Anyone here spent much time on the New Meadows River? Next season I'd like to do an overnighter into the Basin on New Meadows, drop the hook for the night then maybe head to Boothbay the next day and stay over at either Tugboat or Carousel then head back to Saco/Old Orchard. I've heard that the Basin is the Maine coast at it's peaceful best and Boothbay is, well, Boothbay. Thoughts anyone?
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New Meadows River (Maine)
- Thread starter Riverbed
- Start date
The New Meadows River is beautiful body of water to explore. The Basin is one of the best hurricane holes in the Northeast and is very popular with coastal cruisers. We have spent many nights there on the hook, usually in 8-12ft of water. The bottom is mostly mud and the holding is good. You need to watch your depthfinder carefully once inside as there are some large rocks near the center. Some nights it is so still you'll think you went aground. On nights when there is little breeze the bugs can be murder.
A really nice place nearby is Sebasco Harbor Resort. You can get a mooring ($25) and have full use of their facilities; saltwater pool, reastaurants, ice cream shop plus gas, water and ice. You can even bring your golf clubs if you are so inclined.
To get to Boothbay from New Meadows you need to go around Cape Small past Seguin Light and either go up the Sheepscott then through Townsend Gut or if really adventurous, go up the Kennebec River to Bath then through upper and lower Hell's Gate, what a ride on an ebb tide!
A really nice place nearby is Sebasco Harbor Resort. You can get a mooring ($25) and have full use of their facilities; saltwater pool, reastaurants, ice cream shop plus gas, water and ice. You can even bring your golf clubs if you are so inclined.
To get to Boothbay from New Meadows you need to go around Cape Small past Seguin Light and either go up the Sheepscott then through Townsend Gut or if really adventurous, go up the Kennebec River to Bath then through upper and lower Hell's Gate, what a ride on an ebb tide!
Thanks for the info Mainiac - went to a seminar on Maine cruising recently and that was one of the areas highlighted. Heard the entrance is sorta hidden just past Cundy's Harbor and it's rather narrow but great holding and warm water if you want to swim. Is Sebasco worth staying at? Decent restaurant or eat aboard in the basin? And do you have any insider info on Hell's Gate? I heard that's great for photo ops and interesting water. Any problems other what what shows up on the chart? Looks like we have similar boats so your experiences would probably be what I'd be looking at. Thanks in adviace -
RB
RB
There's plenty of water all the way to the head at New Meadows Marina, at least 10' I think. I've seen 50' commercial fishing boats up there, but just above Nun 16 there are quite a few unmarked ledges. You need to stay to the east side where the moorings are to avoid them. The rest of river is easy as long as you pay attention to the ATONS. By the way, the Marina has recently been listed for sale.
We dropped the hook in The Basin once for lunch, just to check it out. The rocks in the center are well charted, not much risk as long as you know to check the chart (or chartplotter.) It is as nice as everyone says. The only disappointment was that there is some residential development along the shore, esp. on the north and west shores. It gives you the feeling you're anchoring in someone's back yard. But cruisers have been coming here forever, apprently the locals are used to it.