We're back from our Maine Cruise. A bit soggy, but a good time was had by all.

Crew: Jeff & Claudia, Amelia (9), Molly (Portuguese Water Dog), Woody & Arlo
(Feline-Americans)

Itinerary: Boston to Salem for July 4th fireworks, Kittery, Seal Harbor
(Richmond Island), Jewell Island, Potts Harbor (Harpswell), Sebasco Harbor,
Harraseeket River, Kittery, Gloucester, Boston. There were a few other places
we would have visited, but the weather was not cooperative. There was
precipitation every day we were in Maine, fog almost every morning, and the
temps have still not gone over 80 in Portland yet this year.

Best Sailing: Actually, the first and last days. leaving from and returning to
Boston were the best sailing days. Clear, steady 15 knots close reach - average
7.5 knots.

Most challenging: Kittery to Annisquam - about 25 miles, 20-25 knot tailwind, 4
foot wind waves mixed with 6 foot short length ocean waves on the beam (a low
was passing close offshore). I found it a fun challenge to keep the boat "in
the groove" but half the crew was praying for a swift and merciful death. We
averaged about 9 knots for that leg.

Most annoying: We had two bouts with thick fog while underway. Visibility each
time was about 100 yards, not quite "pea soup." The first time was leaving
Kittery headed East through dense lobster trap fields. The second was few traps
but we had to cross the Portland entrance channel. We had several other cases
of medium fog, plus two days that we didn't bother to leave the mooring because
the fog was only interrupted by rain.

First minor adventu Within two hours of leaving Boston we hooked some fishing
gear on a rudder and then on a saildrive. Most was cut away while drifting, the
rest we dragged into Salem and cleared it while on the mooring.

Second minor adventu In Potts Harbor, at 0230, after a major thunderstorm, we
were awakened by a horn tooting in the mooring field. We called over and the
skipper asked me to go ashore and wake up the marina owner. It turned out his
mooring had gotten twisted with another and he was afraid the two boats would
pound together and sink. Even though the wind had completely died, he was in
rather a panic, and I had to admit I felt a bit disoriented while launching the
dink in the middle of the night. I thought perhaps I should power Loki over,
but in retrospect, I wouldn't have been able to untangle the boats - the work
boat was the right solution.

Breakdowns: the obligatory head clog. Also, one water pump impellor failed -
rather annoying since it only had about 30 hours on it.

Highlights: The new Peabody-Essex Museum is spectacular, not to be missed.
Molly's favorite was the "Punchbowl" on Jewell Island - a large tidal pool
perfect for a water dog to romp in. C's favorite was probably the three Lobster
Stew dinners at the Dolphin Restaurant, or maybe it was the quart of fish chowda
we took back to the boat. Or maybe the two lobsters at the Harraseeket Lobster
Pound. I got a kick out of seeing "Artforms," the Open 50 that set a new
Transat record last month. It was in the slings at Brewer's South Freeport.
Check out the capsize test video:
http://www.ksopen50.com/gallery/view...e=capsize-test

Next: a few weeks off, then we head south to the Vineyard and Buzzard's Bay.

-jeff www.sv-loki.com
"The sea was angry that day, my friend. Like an old man trying to send back soup
at the deli."