Maine 2020 Cruising Newsletter, Issue # 9, August 17

Maine 2020 Cruising Newsletter, Issue # 9, August 17

Staying Together by Staying Apart!

Updates & inputs: Please send new information and corrections or updates to marklenci@gmail.com  keep it coming!

 

Items of special interest:

CCA guest moorings: With 30+ CCA boats cruising in Maine this week, many boats have been using CCA guest moorings. The new file that is available to download guest moorings to your chartplotter or navigation app is working well. We encourage you if you have a mooring to make it available to CCA guests. If it’s your “home” mooring, it can have comment like “Available when not in use by ____. Please check ahead by phone or email to see if is available.” – or something like that. We also understand that some areas have restrictions on loaning out a mooring to guests.

 

CCA Maine Area Boat tracker https://cruisingclub.org/mo/boatchart/maine

 

Interested in a daily CCA VHF radio net?

We did not get a lot of response on this one but did look at what would be an appropriate time slot. It looks like 0800 is best. There is an OCC SSB net at 0730 and a weather service at 0830.

 

We encourage you to turn on your VHF radio at 0800 each day to see if other CCA members come up on VHF channel 78. Members that want to try DSC group calls or individual calls should set up your radios to switch to CH 78.

 

We will see how it goes!

 

Nautical Curiosity items of the week:

Self-reporting a boat’s position to MarineTraffic (instead of automatically by AIS)

 

IF you want to be tracked in the CCA boat tracker via Marine Traffic but are out of range of shore receiving stations (e.g. Downeast), you can “self-report” if you have cell phone coverage. For example, Sunflower operated Downeast for 2 weeks and was always shown on CCA boat locator by self-reporting via cell phone.

 

You need one free app on your cell phone and a free account on Marine Traffic (https://www.marinetraffic.com/) to “self-report” your position: The app is “OnCourse”. Download the OnCourse app and follow the instructions to set it up the first time. It is simple. Then each time you get underway, start the OnCourse app and it will report your position automatically to MarineTraffic.

“Fly by night” – When sailing downwind at night, a large, single fly-by-night sail could be used to do the job of several smaller sails. Since it could only be used downwind, it was rarely seen.

 

This week’s “Best of ….”

 Send your items by email to Sunflower (marklenci@gmail.com).

The current set of contenders are (new entries since last week are in blue:

  • Friendliest Lobsterman: Golden Eye (Ernie Godshalk, Ann Noble Kiley) Despite the sometimes less welcoming reputation of its neighbor, Matinicus, we nominate Criehaven (Ragged Island) as having the friendliest lobstermen (same for the residents, most of whom are lobstermen, of which there are exactly 10).When we entered the tiny harbor, two different lobstermen suggested available moorings at no charge. Ashore, people immediately offered suggestions for walks. We met a lobsterman and his wife ashore and received a half hour description of a Criehaven lobsterman's happy life. (For an understanding of the island, read "Tide Trilogy" by Elisabeth Ogilvie, novels set on Ragged Island, thinly described as "Bennett's Island".)
  • Best anchorage:
    • Sweet Dreams (Maggie Salter/Alan Hickey) Mistake Harbor south of Knight Island in Head Harbor Island archipelago. Sunflower is holding off with a recommendation but agrees this is definitely in the running.
    • Breezing Up (Brad and Ann Willauer): Horseshoe Cove cape Rosier 
  • Peaceful harbor:
    • Sweet Dreams (Maggie Salter/Alan Hickey) between Bold and Camp islands in the Deer Island Passage is a wide cove with good anchoring.
    • Meridian (Steve Taylor) nominates Buckle Harbor (off Buckle Island @ Swans Island near York Narrows). It has been this way for a long time, and hasn't changed; we had only four boats in there on a nearly full moon clear night
  • Best day stop: Sweet Dreams (Maggie Salter/Alan Hickey) nominate Sand Cove at Marshall Island Beautiful sand beach with Caribbean blue water. You can dinghy over sand right into the beach.
  • Best fresh seafood:
    • Sunflower (Mark/Bev Lenci, Anne Kolker, Nancy Cook) nominate “The LobStore” A variety of fresh fish, all great! 258 Newman St, Winter Harbor, ME 04693 (207) 963-8600
    • Sweet Dreams (Maggie Salter/Alan Hickey) Jess Seafood Market in Rockland
  • Best lobster roll: contenders are (no decision yet):
    • Janet Reisman nominates Osier’s Wharf in South Bristol
    • Sweet Dreams (Maggie Salter/Alan Hickey) nominate Greets Eats in Carvers Harbor on Vinalhaven and The Colonels in Northeast Harbor
    • Tonic (Mark & Melissa Myers) nominate Five Islands Lobster, Sheepscot River easy in easy out – plus bonus Five Islands Yacht Club maintains 5 free moorings first come first serve.     
  • Best hiking trails: Breezing Up (Brad and Ann Willauer): Perry Creek, Duck Mountain, Isle au Haut
  • Best freshwater swimming: Breezing Up (Brad and Ann Willauer) Quarry in Burnt Coat Harbor Swans Island.
  • Best things to do with the dinghy: Breezing Up (Brad and Ann Willauer): In Winter Harbor or Seal Bay Vinalhaven, take your dingy with a chart plotter during late flood tide over through the Mill River to Perrys Creek and onward to buy lobsters at Brown
  • Best dinghy modification for cruising: ConverJence (Bill Bowers) modified his dinghy for surveying anchorages. It is outfitted with a Raymarine Axiom 7 downvision sonar GPS plotter powered by a motorcycle battery and a solar panel charging system. It records real time depths to the nearest foot and can be uploaded to Navionics to update detailed contour charts. See the information section on Perry Cove.
  • Best place for hard to find stuff: Wassail (Nick & Phyllis Orem) nominate The Mobil 1 Lube Express on Route 1 just a little way past the turn for Hannafords will refill propane canisters of any size.

 

Best photos of the week

(selected by Charles Starke)

 

 

Anne Kolker

Cutler:  Flying fish! Ha!

 

Bill Bowers

Barton’s Island Sunset on ConverJence

 

Jack & Zdenka Griswold

 

Molly Potter

Pieter de Zwart’s Pastime

Jane Glennie Babbitt

 

Wytie & Sally Cable

Bucks Harbor

 

Nancy Cook

Signs in Cutler need explanation

 

 

 

 

 

Tips, Reports, and Information from CCA members by Region

Note: changes to this section since last week are printed in “BLUE” font

Information applicable to all areas

  • People who are not Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New Jersey, New York or Connecticut residents must complete a Certificate of Compliance form indicating they have received a negative COVID-19 test result, or that they will quarantine in Maine for 14 days, or that they have already completed their quarantine in Maine.

Southern Coast / Casco Bay

  • Quahog Bay: Sunflower (Mark & Bev Lenci) reports
    • Free CCA guest mooring: Orrs Cove, adjacent to Snow Island in Quahog Bay, CCA Guest Mooring #1668 available. Andy Devereaux m/v TEN. Contact Steve Rowe Ch 9 or (207) 729-1639 (CCA Member and GM of Safe Harbor Marine at Great Harbor Boat Yard) for availability and dinghy dock location.
    • Guest moorings are available for $35/night at Great Island Boatyard CCA member Steve Rowe (CCA member) is the GM. Full services.
    • The “Craft Kitchen and Provisions” is a small restaurant at Great Island Boatyard and is excellent! You can order take out or dine outside. They will also prepare meals for you as provisions. Almost everything is made on premise. They are open from 10 AM to 6 PM Thursday through Monday. Call 207-406-4333.
  • Casco Bay Restaurants:  Libra (Caroline and Barney Baker) have provided the following list of restaurants in Casco Bay:
    • Saltwater Grille, 231 Front Street, South Portland. Saltwater Grille welcomes boaters with a private dock and a large deck offering panoramic views of Portland’s city skyline. The menu includes plenty of locally caught fish and seafood, steaks, and owner Mark Loring’s signature pizza—lobster, grilled corn salsa, and basil.
    • Diamond’s Edge Restaurant, Diamond Cove, Portland. On the grounds of historic Fort McKinley, Diamond’s Edge Restaurant and Marina gives boaters the chance to escape the hustle of Portland for a relaxed island setting. The lawn overlooking the cove is a popular spot to enjoy a meal and a glass of wine.
    • North 43 Bistro, 1 Spring Point Dr., South Portland. Overlooking Port Harbor Marina, North 43 Bistro has decks on two levels and a contemporary feel. Chef Stephanie Brown’s sophisticated yet soulful menu changes every three weeks and has more varied choices than most waterside restaurants.
    • Crown Jewel - Dale Bruce reports that this is a restaurant on Great Diamond Island in Casco Bay now offering boat side delivery. 207-766-3000
    • Dockside Grill, 214 Foreside Rd, Falmouth.
    • Harraseeket Lunch & Lobster, 36 Main St, South Freeport. Cozy coastal vibes fill this seasonal, seaside pier in a working harbor. With bright red picnic tables, a lobster pound, and a classic Maine menu, the restaurant provides a real taste of local character.
    • Royal River Grill House, 106 Lafayette St, Yarmouth. This stylish waterfront restaurant boasts a large deck with heaters, firepits, and a harbor view, with a slip available for boaters at Yankee Marina just next door. The lively bar is a popular gathering spot for locals, and the large menu offers something for everyone.
    • Chebeague: updated by Trinket (Jim and Ruth Harvie). Chebeague Island Inn is not open this season. On the ocean side of Chebeague is the boat yard with a place you can get wine/sandwiches and there’s a beach: http://chebeagueislandboatyard.com/the-niblic/
    • The Dolphin, 515 Basin Point Road, Harpswell. On the edge of Potts Harbor, the Dolphin has its own marina and a deck with sweeping views of the Casco Bay islands. Known for its traditional Maine fare served with blueberry muffins, the restaurant has been a local favorite since 1966.
    • Erica’s (like a dairy queen for fish and lobster - low key) and working lobsterman’s dock you can tie up. Colorfull! Near the Dolphin.
    • Morse’s Cribstone Grill, Bailey Island  (Ocean side)  Great little low key place with great menu and all seats have views.  You can get lunch or dinner there and they sell lobster to take home. They have dock to tie up to too.  https://www.morsescribstonegrill.net/ You sneak under the Cribstone bridge between Orrs Island and Bailey island to get there or you can run along the oceanside shore of Bailey’s .
    • Cooks Lobster: Indoor seating: other side of cribstone bridge from Morse’s You might be able to arrange a mooring at Orrs/Bailey island YC.
    • Cundy’s harbor) Dock and good seafood eating out on the pier. https://www.holbrookwharf.com/
    • Anna’s Waters Edge Restaurant- Haven’t been here yet but it is on my list! Looks great and unpolished. Address: 75 Blacks Landing Rd, Phippsburg, ME 04562 Phone: (207) 389-1803
    • Sebasco  Lodge: (more polished) updated by Allegro (Buell & Anne Heminway): 29 Kenyon Rd, (877) 420-1701 Oceanfront resort hotel. Dining on the terrace under a tent and indoors in the tavern. Very limited seating. Launch service. Golf course & a harborside pool.
    • Five Islands Lobster Co., Sheepscot River, https://fiveislandslobster.com/ There is a dock.  And if you just want to hang on a yacht club free mooring head to restaurant and look to port and there will be complimentary moorings

Mid-Coast / Penobscot Bay /  Mt. Desert

  • Five Islands (Sheepscott River) Wassail (Nick & Phyllis Orem) & Bonnie Rye (Chace & Josie Anderson) report the lobster dock, ice cream stand, & general store are open. Five Islands Farm is a nice store up the hill and has good wines, cheeses, & vegetables but is closing on July 18 for the remainder of the summer. They stayed on two Five Island Yacht Club moorings. Due to large lobster boats moored, take a mooring further out.
  • Oven Mouth (Cross River) Wassail (Nick & Phyllis Orem) & Bonnie Rye (Chace & Josie Anderson) report they spent several days here and it was virtually empty.
  • Squirrel Island: Golden Eye (Ernie Godshalk, Ann Noble Kiley) report: Just outside Booth Bay, Squirrel has a reputation for hospitality to yachts. However, this year, due to COVID, the island is open only to residents, not even guests
  • Boothbay:  Bonnie Rye (Chace & Josie Anderson) report that they found a person who can drive and do shopping. Contact Rob Leavitt, Phone: 207-350-3248, and email grocery needs: midcoastdelivery@gmail.com Guest mooring at the Boothbay Yacht Club are available with launch service. The dining room is take out only.
  • Linekin Bay: Wischbone (Jeff & Cindy Wisch) report that the Linekin Bay Resort has moorings available for rent and guest wifi that reaches the moorings. Additionally, the northwest corner of Linikin Bay has excellent holding ground for anchoring and is well protected.
  • Christmas Cove: Nancy Snow (Bruce and Linda MacNeil) recommend the Coveside Restaurant and Marina in South Bristol, Maine. 207-644-8282 The restaurant overhangs Christmas Cove and has a fabulous menu with lots of seafood, shellfish and beef. They have 7 moorings and overnight slips in the marina, all on Dockwa. Currently they will be open Thursday through Sunday from 11:30 till 9:00 pm. There is inside dining, outside dining and takeout delivered to the docks. www.covesiderestaurant.com
  • South Bristol: Golden Eye (Ernie Godshalk, Ann Noble Kiley) report that The COOP on the east side of the bridge is open for fuel and water and courteous to yachts although quite busy with lobster boats. Diesel was well under $2/gal. 
  • Damariscotta River: Five miles up the river there is a small, full-service boatyard, Gamage Shipyard.  They have diesel and gasoline available on their face dock 7 days per week. 207-644-8181.
  • Hog Island: Sunflower (Mark/Bev Lenci, Anne Kolker, Nancy Cook) stopped here to visit the Audubon preserve with hiking trails on the island. There are two first come first serve moorings in the small cove in front of the Audubon building & dock on the island (in the area of the underwater cables shown on your chart – do not anchor). Best to get there early. The facilities manager is Eric Snyder (snyder.eh@gmail.com)
  • Maplejuice Cove: Sunflower (Mark/Bev Lenci, Anne Kolker, Nancy Cook) discovered that the Olson House, home of Christina Olson and the venue for the most famous Andrew Wyeth painting, is closed for renovation. It’s a short walk from Cushing Cove and well worth it for the view. We purchased lobsters from one of the boats that was offloading their catch at Cushing Cove (the lobster boat harbor in the NE corner of Maplejuice Cove).
  • Tenant’s Harbor:
    • Charles Starke reports that his CCA guest mooring in Long Cove, #200 on the CCA list, was not set up with a ball this summer and is not available.
    • Simba (Frank & Linda Cassidy) mooring at 43 57.80/69 11.87 White ball marked with #1364, yellow floats on pennant. On approach into Tenants Harbor it is located opposite Long Cove approximately 0.1 NM SW of the speed limit buoy. Serviced this spring it is a 4,000 pound granite block with 5/8-inch chain.  Call Frank at 207-832-1650 if there are questions.
    • PrimeTime (Ed Freitag and Molly Haley).  Luke’s Lobster is currently closed. The Happy Clam is open. The Tavern at the East Wind Inn will not be open for the summer. The Inn is currently serving breakfast and lunch upstairs.
  • Long Cove: Sunflower (Mark/Bev Lenci, Anne Kolker, Nancy Cook) report that there is heavy sea grass on the bottom throughout most of the cove. They used their sonar to find a couple small grass free spots that anchor would readily set in. Recommend a fisherman’s anchor if you don’t have a sonar.
  • Dix Island: Golden Eye (Ernie Godshalk, Ann Noble Kiley) report that Dix offers an attractive anchorage and the island remains open for walks ashore although restricted to a well-marked and mowed path that circumnavigates the island, about half an hour. Half a dozen boats at anchor mid-week. We saw no one ashore during our walk. 
  • McLoon’s Lobster Shack Tag (Nancy Cook) reports that this is off the beaten path but has the best lobster rolls she has ever had!! Now that’s saying something! McLoon’s is 315 Island road in Thomaston, ME. This is on Spruce Island (can be reached by car) near Muscle Shoals Channel. You can reach it by boat and dinghy ashore. Worth the stop.
  • Rockland:  
    • (Passport) Ann Noble-Kiley has one mooring that is often available. Call her at 617-817-1308.
    • Wischbone (Jeff & Cindy Wisch) reports from the harbormaster that docks and moorings are in. 207-594-0312 There is a Farmer’s Market on Thursday’s from 0900 – 1300 in the field adjacent to the town dock.
    • Jo Jo (William Strassberg) reports the Grasshopper Shop downtown on Main Street has great boater friendly items such as Melamine dishware, plastic cups and glasses, placemats, Stonewall Kitchen condiments, jams, mustards. 
    • Windermere (John & Wendy Richards) reports on the following restaurants:
      • Archers on the Pier- easy walk from the town dinghy dock. They have a deck and inside seating spaced out. No reservations but will move you up the list if you let them know you are coming soon. Big menu.
      • Park St. Grille — seating inside spaced and outside they have about 5 or 6 tables. No reservations big menu good Mexican food and margaritas! Walk up the hill from the town dinghy dock and turn right on Main St and go 2 blocks.
      • Cafe Rustica- takes reservations for seatings 5pm, 6:30pm, 8pm. Spaced out seating. Smaller menu but good food. Walk up from town dinghy dock, turn right on Main St. and go 3 or 4 blocks.
      • McLoons- in Sprucehead near Owlshead open 11:30-7pm closed tues and weds. You can anchor in the harbor, dinghy dock walk to it. It is on a rise by the water. Lobster shack style good food. Eat outside picnic tables
    • Windermere (John & Wendy Richards) report on the following stores:
      • Hannafords is in the north part of the harbor. Joe’s Taxi is out of business but try Schooner Bay Taxi 207-594-5000 (they also do Camden) wear a mask and don’t bring your cloth bags. They won’t let you bring them into the store. They are limiting the number of people inside but I have never had to wait. It is well stocked except paper towels are not there. Toilet paper is there.
      • Main St Market is small but has organic things and a place to get salads and sandwiches and take out hot things. From the town dock, go up the hill turn right and walk 6 blocks. 207-594-8515
      • Wiggins Meat Market 207-594-1118. 148 N Main St. has a great selection of vacuum-packed meats and fish and pastas. They are on Main street south. Take your dinghy to the dinghy dock/boat ramp at Snow Park in the south of town and walk down Mechanic St to your left till you hit Main and turn right. The market is on your left a ways up Main. You can also come at it from the Town dock and walk south on Main St
      • Jess’s Seafood Market 207-596-6068 118 S. Main St.  is south of Wiggins so closer to Snow Park area.
      • Wassail (Nick & Phyllis Orem) report:
        • The Mobil 1 Lube Express on Route 1 just a little way past the turn for Hannafords will refill propane canisters of any size.
        • Anybody who likes BBQ will want to visit the outdoor BBQ across from the Landings Marina parking lot. They’re open Thursday to Saturday from 11am until they sell out.
  • Rockport: Windermere (John & Wendy Richards) report Market Basket is open. 207-236-4371
  • Camden (from Dale Bruce)
    • Camden Town docks are welcoming transient boats but expect guests to honor 14 day quarantine, stay socially distant and wear masks. Harbor master: Steve Pixley. Monitors VHF Ch. 16 or Phone: 207-236-7969 Docking fees: $2.50 per ft night for under 40’ -  $3.50 per ft for 40’ to 70’ Power: 30amp - $15 night, 50 amp - $30 night  There is water on the dock, but supply your own hose. Pump out boat is available & can come to you at anchor or mooring. Call dockmaster to arrange – 236-7969 or VHF Ch 16. Restrooms on the public landing are partially open – one person allowed inside at a time.
    • Lyman Morse Dockmaster: Charlie Foote 207-236-7108 Moorings: $45 night Inner harbor float: $60 night (42’ maximum) Dock: $3 per ft per night up to 59’ length, $4.25 ft per night for 60’-99’ length They offer laundry pick-up and delivery through Camden Clothesline, 207-230-1166. Due to a fire on the property the laundry and showers are closed indefinitely. They  have water available on the docks and at the fuel dock. They also have a free pump-out service in the harbor.
    • Camden Yacht Club Dockmaster: Barb Goss Please contact the Dockmaster’s office at 207-236-3014, via VHF 68, or docks@camdenyachtclub.org Moorings available for $40 night. Inner harbor floats $50 night (42’ maximum length) NO other services available – no launch service even if you’re on a mooring. Please do not come to the docks, even in a dinghy. Use the town public landing.
    • Groceries: French and Brawn (1 Elm Street)  is one block from the public landing in Camden and offers most everything you may need. Deli, fish & meat departments as well as most groceries and produce. Mask required inside. Delivery to Public landing offered. Call or email an order for curbside pickup if you’re quarantined or wish delivery: 207-236-3361 or fandbmarket@gmail.com If requested ahead, they will package and freeze items for you.
    • Rhum line closed indefinitely – on the dock at Lyman Morse
    • Blue Barren Distillery — https://www.bluebarrendistillery.com/ Locally distilled Gin and Rum. Located on the Lyman Morse property, near the head of the harbor. There is talk that Blue Barren MIGHT start serving some food. Please call 207-542-7741 to schedule a curbside pickup at the distillery.
    • The Waterfront Restaurant – 48 Bayview Street On the water, nice deck overlooking the harbor. 11:30 — 2:30 serving lunch, from 2:30 — 4:30 serving drinks and light fare, from 5 until close only serving dinner. You can order take out from 11:30 am — 5 pm. Please wear a mask if you come into the restaurant for anything.
    • Peter Otts — 16 Bayview Landing – right on the harbor. Currently offering outdoor dining, take-out and curbside pick-up. Not currently accepting reservations. Open Wednesday – Sunday 12pm-8pm. To order by phone call 207.236.4032 or order online: https://www.peterotts.com/reservations
    • Camden Deli — 37 Main Street. Has a nice upstairs deck and is a great spot for breakfast or lunch.
    • Bagel Café – 25 Mechanic Street — is offering curbside take-out. Open 7 days 7am-2pm Great bagels, sandwiches, salads, baked goods. Call 207-236-2661 to order.
    • Hartstone Inn – 41 Elm Street. Upscale, lovely restaurant offering curbside pickup. Menu changes daily-see it online. An easy walk from the public landing. Open Wednesday-Sunday https://www.hartstoneinn.com/camden-maine-restaurant or 207-236-4259
    • 40 Paper – 40 Washington Street – Upscale Italian with Gluten Free options. An easy walk from the public landing. Right under the smokestack. Open 4-9. Curbside pickup (including fun cocktails), Indoor and patio seating – properly spaced out... Call 207-230-0111 for reservations. New menus posted on their Facebook page daily. Closed Sunday and Monday
    • Windermere (John & Wendy Richards) reports there is a farmer’s market at 116 Washington Street, 9 – 12 Saturday. Walk from the town dock.
  • Belfast:
    • Wischbone reports that the harbormaster says moorings are available but there are a limited number and reservations are accepted. Skye (Glen Porter) reports they have rented moorings from Kathy the harbormaster 207-276-5737
    • Jo Jo (William Strassberg) reports that the Belfast COOP is one of the safest in store shopping experiences he has had. It is a short walk from the harbor, and they will do on-line orders with curbside pick-up if desired. See https://belfast.coop/shop-for-me/  Windermere (John & Wendy Richards) report that you walk up Main Street from the dinghy dock and turn left on High St and walk a block and look left. Lots of fresh vegetables, organic products, lunch area for good sandwiches, etc. to eat in or take out.
    • Jo Jo (William Strassberg) reports Darby’s Restaurant, The Neighborhood and Meanwhile Restaurant have outside dining.
  • Perry Creek (Fox Island Thoroughfare) –
    • Skye (Glen Porter) reports there are almost no private moorings. Also the boats moored in the Fox Island Thoroughfare are sparse.
    • ConverJence (Bill Bowers) reports that he surveyed the harbor and verified that the 4 foot spot shown to starboard as you enter Perry Creek does NOT exist. The actual depth of water should be 9 to 10 feet.
  • North Haven:
    • Hearts Desire (Dan & Joan Amory) report North Haven is welcoming visitors as long as you respect the health precautions – wear masks and social distance.
    • Pulpit Harbor: Sweet Dreams (Maggie Salter/Alan Hickey), and updated by Hearts Desire (Dan & Joan Amory) report North Haven Grocery  is an easy walk, ½ mile, from the harbor. Open 6 AM to 7 PM daily. For smaller orders call 207-867-2233. For larger orders email  Nhgrocery2019@gmail.com)  Maddie, just graduated from Bates College, offers a delivery service if you & your crew are in quarantine. Email Maddie at  maddiesmobileLLC@gmail.com  They will deliver to the town dock or the Pulpit Harbor dock. Call to pick up an order. Restocked Monday and Friday afternoons.
    • Pulpit Harbor: Sweet Dreams (Maggie Salter/Alan Hickey) report they buy lobsters from April Brown 207-542-3894/207-867-2209. She will also cook them for you.
    • Bluebird (Gust Stringos) reports the Nebo Lodge (207-867-2007) has indoor & outdoor dining (dinner?). Food is great and proper safety is observed. Open Tuesday – Saturday. 
    • Bluebird (Gust Stringos) reports moorings are available from J. O. Brown (Brown’s Boatyard – (207-867-2282)
    • Sweet Dreams (Maggie Salter/Alan Hickey) report Calderwod Hall Bakery & pizza, curbside pickup (5 pm – 8 pm) and delivery to the town dock (4:30 PM). 207-867-4700. Menu & order on the website: http://www.calderwoodhall.com/
    • Turner Farm: Sweet Dreams (Maggie Salter/Alan Hickey) report Turner Farm is selling take-out food and vegetables. Anchor in Kent Cove. They have a dock you can dinghy to and walk to the barn. See the website for hours and menus. www.Turner-farm.com
    • Meridian (Steve Taylor) reports fresh local oysters are available right near the ferry dock at Waterman’s. Freshly harvested, really great.
  • Carver’s Harbor (south end of Vinalhaven Island) Windermere (John & Wendy Richards) report the  The Carver’s Harbor Market is quite big and right on the main St in the Harbor .207-863-4319 It is across the street from the dinghy dock. They offer curbside pickup. The harbor is crowded but there should be room to anchor out in the Reach area and dinghy in.
  • Castine:
    • Doug & Dale Bruce report that this is a pretty town to walk in. Lots of historical information on signs.
    • Wischbone reports from the harbormaster that town moorings are available 207 266 7711 or Eaton’s Boat Yard 207-326-8579
    • Windermere (John & Wendy Richards) report on the Mini Market. 207-326-9920 Walk up the hill to the first intersection and turn left and walk 100 ft. simple small market with deli.
    • Doug & Dale Bruce report Markel’s Bakery is open for take out only – Tuesday – Saturday 10 AM to 2 PM for lunch. 207-326-9510 to place your order.  Dennett’s Wharf restaurant is permanently closed.
    • Starlight (John & Joan de Regt) report Smith Cove, opposite Castine, was a great place to ride out Tropical Storm  Isaias.
    • Starlight (Joan and John de Reget) report that they bought some meat at the little grocery store in Castine and it was bad when I opened the package. Buyer beware! 
  • Buck’s Harbor:
    • Windermere (John & Wendy Richards) report on the Buck’s Harbor General Store. 207-236-8683 They are open 8-7, not Sundays. Take your dinghy to the yacht club dock and walk out the driveway to the main road. Look across the street and you will see the General Store. They have market things, a deli, and some pastries.  The Buck’s Cafe restaurant behind the store will be open for takeout only for the summer (at this point).
    • Skye (Glen Porter & Jean Deighan) report that the Buck’s Harbor Yacht Club has advised members like ourselves that the docks are closed to all but members for this summer;
  • Goose Cove (Deer Island): Patience B (Andy Oldman) reports he had a fabulous meal at the Aragosta Restaurant. Reservations are a must. The restaurant has a couple of moorings.
  • Stonington: Wischbone reports that Billings Marine has moorings and dockage available 207-266-7711 No lobsters at the docks this year but the COOP is open.
  • Center Harbor:
    • Skye (Glen Porter) reports they have rented moorings from Brooklyn Boat Yard.
    • Patience B (Andy Oldman) reports the Brooklin Inn is open for outside dining Wednesday through Saturday and is well worth it.
  • Wooden Boat School: Patience B (Andy Oldman) reports that the school is closed and the store is not open for in-store shopping. The website says it is open for phone or internet orders. Mooring appear to be in place. Call the store to inquire 800-273-7447.
  • Camp Island (Merchant’s Row): Golden Eye (Ernie Godshalk) reports ample anchoring room, excellent holding.
  • Frenchboro (Long island): Sunflower (Mark/Bev Lenci, Nancy Cook, Anne Kolker) report that they found Lunt’s Deli open for business. The owner said many boaters think they are closed and asked us to spread the word that they are open. The food is as good as ever and only 3 of 4 guest moorings were in use the night we visited. Moorings are first come, first served. Call Lunt’s at 207-334-2902 for food and/or moorings. The Maine Trails hiking trails are open.
  • Blue Hill: Bravo (Tom and Jane Babbitt) report
    • Town is pretty much open for business with the usual COVID restrictions
    • Trade Winds market and Community Pharmacy are open and well stocked. A “bracing” walk uphill. (Note: you can dinghy to the town dock two hours either side of high tide).
    • Kollegewidgwok Yacht Club is open with fuel and water but cannot take trash. VHF CH 9
    • Biting flies are the worst they can remember
  • Mount Desert Isle general information: This summer the popular free LL Bean busses, well known for circling Mount Desert Island including Acadia National Park, have been shut down indefinitely by the pandemic.
  • Sawyer’s Cove (MDI):  Golden Eye (Ernie Godshalk) reports ample room to anchor. Only one boat there on July 9. Excellent holding.
  • Mount Desert Isle ashore: Meridian (Steve Taylor) reports:
    • We played 9 holes of golf at both the Causeway Club in Mt. Desert and at the North Haven Golf Club (the latter is walking distance from the harbor/ferry dock). At both places, we rented clubs that had been wiped down, felt totally safe, were welcomed on short notice with a quick advance call, and found good prices and no crowds.
    • The hike up Flying Mountain (in Acadia, near SW Harbor) is short with a beautifully maintained trail, great views, and has a nice loop only slightly further to the Valley Cove overlook of Some Sound.
    • The freshwater swimming in Echo Lake (Mt Desert) is great; you need a car or a bike to get there, but it's not far from SW Harbor, nor from NE Harbor or Seal Cove.
    • Freedom (Peter Stoops/Kate Wilkinson) report that for biking on MDI, i.e. hitting the carriage paths, check out Island Bike Rental. Basic bikes but nice people.
  • Northeast Harbor:
    • Wischbone reports from the Harbormaster that Acadia National Park is open for hiking. Biking on carriage trails is prohibited. No Shuttle Buses. Pine Tree Grocery Store will deliver to the dock. Moorings and dock available for rental. Reservations only for dockage accepted. Rental moorings are available on a first come first served basis. (207 276 5737 8AM – 11PM) Clifton dock is open for fuel.
    • Pine Tree Market on Main Street (easy walk from the town dock) is open 9 AM to 8 PM. They are happy to take phone orders 207-276-3335. Jo Jo (William Strassberg) reports they will deliver to the town dock.
    • Sunflower (Mark/Bev Lenci, Nancy Cook, Anne Kolker) and Sweet Dreams (Maggie Salter & Al Hickey) thoroughly enjoyed a dinner at The Colonel’s Restaurant & Bakery on Main Street. The dining is outdoor and indoor. The bakery opens at 8 AM. Sunflower verified that the fresh donuts are delicious. Also, the marina wifi is excellent and there is a nice building for marina guests to use the wifi, heads, showers and laundry. 
    • Starlight (Joan and John de Reget) report that they have had a couple of nice meals on the outdoor deck at Nor’Easter, which is a short walk up the hill from the dock next to the motel. The summer locals have discovered it so reservations are recommended.
    • Sunflower (Mark & Bev Lenci, Anne Kolker, Nancy Cook) report “Coastal Energy” (right at the south end of Main Street – 8 Neighborhood Drive) will fill propane cylinders.
  • Southwest Harbor:
    • Bluewater IV (Milt & Judy Baker) report:
      • Moorings: Contact harbormaster Adam Thurston at 207-244-8713 for moorings close in, or Hinckley at 207-244-5572 (207-244-5531 after hours).
      • Dsyarts Great Harbor Marina is the only true marina. Call the marina office manager Jane Peabody 207-244-0117 for information and reservations.
      • Just across Clark Point Road from Dsyarts is McEachern & Hutchins Hardware store https://www.mceachernonline.com/ which offers a surprisingly good selection of marine stuff, including stainless fasteners. 
      • On the main drag in town is Little Notch Bakery and Cafe offering a great selection of artisan bread and other delights
      • For repairs, parts, and service you have several options. 
        • Option 1: ask for a steer from Micah or Jane at the marina because they know many local craftsmen and women on call. 
        • The Hinckley Company (numbers above) offers a wide array of services--most anything you want or need with but at Hinckley prices. Wischbone (Jeff and Cindy Wisch) report Hinckley was of great service when they required a major repair of their freezer. Contact John Pratt, service manager, at 207 479 4213.
        • The Ellis Boat Company https://ellisboat.com/ specializes in building and servicing high-quality Downeast style yachts. 
        • Downeast Diesel, reachable by water or land, is near the Coast Guard Station and focuses on marine diesel engines, and owner John Spofford and his son George are the guys to talk to.  I've been using Downeast Diesel for 20 years or so and give them high marks.  (207-2344-5145).
    • Sawyers Grocery is no longer open. Sawyers Specialties (wine and cheese shop) is open Monday – Saturday, 10 AM to 6 PM.
    • IGA Southwest Food Market Grocery is a larger store but is 1.5 miles from the town dock.
    • Sunflower (Mark & Bev Lenci) points out that if you are eligible to shop in military exchanges, there is a small USCG exchange on the Coast Guard base.
    • Wischbone (Jeff & Cindy Wisch) discovered a small cafe with the above and a guitarist in SW Harbor that only accepts donations for a food pantry and is a great spot to have breakfast. Open from 730 AM - 11:30 AM daily except Monday (closed)
      It is a 5-minute walk from the Town Landing on the East side of the Harbor. Take a left up the hill from the town dock and it is on the right just before Main St in town. Very COVID 19 conscious. Everyone wears masks and tables are well spaced and sanitized after each use.
  • Somesville (MDI): Skye (Glen Porter & Jean Deighan) report the town docks are posted for residents only and are closed to transients. The art gallery and small but most interesting Somesville historical museum are open and welcoming within COVID guidelines.
  • Seal Cove (MDI): Meridian (Steve Taylor) reports the "Lighthouse" restaurant in Seal Cove (Mt. Desert) was delightful. Safe, socially distanced, careful service, and wonderful chowders, seafood stew and good local beer.
  • Great Cranberry Island: Josephine (Stafford and Susan Keegin) report:
    • I’m hugely partial to the Cranberry Island General Store.  It is about 100 feet across the parking lot at the head of the Great Cranberry Island town dock (which is the first dock/pier easterly of the substantial residential dock on the northwest corner of the island nearest SWH). Holly, who is wonderful, runs the place, and you can usually find all you need there, including some of Lauren Gray’s wonderful, local oysters. Great Cranberry Island maintains three moorings on the outside of the mooring field from which you can dingy in to the finger float on the westerly side of the town dock.  You can also grab a good lunch at the store, including soft ice cream.  If you find Scott Bracy there, he’ll sell you lobsters “off the boat.” If you can’t find a convenient mooring closer in, you can always use our little-used CCA guest mooring farther to the east or anchor northerly of the mooring field (beware of unmarked green ledge northeasterly of the Newman & Gray boatyard.
    • In addition to the CCA mooring in the guest mooring list (large white ball with a CCA burgee painted on it)  there are two “KEEGIN” moorings which are available if no one is on them. 
    • Dining is more limited out on the Cranberries, but quite nice.  On Great Cranberry there is Hitty’s, a nice outdoors lunch place.   It’s about 1/2 a mile up the Main Road from the town dock.  There’s a free shuttle service that takes folks up-island and that stops and pick ups from Hitty’s.  Out the road farther up island is a Maine Coastal Heritage trail through the woods to the outer shore, and the trailhead is  also serviced by the shuttle.
  • Little Cranberry Island: Josephine (Stafford and Susan Keegin) report:
    • The lobster coop on Little Cranberry (Islesford) has a very nice small retail operation from which one may find lobsters and misc. food items.  I’ve always been a little uncertain about public moorings at LCI, but there is plenty of anchoring room.  The dingy space on the Islesford town dock behind the main float is rarely less than jammed, but always seems to accommodate at least one more dingy or skiff.
    • Freedom (Peter Stoops/Kate Wilkinson) report the Isleford Dock restaurant is open Tuesday – Sunday 3 to 8 PM. Serving inside and out, food excellent (had fresh tuna - great)
  • Bar Harbor: Jo Jo (William Strassberg) reports the Atlantic Brewing Company has a very good BBQ restaurant in Town Hill with outdoor dining called Mainly Meat BBQ. Address is 5 Knox Rd Bar Harbor, ME 04609, phone 207-288-2337 (BEER). It is a car ride from any harbor.

Down East  / Passamaquoddy Bay

  • Winter Harbor: Sunflower (Mark/Bev Lenci, Nancy Cook, Anne Kolker) report:
    • “The LobStore” A variety of fresh fish, all great! Also has smoked mussels, shrimp, and scallops from the smoke house down the road. 258 Newman St, Winter Harbor, ME 04693 (207) 963-8600
    • There is a small IGA grocery that is an easy walk from the dinghy dock where all the lobstermen put their dinghies.
    • There is a “classic” hardware store that has everything a short walk up the road from the dinghy dock.
    • The Winter Harbor Yacht Club has lots of moorings available. They provide launch service. They will deliver lunch to your boat and take your trash. Super friendly.
  • Port Harbor (Poets Harbor): Sunflower (Mark & Bev Lenci, Anne Kolker, Nancy Cook) report this is a HOT TIP. Put this on your “must do list”. The CCA mooring there is a large white ball, easily identified. The stewards, Jack & Diane Myles, live on John White Island. Be sure to contact them (info in the CCA mooring list). Sunflower’s crew spent 3 nights in this lovely little harbor and enjoyed two evenings with Jack & Diane. Be sure to get fresh lobster from Bub’s Lobster just around the corner to the north. Bub is an adventure in itself!!
  • Jonesport: Stewart’s Grocery is a full service convenience store. 207-497-2921 Their Facebook page has photos of what they carry. Sweet Dreams (Maggie Salter/Alan Hickey) report the store is a 2 to 3 mile walk. Google shows it only about 2/10 mile from the harbor.
  • Bucks Harbor (Machias Bay): Sunflower (Mark/Bev Lenci, Nancy Cook, Anne Kolker) report the harbor master directed them to a guest mooring near the entrance to the harbor on the south side. It is an enormous yellow plastic buoy like those seen marking aquaculture. It has a very heavy-duty pennant. The buoy has a white light and is labeled “guest” in large letters. There is no fee.
  • Cutler: Sunflower (Mark/Bev Lenci, Nancy Cook, Anne Kolker) report there are no moorings for rent in Cutler. The harbor is well protected with lots of room to anchor boats. The holding ground is very good. Fresh lobster are available from Deano’s on the main wharf (closes at 3:30 PM sharp)
  • Eastport: Sunflower (Mark/Bev Lenci, Nancy Cook, Anne Kolker) spent two days in Eastport and report:
    • The cruise ship (the “Riviera”) is gone. We passed her on as she departed on August 1 to do a crew change in Gibraltar. The plan is for her to return here to spend another 2 months. Her lines had extended over the public dock and over the inner basin so sailboats could not dock.
    • The city dock on the north side and outside the inner basin (where the USCG building is located) has lots of room for sailboats. The harbor master is Richard Clark available at 207-214-0639. Water is available on the dock if you have 150 feet of hose. No shore power. Docks are new and very sturdy. If the cruise ship is in port you cannot get a sailboat into this area.
    • The Chowder House is closed but the same owner, Bob DelPapa, runs the “Waco Restaurant”. Bob says although the Chowder House is closed, he still rents the mooring and dock space. He says if you call in advance, he will “find you a place” either on his dock or mooring, or on someone else’s. 207-266-9802 
    • The Sunflower crew highly recommends taking the ferry (a lobster boat) to Lubec. It is a fun ride with narration. Lubec is “quiet” compared to Eastport but worth the visit. Walk up the hill to see the many large homes from Lubec sardine canning hay days that are nicely maintained. Visit the Lubec Brewing Company. You can taste their beers, pick some, and sit in their outside beer garden. There is a wicked bad tidal current so the ferry is a better choice than going with your deep keel sailboat.
  • Federal Harbor: The harbor pilot that took the cruise ship out spent a half hour with us on Sunflower. He told us one of the loveliest small, quiet, virtually uninhabited harbors in the area is Federal Harbor. It’s in the Maine sailing guide. It is also a great hurricane hole with good holding ground.

References

 

 

As it will look mailed...

CCA Logo

Staying Together by Staying Apart!

Updates & inputs: Please send new information and corrections or updates to marklenci@gmail.com  keep it coming!

 

Items of special interest:

CCA guest moorings: With 30+ CCA boats cruising in Maine this week, many boats have been using CCA guest moorings. The new file that is available to download guest moorings to your chartplotter or navigation app is working well. We encourage you if you have a mooring to make it available to CCA guests. If it’s your “home” mooring, it can have comment like “Available when not in use by ____. Please check ahead by phone or email to see if is available.” – or something like that. We also understand that some areas have restrictions on loaning out a mooring to guests.

 

CCA Maine Area Boat tracker https://cruisingclub.org/mo/boatchart/maine

 

Interested in a daily CCA VHF radio net?

We did not get a lot of response on this one but did look at what would be an appropriate time slot. It looks like 0800 is best. There is an OCC SSB net at 0730 and a weather service at 0830.

 

We encourage you to turn on your VHF radio at 0800 each day to see if other CCA members come up on VHF channel 78. Members that want to try DSC group calls or individual calls should set up your radios to switch to CH 78.

 

We will see how it goes!

 

Nautical Curiosity items of the week:

Self-reporting a boat’s position to MarineTraffic (instead of automatically by AIS)

 

IF you want to be tracked in the CCA boat tracker via Marine Traffic but are out of range of shore receiving stations (e.g. Downeast), you can “self-report” if you have cell phone coverage. For example, Sunflower operated Downeast for 2 weeks and was always shown on CCA boat locator by self-reporting via cell phone.

 

You need one free app on your cell phone and a free account on Marine Traffic (https://www.marinetraffic.com/) to “self-report” your position: The app is “OnCourse”. Download the OnCourse app and follow the instructions to set it up the first time. It is simple. Then each time you get underway, start the OnCourse app and it will report your position automatically to MarineTraffic.

“Fly by night” – When sailing downwind at night, a large, single fly-by-night sail could be used to do the job of several smaller sails. Since it could only be used downwind, it was rarely seen.

 

This week’s “Best of ….”

 Send your items by email to Sunflower (marklenci@gmail.com).

The current set of contenders are (new entries since last week are in blue:

  • Friendliest Lobsterman: Golden Eye (Ernie Godshalk, Ann Noble Kiley) Despite the sometimes less welcoming reputation of its neighbor, Matinicus, we nominate Criehaven (Ragged Island) as having the friendliest lobstermen (same for the residents, most of whom are lobstermen, of which there are exactly 10).When we entered the tiny harbor, two different lobstermen suggested available moorings at no charge. Ashore, people immediately offered suggestions for walks. We met a lobsterman and his wife ashore and received a half hour description of a Criehaven lobsterman's happy life. (For an understanding of the island, read "Tide Trilogy" by Elisabeth Ogilvie, novels set on Ragged Island, thinly described as "Bennett's Island".)
  • Best anchorage:
    • Sweet Dreams (Maggie Salter/Alan Hickey) Mistake Harbor south of Knight Island in Head Harbor Island archipelago. Sunflower is holding off with a recommendation but agrees this is definitely in the running.
    • Breezing Up (Brad and Ann Willauer): Horseshoe Cove cape Rosier 
  • Peaceful harbor:
    • Sweet Dreams (Maggie Salter/Alan Hickey) between Bold and Camp islands in the Deer Island Passage is a wide cove with good anchoring.
    • Meridian (Steve Taylor) nominates Buckle Harbor (off Buckle Island @ Swans Island near York Narrows). It has been this way for a long time, and hasn't changed; we had only four boats in there on a nearly full moon clear night
  • Best day stop: Sweet Dreams (Maggie Salter/Alan Hickey) nominate Sand Cove at Marshall Island Beautiful sand beach with Caribbean blue water. You can dinghy over sand right into the beach.
  • Best fresh seafood:
    • Sunflower (Mark/Bev Lenci, Anne Kolker, Nancy Cook) nominate “The LobStore” A variety of fresh fish, all great! 258 Newman St, Winter Harbor, ME 04693 (207) 963-8600
    • Sweet Dreams (Maggie Salter/Alan Hickey) Jess Seafood Market in Rockland
  • Best lobster roll: contenders are (no decision yet):
    • Janet Reisman nominates Osier’s Wharf in South Bristol
    • Sweet Dreams (Maggie Salter/Alan Hickey) nominate Greets Eats in Carvers Harbor on Vinalhaven and The Colonels in Northeast Harbor
    • Tonic (Mark & Melissa Myers) nominate Five Islands Lobster, Sheepscot River easy in easy out – plus bonus Five Islands Yacht Club maintains 5 free moorings first come first serve.     
  • Best hiking trails: Breezing Up (Brad and Ann Willauer): Perry Creek, Duck Mountain, Isle au Haut
  • Best freshwater swimming: Breezing Up (Brad and Ann Willauer) Quarry in Burnt Coat Harbor Swans Island.
  • Best things to do with the dinghy: Breezing Up (Brad and Ann Willauer): In Winter Harbor or Seal Bay Vinalhaven, take your dingy with a chart plotter during late flood tide over through the Mill River to Perrys Creek and onward to buy lobsters at Brown
  • Best dinghy modification for cruising: ConverJence (Bill Bowers) modified his dinghy for surveying anchorages. It is outfitted with a Raymarine Axiom 7 downvision sonar GPS plotter powered by a motorcycle battery and a solar panel charging system. It records real time depths to the nearest foot and can be uploaded to Navionics to update detailed contour charts. See the information section on Perry Cove.
  • Best place for hard to find stuff: Wassail (Nick & Phyllis Orem) nominate The Mobil 1 Lube Express on Route 1 just a little way past the turn for Hannafords will refill propane canisters of any size.

 

Best photos of the week

(selected by Charles Starke)

 

 

Anne Kolker

Cutler:  Flying fish! Ha!

 

Bill Bowers

Barton’s Island Sunset on ConverJence

 

Jack & Zdenka Griswold

 

Molly Potter

Pieter de Zwart’s Pastime

Jane Glennie Babbitt

 

Wytie & Sally Cable

Bucks Harbor

 

Nancy Cook

Signs in Cutler need explanation

 

 

 

 

 

Tips, Reports, and Information from CCA members by Region

Note: changes to this section since last week are printed in “BLUE” font

Information applicable to all areas

  • People who are not Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New Jersey, New York or Connecticut residents must complete a Certificate of Compliance form indicating they have received a negative COVID-19 test result, or that they will quarantine in Maine for 14 days, or that they have already completed their quarantine in Maine.

Southern Coast / Casco Bay

  • Quahog Bay: Sunflower (Mark & Bev Lenci) reports
    • Free CCA guest mooring: Orrs Cove, adjacent to Snow Island in Quahog Bay, CCA Guest Mooring #1668 available. Andy Devereaux m/v TEN. Contact Steve Rowe Ch 9 or (207) 729-1639 (CCA Member and GM of Safe Harbor Marine at Great Harbor Boat Yard) for availability and dinghy dock location.
    • Guest moorings are available for $35/night at Great Island Boatyard CCA member Steve Rowe (CCA member) is the GM. Full services.
    • The “Craft Kitchen and Provisions” is a small restaurant at Great Island Boatyard and is excellent! You can order take out or dine outside. They will also prepare meals for you as provisions. Almost everything is made on premise. They are open from 10 AM to 6 PM Thursday through Monday. Call 207-406-4333.
  • Casco Bay Restaurants:  Libra (Caroline and Barney Baker) have provided the following list of restaurants in Casco Bay:
    • Saltwater Grille, 231 Front Street, South Portland. Saltwater Grille welcomes boaters with a private dock and a large deck offering panoramic views of Portland’s city skyline. The menu includes plenty of locally caught fish and seafood, steaks, and owner Mark Loring’s signature pizza—lobster, grilled corn salsa, and basil.
    • Diamond’s Edge Restaurant, Diamond Cove, Portland. On the grounds of historic Fort McKinley, Diamond’s Edge Restaurant and Marina gives boaters the chance to escape the hustle of Portland for a relaxed island setting. The lawn overlooking the cove is a popular spot to enjoy a meal and a glass of wine.
    • North 43 Bistro, 1 Spring Point Dr., South Portland. Overlooking Port Harbor Marina, North 43 Bistro has decks on two levels and a contemporary feel. Chef Stephanie Brown’s sophisticated yet soulful menu changes every three weeks and has more varied choices than most waterside restaurants.
    • Crown Jewel - Dale Bruce reports that this is a restaurant on Great Diamond Island in Casco Bay now offering boat side delivery. 207-766-3000
    • Dockside Grill, 214 Foreside Rd, Falmouth.
    • Harraseeket Lunch & Lobster, 36 Main St, South Freeport. Cozy coastal vibes fill this seasonal, seaside pier in a working harbor. With bright red picnic tables, a lobster pound, and a classic Maine menu, the restaurant provides a real taste of local character.
    • Royal River Grill House, 106 Lafayette St, Yarmouth. This stylish waterfront restaurant boasts a large deck with heaters, firepits, and a harbor view, with a slip available for boaters at Yankee Marina just next door. The lively bar is a popular gathering spot for locals, and the large menu offers something for everyone.
    • Chebeague: updated by Trinket (Jim and Ruth Harvie). Chebeague Island Inn is not open this season. On the ocean side of Chebeague is the boat yard with a place you can get wine/sandwiches and there’s a beach: http://chebeagueislandboatyard.com/the-niblic/
    • The Dolphin, 515 Basin Point Road, Harpswell. On the edge of Potts Harbor, the Dolphin has its own marina and a deck with sweeping views of the Casco Bay islands. Known for its traditional Maine fare served with blueberry muffins, the restaurant has been a local favorite since 1966.
    • Erica’s (like a dairy queen for fish and lobster - low key) and working lobsterman’s dock you can tie up. Colorfull! Near the Dolphin.
    • Morse’s Cribstone Grill, Bailey Island  (Ocean side)  Great little low key place with great menu and all seats have views.  You can get lunch or dinner there and they sell lobster to take home. They have dock to tie up to too.  https://www.morsescribstonegrill.net/ You sneak under the Cribstone bridge between Orrs Island and Bailey island to get there or you can run along the oceanside shore of Bailey’s .
    • Cooks Lobster: Indoor seating: other side of cribstone bridge from Morse’s You might be able to arrange a mooring at Orrs/Bailey island YC.
    • Cundy’s harbor) Dock and good seafood eating out on the pier. https://www.holbrookwharf.com/
    • Anna’s Waters Edge Restaurant- Haven’t been here yet but it is on my list! Looks great and unpolished. Address: 75 Blacks Landing Rd, Phippsburg, ME 04562 Phone: (207) 389-1803
    • Sebasco  Lodge: (more polished) updated by Allegro (Buell & Anne Heminway): 29 Kenyon Rd, (877) 420-1701 Oceanfront resort hotel. Dining on the terrace under a tent and indoors in the tavern. Very limited seating. Launch service. Golf course & a harborside pool.
    • Five Islands Lobster Co., Sheepscot River, https://fiveislandslobster.com/ There is a dock.  And if you just want to hang on a yacht club free mooring head to restaurant and look to port and there will be complimentary moorings

Mid-Coast / Penobscot Bay /  Mt. Desert

  • Five Islands (Sheepscott River) Wassail (Nick & Phyllis Orem) & Bonnie Rye (Chace & Josie Anderson) report the lobster dock, ice cream stand, & general store are open. Five Islands Farm is a nice store up the hill and has good wines, cheeses, & vegetables but is closing on July 18 for the remainder of the summer. They stayed on two Five Island Yacht Club moorings. Due to large lobster boats moored, take a mooring further out.
  • Oven Mouth (Cross River) Wassail (Nick & Phyllis Orem) & Bonnie Rye (Chace & Josie Anderson) report they spent several days here and it was virtually empty.
  • Squirrel Island: Golden Eye (Ernie Godshalk, Ann Noble Kiley) report: Just outside Booth Bay, Squirrel has a reputation for hospitality to yachts. However, this year, due to COVID, the island is open only to residents, not even guests
  • Boothbay:  Bonnie Rye (Chace & Josie Anderson) report that they found a person who can drive and do shopping. Contact Rob Leavitt, Phone: 207-350-3248, and email grocery needs: midcoastdelivery@gmail.com Guest mooring at the Boothbay Yacht Club are available with launch service. The dining room is take out only.
  • Linekin Bay: Wischbone (Jeff & Cindy Wisch) report that the Linekin Bay Resort has moorings available for rent and guest wifi that reaches the moorings. Additionally, the northwest corner of Linikin Bay has excellent holding ground for anchoring and is well protected.
  • Christmas Cove: Nancy Snow (Bruce and Linda MacNeil) recommend the Coveside Restaurant and Marina in South Bristol, Maine. 207-644-8282 The restaurant overhangs Christmas Cove and has a fabulous menu with lots of seafood, shellfish and beef. They have 7 moorings and overnight slips in the marina, all on Dockwa. Currently they will be open Thursday through Sunday from 11:30 till 9:00 pm. There is inside dining, outside dining and takeout delivered to the docks. www.covesiderestaurant.com
  • South Bristol: Golden Eye (Ernie Godshalk, Ann Noble Kiley) report that The COOP on the east side of the bridge is open for fuel and water and courteous to yachts although quite busy with lobster boats. Diesel was well under $2/gal. 
  • Damariscotta River: Five miles up the river there is a small, full-service boatyard, Gamage Shipyard.  They have diesel and gasoline available on their face dock 7 days per week. 207-644-8181.
  • Hog Island: Sunflower (Mark/Bev Lenci, Anne Kolker, Nancy Cook) stopped here to visit the Audubon preserve with hiking trails on the island. There are two first come first serve moorings in the small cove in front of the Audubon building & dock on the island (in the area of the underwater cables shown on your chart – do not anchor). Best to get there early. The facilities manager is Eric Snyder (snyder.eh@gmail.com)
  • Maplejuice Cove: Sunflower (Mark/Bev Lenci, Anne Kolker, Nancy Cook) discovered that the Olson House, home of Christina Olson and the venue for the most famous Andrew Wyeth painting, is closed for renovation. It’s a short walk from Cushing Cove and well worth it for the view. We purchased lobsters from one of the boats that was offloading their catch at Cushing Cove (the lobster boat harbor in the NE corner of Maplejuice Cove).
  • Tenant’s Harbor:
    • Charles Starke reports that his CCA guest mooring in Long Cove, #200 on the CCA list, was not set up with a ball this summer and is not available.
    • Simba (Frank & Linda Cassidy) mooring at 43 57.80/69 11.87 White ball marked with #1364, yellow floats on pennant. On approach into Tenants Harbor it is located opposite Long Cove approximately 0.1 NM SW of the speed limit buoy. Serviced this spring it is a 4,000 pound granite block with 5/8-inch chain.  Call Frank at 207-832-1650 if there are questions.
    • PrimeTime (Ed Freitag and Molly Haley).  Luke’s Lobster is currently closed. The Happy Clam is open. The Tavern at the East Wind Inn will not be open for the summer. The Inn is currently serving breakfast and lunch upstairs.
  • Long Cove: Sunflower (Mark/Bev Lenci, Anne Kolker, Nancy Cook) report that there is heavy sea grass on the bottom throughout most of the cove. They used their sonar to find a couple small grass free spots that anchor would readily set in. Recommend a fisherman’s anchor if you don’t have a sonar.
  • Dix Island: Golden Eye (Ernie Godshalk, Ann Noble Kiley) report that Dix offers an attractive anchorage and the island remains open for walks ashore although restricted to a well-marked and mowed path that circumnavigates the island, about half an hour. Half a dozen boats at anchor mid-week. We saw no one ashore during our walk. 
  • McLoon’s Lobster Shack Tag (Nancy Cook) reports that this is off the beaten path but has the best lobster rolls she has ever had!! Now that’s saying something! McLoon’s is 315 Island road in Thomaston, ME. This is on Spruce Island (can be reached by car) near Muscle Shoals Channel. You can reach it by boat and dinghy ashore. Worth the stop.
  • Rockland:  
    • (Passport) Ann Noble-Kiley has one mooring that is often available. Call her at 617-817-1308.
    • Wischbone (Jeff & Cindy Wisch) reports from the harbormaster that docks and moorings are in. 207-594-0312 There is a Farmer’s Market on Thursday’s from 0900 – 1300 in the field adjacent to the town dock.
    • Jo Jo (William Strassberg) reports the Grasshopper Shop downtown on Main Street has great boater friendly items such as Melamine dishware, plastic cups and glasses, placemats, Stonewall Kitchen condiments, jams, mustards. 
    • Windermere (John & Wendy Richards) reports on the following restaurants:
      • Archers on the Pier- easy walk from the town dinghy dock. They have a deck and inside seating spaced out. No reservations but will move you up the list if you let them know you are coming soon. Big menu.
      • Park St. Grille — seating inside spaced and outside they have about 5 or 6 tables. No reservations big menu good Mexican food and margaritas! Walk up the hill from the town dinghy dock and turn right on Main St and go 2 blocks.
      • Cafe Rustica- takes reservations for seatings 5pm, 6:30pm, 8pm. Spaced out seating. Smaller menu but good food. Walk up from town dinghy dock, turn right on Main St. and go 3 or 4 blocks.
      • McLoons- in Sprucehead near Owlshead open 11:30-7pm closed tues and weds. You can anchor in the harbor, dinghy dock walk to it. It is on a rise by the water. Lobster shack style good food. Eat outside picnic tables
    • Windermere (John & Wendy Richards) report on the following stores:
      • Hannafords is in the north part of the harbor. Joe’s Taxi is out of business but try Schooner Bay Taxi 207-594-5000 (they also do Camden) wear a mask and don’t bring your cloth bags. They won’t let you bring them into the store. They are limiting the number of people inside but I have never had to wait. It is well stocked except paper towels are not there. Toilet paper is there.
      • Main St Market is small but has organic things and a place to get salads and sandwiches and take out hot things. From the town dock, go up the hill turn right and walk 6 blocks. 207-594-8515
      • Wiggins Meat Market 207-594-1118. 148 N Main St. has a great selection of vacuum-packed meats and fish and pastas. They are on Main street south. Take your dinghy to the dinghy dock/boat ramp at Snow Park in the south of town and walk down Mechanic St to your left till you hit Main and turn right. The market is on your left a ways up Main. You can also come at it from the Town dock and walk south on Main St
      • Jess’s Seafood Market 207-596-6068 118 S. Main St.  is south of Wiggins so closer to Snow Park area.
      • Wassail (Nick & Phyllis Orem) report:
        • The Mobil 1 Lube Express on Route 1 just a little way past the turn for Hannafords will refill propane canisters of any size.
        • Anybody who likes BBQ will want to visit the outdoor BBQ across from the Landings Marina parking lot. They’re open Thursday to Saturday from 11am until they sell out.
  • Rockport: Windermere (John & Wendy Richards) report Market Basket is open. 207-236-4371
  • Camden (from Dale Bruce)
    • Camden Town docks are welcoming transient boats but expect guests to honor 14 day quarantine, stay socially distant and wear masks. Harbor master: Steve Pixley. Monitors VHF Ch. 16 or Phone: 207-236-7969 Docking fees: $2.50 per ft night for under 40’ -  $3.50 per ft for 40’ to 70’ Power: 30amp - $15 night, 50 amp - $30 night  There is water on the dock, but supply your own hose. Pump out boat is available & can come to you at anchor or mooring. Call dockmaster to arrange – 236-7969 or VHF Ch 16. Restrooms on the public landing are partially open – one person allowed inside at a time.
    • Lyman Morse Dockmaster: Charlie Foote 207-236-7108 Moorings: $45 night Inner harbor float: $60 night (42’ maximum) Dock: $3 per ft per night up to 59’ length, $4.25 ft per night for 60’-99’ length They offer laundry pick-up and delivery through Camden Clothesline, 207-230-1166. Due to a fire on the property the laundry and showers are closed indefinitely. They  have water available on the docks and at the fuel dock. They also have a free pump-out service in the harbor.
    • Camden Yacht Club Dockmaster: Barb Goss Please contact the Dockmaster’s office at 207-236-3014, via VHF 68, or docks@camdenyachtclub.org Moorings available for $40 night. Inner harbor floats $50 night (42’ maximum length) NO other services available – no launch service even if you’re on a mooring. Please do not come to the docks, even in a dinghy. Use the town public landing.
    • Groceries: French and Brawn (1 Elm Street)  is one block from the public landing in Camden and offers most everything you may need. Deli, fish & meat departments as well as most groceries and produce. Mask required inside. Delivery to Public landing offered. Call or email an order for curbside pickup if you’re quarantined or wish delivery: 207-236-3361 or fandbmarket@gmail.com If requested ahead, they will package and freeze items for you.
    • Rhum line closed indefinitely – on the dock at Lyman Morse
    • Blue Barren Distillery — https://www.bluebarrendistillery.com/ Locally distilled Gin and Rum. Located on the Lyman Morse property, near the head of the harbor. There is talk that Blue Barren MIGHT start serving some food. Please call 207-542-7741 to schedule a curbside pickup at the distillery.
    • The Waterfront Restaurant – 48 Bayview Street On the water, nice deck overlooking the harbor. 11:30 — 2:30 serving lunch, from 2:30 — 4:30 serving drinks and light fare, from 5 until close only serving dinner. You can order take out from 11:30 am — 5 pm. Please wear a mask if you come into the restaurant for anything.
    • Peter Otts — 16 Bayview Landing – right on the harbor. Currently offering outdoor dining, take-out and curbside pick-up. Not currently accepting reservations. Open Wednesday – Sunday 12pm-8pm. To order by phone call 207.236.4032 or order online: https://www.peterotts.com/reservations
    • Camden Deli — 37 Main Street. Has a nice upstairs deck and is a great spot for breakfast or lunch.
    • Bagel Café – 25 Mechanic Street — is offering curbside take-out. Open 7 days 7am-2pm Great bagels, sandwiches, salads, baked goods. Call 207-236-2661 to order.
    • Hartstone Inn – 41 Elm Street. Upscale, lovely restaurant offering curbside pickup. Menu changes daily-see it online. An easy walk from the public landing. Open Wednesday-Sunday https://www.hartstoneinn.com/camden-maine-restaurant or 207-236-4259
    • 40 Paper – 40 Washington Street – Upscale Italian with Gluten Free options. An easy walk from the public landing. Right under the smokestack. Open 4-9. Curbside pickup (including fun cocktails), Indoor and patio seating – properly spaced out... Call 207-230-0111 for reservations. New menus posted on their Facebook page daily. Closed Sunday and Monday
    • Windermere (John & Wendy Richards) reports there is a farmer’s market at 116 Washington Street, 9 – 12 Saturday. Walk from the town dock.
  • Belfast:
    • Wischbone reports that the harbormaster says moorings are available but there are a limited number and reservations are accepted. Skye (Glen Porter) reports they have rented moorings from Kathy the harbormaster 207-276-5737
    • Jo Jo (William Strassberg) reports that the Belfast COOP is one of the safest in store shopping experiences he has had. It is a short walk from the harbor, and they will do on-line orders with curbside pick-up if desired. See https://belfast.coop/shop-for-me/  Windermere (John & Wendy Richards) report that you walk up Main Street from the dinghy dock and turn left on High St and walk a block and look left. Lots of fresh vegetables, organic products, lunch area for good sandwiches, etc. to eat in or take out.
    • Jo Jo (William Strassberg) reports Darby’s Restaurant, The Neighborhood and Meanwhile Restaurant have outside dining.
  • Perry Creek (Fox Island Thoroughfare) –
    • Skye (Glen Porter) reports there are almost no private moorings. Also the boats moored in the Fox Island Thoroughfare are sparse.
    • ConverJence (Bill Bowers) reports that he surveyed the harbor and verified that the 4 foot spot shown to starboard as you enter Perry Creek does NOT exist. The actual depth of water should be 9 to 10 feet.
  • North Haven:
    • Hearts Desire (Dan & Joan Amory) report North Haven is welcoming visitors as long as you respect the health precautions – wear masks and social distance.
    • Pulpit Harbor: Sweet Dreams (Maggie Salter/Alan Hickey), and updated by Hearts Desire (Dan & Joan Amory) report North Haven Grocery  is an easy walk, ½ mile, from the harbor. Open 6 AM to 7 PM daily. For smaller orders call 207-867-2233. For larger orders email  Nhgrocery2019@gmail.com)  Maddie, just graduated from Bates College, offers a delivery service if you & your crew are in quarantine. Email Maddie at  maddiesmobileLLC@gmail.com  They will deliver to the town dock or the Pulpit Harbor dock. Call to pick up an order. Restocked Monday and Friday afternoons.
    • Pulpit Harbor: Sweet Dreams (Maggie Salter/Alan Hickey) report they buy lobsters from April Brown 207-542-3894/207-867-2209. She will also cook them for you.
    • Bluebird (Gust Stringos) reports the Nebo Lodge (207-867-2007) has indoor & outdoor dining (dinner?). Food is great and proper safety is observed. Open Tuesday – Saturday. 
    • Bluebird (Gust Stringos) reports moorings are available from J. O. Brown (Brown’s Boatyard – (207-867-2282)
    • Sweet Dreams (Maggie Salter/Alan Hickey) report Calderwod Hall Bakery & pizza, curbside pickup (5 pm – 8 pm) and delivery to the town dock (4:30 PM). 207-867-4700. Menu & order on the website: http://www.calderwoodhall.com/
    • Turner Farm: Sweet Dreams (Maggie Salter/Alan Hickey) report Turner Farm is selling take-out food and vegetables. Anchor in Kent Cove. They have a dock you can dinghy to and walk to the barn. See the website for hours and menus. www.Turner-farm.com
    • Meridian (Steve Taylor) reports fresh local oysters are available right near the ferry dock at Waterman’s. Freshly harvested, really great.
  • Carver’s Harbor (south end of Vinalhaven Island) Windermere (John & Wendy Richards) report the  The Carver’s Harbor Market is quite big and right on the main St in the Harbor .207-863-4319 It is across the street from the dinghy dock. They offer curbside pickup. The harbor is crowded but there should be room to anchor out in the Reach area and dinghy in.
  • Castine:
    • Doug & Dale Bruce report that this is a pretty town to walk in. Lots of historical information on signs.
    • Wischbone reports from the harbormaster that town moorings are available 207 266 7711 or Eaton’s Boat Yard 207-326-8579
    • Windermere (John & Wendy Richards) report on the Mini Market. 207-326-9920 Walk up the hill to the first intersection and turn left and walk 100 ft. simple small market with deli.
    • Doug & Dale Bruce report Markel’s Bakery is open for take out only – Tuesday – Saturday 10 AM to 2 PM for lunch. 207-326-9510 to place your order.  Dennett’s Wharf restaurant is permanently closed.
    • Starlight (John & Joan de Regt) report Smith Cove, opposite Castine, was a great place to ride out Tropical Storm  Isaias.
    • Starlight (Joan and John de Reget) report that they bought some meat at the little grocery store in Castine and it was bad when I opened the package. Buyer beware! 
  • Buck’s Harbor:
    • Windermere (John & Wendy Richards) report on the Buck’s Harbor General Store. 207-236-8683 They are open 8-7, not Sundays. Take your dinghy to the yacht club dock and walk out the driveway to the main road. Look across the street and you will see the General Store. They have market things, a deli, and some pastries.  The Buck’s Cafe restaurant behind the store will be open for takeout only for the summer (at this point).
    • Skye (Glen Porter & Jean Deighan) report that the Buck’s Harbor Yacht Club has advised members like ourselves that the docks are closed to all but members for this summer;
  • Goose Cove (Deer Island): Patience B (Andy Oldman) reports he had a fabulous meal at the Aragosta Restaurant. Reservations are a must. The restaurant has a couple of moorings.
  • Stonington: Wischbone reports that Billings Marine has moorings and dockage available 207-266-7711 No lobsters at the docks this year but the COOP is open.
  • Center Harbor:
    • Skye (Glen Porter) reports they have rented moorings from Brooklyn Boat Yard.
    • Patience B (Andy Oldman) reports the Brooklin Inn is open for outside dining Wednesday through Saturday and is well worth it.
  • Wooden Boat School: Patience B (Andy Oldman) reports that the school is closed and the store is not open for in-store shopping. The website says it is open for phone or internet orders. Mooring appear to be in place. Call the store to inquire 800-273-7447.
  • Camp Island (Merchant’s Row): Golden Eye (Ernie Godshalk) reports ample anchoring room, excellent holding.
  • Frenchboro (Long island): Sunflower (Mark/Bev Lenci, Nancy Cook, Anne Kolker) report that they found Lunt’s Deli open for business. The owner said many boaters think they are closed and asked us to spread the word that they are open. The food is as good as ever and only 3 of 4 guest moorings were in use the night we visited. Moorings are first come, first served. Call Lunt’s at 207-334-2902 for food and/or moorings. The Maine Trails hiking trails are open.
  • Blue Hill: Bravo (Tom and Jane Babbitt) report
    • Town is pretty much open for business with the usual COVID restrictions
    • Trade Winds market and Community Pharmacy are open and well stocked. A “bracing” walk uphill. (Note: you can dinghy to the town dock two hours either side of high tide).
    • Kollegewidgwok Yacht Club is open with fuel and water but cannot take trash. VHF CH 9
    • Biting flies are the worst they can remember
  • Mount Desert Isle general information: This summer the popular free LL Bean busses, well known for circling Mount Desert Island including Acadia National Park, have been shut down indefinitely by the pandemic.
  • Sawyer’s Cove (MDI):  Golden Eye (Ernie Godshalk) reports ample room to anchor. Only one boat there on July 9. Excellent holding.
  • Mount Desert Isle ashore: Meridian (Steve Taylor) reports:
    • We played 9 holes of golf at both the Causeway Club in Mt. Desert and at the North Haven Golf Club (the latter is walking distance from the harbor/ferry dock). At both places, we rented clubs that had been wiped down, felt totally safe, were welcomed on short notice with a quick advance call, and found good prices and no crowds.
    • The hike up Flying Mountain (in Acadia, near SW Harbor) is short with a beautifully maintained trail, great views, and has a nice loop only slightly further to the Valley Cove overlook of Some Sound.
    • The freshwater swimming in Echo Lake (Mt Desert) is great; you need a car or a bike to get there, but it's not far from SW Harbor, nor from NE Harbor or Seal Cove.
    • Freedom (Peter Stoops/Kate Wilkinson) report that for biking on MDI, i.e. hitting the carriage paths, check out Island Bike Rental. Basic bikes but nice people.
  • Northeast Harbor:
    • Wischbone reports from the Harbormaster that Acadia National Park is open for hiking. Biking on carriage trails is prohibited. No Shuttle Buses. Pine Tree Grocery Store will deliver to the dock. Moorings and dock available for rental. Reservations only for dockage accepted. Rental moorings are available on a first come first served basis. (207 276 5737 8AM – 11PM) Clifton dock is open for fuel.
    • Pine Tree Market on Main Street (easy walk from the town dock) is open 9 AM to 8 PM. They are happy to take phone orders 207-276-3335. Jo Jo (William Strassberg) reports they will deliver to the town dock.
    • Sunflower (Mark/Bev Lenci, Nancy Cook, Anne Kolker) and Sweet Dreams (Maggie Salter & Al Hickey) thoroughly enjoyed a dinner at The Colonel’s Restaurant & Bakery on Main Street. The dining is outdoor and indoor. The bakery opens at 8 AM. Sunflower verified that the fresh donuts are delicious. Also, the marina wifi is excellent and there is a nice building for marina guests to use the wifi, heads, showers and laundry. 
    • Starlight (Joan and John de Reget) report that they have had a couple of nice meals on the outdoor deck at Nor’Easter, which is a short walk up the hill from the dock next to the motel. The summer locals have discovered it so reservations are recommended.
    • Sunflower (Mark & Bev Lenci, Anne Kolker, Nancy Cook) report “Coastal Energy” (right at the south end of Main Street – 8 Neighborhood Drive) will fill propane cylinders.
  • Southwest Harbor:
    • Bluewater IV (Milt & Judy Baker) report:
      • Moorings: Contact harbormaster Adam Thurston at 207-244-8713 for moorings close in, or Hinckley at 207-244-5572 (207-244-5531 after hours).
      • Dsyarts Great Harbor Marina is the only true marina. Call the marina office manager Jane Peabody 207-244-0117 for information and reservations.
      • Just across Clark Point Road from Dsyarts is McEachern & Hutchins Hardware store https://www.mceachernonline.com/ which offers a surprisingly good selection of marine stuff, including stainless fasteners. 
      • On the main drag in town is Little Notch Bakery and Cafe offering a great selection of artisan bread and other delights
      • For repairs, parts, and service you have several options. 
        • Option 1: ask for a steer from Micah or Jane at the marina because they know many local craftsmen and women on call. 
        • The Hinckley Company (numbers above) offers a wide array of services--most anything you want or need with but at Hinckley prices. Wischbone (Jeff and Cindy Wisch) report Hinckley was of great service when they required a major repair of their freezer. Contact John Pratt, service manager, at 207 479 4213.
        • The Ellis Boat Company https://ellisboat.com/ specializes in building and servicing high-quality Downeast style yachts. 
        • Downeast Diesel, reachable by water or land, is near the Coast Guard Station and focuses on marine diesel engines, and owner John Spofford and his son George are the guys to talk to.  I've been using Downeast Diesel for 20 years or so and give them high marks.  (207-2344-5145).
    • Sawyers Grocery is no longer open. Sawyers Specialties (wine and cheese shop) is open Monday – Saturday, 10 AM to 6 PM.
    • IGA Southwest Food Market Grocery is a larger store but is 1.5 miles from the town dock.
    • Sunflower (Mark & Bev Lenci) points out that if you are eligible to shop in military exchanges, there is a small USCG exchange on the Coast Guard base.
    • Wischbone (Jeff & Cindy Wisch) discovered a small cafe with the above and a guitarist in SW Harbor that only accepts donations for a food pantry and is a great spot to have breakfast. Open from 730 AM - 11:30 AM daily except Monday (closed)
      It is a 5-minute walk from the Town Landing on the East side of the Harbor. Take a left up the hill from the town dock and it is on the right just before Main St in town. Very COVID 19 conscious. Everyone wears masks and tables are well spaced and sanitized after each use.
  • Somesville (MDI): Skye (Glen Porter & Jean Deighan) report the town docks are posted for residents only and are closed to transients. The art gallery and small but most interesting Somesville historical museum are open and welcoming within COVID guidelines.
  • Seal Cove (MDI): Meridian (Steve Taylor) reports the "Lighthouse" restaurant in Seal Cove (Mt. Desert) was delightful. Safe, socially distanced, careful service, and wonderful chowders, seafood stew and good local beer.
  • Great Cranberry Island: Josephine (Stafford and Susan Keegin) report:
    • I’m hugely partial to the Cranberry Island General Store.  It is about 100 feet across the parking lot at the head of the Great Cranberry Island town dock (which is the first dock/pier easterly of the substantial residential dock on the northwest corner of the island nearest SWH). Holly, who is wonderful, runs the place, and you can usually find all you need there, including some of Lauren Gray’s wonderful, local oysters. Great Cranberry Island maintains three moorings on the outside of the mooring field from which you can dingy in to the finger float on the westerly side of the town dock.  You can also grab a good lunch at the store, including soft ice cream.  If you find Scott Bracy there, he’ll sell you lobsters “off the boat.” If you can’t find a convenient mooring closer in, you can always use our little-used CCA guest mooring farther to the east or anchor northerly of the mooring field (beware of unmarked green ledge northeasterly of the Newman & Gray boatyard.
    • In addition to the CCA mooring in the guest mooring list (large white ball with a CCA burgee painted on it)  there are two “KEEGIN” moorings which are available if no one is on them. 
    • Dining is more limited out on the Cranberries, but quite nice.  On Great Cranberry there is Hitty’s, a nice outdoors lunch place.   It’s about 1/2 a mile up the Main Road from the town dock.  There’s a free shuttle service that takes folks up-island and that stops and pick ups from Hitty’s.  Out the road farther up island is a Maine Coastal Heritage trail through the woods to the outer shore, and the trailhead is  also serviced by the shuttle.
  • Little Cranberry Island: Josephine (Stafford and Susan Keegin) report:
    • The lobster coop on Little Cranberry (Islesford) has a very nice small retail operation from which one may find lobsters and misc. food items.  I’ve always been a little uncertain about public moorings at LCI, but there is plenty of anchoring room.  The dingy space on the Islesford town dock behind the main float is rarely less than jammed, but always seems to accommodate at least one more dingy or skiff.
    • Freedom (Peter Stoops/Kate Wilkinson) report the Isleford Dock restaurant is open Tuesday – Sunday 3 to 8 PM. Serving inside and out, food excellent (had fresh tuna - great)
  • Bar Harbor: Jo Jo (William Strassberg) reports the Atlantic Brewing Company has a very good BBQ restaurant in Town Hill with outdoor dining called Mainly Meat BBQ. Address is 5 Knox Rd Bar Harbor, ME 04609, phone 207-288-2337 (BEER). It is a car ride from any harbor.

Down East  / Passamaquoddy Bay

  • Winter Harbor: Sunflower (Mark/Bev Lenci, Nancy Cook, Anne Kolker) report:
    • “The LobStore” A variety of fresh fish, all great! Also has smoked mussels, shrimp, and scallops from the smoke house down the road. 258 Newman St, Winter Harbor, ME 04693 (207) 963-8600
    • There is a small IGA grocery that is an easy walk from the dinghy dock where all the lobstermen put their dinghies.
    • There is a “classic” hardware store that has everything a short walk up the road from the dinghy dock.
    • The Winter Harbor Yacht Club has lots of moorings available. They provide launch service. They will deliver lunch to your boat and take your trash. Super friendly.
  • Port Harbor (Poets Harbor): Sunflower (Mark & Bev Lenci, Anne Kolker, Nancy Cook) report this is a HOT TIP. Put this on your “must do list”. The CCA mooring there is a large white ball, easily identified. The stewards, Jack & Diane Myles, live on John White Island. Be sure to contact them (info in the CCA mooring list). Sunflower’s crew spent 3 nights in this lovely little harbor and enjoyed two evenings with Jack & Diane. Be sure to get fresh lobster from Bub’s Lobster just around the corner to the north. Bub is an adventure in itself!!
  • Jonesport: Stewart’s Grocery is a full service convenience store. 207-497-2921 Their Facebook page has photos of what they carry. Sweet Dreams (Maggie Salter/Alan Hickey) report the store is a 2 to 3 mile walk. Google shows it only about 2/10 mile from the harbor.
  • Bucks Harbor (Machias Bay): Sunflower (Mark/Bev Lenci, Nancy Cook, Anne Kolker) report the harbor master directed them to a guest mooring near the entrance to the harbor on the south side. It is an enormous yellow plastic buoy like those seen marking aquaculture. It has a very heavy-duty pennant. The buoy has a white light and is labeled “guest” in large letters. There is no fee.
  • Cutler: Sunflower (Mark/Bev Lenci, Nancy Cook, Anne Kolker) report there are no moorings for rent in Cutler. The harbor is well protected with lots of room to anchor boats. The holding ground is very good. Fresh lobster are available from Deano’s on the main wharf (closes at 3:30 PM sharp)
  • Eastport: Sunflower (Mark/Bev Lenci, Nancy Cook, Anne Kolker) spent two days in Eastport and report:
    • The cruise ship (the “Riviera”) is gone. We passed her on as she departed on August 1 to do a crew change in Gibraltar. The plan is for her to return here to spend another 2 months. Her lines had extended over the public dock and over the inner basin so sailboats could not dock.
    • The city dock on the north side and outside the inner basin (where the USCG building is located) has lots of room for sailboats. The harbor master is Richard Clark available at 207-214-0639. Water is available on the dock if you have 150 feet of hose. No shore power. Docks are new and very sturdy. If the cruise ship is in port you cannot get a sailboat into this area.
    • The Chowder House is closed but the same owner, Bob DelPapa, runs the “Waco Restaurant”. Bob says although the Chowder House is closed, he still rents the mooring and dock space. He says if you call in advance, he will “find you a place” either on his dock or mooring, or on someone else’s. 207-266-9802 
    • The Sunflower crew highly recommends taking the ferry (a lobster boat) to Lubec. It is a fun ride with narration. Lubec is “quiet” compared to Eastport but worth the visit. Walk up the hill to see the many large homes from Lubec sardine canning hay days that are nicely maintained. Visit the Lubec Brewing Company. You can taste their beers, pick some, and sit in their outside beer garden. There is a wicked bad tidal current so the ferry is a better choice than going with your deep keel sailboat.
  • Federal Harbor: The harbor pilot that took the cruise ship out spent a half hour with us on Sunflower. He told us one of the loveliest small, quiet, virtually uninhabited harbors in the area is Federal Harbor. It’s in the Maine sailing guide. It is also a great hurricane hole with good holding ground.

References