Cruising In Maine

[mhm]

I intend to be in Maine cruising this summer for the first time. I will be in the Penobscot Bay area. Any insight into the very best anchorages from Camden to Mount Desert Island would be appreciated, and any suggested itineraries welcome.

[Maine Sail]

There are lots of photos from Pen Bay and there are lots of anchorages, coves 7 harbors.....

Maine Coast Photos
Maine Sailing's Photo Galleries at pbase.com

[svsirius]

Check out the cruising guide to the maine coast by Taft...

[mgiguere]

Of the many times I've cruised Maine (and you have thousands of options and itineraries), one thing we did one year which worked out well is to go as far east as you're going to go first...e.g., Mount Desert and cruise harbor to harbor back (which will be more or less upwind). That way, you don't have a long slog at the end of the trip, and you can go upwind a small piece at a time. The wind in Maine is prevailing Southwest. If it's light, your boat will be better, etc. Anyway, one man's opinion.

Moe

[camaraderie]

One spot we really enjoyed was Southwest Harbor where the Hinckleys are built. You can take a mooring and then catch the free bus to see the park and Bar Harbor etc. while having a nice anchorage at the end of each day to enjoy. Some good seafood close by too!

[xort]

At different times I've heard contrary comments about the fog in Maine. Some comments I've seen are that the fog is least in July, August & September. Other comments stated those are the foggiest months of the year!
Anyone care to confuse the issue further?

[camaraderie]

Last year...June and July were the foggiest w/ over 20 days...August and Sept. were in the mid-teens. That was in Portland. May be differerent further East.

[labatt]

If you go south of Penobscot, make sure you stop at Monhegan Island. It's an artist colonie. There are all of 5-10 motorized vehicles on the island, and some wonderful sights. We've also sighted many whales off of Monhegan. North, we like Camden and Rockland.

[TrueBlue]

Fog in New England - from Maine to Connecticutt, is most prevalent in the summer months . . . as evident by these July pics from Nantucket Sound:

[Maine Sail]

Geez true Blue that looks fairly clear to me. In fog like that you can actually see the lobster pots... And yes summer is foggiest!