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

If you are up for it...break away from the states, head north east, and
treat yourself to a real adventure.
http://www.canadaeastcoast.com/English/FunWater/C.html


Dean B wrote in message
om...
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.

Dean

If you are up for it...break away from the states, head north east, and
treat yourself to a real adventure.
http://www.canadaeastcoast.com/English/FunWater/C.html


Dean B wrote in message
om...
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.

Dean

The Chesapeake is nearly perfect for what you want with one big
exception. July, August, and early September can be perfect but also
can be very hot with no wind for days on end.
New England has cooler water and more wind, but between Memorial Day
and Labor Day is severely overcrowded IMHO.
Joe

Try Hinckley Yacht Charters:
http://www.acadia.net/hyc/
While you aren't quite far enough to the NE, you will be on the doorstep to
god's country. I have been throughout the Caribbean, almost all of the
Bahamas, and the entire east coast of the US from Key West to New England.
These are the finest cruising grounds on this side of the Atlantic, BAR NONE!

PS: I have no affiliation with HYC, nor have I ever chartered with them, but I
have cruised this coast many times, and plan to be back again soon. There are
also other charter outfits in the area.

On the HYC site, first sentence, they refer to the only fjord in the East.
There actually is a freshwater fjord in Gros Morne National Park,
Newfoundland...but it might be expensive to have your sailboat flown in. :-)
see: *** http://parkscanada.pch.gc.ca/pn-np/n...ne/index_E.asp ***

Wwso149874 wrote in message
...
Try Hinckley Yacht Charters:
http://www.acadia.net/hyc/
While you aren't quite far enough to the NE, you will be on the doorstep
to
god's country. I have been throughout the Caribbean, almost all of the
Bahamas, and the entire east coast of the US from Key West to New England.
These are the finest cruising grounds on this side of the Atlantic, BAR
NONE!

PS: I have no affiliation with HYC, nor have I ever chartered with them,
but I
have cruised this coast many times, and plan to be back again soon. There
are
also other charter outfits in the area.

In article ,
says...
On the HYC site, first sentence, they refer to the only fjord in the East.
There actually is a freshwater fjord in Gros Morne National Park,
Newfoundland...but it might be expensive to have your sailboat flown in. :-)
see: *** http://parkscanada.pch.gc.ca/pn-np/n...ne/index_E.asp ***


My personal experience is that fjords are not really a top attraction
for sailors. The winds in them usually end up right on your nose
and you spend a lot of time on short tacks. At least that was my
experience in trying to SAIL up to Princess Louisa Inlet in BC. IIRC, I
motored more than half the time. Of course, the extreme tidal currents
at the entrance make it necessary to time your arrival at Malibu
Rapids--which gives you little slack for coping with fluky winds.

Oh, and the fjords in BC are not much for anchorages--water depths are
often several hundred feet just a few hundred feet away from the
rock wall.

When I finally do get the chance to cruise in Maine, the fjord
will not be a great attraction. ;-) Scenery, anchorages, and
attractions ashore will be the reason for the trip.


Wwso149874 wrote in message
...
Try Hinckley Yacht Charters:
http://www.acadia.net/hyc/
While you aren't quite far enough to the NE, you will be on the doorstep
to
god's country. I have been throughout the Caribbean, almost all of the
Bahamas, and the entire east coast of the US from Key West to New England.
These are the finest cruising grounds on this side of the Atlantic, BAR
NONE!

PS: I have no affiliation with HYC, nor have I ever chartered with them,
but I
have cruised this coast many times, and plan to be back again soon. There
are
also other charter outfits in the area.


Mark Borgerson

"Mark Borgerson" wrote in message
My personal experience is that fjords are not really a top attraction
for sailors. The winds in them usually end up right on your nose
and you spend a lot of time on short tacks. At least that was my
experience in trying to SAIL up to Princess Louisa Inlet in BC. IIRC, I
motored more than half the time. Of course, the extreme tidal currents
at the entrance make it necessary to time your arrival at Malibu
Rapids--which gives you little slack for coping with fluky winds.

Oh, and the fjords in BC are not much for anchorages--water depths are
often several hundred feet just a few hundred feet away from the
rock wall.


Somes Sound is not a great sailing spot, but its only 4 miles long. The
attraction is the view, which includes an anchorage under a 600 foot cliff.
There is also a quiet anchorage at the head that's a short walk from the best
bookstore on the island.

Frankly Mt Desert is nice but it is a bit hectic. If you want quiet beauty
there are dozens of other spots, within 20 miles.

-jeff

In article , jeffmo@nospam-at-all-
sv-loki.com says...
"Mark Borgerson" wrote in message
My personal experience is that fjords are not really a top attraction
for sailors. The winds in them usually end up right on your nose
and you spend a lot of time on short tacks. At least that was my
experience in trying to SAIL up to Princess Louisa Inlet in BC. IIRC, I
motored more than half the time. Of course, the extreme tidal currents
at the entrance make it necessary to time your arrival at Malibu
Rapids--which gives you little slack for coping with fluky winds.

Oh, and the fjords in BC are not much for anchorages--water depths are
often several hundred feet just a few hundred feet away from the
rock wall.


Somes Sound is not a great sailing spot, but its only 4 miles long. The
attraction is the view, which includes an anchorage under a 600 foot cliff.
There is also a quiet anchorage at the head that's a short walk from the best
bookstore on the island.

600 feet! They must be really cliff-deprived back there!

http://www.oes.to/ships/PLouisa.jpg

Princess Louisa Inlet and the approaches often have 600 foot cliffs
under the water---but no bookstore within 20 miles, though. ;-)


Frankly Mt Desert is nice but it is a bit hectic. If you want quiet beauty
there are dozens of other spots, within 20 miles.

It was certainly hectic when I drove around the area in the summer
about 15 years ago.

-jeff


Mark Borgerson

In article , jeffmo@nospam-at-all-
sv-loki.com says...
"Mark Borgerson" wrote in message
My personal experience is that fjords are not really a top attraction
for sailors. The winds in them usually end up right on your nose
and you spend a lot of time on short tacks. At least that was my
experience in trying to SAIL up to Princess Louisa Inlet in BC. IIRC, I
motored more than half the time. Of course, the extreme tidal currents
at the entrance make it necessary to time your arrival at Malibu
Rapids--which gives you little slack for coping with fluky winds.

Oh, and the fjords in BC are not much for anchorages--water depths are
often several hundred feet just a few hundred feet away from the
rock wall.


Somes Sound is not a great sailing spot, but its only 4 miles long. The
attraction is the view, which includes an anchorage under a 600 foot cliff.
There is also a quiet anchorage at the head that's a short walk from the best
bookstore on the island.

600 feet! They must be really cliff-deprived back there!

http://www.oes.to/ships/PLouisa.jpg

Princess Louisa Inlet and the approaches often have 600 foot cliffs
under the water---but no bookstore within 20 miles, though. ;-)


Frankly Mt Desert is nice but it is a bit hectic. If you want quiet beauty
there are dozens of other spots, within 20 miles.

It was certainly hectic when I drove around the area in the summer
about 15 years ago.

-jeff


Mark Borgerson