Summer Cruise Wrap Up

Owls Head Light

In our last episode we followed PYC's intrepid cruisers as they began the 2014 Summer Cruise, visiting Boothbay Harbor and enjoying a lobster bake on Warren Island.  We will now share photographs and details from the later portion of the Summer Cruise.


John and Pam at Warren Island



David and Gail at Warren Island



Tony, Hilary and family at Warren Island

 

After Warren Island, we had some free days before our next rendezvous in Northeast Harbor.  Unfortunately, into each downeast cruise some fog must drift and we got a healthy dose of it (and rain) as we traveled from Penobscot Bay to Mount Desert Island.  Allison and I spent a night in Castine, then visited Atlantic Boat Company - builder of Duffy lobster boats - in Brooklin.

A foggy encounter in Eggemoggin Reach

Blue Hill Bay Lighthouse


The sun returned for our arrival at Mount Desert Island, where we toured beautiful Somes Sound before mooring in Northeast Harbor.


Somes Sound

S/V LYNX in Somes Sound

That evening, Dick and Janice hosted us for cocktails and appetizers on board S/Y MAINE SAIL.

Janice, Gail and Betsy in Northeast Harbor

David and Dick in Northeast Harbor

In Northeast Harbor our cruisers enjoyed hikes in Acadia National Park, sightseeing and popovers at Jordan Pond, and the Asticou's lovely gardens.  Allison and I were joined by my brother and our eight year old nephew, who was not afraid to take a dip in Maine's chilly water!

Boy overboard!

 

Cookout at the WoodenBoat School

Our next destination was the renowned WoodenBoat School in Brooklin.  After arriving, our cruisers gathered onshore for a cookout and smores on the school's rural campus.  The next morning we were treated to a tour of classrooms and workshops where a variety of wooden craft was undergoing construction or renovation.

WoodenBoat tour



WoodenBoat tour

From WoodenBoat, our cruisers dispersed to anchorages around Penobscot Bay before rejoining again at Seal Bay on Vinalhaven.  There, we met onshore for a picturesque happy hour on one of the bay's wooded granite islets.

Hay Island Happy Hour

S/Y STARBIRD in Seal Bay

After Seal Bay I spent a day in tranquil Maple Juice Cove, where Andrew Wyeth painted his masterpiece Christina's World.  That night I was entertained by drills on board two nearby Outward Bound boats.

 

Outward Bound boats in Maple Juice Cove

Marshall Point Lighthouse in Port Clyde

The Summer Cruise participants spread out as they returned home, but we still enjoyed a few more gatherings along the way.  I met Jim and Betsy for a dockside dinner at the Dip Net in Port Clyde.  Later, Dick and Janice anchored with me for a night in the Basin's peaceful waters.

S/Y MAINE SAIL in the Basin

Cookout on Little Snow Island

The final event of our Summer Cruise was a cookout on Little Snow Island in Quahog Bay.  It was a wonderful sunny afternoon to meet with friends and share stories from two weeks exploring Maine's coast.

 

Little Snow Island campsite

  

The Summer Cruise is Underway!

COUNTY GIRL and MAIENSEE underway to Warren Island

The 2014 Summer Cruise is underway, and so far we have had some terrific get togethers!

Moonrise over Boothbay Harbor

Our cruise events began in Boothbay Harbor, with a delightful dinner at the Tugboat Inn.  Nearly 20 attendees gathered to compare notes and plan their itineraries for the trip.

David and Valle G. attend to our guests of honor at Warren Island

After Boothbay Harbor, our cruisers had a night on their own; some went to Tenants Harbor or Pulpit Harbor, while others caught some of acts on the waterfront stage at the North Atlantic Blues Festival in Rockland.

Warren Island lobster bake

On Monday, we joined up again at Warren Island State Park.  After enjoying a sunny afternoon on the park's moorings, our cruisers gathered on shore to enjoy a delicious lobster bake.

PYC cruising boats at Warren Island State Park

On Thursday, July 17, we will rendezvous in Northeast Harbor for two days of activities in and around Acadia National Park.  In the meantime, if you have pictures from the cruise that you would like to share on this blog, please email them (with any commentary you care to provide) to cruise@pycme.net.   

Pre-Cruise Meeting Wednesday, July 9

On Wednesday evening, July 9, at 6 p.m. a pre-cruise meeting for Summer Cruise participants will be conducted in the Portland Yacht Club’s Chart Room.  Attendance is optional, but the meeting will provide an opportunity to review the Summer Cruise itinerary and your plans, ask questions, and provide input and suggestions.  We hope to see you there!

Tenants Harbor

One topic that will be discussed at the meeting is an adjustment in the cruise itinerary for Thursday, July 24.  Currently, our itinerary for that day includes a casual group dinner at the Cod End restaurant in Tenants Harbor.  Unfortunately, the family that operates Cod End has recently announced that they do not intend to open their restaurant this summer although they will continue to rent moorings.  The Cruise Committee has identified several different potential alternatives, including the following:

• Tenants Harbor – dinner (on 7/24) or breakfast (on 7/25) at the East Wind Inn
• Port Clyde – dinner (on 7/24) or lunch (on 7/25) at the Dip Net
• South Thomaston – dinner at Waterman’s Beach Lobster (on 7/24)

You can make your opinion known at the meeting; if you are unable to attend, feel free to email your thoughts to cruise@pycme.net.

Cruisers go to Potts!

Allison kicks off the cruising season

On the weekend of June 14-15, many of the Portland Yacht Club's cruisers traveled to The Dolphin Marina and Restaurant for a Shakedown/Family Cruise.



PYC boats on moorings at the Dolphin

After a cloudy, showery morning, the weather cleared and we had a pleasant short trip from Falmouth to Potts Harbor.



Cruisers, our fearless leader and family

After taking moorings or slips at the Dolphin, we gathered in the restaurant for refreshments and dinner.  As always, the Dolphin's blueberry muffins and seafood were delicious!



Allison, Tom, Luanne and Gail

The next morning, David G. ferried a group of members to Eagle Island for a tour.  Others lingered a bit in sunny Potts Harbor, or headed home to celebrate Father's Day.



Sunset in Potts Harbor

If you would like to post your own photographs or memories from this event, please email them to cruise@pycme.net.

Shakedown Cruise Weather, Tides and Something Free!

The weather for our Shakedown Cruise this weekend looks good for Saturday evening and Sunday.  As of Thursday morning, the National Weather Service forecast shows that any showers should dry up Saturday morning, with cloudy skies Saturday afternoon but sun (appropriately!) on Sunday/Father's Day:
 

Saturday - Variable winds 5 kt or less. Showers likely, mainly before 7am. Seas around 1 ft.

Saturday Night - SW wind 5 to 10 kt becoming NW after midnight. Mostly clear. Seas around 1 ft.

Sunday - Variable winds 5 kt or less. Sunny. Seas around 1 ft.

 

Tides in Potts Harbor on Saturday and Sunday will be high shortly after noon and low in the early morning and evening:

Date	Day	Time	Hgt
06/14 Sat 12:03 AM 11.16 H 06/14 Sat 06:28 AM -1.26 L 06/14 Sat 12:44 PM 9.77 H 06/14 Sat 06:38 PM -0.2 L 06/15 Sun 12:54 AM 11.28 H 06/15 Sun 07:19 AM -1.41 L 06/15 Sun 01:36 PM 9.94 H 06/15 Sun 07:31 PM -0.26 L

Finally, David G. advises that the State of Maine is offering Maine residents free admission to most public parks on Sunday, June 15 (Father's Day).  This gives you one more reason to visit the Eagle Island State Historic Site this weekend! 

Welcome to Portland Yacht Club Cruising!

Harraseeket Harbor

Welcome to the 2014 cruising season, and also to this blog!  We look forward to sharing a great season with you.


Owls Head Light

This blog is intended to support your cruising in two ways.  You can read about the details of the Portland Yacht Club's cruising season.  You can also share your own cruising experiences, by contributing pictures, stories or your own cruising plans.


Northeast Harbor

To get started, our summer calendar gives an overview of the upcoming season.  Our first cruise - the Shakedown/Family Cruise to the Dolphin in Potts Harbor - is June 14-15!


Fog in Fox Island Thoroughfare

We welcome your contributions; please submit suggested content or other input to cruise@pycme.net.


Matinicus Harbor