[43N77W]

I'm excited to charter a boat for the first time and put the sailing skills I've been learning on Lake Ontario to use. The plan is to charter the 19' Typhoon Weekender from Captain Bill at Old Quarry Ocean Adventures and sail from Web Cove, Deer Isle to the Eastern Shore of Penobscot Bay via the Deer Island Thorofare. I'll have my bother in law and sister on board with me. Our plan is Thu. or Fri., July 14th or 15th depending on weather.

If you sail in the area and have any advice or would like to sail alongside with us, please let me know.

I've been studying the course, tides, currents and having my instructors review my observations as well.

 

[paulk]

We've visited friends who live near Webb Cove on Deer Isle and it is a good jumping off spot. Three on a 19'boat sounds tight for overnights, but there are a number of spots within a long day's range, or you can try overnighting if it's OK with Bill. First to mind is Woodenboat, in Brooklin. It's essentially due north from Webb Cove at the eastern end of Eggemoggin Reach. It will take you about two hours to get there, (I think it took us one; Eclipse is pretty quick) and we spent several hours there and sailed back the same day. Just west of Woodenboat (maybe two miles?) is Brooklin itself, where there's a small, friendly yacht club, a general store, and a library with original illustrations from E.B. White's stories. Further up the Reach is Buck's Harbor, which also has a small, friendly yacht club, a good restaurant (when we were there last) and the general store where Sal (of Blueberries for Sal fame) went to get her ice cream. It may still be the same cooler. For less populated venues, the islands of Merchant's Row and others offer private coves with pine-capped granite surrounds to anchor in just minutes off the main channel. Joining the Maine Island Trail Association (MITA:Maine Island Trail Association | For the protection and enjoyment of the wild islands of Maine.) allows you to go in to shore on many islands and hike or explore. Also check what may be going on in Stonington- Deer Isle's main town, which is only a few miles (by sea) from Webb Cove.

Since you say you want to head down the Deer Island Thorofare it sounds like you may want to explore the western shore of Penobscot Bay:Rockland, Camden, and the like. In a 19' boat that will be a bit of a hike, though in good weather it should be possible. Check with Bill first. Northport might be a good destination for the first day. There is a really neat inlet on Vinalhaven just opposite Northport if you have time to explore. Then you can cross the main part of the bay the next day and pick your destination by the wind direction. Rockland is a city, and has an excellent art museum. Rockport is small and cute, and Camden is crammed with tourists, but is picturesque.
Eat some lobster while you're there, and watch out for the lobster pots!

 

[43N77W]

Paulk - thanks for awesome insight, all of the options you presented leaves me to think we will be coming back over the next few years. We are renting a house on the Western Penobscot Bay shore and I hear that it comes with its own mooring ball. So if the weather is in our favor, and the inspection of the mooring ball is positive, we're looking to sail due W, NW to the mooring ball, tie up for lunch and then sail back the same day, about 8 hours and that's about what we can afford at this point. However, if the wind seems to favor us going N toward Woodenboat and Brooklin, we may choose to do that instead.

I've expanded my departure window as well since the wind for Thu and Fri next week looks to be over 20 MPH, a little over my newbie comfort level.

Thanks for all of your feedback, I know whatever direction we go in we will create some memories and I'm already thinking of our return in 2017.

 

[paulk]

Figuring out the breeze a week ahead is Las Vegas territory, not Maine. Winds in the bay usually start out light in the morning and build as the day extends. The many points and islands do a lot to keep seas from getting too big. Fog is more likely in July than August, especially in the mornings, and may cut into your sailing time. Even if you sail in the fog, it will slow you down. 8 hours of sailing is a very long day on the water, especially in a nineteen footer: watch out for mutinous crew. When we plan our cruising days we use a base speed of 5 knots to determine ranges and destinations. This is with a J/36 that can hit nine knots on a jib reach. Are you using something closer to three knots average speed for the Cape Dory Typhoon? Also, if you're driving from your rental house to Webb Cove to get the boat, leave plenty of time to get there. The roads are not interstate highways and involve traveling through the center of many towns with their stop signs and traffic lights, as well as traffic. It can take a half hour just to get through Camden because of this. Sailing across the bay can be quicker than driving. Also not to miss on Deer Isle: Nervous Nellie's Jams and Jellies. The grounds are an eclectic sculpture garden of found and repurposed items that are both whimsical and thought-provoking.

 

[43N77W]

Paulk - great info, thanks. I used worse case (2 knots) for the sailing speed and time, distance is 6.2 NM there and back so total of 12.4 or about 3 hours sail time each way and we plan to have a quick lunch at the house. I also imagine we will heave-to in some places so the crew can take pictures or to dodge some of the Lobstermen.

Great info on the travel time through town and Nervous Nelie's has been added to the must-do list while in town. All of the weather factors involved and also the fact I am working remote the whole time I'm up there (not while I'm sailing though) means our departure and direction of travel will most likely be a decision made at the dock. If I'm only able to get just a couple hours in around Webb Cove - I'll still be content.

I do some of my instruction on a J/36, the other boat I'm learning on is a Precision/23. The last time I went out on the J/36 we were passing leeward of other vessels that we're in a race even though we weren't in the race. She is a fast one!

The only thing missing from my plans was local knowledge. I'm so grateful for what you have shared. I'll keep you posted as we prepare and take our adventure. Please stay in touch!