Maine Sailing

Uffda617 · #1 (**permalink**) 01-30-2007

I'm researching a trip in late September along the coast of Maine. Thinking about chartering a boat in Rockport and sailing over to Bar Harbor. We would take a day for exploring Acadia National Park. So far, the charter boats seem to be built in the 1960's. Is anyone familiar with the charter companies out of Rockport? What are the condition of their boats? How far and how long will it take us to arrive in Bar Harbor? Any other comments are appreciated too.

RandyGBurns · #2 (**permalink**) 01-31-2007

There are charters on Mount Desert, (where Bar Harbor is) Hinkley is SW Harbor or try Camden Wayfarer Marine
charts,%20tables/ charts.html" target="_blank">http://www.mainecoastguide.com/chart...es/ charts.html

It's a big place, and would take you the better part of a day to get to Bar Harbor from Rockland. Bar Harbor is rough, NE harbor is the place to go. If you really want to get away from the crowd head east - Rogue Island - Grand Manan

halekai36 · #3 (**permalink**) 01-31-2007

Maine is a great place to charter. Yes many of the boats in the charter fleets are older as this is the Maine style. You won't see to many Hunters or Beneteaus up here. There are quite a few Catalina's, Sabre's, Tartan's etc. but less of the Carribean charter style boats. The two best places to do a charter are through Hinckley Yachts or Morris Yachts but they are expensive. All of the charter fleets in Maine are privately owned yachts not like the SunSail or Moorings deals. Some boats are spotless some are fair but they all sail! Even if you get a fair boat you'll forget it quickly once you take in the scenery.

I'm an amature photographer and have an entire photo gallery dedicated to sailing the Maine Coast. Feel free to check it out. If you have any questions feel free to ask away. Behind each of the thumnail photos on my web site are galleries have fun.....

Maine Coast Sailing Photo Galleries
http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising

Lobster Baking on Hells Half Acre Island in the Deer Isle Archipelago.

-Halekai

Uffda617 · #4 (**permalink**) 01-31-2007

Thanks for the replies. We thought about Bar Harbor because of access to shuttle buses as we want to spend a day hiking Acadia Natl Park. Do the shuttle buses go to all of the harbors? We also liked the choice of restaurants for a night "out". I've seen the photos of Maine as mentioned above----------they're great!

camaraderie · #5 (**permalink**) 01-31-2007

Actually...when we cruised up there we found SW Harbor a lot better than bar Harbor. Much more protected and you can see the Hinckleys being made there too! They have reasonable moorings and restaurants and the park but stops there and will give you a free tour of the island. Suggest you take it to the Acadia entrance up by Bar Harbor and rent some bikes for a day to see the park. Nice place but late September will be a bit nippy so bring lotsa warm and dry stuff!

halekai36 · #6 (**permalink**) 01-31-2007

or Southwest/Manset. Either choice os good but the nod goes to Northeast Harbor for what you want. Nice littel shops for the wife and fine and inermediate dining. The shuttle picks you up right at the town dock in NE Harbor and goes to all MDI/Acadia destinations, SW Harbor, Seal harbor etc. etc.. The NE Harbor visitors center, at the harbor, offers free wifi and showers..

NE Harbor