Visit our Popular Forums

KateOK11 · 17-04-2011, 08:09

We're planning on cruising in Maine this summer on our Baba 35. We have a fiberglass dinghy that we use as a rowing dinghy and are curious about how far from harbors one has to anchor in the Penobscot Bay area. While we're pretty energetic rowers, there are limits as to how far we can row, especially in windy, choppy conditions or if there is strong current. Getting a small outboard is a possibility. So we'd be interested in hearing other cruisers' experience to help us in deciding if we need to get an outboard or not. Or if you know of other ways we might get information about this, I'd be grateful for that as well.

Thanks,
Kate
s/v Timothy Lee

Ziggy · 17-04-2011, 08:56

Most people either pick up a mooring or anchor inside the harbors in Maine. Rowing or a small outboard (we have a 9 ft Avon with a 3.5 hp) will be fine in most cases. The distances in some larger harbors may be up to a mile, so if you have an inflatable, a small outboard would be desirable. In my opinion, there's absolutely no reason to get a large outboard.

AnsleyS · 17-04-2011, 09:46

Kate,

Your rowing dinghy will do fine. Probably the largest harbor in Penobscot Bay is Rockland but you can anchor within a third of a mile from the town landing and you can get a mooring even closer. The only harbor whcih may give you some exercise is Castine that has quite a strong current moving through it on an outgoing tide due to the tidal emptying of the Bagaduce River and Smith Cove.

We have deep water in these parts so you can get your big boat close into shore in most places. Get the Taft's and Rindlaub's Guide to the Maine Coast and have fun reading it cover to cover! Send me a note if you want more local info.

Cheers

Ansley Sawyer

ActiveCaptain · 17-04-2011, 09:49

I've lived in one of the main harbors of the Penobscot Bay for the last 18 years. There are many people who keep their own boats in the harbors and row their dinghies into the town docks. You won't have a problem. There might be some places where you'll be smarter to pick up a mooring than anchor way outside but in general, you'll be OK.

rebel heart · 17-04-2011, 09:55

Unbusted on here (Ben) is a captain and works on a t boat up in Maine. His step dad owns http://www.pendletonyachtyard.com/ . If you're headed up that way look them up.

djmarchand · 17-04-2011, 13:26

On my second cruise up to Maine a few years ago, I just stopped anchoring in harbors where it is a long ways from the dinghy dock.

In most of the cases where it is too far to row from the anchorage, like Camden, you can get a mooring or float tie that will make it rowable.

But many, many, like 95% of the anchorages are an easy row to shore.

David

**GordMay** · 18-04-2011, 06:02

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Kate.

Maineiac_sailor · 23-04-2011, 17:43

Im from camden, and the anchorage here is pretty far out, but its totally rowable if the winds not too strong. Wafarer has moorings that are in close, making for an easy row to the city docks/center of town.

Enjoy the P Bay, its a wonderful place to sail. Definitely visit camden, warren island, butter island, brimstone island.

**Hudson Force** · 23-04-2011, 18:50

We're Florida sailors, but we spend a lot of summer time in Maine. We usually anchor in the wilderness areas and end up on moorings in the harbors where we are provisioning or playing ashore. I often find that harbors like Portland, Boothbay, Camden, Tenant's Hbr....& more seem to have few anchoring spaces within the range that I find worthwhile or weather protected. I guess our strategy has been more of limiting the time we spend in these places and provissioning for more wilderness.