On 16 Jan 2004 14:51:05 -0800, (Dean B) wrote:

I have some air miles that I need to use up and would like to charter
a boat on the east cost of the United States next summer. I am
looking for a place with wind; more than anything else, I dislike
using the motor to get around. I expect to anchor every night and
don't intend to go on any offshore passages. Cute little ports are
nice if you need to pick up groceries or a little resturaunt food. I
also like anchoring at state parks that have day hikes.

Chesapeake Bay looks promising or Florida may have something to offer
as well but I have little idea about the wind and park situation.

Chesapeake is nice in April or October. Southern New England is more
pleasant in the summer, although prime places can be crowded.


Maine usually has good daytime breezes, but July and August can have a
lot of fog, and the lobster pots seem to bother many who aren't used
to them.

We normally do two weeks in southern New England in late May or early
June, visiting Newport, Block, Cuttyhunk, Vineyard, Nantucket, etc.

Then we go to Maine over Labor Day weekend, and spend a couple of
weeks on the coast.
Rodney Myrvaagnes Opionated old geezer

Faith-based economics: It's deja voodoo all over again

Dean B wrote:
I ... would like to
charter a boat on the east cost ... next summer.
I am looking for a place with wind; more than anything else ...
I expect to anchor every
night and don't intend to go on any offshore passages. Cute little
ports are nice if you need to pick up groceries or a little
resturaunt food. I also like anchoring at state parks that have
day hikes.

Chesapeake Bay looks promising or Florida may have something to
offer as well but I have little idea about the wind and park
situation.

So far mentioned are Buzzards, Long Island Sound, the Maine coast,
Chesapeake Bay, and perhaps a few others. You haven't given many details
(experience, length of cruise, crew, boat size, when in the season, etc.) so
it's hard to pin things down. Even so, some valid generalities are
possible.

For beauty (when you can actually see it) the Maine coast is perhaps at the
top of the list, but this depends to some extent on one's preferences. The
Chesapeake Bay _in_season_ is to many folks the best looking place to
dawdle. Certainly there are more nooks and crannies on the Bay than in most
other places, but the Bay may not meet your sailing expectations depending
upon when you visit. Southern New England is fine looking to my eye, but
except for Gay Head there really aren't many spectacular or "charming"
vistas compared to other locales. Different strokes.

Long Island Sound is notorious for calm winds in season. Even the daily
thermal sometimes doesn't appear. I'd say the most common sight on LIS in
summer is a sailboat scurrying east or wet under power. That's been my
experience over the last 25 or so years. Mind you, I'm not a resident.

Southern New England (aka "Buzzards") can be relied upon for wind (sometimes
more than necessary). The problem for me is that, although there are many
places to stop, actual anchorage is not always available. Many of the
overly-used harbors are filled with expensive moorings, and crowds are
guaranteed in places like Marthas and Nantucket. Same for Newport, the
Elizabeth Islands, and so on. Of the lot, Block Island will usually offer
room to anchor, and even in mid-season it may not _seem_ crowded. But Block
is a place to sit for most folks, not to merely overnight. It's a
destination rather than a stopover in that limited sense. Depends on your
taste.

Above the CC Canal, there's perhaps not enough variety to satisfy some
tastes until you get to the Maine coast. I have been in most of the harbors
on Mass Bay and Cape Cod Bay. I like them quite a bit, but often enough
there's not the wind you seem to require. Also the scenery when crossing
Cap Cod Bay isn't in the same league as further north and east. That's also
the case on LIS.

Then there's Maine. Maine for many folks begins east of Muscongus Bay, and
gets better the farther east one goes. The problem with this coast is that
(a) it takes a more experienced hand (and a better prepared vessel) to
really enjoy it, and (b) sometimes you cannot see it. I know many folks
who've spent 2 full weeks in fog on this coast. I know just as many who've
had clear weather for their entire cruise (well, not _that_ many). I am a
Maineiac and have been for some time, but I can understand why some folks
would not agree. I go on my own boat and never have anything that resembles
a schedule.

I would say your short list should include Southern New England and
Penobscot Bay, depending on the specifics I mentioned at the beginning of
this post. Look for a copy of Bill Robinson's "Places to Cruise." It
covers just about all the possible spots on the East Coast (plus some other
well known areas). It's long out of print but often available in local
libraries. He says it a lot better than I have, although I suspect our
conclusions are not very far apart.

--
Good luck and good sailing.
s/v Kerry Deare of Barnegat
http://kerrydeare.tripod.com

In article ,
"Armond Perretta" wrote:

Dean B wrote:
I ... would like to
charter a boat on the east cost ... next summer.
I am looking for a place with wind; more than anything else ...
I expect to anchor every
night and don't intend to go on any offshore passages. Cute little
ports are nice if you need to pick up groceries or a little
resturaunt food. I also like anchoring at state parks that have
day hikes.

Chesapeake Bay looks promising or Florida may have something to
offer as well but I have little idea about the wind and park
situation.

For beauty (when you can actually see it) the Maine coast is perhaps at the
top of the list, but this depends to some extent on one's preferences. The
Chesapeake Bay _in_season_ is to many folks the best looking place to
dawdle. Certainly there are more nooks and crannies on the Bay than in most
other places, but the Bay may not meet your sailing expectations depending
upon when you visit. snip

The Chesapeake CAN be frustrating some days, particularly if you're
trying to "get" some place, but if you can work light to moderate air,
you can usually get to some nice anchorage as the distances are short.
Within 10 nm of our marina (near Rock Hall, one of the rental centers),
we have 7 overnight anchorages. Another 5 or so miles and the number at
least doubles. We usually stop sailing when VMG goes below 2-3 knots.
YMMV.

To really get to know the Bay's treasures, check out Shellenberger's
"Gunkholer's Guide" to the Chesapeake.

--
Jere Lull
Xan-a-Deux ('73 Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD)
Xan's Pages: http://members.dca.net/jerelull/X-Main.html
Our BVI FAQs (290+ pics) http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/

In article ,
"Armond Perretta" wrote:

Dean B wrote:
I ... would like to
charter a boat on the east cost ... next summer.
I am looking for a place with wind; more than anything else ...
I expect to anchor every
night and don't intend to go on any offshore passages. Cute little
ports are nice if you need to pick up groceries or a little
resturaunt food. I also like anchoring at state parks that have
day hikes.

Chesapeake Bay looks promising or Florida may have something to
offer as well but I have little idea about the wind and park
situation.

For beauty (when you can actually see it) the Maine coast is perhaps at the
top of the list, but this depends to some extent on one's preferences. The
Chesapeake Bay _in_season_ is to many folks the best looking place to
dawdle. Certainly there are more nooks and crannies on the Bay than in most
other places, but the Bay may not meet your sailing expectations depending
upon when you visit. snip

The Chesapeake CAN be frustrating some days, particularly if you're
trying to "get" some place, but if you can work light to moderate air,
you can usually get to some nice anchorage as the distances are short.
Within 10 nm of our marina (near Rock Hall, one of the rental centers),
we have 7 overnight anchorages. Another 5 or so miles and the number at
least doubles. We usually stop sailing when VMG goes below 2-3 knots.
YMMV.

To really get to know the Bay's treasures, check out Shellenberger's
"Gunkholer's Guide" to the Chesapeake.

--
Jere Lull
Xan-a-Deux ('73 Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD)
Xan's Pages: http://members.dca.net/jerelull/X-Main.html
Our BVI FAQs (290+ pics) http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/

On Sat, 17 Jan 2004 10:23:04 -0500, "Armond Perretta"
wrote:


Then there's Maine. Maine for many folks begins east of Muscongus Bay, and
gets better the farther east one goes. The problem with this coast is that
(a) it takes a more experienced hand (and a better prepared vessel) to
really enjoy it, and (b) sometimes you cannot see it. I know many folks
who've spent 2 full weeks in fog on this coast. I know just as many who've
had clear weather for their entire cruise (well, not _that_ many). I am a
Maineiac and have been for some time, but I can understand why some folks
would not agree. I go on my own boat and never have anything that resembles
a schedule.

I would say your short list should include Southern New England and
Penobscot Bay, depending on the specifics I mentioned at the beginning of
this post. Look for a copy of Bill Robinson's "Places to Cruise." It
covers just about all the possible spots on the East Coast (plus some other
well known areas). It's long out of print but often available in local
libraries. He says it a lot better than I have, although I suspect our
conclusions are not very far apart.


I agree with most of what Armond says. Exceptions:

I would say Maine begins at Cape Elizabeth, not Muscongus Bay. There
are some lovely anchorages in Casco Bay if you are willing to sail
north for some distance, and aren't trying to make time along the
coast. Richmond Island, at Cape Elizabeth, offers a pleasant anchorage
even if you are trying to make time along the coast.

Same for the Sheepscot River.

Cruising in September, we have had as many as 13 days straight of
super-clear weather. When Labor Day is early, we have often arrived to
meet thick fog, sometimes lasting 2 or 3 days. Usually clear for the
remaining time.



Rodney Myrvaagnes NYC J36 Gjo/a

"Religious wisdom is to wisdom as military music is to music."

"Rodney Myrvaagnes" wrote in message
...
I agree with most of what Armond says. Exceptions:

I would say Maine begins at Cape Elizabeth, not Muscongus Bay. There
are some lovely anchorages in Casco Bay if you are willing to sail
north for some distance, and aren't trying to make time along the
coast. Richmond Island, at Cape Elizabeth, offers a pleasant anchorage
even if you are trying to make time along the coast.

I agree completely - Casco Bay may not be considered "Down East" but its still
very nice. We always stop a Richmond Island - because it has two harbors and
fairly easy approaches its a good target for the end of a long haul.



Same for the Sheepscot River.

Cruising in September, we have had as many as 13 days straight of
super-clear weather. When Labor Day is early, we have often arrived to
meet thick fog, sometimes lasting 2 or 3 days. Usually clear for the
remaining time.


By Labor Day the fog can be clearing out. However, in the Summer its not a
matter of whether there's fog, but where its sitting. Some years it mostly
stays offshore, other years it comes in close. We've only been socked in for
several days once, at Jewell Island. We later found there was no fog about a
mile towards shore from where we were.

Last year we had planned a long Maine trip but punted because of the rain. We
heard from cousins that Down East was totally socked in much of the early
summer; others said Casco Bay was pea soup much of August.

The best thing is to have radar, but no fixed itinerary.

BTW, I've never had black flies in coastal Maine, but I have suffered nasty
attacks off of Plum Island.

I spent mostly all last summer cruising and fishing between Kennebunk and
Raymond Islands off the coast of Maine and once on the water the flies and
mosquitoes were none existent. It's sheer paradise. You could venture
north and head for Boothbay Harbor and Bar Harbor. These are great places
to fish, relax, and enjoy the scenery. Both have great restaurants, are
very picturesque and a must to visit. Don't overlook Cadilac Mountain if
you get to Bar Harbor.


"Jeff Morris" wrote in message
...
"Rodney Myrvaagnes" wrote in message
...
I agree with most of what Armond says. Exceptions:

I would say Maine begins at Cape Elizabeth, not Muscongus Bay. There
are some lovely anchorages in Casco Bay if you are willing to sail
north for some distance, and aren't trying to make time along the
coast. Richmond Island, at Cape Elizabeth, offers a pleasant anchorage
even if you are trying to make time along the coast.

I agree completely - Casco Bay may not be considered "Down East" but its
still
very nice. We always stop a Richmond Island - because it has two harbors
and
fairly easy approaches its a good target for the end of a long haul.



Same for the Sheepscot River.

Cruising in September, we have had as many as 13 days straight of
super-clear weather. When Labor Day is early, we have often arrived to
meet thick fog, sometimes lasting 2 or 3 days. Usually clear for the
remaining time.


By Labor Day the fog can be clearing out. However, in the Summer its not
a
matter of whether there's fog, but where its sitting. Some years it
mostly
stays offshore, other years it comes in close. We've only been socked in
for
several days once, at Jewell Island. We later found there was no fog
about a
mile towards shore from where we were.

Last year we had planned a long Maine trip but punted because of the rain.
We
heard from cousins that Down East was totally socked in much of the early
summer; others said Casco Bay was pea soup much of August.

The best thing is to have radar, but no fixed itinerary.

BTW, I've never had black flies in coastal Maine, but I have suffered
nasty
attacks off of Plum Island.

I spent mostly all last summer cruising and fishing between Kennebunk and
Raymond Islands off the coast of Maine and once on the water the flies and
mosquitoes were none existent. It's sheer paradise. You could venture
north and head for Boothbay Harbor and Bar Harbor. These are great places
to fish, relax, and enjoy the scenery. Both have great restaurants, are
very picturesque and a must to visit. Don't overlook Cadilac Mountain if
you get to Bar Harbor.


"Jeff Morris" wrote in message
...
"Rodney Myrvaagnes" wrote in message
...
I agree with most of what Armond says. Exceptions:

I would say Maine begins at Cape Elizabeth, not Muscongus Bay. There
are some lovely anchorages in Casco Bay if you are willing to sail
north for some distance, and aren't trying to make time along the
coast. Richmond Island, at Cape Elizabeth, offers a pleasant anchorage
even if you are trying to make time along the coast.

I agree completely - Casco Bay may not be considered "Down East" but its
still
very nice. We always stop a Richmond Island - because it has two harbors
and
fairly easy approaches its a good target for the end of a long haul.



Same for the Sheepscot River.

Cruising in September, we have had as many as 13 days straight of
super-clear weather. When Labor Day is early, we have often arrived to
meet thick fog, sometimes lasting 2 or 3 days. Usually clear for the
remaining time.


By Labor Day the fog can be clearing out. However, in the Summer its not
a
matter of whether there's fog, but where its sitting. Some years it
mostly
stays offshore, other years it comes in close. We've only been socked in
for
several days once, at Jewell Island. We later found there was no fog
about a
mile towards shore from where we were.

Last year we had planned a long Maine trip but punted because of the rain.
We
heard from cousins that Down East was totally socked in much of the early
summer; others said Casco Bay was pea soup much of August.

The best thing is to have radar, but no fixed itinerary.

BTW, I've never had black flies in coastal Maine, but I have suffered
nasty
attacks off of Plum Island.

"Rodney Myrvaagnes" wrote in message
...
I agree with most of what Armond says. Exceptions:

I would say Maine begins at Cape Elizabeth, not Muscongus Bay. There
are some lovely anchorages in Casco Bay if you are willing to sail
north for some distance, and aren't trying to make time along the
coast. Richmond Island, at Cape Elizabeth, offers a pleasant anchorage
even if you are trying to make time along the coast.

I agree completely - Casco Bay may not be considered "Down East" but its still
very nice. We always stop a Richmond Island - because it has two harbors and
fairly easy approaches its a good target for the end of a long haul.



Same for the Sheepscot River.

Cruising in September, we have had as many as 13 days straight of
super-clear weather. When Labor Day is early, we have often arrived to
meet thick fog, sometimes lasting 2 or 3 days. Usually clear for the
remaining time.


By Labor Day the fog can be clearing out. However, in the Summer its not a
matter of whether there's fog, but where its sitting. Some years it mostly
stays offshore, other years it comes in close. We've only been socked in for
several days once, at Jewell Island. We later found there was no fog about a
mile towards shore from where we were.

Last year we had planned a long Maine trip but punted because of the rain. We
heard from cousins that Down East was totally socked in much of the early
summer; others said Casco Bay was pea soup much of August.

The best thing is to have radar, but no fixed itinerary.

BTW, I've never had black flies in coastal Maine, but I have suffered nasty
attacks off of Plum Island.

On Sat, 17 Jan 2004 10:23:04 -0500, "Armond Perretta"
wrote:


Then there's Maine. Maine for many folks begins east of Muscongus Bay, and
gets better the farther east one goes. The problem with this coast is that
(a) it takes a more experienced hand (and a better prepared vessel) to
really enjoy it, and (b) sometimes you cannot see it. I know many folks
who've spent 2 full weeks in fog on this coast. I know just as many who've
had clear weather for their entire cruise (well, not _that_ many). I am a
Maineiac and have been for some time, but I can understand why some folks
would not agree. I go on my own boat and never have anything that resembles
a schedule.

I would say your short list should include Southern New England and
Penobscot Bay, depending on the specifics I mentioned at the beginning of
this post. Look for a copy of Bill Robinson's "Places to Cruise." It
covers just about all the possible spots on the East Coast (plus some other
well known areas). It's long out of print but often available in local
libraries. He says it a lot better than I have, although I suspect our
conclusions are not very far apart.


I agree with most of what Armond says. Exceptions:

I would say Maine begins at Cape Elizabeth, not Muscongus Bay. There
are some lovely anchorages in Casco Bay if you are willing to sail
north for some distance, and aren't trying to make time along the
coast. Richmond Island, at Cape Elizabeth, offers a pleasant anchorage
even if you are trying to make time along the coast.

Same for the Sheepscot River.

Cruising in September, we have had as many as 13 days straight of
super-clear weather. When Labor Day is early, we have often arrived to
meet thick fog, sometimes lasting 2 or 3 days. Usually clear for the
remaining time.



Rodney Myrvaagnes NYC J36 Gjo/a

"Religious wisdom is to wisdom as military music is to music."