Maine
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==Islands== | ==Islands== | ||
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==Navigation== | ==Navigation== |
Revision as of 12:48, 19 May 2016
With approximately 2500nm of coastline, much of it spectacularly beautiful, Maine is justifiably considered one of the world's great cruising grounds.
The North/Eastern third, Down-East Maine, is rocky, tree-covered and noted for appearing much as it did to the early explorers. It has bold coasts, many beautiful, isolated coves for anchoring, small lobster fishing ports, and few marinas.
Mid-coast Maine - from Bar Harbor to Portland - is similar in appearance, but as one enters its harbors it is apparent that this is the coastal Maine of cruising fame. There are both small cove lobster settlements and tourist-focused towns with marinas. Dockage fees generally increase as one cruises farther South/West.
South/West Coast Maine - from Cape Elizabeth to the mouth of the Piscataqua River and Isles of Shoals - is very different in appearance. The rocky, bold coasts of Mid-Coast Maine and Down-East are replaced by sandy beaches with many tourists.
The one constant in all Maine waters is lobster traps in great numbers, with their warps lurking just below the surface to foul the propellers of the unwary. Even when under sail, the habit of connecting a "toggle" float to the warp-terminating lobster buoy can leave a line capable snagging the (spade) rudder of anyone attempting to sail between buoy and toggle.
In Spring with warming air drifting over 50 degree (F) water, in morning fogs, radar - while mandatory for navigation - can't spot lobster buoys.
Nevertheless, lobster buoys notwithstanding, once you've cruised the Maine coast you'll be hard pressed to consider any other waters equivalent.
Charts
- Entire Maine Coast
- Chart No 13260 (Bay of Fundy to Cape Cod)
- Down-East Maine
- Chart No 13325 (Quoddy Narrows to Petit Manan Island)
- Mid-Coast Maine
- Chart No 13312 (Frenchman and Blue Hill Bays and Approaches)
- Chart No 13302 (Penobscot Bay and Approaches)
- Chart No 13288 (Monhegan Island to Cape Elizabeth)
- South/West Coast Maine
- Chart No 13286 (Cape Elizabeth to Portsmouth)
See the various ports listed below
- Chart Sources
- Paper NOAA "print-on-demand" charts (up-to-date within last 2 weeks) - about $20 each
- RNC Raster files of NOAA Navigation Charts (free - updated weekly)
Weather
Give local weather conditions or refer to another page (a region or island group) that covers these conditions.
Sources for Weather forecasts:
- NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
- NOAA Coastal Waters Forecast (Stonington, ME to Merrimac River, MA)
Current Weather Conditions:
- NOAA NOAA databuoys (realtime wind/wave data - offshore buoys in NE US waters)
Passages
List popular passages/routes, timing, etc.
Islands
Add any navigation notes such approaches, dangers etc here. If this section does not apply remove it.
Communication
Also see World Cruiser's Nets
Entrance
If there is no port of entry in the island omit this section.
If there is a port of entry submit details about facilities for checking in - where to dock, location of immigration & customs, etc.
Also in this case add Yes to the portofentry= item of the Infobox above.
Berthing
Down East Maine
Mid-coast Maine
- Acadia National Park
South/West Coast Maine
Friends
Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.
Forums
List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)
Links
References & Publications
- MapTech "Embassy" Crusing Guides If you can only afford one, this is it. (MapTech makes the NOAA digital charts)
- Waterway Guides Also good, especially for upscale marina-hopping (but fewer ports covered).
- Cruising Guide to the New Engand Coast excellent sailors' background supplement to either of the above.
- Visual Cruising Guide to the Maine Coast A picture (color aerial photograph + chart) is worth a thousand words.
- A Cruising Guide to the Maine Coast outstanding detail (from local authors).
- Guide to New England Marinas book + CDROM - excellent (but listed dockage rates are outdated and low)
Comments
We welcome users' contributions to the Wiki. Please click on Comments to view other users' comments, add your own personal experiences or recommend any changes to this page following your visit.
Verified by
Date of member's last visit to Maine and this page's details validated:
This page has an outline in place but needs completing. Please contribute if you can to help it grow further. Click on Comments to suggest further content or alternatively, if you feel confident to edit this page, click on the edit tab at the top and enter your changes directly. |
Contributors to this page
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Names: Lighthouse |