sailing the coast of Maine

[dhunter]

I am planning on sailing the coast of Maine for 10 days mid June of this year and am wondering if it is best to go in a NE direction or from North to South in a SW direction. I understand the current runs in a SW direction but the winds are mostly SW. Any suggestions. I am sailing a 17 foot Windrider trimaran.

[CaptTom]

The prevailing SW current is not very strong or consistent. It shouldn't be a factor in your decision. You will find strong tidal currents around the mouths of the larger rivers and bays, and in among islands and reefs between bays and harbors.

Cruising the coast in a 17'er is pretty ambitious. I'd recommend picking a destination like Casco Bay or Penobscot Bay. You can spend a lifetime exploring just one of those.

Also join the Maine Island Trail Association and request their guide book (free with membership.) That will give you lots of ideas for anchoring and sightseeing, even overnighting, on various islands and isolated points.

[psk125]

What Capt. Tom said. The direction to sail depends on the wind. And fog. We're heading up there at the end of July trying to avoid fog. Had some fun last time getting from Deer Isle to Vinalhaven with about 80' visibility. And that was in August.

[sailor_ed]

Joining MITA and sticking to Casco Bay or Penobscot (my preference) will give you the best experience of Maine cruising which is some of the best in the world. Expect some current and fog and be navigationally prepared for both. Lots of fine places to camp in a small boat if you use MITA. Pulling up on 'any old island' or beach is not permitted!

Cell coverage is spotty at best in Penobscot so be warned.

Early/mid June and Sept seem to have the least chance of fog (and the best winds) . July and August the most fog but some years will be generally thick and others often clear. Predicting for any given 10 to 14 day vacation is impossible IMHO.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, dhunter, & Ed.

[marujo.sortudo]

Welcome and have fun. Current outside the bays varies with the tide, actually. Floods NE and ebbs SW. As in many places slack water and high/low tide are not timed exactly. There's plenty of local variation near islands and some wind and rain driven effects on current, too. In a 17' boat, observation can pay big dividends. Fortunately, we have tons of freely available current direction and strength indicators installed all over the coast. You may know them as lobster buoys.