Maine to NH cruise question

[PeterMilne]

I am planning to take my Sabre 28 from South Port Marine to Little Harbor New Hampshire and am stressing a bit about the distance. The Sabre has a hull speed of 6.4 knots and I think the distance is around 42miles. I am guessing it will take 9 hours being realistic? I believer the prevailing wind is onshore so it will probably be a beam reach and I can't imagine I'll have trouble keeping her at 5 knots or more. I DO NOT want to arrive after dark. Has anyone made the trip? Any advice and are my estimates in the ballpark? I've made the trip twice before but on a 34' racer/cruiser. Thanks!!

[sailorboy1]

I've made the basic trip numerous times. I normally stop in Isle of Shoals

The trip is all about the normal SE winds. It is easy to break up the trip.

[PeterMilne]

So doable in a day? Not to worry? Thanks for your response!!

[Chotu]

It’s not necessarily easily done in one day. But it could be if the winds are right. Why not break it up into two days? Not enough time?

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by PeterMilne

So doable in a day? Not to worry? Thanks for your response!!

It's doable if the wind favors you and/or you use the engine some. You knew that from your original post.

[PeterMilne]

Originally Posted by Chotu

It’s not necessarily easily done in one day. But it could be if the winds are right. Why not break it up into two days? Not enough time?

Yeah we don’t have the time.

[misfits]

Originally Posted by PeterMilne

Yeah we don’t have the time.

We'll you know what they say about sailing & trying to keep to a schedule 🤣

[PeterMilne]

Right? I mean worst case scenario and we’ll have to tuck in somewhere. We have a reservation at a marina starting Saturday and we can’t leave Friday so we’d like to get there In a day. Not disaster if we can’t.

[Ziggy]

I've made this trip a few times in the early fall when the days are significantly shorter and starting further North in Casco Bay, which adds a couple of hours compared to your starting point. You can't assume a broad reach. More likely, you'll be on a close reach or close hauled, or even tacking all the way. I still think it's doable in one day in June if you're willing to use your engine when your speed drops. A good place to stop in normal weather is York River--the harbormaster would always find us a mooring to spend the night.

[dfelsent]

Can you leave very early in the morning. As in 3 or 4 am. Leaving in the dark is often easier than arriving in the dark.

[NYSail]

Never have made the trip but assuming If wind and tide are good you should be good...... leave early say 5am and that gives you plenty of time.

Good luck
Greg

[PeterMilne]

Thanks all for the responses. Weather looks good. We’ll give it a shot.

[tstano]

10 hours with a Catalina 30, but remember the tides effecting currents in harbors. We would leave with the falling planning to arrive with the rising. If not we couldn’t make any progress on the Piscataqua River.

[ArmyDaveNY]

Great boat! Monohulls have destinations, not schedules!! I second the advice about leaving early. Also, have a back up plan in case the weather stops cooperating. Do you have someone who can pick up the boat and finish the trip in a worst case? Can you return the following week if necessary?


Good luck and fair winds!

[Near2KR]

I’ve done the trip three times in each direction. You have the advantage of not having to deal with much of the current of the Piscataqua as little harbor is just inside the breakwater. But each trip for us was a relocation trip so time dependent, we motored 90% of the time every time. If you have a solid motor doing it in one day is no problem

Unsolicited opinion here, I live in Portsmouth and would rather sail in Casco bay any day. Have a fun trip regardless