Mooring or anchoring options Portland, Maine

[landonshaw]

In a year or so we plan to sail from Grenada up to Maine and stay for a few months. Has anyone stayed around Portland Maine? South Portland? How is it to get a mooring?

[sailorboy1]

Portland itself sucks as far as moorings go in my experience of stopping there 3-4 times. You get ROCKED by the ferries pretty badly all day long. There is some anchoring room around the north point, but getting ashore is the issue. By far the better mooring answer is over in Falmouth at Handy's. You can catch the bus right out on the road and go to Portland.

[Hudson Force]

I see that the Portland Yacht Services where we used to take a mooring is gone and replaced by a new marina. It might be worth checking with the Centerboard Yacht Club across the harbor in South Portland. They used to rent some transient moorings at a good rate and they are up stream from the ferry activity that Sailorboy mentioned.

[flyingfin]

Portland is a commercial harbor, no reason to stay there. Keep running north and find a nice protected mooring in Freeport, Harpswell, Boothbay or South Bristol

[sailorboy1]

I wouldn't recommend passing Portland by. It's a fun drinking/eating town, but the moorings that Portland Yacht used to rent sucked!!! And they were over twice the price of the moorings at Handy and the Handy ones had a launch, showers, laundry, restaurant right there! Get a mooring at Handy and catch the bus (I think it was $1.50 last summer when I was there).

And there is wifi at Handy with internet good enough to stream video.

[psk125]

Agree that moorings off Munjoy Hill in Portland - no matter who rents & services them - are not pleasant. Ferry and commercial traffic wakes, plus the surprise of a 10-deck cruise liner hovering over us, tied up to the dolphins off the piers one morning, was not fun. "Launch" service via Boston Whaler w/o many bumpers in a bouncy setting was not reassuring either. While the short walk to downtown Portland was convenient, Centerboard YC in So. Portland might be better - haven't tried it (draft issues). Handy's is definitely better for sleeping calmly, though it's a ways from the action of Portland proper and a LONG walk for food or supplies. We found Uber quite convenient - didn't try the bus. Across the bay we really like Dophin Marina in Harpswell. Their restaurant has the best blueberry muffins. (even better than the ones we bake on board). Nothing else within range from there without a car, however, (and it's a 15-minute drive each way). Not many Uber options and cellphone service is spotty, too.)

[Hudson Force]

Peak's Island has some moorings. It's quite a little tourist and party island with a short distance ferry to Portland. A bit more expensive, but could be fun.

[Ardbeg]

I have not moored there or looked for a dock however I have partied there. Great food choices and interesting partying and drinking. More vibrant than some of the rest of the Maine coast.

[Whosails]

You could try to find out if anyone at Chandler’s Wharf has a slip for rent. It is in the heart of the city.tel:207772-4515, phone number for guard house. They will know if any slips are for rent.

[Near2KR]

You might try Aspasia marina in South Portland. Has very minimal (none)facilities but is in a nice spot outside of the ferry traffic.

[BSMS]

If you are staying for a few months you should consider getting a slip.
You can anchor off the east end, but you will be exposed and lots of wakes.
South Port marina in South Portland is very protected and has transient slips. Sunset marina has slips but some wakes.
Portland yacht is expanding and will have lots of space just passed the bridge.
The town of South Portland has a dock by the bridge and the nightly rental is cheap. But no services other then a pump out.
Handy Boat in Falmouth will have moorings, it’s nice and it’s 4nm to Portland.
The Maine coastline has thousands of places to explore, come on up.