Day 18 - Back home to Boston

After a great last breakfast on our adventure (I was the chef, so you might want to check with Yolande)we headed out of Beverly for home. We were determined to sail regardless of the amount of wind. There wasn't much, 5-6 knots but because we were sailing towards it our forward speed increased the apparent wind to about 8 knots. We departed at 10:15am and arrived in the Constitution Marina at 3:45pm.

Here is a view back into Salem harbor area

As we rounded the tip of Marblehead we could see Boston in the distance

As we approached Deer Island and the entrance to Boston harbor

And here is a great helmsman and all around sailor.

It was a fun time. We made more than 600nm. As we were entering the harbor Yolande said "we are not trying for 650nm."

When we got back to the condo it felt so big - not that the boat felt small.
Thanks for enjoying our journey with us.
We will keep posting during the season check back in.

Late breaking financial news!

We phoned in to Beverly Port Marina about an hour before potential arrival and asked for slip availability. In the discussion they mentioned that they were offering a special this week - $1 per foot - yes! We accepted. To dock Prairie Gold at a slip tonight we set the all time record of $36! We thought the rates in Maine, and especially in Belfast were great. We then went to eat at "The Anchor" - two for dinner with drinks $36. You might not see us back in Boston - no need to work at these rates.

And here is the sunset.

Day 17 - Portsmouth to Beverly

Today was the worst day for wind, or lack thereof. We did manage to sail a little but ended up using the engine for many hours. Rather than go around Cape Ann, we used the short cut through the Annisquam River. We read many reports on how to do this and since the channel is narrow, where there is depth to the water, but wide and shallow outside of the channel, it can be somewhat puzzling getting through without running aground. For example you will see in some the pictures beneath that there appear to be vast expanses of water, but in fact the channel which was about 6-10feet deep only occupies, at times, about 40 feet of width. However, with the marker buoys we made it. There was one moment of panic when we realized that there was a pair of buoys missing! Then we noticed them off to the side amongst moored boats, so with a quick turn to port we managed to keep in the channel with little problem.

The Annisquam River is really beautiful. Here is the entry from Ipswich bay together with some homes and boats.

Here is a picture looking back at the entry to the river

The Annisquam River and has three bridges. Route 128 goes over the river with a clearance of 65 feet. Although Prairie Gold's mast is only 52.5feet it felt like she was going to scrape under the bridge.

The next bridge is a railroad bridge. Fortunately it was up which allowed for easy navigation. However, it is on a 90 degree turn so you have no way of seeing if someone is coming in the opposite direction. The final bridge (Blyman Bridge) is about 12 feet tall and 30 feet wide. Over the radio were able to ask the operator to open the bridge. Although its reported to be 30 feet wide, we inhaled as we passed through, to make sure we could make it. At the other side of the bridge is Gloucester harbor. We then motored for another 10-15nm to Beverly where we tied up at the dock. It wasnt the most pretty docking. We had to come in slowly to the dock and the wind and the current were pushing us away (sideways)and the dockhands leave at 5pm. Of course we arrived at 5:05pm. So as we were in a perfect position at the dock, the wind current pushed us away before I could jump off with docklines in hand. On the second attempt we powered in an made sure the dock new who was boss.

Tonight is our last night on Prairie Gold before we return to Boston :((

Its been a great trip though.

Day 16 - Portland to Portsmouth

We set off bright and early at 6:55am and headed south. Its a sad day as we are departing from Maine. However, as I was reading on the sail (well actually lots of motoring) if we dont leave after 30days we are subject to tax, and if we keep our boat in Maine for 60days or more and purchased it in a state without tax on the purchase then we have to pay Maine the purchase tax. Hmmm. So maybe its good we are on our way home.

As we departed Portland we saw seagulls eating out of the fishing nets and had to take a picture of one of the landmark lighthouses.

Winds started as predicted from the north at about 8knots, which isn't enough to sail with if you want to go anywhere. But with time they turned to the east and SE. Which was great because we were then able to sail at between 4 and 5 knots for the remainder of our journey. On day 2 of our trip we also came to Portsmouth and stayed at Wentworth by the sea marina which is a little remote from Portsmouth. This time we wanted to stay in the heart of Portsmouth. However, the guidebooks warned of the strong currents. But what the heck, we tried it. With Yolande at the helm we made about 3 knots over ground and 6 knots over water - that is we were motoring against a 3 knot current. The slips we were trying to get to are exposed to this current and since at the slips the channel narrows even more we estimated that we would need to dock in a 4 knot current. At home I have docked in a 2-3 knot cross current, and it can be ugly. Not knowing the marina, and only getting one shot at it, we decided to turn around. So I mentioned to Yolande that when she turned she might find the bow moves quickly. Oh and did it. As she turned Prairie Gold Yolande was heard to say woohoo.

So we turned and headed into the small harbor and returned to Wentworth by the sea. Getting into this marina was fine, except initially as I entered the fairway leading to the slip I was traveling diagonally to keep up headway. But then the current abated and we were fine.

After we docked, there were turns having dinner on fish behind the boat. Here is one diving for his supper.

And here is the lighthouse at the entry to Portsmouth harbor.

Day 15 – A day in Portland – A special post for our Canadian Friends

Weather south looked poor and so we decided to take a rest day and stay in the marina at DiMillo’s in Portland. Our day has consisted of little – Yolande made a few purchases, I cleaned the stainless steel and checked the engine and other items before disembarking bright and early tomorrow.

Here is the entrance to DiMillo’s – Dustin and Rochelle, they flew the flag specially for you.

Downtown Portland

Back in the marina – can you spot Prairie Gold (Waldo)

Here are some statistics on our trip – we have now travelled 498.8 nm. This might not seem far but if you assume an average speed of 5knots (~6mph) and compare to a driving vacation with an average speed of 60mph this would compute to a driving trip of 5,000 miles. Since Bozeman Montana is 2,399.4 miles from Boston, we have in driving terms done the roundtrip between these two cities. Yesterday I mentioned to Yolande that we are not docking in our home marina until we have 600nm under our belt in this trip (the driving equivalent of the roundtrip between Boston and San Francisco). If you see someone circling in Boston harbor for a couple of hours, it could be us.

There has been a massive yacht in the marina called Harmony. Here is a link to Harmony’s specifics. Of note, she has two diesel engines providing a total of 7,300 HP. Now with a maximum speed of 24knots and a cruising speed of 20 knots, I think Prairie Gold’s 29HP engine compares favorably. We cruise at about 6-7 knots, only 1/3rd of the speed of Harmony, and I bet we use less diesel than she does. Harmonies fuel capacity is 20,002 gallons, Prairie Gold’s is 40 gallons. So it takes us three times as long to get anywhere, but we still have cash in our pocket when we arrive.

As I was returning to Prairie Gold this afternoon I couldn’t but help take this video. I hope you enjoy.

Day 14 - Boothbay Harbor to Portland

As our initial blog entry suggested we didnt think we were going to sail today because of various weather warnings. So we went for breakfast and afterwards were going to ask if we could stay an extra night in the marina back at Boothbay Harbor. But then as we chatted over eggs, homefries and other such items, we realized that there are numerous places to stop as we head west. One of the benefits of Maine with all of its islands. So we plotted a course and identified potential safe havens on the charts. After checking the doppler radar we departed at 10:30am.

Initially I thought we would go about 15nm and stop somewhere. But after about 10nm the wind came up to 15-20kts and we were flying (well sailing at a great clip). We had gone through fog, then rain and now there was sun and wind. We couldn't stop. Every hour we checked doppler radar, conditions just kept getting better. So we decided to head to Portland, one of our favorite cities. We were texting to a sailing friend and colleague who challenged us to make it to Portland by 4pm. Previously we have done this trip in 7 hours which would give us a predicted arrival time of 5:30pm. We didn't think that there was a chance. But we kept trimming sails and getting every 0.1 extra knot that we could out of Prairie Gold and finding little short cuts wherever possible.

At one point we plotted that we would make it in by 3:50pm. Then the wind dropped to 3 knots. Fortunately it was just a wind hole and after about 10 minutes the wind picked up to 20 knots and we were flying again. As we approached the islands for the entry into Portland there were tricky currents and navigation and winds grew to 30 knots. With the increase in wind came even better speed. At 3:57pm, we made it to the inner harbor lighthouse. Unfortunately, earlier we had not decided the location of the finish line. But we have decided that we did beat the 4pm deadline and this lighthouse was the end of the race.

Docking was an interesting affair. Lots of wind and we had to turn 180 degrees in very short order amongst other boats. It wasn't pretty (Yolande calls it "docking ugly"), but we made it.

As the dockhand finished helping he said "storms are coming between 5pm and 7:30pm". I guess we made it just in time. Now we can go and enjoy some local oysters, and perhaps an IPA or three.

Here is a picture of a lighthouse as we leave Boothbay Harbor. We posted a similar picture on our trip eastward.

We saw this awesome schooner

Could you guess the name of this piece of land? I bet not. Junk of Pork!

Close to Portland - The NE point of Cushing Island called White Head as we enter into Whitehead Passage. About 30seconds after this picture, winds picked up to 30 knots. At that point camera was firmly in my pocket.

We are off! Checking radar every hour and will pull into protected harbor - numerous on our route - if storms materialize. Destination? Don't know yet

Day 14 - probably not much sailing today

We just looked up the weather forecast for Maine for today on the NOAA site. It doesn't look too good. Thus we will likely either make a short trip, and dock earlier before the thunderstorms hit, or will stay in Boothbay harbor. Just next to the marina is a great little bar that sells a variety of oysters, we might need to spend our day sampling them.

Day 13 - Tenants Harbor to Booth Bay HArbor

Rain during the night and then thick fog this morning. We departed relatively early - 7:30am - and motored out to Monhegan Island then turned and motored to Boothbay harbor. We did manage to sail for about 30 minutes, barely, but the wind was not cooperative today. This is the worst sailing day of the trip.

Here is some fog as we awoke and a lobster boat just off our starboard bow. As you can imagine we were making a lot of use of radar today.

Monhegan island has a very interesting community which prides themselves on helping one another. They only catch lobster from Janaury to June to conserve their important lobster resource. They also and state that after June the lobsters are shedding and become the so called "soft shelled lobsters" which fetch a lower price. Thus its not worth lobstering at this time anyway. Also, in January, when the season begins, the lobstermen only go out if they are able to all go out. If there is an engine problem in one person's boat they all help to fix it and then leave for the beginning of the season together.

Monhegan Island is very different than other islands that we have seen having the more distinctive cliffs than is characteristic of these parts of Maine. Here are some pictures of the east side of the island which shows the more barren cliffs.

After traveling along the eastern side of Monhegan Island we turned and came us the western side through Monhegan Harbor. What a contrast. The harbor is situated between Manana Island and Monhegan Island, has a strong current and the protection provided by Manana Island allows homes to be built. At the northern end of the harbor is Smuttynose - a collection of rocks with water on bother sides. We passed to the east of Smuttynose. The narrow channel to the west is called Drunken Gut. Our guidebook says that of the few who use it, even fewer are sober.

Here is a view of Manana Island from Monhegan harbor

and a view looking back to Monhegan Island and Manana Island after we had exited the harbor and were heading north back to the mainland.

PHOTO OP - As we were nearing Boothbay Harbor we saw this classic sight which we have called - "one man and his dog went to catch a fish".

Before closing for the day I want to go back to Tenants harbor. The mooring ball we picked up was owned by a boat builder called Lyman-Morse. They make a variety of boats - sail and power - On youtube they have a series of movies about building boats. Their first step is to build a wooden replica of the boat for their customer to approve before they go ahead with the actual construction. Can you imagine the cost of these boats.

Here are three videos showing the construction of the Deerfoot 70
Video 1

Video 2
video 3

This makes me wonder, how many boatbuilding companies are there in Maine?

Day 12 Belfast to Tenants Harbor

Getting to sleep last night was misery - it was so humid and hot, but what 18hours can do. This afternoon I was so cold I put on two t-shirts (one long sleeved), a jacket and my insulated all weather pants. The temperature was about 60F with winds blowing from the Atlantic. The good thing is that tonight we will be back to sleeping with blankets which will be wonderful.

We left Belfast at 8:30am with our itinerary to head south to begin the exit of Penobscot bay. We decided to figure out at sometime during the journey where our destination would be. We motored for about 4 hours, and then as seems to be the norm for this area the winds came up at noon. Its as regular as clockwork. With Rockport and Camden in sight we started sailing and entered into Mussel Ridge Channel, a sure sign we are leaving Penobscot bay.

At this point the skies became overcast, we checked the weather forecast (thunderstorms possible) and it got chilly. We continued to sail until about 3pm when we called ahead, having just made our destination decision, to Tenants bay to reserve a mooring. 30 minutes later we arrived and picked up the mooring ball. Here is a picture of our neighboring boat. She is a beauty, but I would hate to have to take care of all of that wood work.

Speaking of woodwork, when I searched the internet about the boatbuilders back in Belfast I noticed that another boat in the marina has been refurbished by them.

Here is information about this hybrid diesel electric boat from the French Webb website -
"French & Webb has completed construction of a 29′ Diesel/Electric Launch designed by Stephens, Waring, & White Yacht Design of Brooklin, Maine.

This innovative launch is powered by a Steyr Hybrid drive incorporating a diesel motor coupled to an electric motor/generator; in other words, the propeller will turn by either diesel or electric motors. The launch’s arched carbon canopy is covered with solar panels to help keep batteries charged. Construction is cedar strip planked sheathed with 9 oz. unidirectional carbon inside and out. The stern is cold-molded veneers sheathed with carbon."

As we were sailing down Penobscot Bay we took several pictures of other sailing vessels. One was of interest where someone was sitting at the bow. Shortly thereafter we heard a radio conversation between someone on his sailboat and he was talking about sitting at his bow with his remote control steering the boat. We assume its the boat we saw. Here are a few shots of it and him. This also makes me wonder, if he were to fall overboard would he be able to use the remote control to perform the man overboard drill and rescue himself? Hmmm, maybe I am going to rig my boat this way too.