We
live aboard on Mt. Desert Island (Northeast Harbor) all summer and
cruise from there thru
Maine and over to New Brunswick/Nova Scotia extensively. Some thoughts:
Sailing at night: We do it on occasion, using a powerful flashlite with a focusing beam to watch for the trap floats. They tend to be in grids that you can line up and just sail down the empty lanes. Note that the lobster
boats are often out at night, lots of them. Try to stay clear for they
work fast.
Anchorages tend to be very good holding, though most of the best harbors are wall-to-wall moorings.
The Basin on the New Meadows river may be the best
hurricane hole in
Maine.
Fog, as stated earlier, is common and can last for days. You get used to it. It helps if you have a heat source on board (we have a charcoal Dickenson stove) to avoid feeling like a clam and getting lots of
interior mold. A small
cabin fan helps with
mold control also.
Yes the
water is cold. We use thin wet suits. There can be jelly
fish - big ones.
Kayaks, if you carry them on
deck, are really handy to explore the little coves and islands.
Camden is a lovely harbor, as stated earlier due to the hills. We're biased because we live there, but the hills of Mt. Desert Island are breathtaking and numerous. Stopping at this island is easy if you use Northeast Harbor, a very snug and safe place to moor. They have a publically-owned marina with reasonable rental moorings and a free
tender that runs 8 to 8. There are free buses all day to take you around the island. Acadia National Park passes can be purchased online or at the Park office. Seniors get a discount (maybe vets also, can't recall).
Should you venture further east in Maine, don't miss Roque Island, the closest thing Maine has to a tropical atoll. The waters are blue (cold, but blue) the sands on the horseshoe-shaped beach are white. No houses, just a few yachts in the little lagoon, nothing else (except for numerous eagles and dolphins). Easy to beach your dink but mind the tides. Lovely.
If you do stop at Northeast Harbor, stop by and see us. Float #335 on the right as you come in well back in the harbor.
Boat name is "Glissade",
Cape Dory 31 with toast-colored
canvas.
We've been living in and cruising the Maine coast for 12 years. Never bored.
Happy planning. Maine awaits.