday brunch. The ride up the Royal to Yankee is, as we say in Maine, wicked pretty but at low water, it's also wicked narrow. Check out the aerial view on Mapquest Maps and you'll see that I mean! You'll like the protection of DiMillos - for local color, have a frosty cold one across the parking lot at J's Oyster Bar. Best people watching there happens after 11PM. Wentworth is top shelf as Capt. Tom says. If you golf, bring your sticks and play their course. Portsmouth's roots go back to the 1620's and over the last almost 400 years, they've perfected an ideal waterfront town. If you have any questions - fire away. And check in when you're in Maine. We're around all that week and will be in the area.
Cheers -
Steve
 
Hi Guys,

First chance since I got back to thank you guys especially you Riverbed for your help with my trip. Sorry we missed each other but with my vacation time restraints I had to keep moving.
On Friday we had a real nice trip up Buzzards through the canel and to Glouster. Not much for transients in Glouster and the restaurant we stayed behind was long on price and short on everything else. The next day we left in the fog and arrived in So. Freeport in the fog. We had lunch at the lobster shack next to Brewers. Excellent lobster rolls. I went back for seconds. We stayed at Brewers and visited Freeport that night. Very nice little town with a free outdoor concert on the hill by LL Bean. On Sunday we tried to eat lunch at the Royal River Grill but could not find a slip. Too bad I missed you Steve, I still had my radio on 72 from the day before. The river is nice and on the way back we saw two Bald Eagles flying over the boat. You don't see that on long island. The price of admission was stamped right there. How impressive they were.
We stayed at DeMillo's in Portland. It's a good spot for tourists The city is very nice and many many restaurants to chose from. We took the ferry to Peaks Island and had a nice walk around and lunch. We did the tourist thing and ate dinner at DeMillo's. Portland is a great stop.
Wednesday we went to Portsmouth and stayed at Wentworths. They had a car they let us use and we walked around and enjoyed the restaurants you provided us with Steve, thanks again.
On Friday we left in the fog again and caught some really bad weather off Cape Ann, but it gradually got better and we were able to make Montauk. I went past Cape Ann twice and didn't see it either time. The weather really didn't co-operate but it was a great adventure and one I will remember for a long time. Thanks again for your suggestions, it made my trip.

Billy K.
 
Hey Billy! Glad you enjoyed the trip. We watched you trying to find a spot to stop at on the Royal - the Carver made the rive look good! Hailed you on 16 but heard nothing so we headed back to our previously scheduled mimosas. If you make it back again, give us a heads up and we'll save ya some dock space!
 
LET'S CONTINUE THE MAINE CRUISING FORUM 2010

Billy, Steve, CaptTom & others. I am looking to do the same this year leaving from RI. I have a reasonable amount of experience but this will be a new boat year. This one is a 2010 37 Back Cove. Single screw, cruise about 22kts I have no problems with scheduling and was thinking the last 2 weeks of June? Too cold??? I am wondering when you would make the trip if roles were reversed? What else can anyone add that I should consider or not misss in regards to stops, things to avoid (like running aground,safety, best odds for weather, etc.... Would love to make it to Hurricane Is in Pennobscott Bay, but I will be happy to get to Casco. Prefer docks but will gladlygrab a good mooring, or drop the hook into good holding. Any advice greatly appreciated. Looking for good local knowledge and the proverbial 'heads-up' warning.
I Would be happy to return favor and provide info for Narragansett Bsy to Marthas Vineyard and down the CT shore to the Thimbles.

Fair seas to all,

Bob
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Hi Scott. Yes, Back Cove makes a very nice boat, it is a Sabre without the brightwork and just one engine which I love. They are also great people to deal with and REALLY stand behind their product.
Also, yes, in fact I am at The Shipyard in front of the pool.Last boat was a light green 33' Back Cove named Family Ties which I traded in November for the 37.

Bob

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Hi Bob -
Congrats on the new Back Cove - we'd be honored to have her plying our coastline! Weather's always a crap shoot - July and August seem to fog season but anytime May thru September you can expect to find some really. From the fourth of July thru Labor Day you can sometimes have a hassle finding dockage but depending on the economy, that might not be an issue. The dates you've got planned are probably a pretty good choice. Depending on your weather and comfort level with the 37, you could almost shoot straight across from Cape Ann, MA to Boothbay Harbor and then slowly work your way down the coast. I think Billy put together a pretty good trip and he seemed to be pleased with what he covered. But slowly wandering up and back wouldn't be a bad thing either. During April and the first part of May, things start to open up and you can get a pretty good handle on marina facility changes, etc. If you've got any specific questions, fire away. I'm sure someone here can help you out.
Cheers -
Steve
 
Local knowledge- Lobster Pots. Be prepared. A knife on a pole. Swim mask. Never go between a regular and a small buoy. They connect. Pots can be especially hard to spot when running downwind in a strong wind as they lay down. Tides are greater as you go "downeast". An 11 ft tide can get your attention.
For that next trip, I did a fabulous loop around the islands of mid coast Maine. Vinalhaven, Islesboro, Rockport, Castine, Bath, Eggemonton Reach, Somes Sound Mt. Desert Island solo in a 1989 30' Sea Ray starting in Connecticut. What a trip.
 
Thanks for the info, this is a great start. I am planning a mid-June run and will hopefully make it to Rockland as that is where the boat is being built. I had forgotten about the 2nd float, thanks for the reminder as we don't see much of them in this part of NE. If you don't mind I will get back to anyone that offers info that may generate more questions from me as we get into the spring.
Come on, SPRING!
Bob
 
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