Maine bound.

[jpendoley]

Dale,
I don't know the New York to Mass leg, but  I assume its via L.I. sound and I imagine it would be 2-3 days, but others may be able to advise. You then have to decide if you are going through the Cape Cod Canal in Falmouth or taking the route around the Cape. Either way from the northern end of the canal sailing 8 hour days, I'd allow three days to Portland. If you had crew, of course you could go straight through and cut that time in half. From the tip of Provincetown, taking the outside route, its about 60 miles to Newburyport MA (my home port). From Newburyport it s a long 12-16 hours to Portland. Wood Island is a convenient stopping point if you wanted that leg broken up into 2 days.  I've done the MAss to Portland leg every year, so those sailing times are pretty accurate.
Jim

[Dale Tanski]

Jim,
I'm thinking sailing 24/7 for the most part.  Of course to make that happen one big question is does the wind hold at night? 
Dale

[jpendoley]

Dale,
I can only speak for the Cape Cod to Maine leg-if it is blowing from southwest it builds from early afternoon, subsides a bit at sunset and then usually picks up again. If its blowing North Northwest it's generally a fast moving front and will last a day or two at most and continues through the night. If its blowing east, nothing but a light easterly would coax me into leaving the harbor. Southwest is your friend-it can be anywhere from 10-25. the longer it blows the stronger it gets. That's why its called sailing downeast-wind blows you there.
When were you thinking of going?

[Rudderly Confused]

Interesting thread for me, and good info, thanks.  I'll be making this trip in reverse (Rockland to NYC) via the canal next Spring, but plan on taking my time and making a leisurely cruise of it.  For what it is worth, NYC to Block can be done in 1 long day, with favorable winds, but I'd allow for 2 days to be conservative.

Chuck

[Dale Tanski]

Chuck,
Do you mean NYC to Rock as in Rockport or Block as in Block island?
Dale

[Dale Tanski]

Jim,
I'm thinking of heading to Maine at the very end of June or early July.  I just read a great article last night on sailing to Maine from points along the east coast, very interesting. Unfortunately searching for it this morning I can't find it.  It mentioned sailing from NYC to Cape Cod takes 1 to 2 days nonstop and the same to Portland. If I find this write up I will post it.

Dale

[jpendoley]

Dale,
A Cruising Guide to the New England Coast is the time proven and definitive guide. It will get you there and explain conditions and point out all of the attractions.

[Rudderly Confused]

Dale,

I meant I will be returning from Rockport to NYC next Spring.  I also meant I've done the trip from NYC (Little Neck Bay) to Block Island, and I think that could be done in 1 long day with good wind.  I did it in 2 days in a Cape Dory 25D, in very light wind, motor sailing most of the way.  Stopped in Greenport first night, made Block by early afternoon of next day.  Good wind and timing the ebbing tide through LI Sound will make a big difference.  If I remember right, it was about 110-120 miles total, maybe a bit less.

Chuck

[Dale Tanski]

We are planning on heading up to Robinhood Marine in Maine on the weekend of November 19th 20th. The object of the trip is really to pick up my daughter at New Hampshire University for Thanksgiving break but also an excuse to check out the facilities and make a decision if this is where we are going to base out of.  I must admit that it is exciting just to think about moving the boat to some where new, and it is rejuvenated my interest both in the boat and cruising again.  I would recommend this sort of thing for any of you that are loosing interest or bored of your sailing area and perhaps don't even know it.

For the first time in a long time I am making lists, looking at new products, reading about places to go and dreaming again.  I am going to be very busy between now and then but it is invigorating and I don't even know when exactly then is.  If all goes well we will move the boat in July but I am not sure if by water or by road.  Cost is always a consideration so the Erie Canal, down the Hudson and up the coast has its advantages as well as the lure of adventure.  Time is a bigger issue and I guarantee all of you have more time than I do owning a business and all. 

I have mentioned moving the boat to a few of my customers and have received more than one positive response in terms of wishing they could do the same with theirs.  I also have a customer that keeps their boat in Massachusetts. They head up to Maine all the time and love it.  They told me that although they only use their boat 3 or 4 times a season, they use it for a week at a time and insist they use it way more than if it were local.  Same reason, if its in your own backyard after a while it is nothing special.  Niagara Falls if forty five minutes form our house and I have only been there 6 to 8 times in my life time and the vast majority have been because of out of town guests.  To me its just a big hole with water falling into it. 

Some of the people that I have talked to I respect as very good sailors.  They are the kind of people that I would trust to sail my own boat perhaps more so than I.  Even at a nominal fee for the weeks we would not use it I could cover all of my costs.  So many things to think about.

Dream on!
Dale Tanski

[jpendoley]

Dale,
I'm glad you are excited about a change! I just hauled my two boats and am entering the "dreaming season" myself. In my case its more about living aboard full time and cutting loose for the warmer climes.  You won't be disappointed with Robinhood Marine. If RobinHood seems too rich for your taste, check out the Royal River Boat Yard in Yarmouth Maine. In the middle of Casco Bay (another great cruising ground) and close to Portland. Day sail to Robinhoods neighborhood and Penobscot Bay. Likely more DIY friendly. Feel free to PM me if you want to discuss any aspect of cruising in Maine-I love it and you will too.
Jim

[Sailing_Photog]

Dale, we did a week in Penobscot Bay at the end of August aboard an historic schooner out of Camden. 

One of the places we sailed by was Stonington on Deer Isle, which I think is accessible by land thanks to a bridge over Eggemoggin Reach.  It's a long way from anywhere, though.

There was a marina in Stonington where I thought it would be great to keep a boat. Well protected. Amazing cruising grounds.   Mix of working boats, wooden boats, and yachts from what I could see. You might check it out. Nearby is the Wooden Boat school.

The lobster pots throughout the region were unbelievable - I'd definitely try to figure out a way to protect the prop.

Chuck

[Dale Tanski]

Chuck,
Just checked out Deere Island. Looks like a great place to spend a lifetime.  Very close to Belfast which is where this whole "move the boat to Maine" idea was born.
Dale

[Dale Tanski]

Just got a Maptech cruising guide to the New England Coast for Christmas. It covers Block Island to the Canadian Coast.  Just paging trough this book has opened up the idea of taking a summer to get to Maine.  Is there that much too see and that many different places to go, or when you are there in person is it like everything else, the same old thing.

I remember going up to Old Forge New York snowmobiling when I was younger.  I heard for years how fantastic riding in Old Forge was and a half hour after we got there it became obvious that for me it was a huge disappointment.  You can ride off of an 8-1/2" x 11" trail map up there in 20 minutes.  I have ridden in Michigan for three days two separate years in a row and never came close to the edge of the same trial map there.

What does it cost to stay in these places along the way?  Is it feasible to leave the boat for weeks at a time until the next move?

Merry Christmas

Dale Tanski

[jpendoley]

You could cruise Maine for twenty years and not see it all-I know as I have been trying.  The far north, Machias, Lubec,  Bar Harbor and Penobscot Bay are different then the midcoast which I'd define as Passamquoddy Bay, Muscongus Bay and even Boothbay.  The north is more rugged and in some respects more open with longer stretches between harbors and islands.  The midcoast  is characterized by less rugged environs, shorter distances between things to see (and run into).  The midcoast is also more inhabited with more abundant stopovers and a larger year round population. It also has deep and navigable rivers which can be explored deep into the interior-with fine views and secluded, pastoral anchorages. The south of Maine is best characterized by Casco bay which is close to twenty miles across. At the southern end is the beautiful and bustling city of Portland and Cape Elizabeth. On the northern end is Cape Small which is a rugged and lightly populated headland home to Popham Beach, a long sweeping expanse of beach that is consistently rated as one of the most beautiful in the country.  In between the two are at least half a hundred islands that are mostly deserted, though some are inhabited and all are accessible and beautiful.
Maine is unique, people fly and sail in from all over the world to explore it. I will be moving my boat back there next summer as I never tire of the beauty, variety and slower pace of life that Maine has to offer.
Jim

[Dale Tanski]

Thank you for taking the time and the excellent response.  I have been studying both online NOAA charts and split screening them with Google maps satellite view maps.  It is interesting to see what the charted  bottom looks like and a view from a bird's eye perspective.  I have also begun to appreciate our 4-1/2 foot draft better than ever before.  Lots of places without any houses we can tuck nicely into. 

Are there any anchoring laws/restrictions in Maine?  I have already researched acquiring a non-commercial lobster license which is semi not possible for us.  I did find this... For motorboats registered in another state or county using Maine internal waters for less than 60 consecutive days, Maine registration and validation stickers are not required.  I assume that use means on the boat?  Have you had or heard of any problems with that?  In New York it is 90 days in the water or on the hard.  After 90 days they can assess an 8% use fee. I know of people that have left their boat on the hard for winter and get a bill. 

Dale