Day 5 Boothbay Harbor to Rockland

It is a spirited start to the day. We are currently (9:30am) sailing at 7.4kts with 15-20kts of wind off the port beam. Last night was noisy. We now realize why there are few boats in this marina. A band was playing immediately adjacent, very loud until midnight. Before we had a great tapas dinner at The Boathouse Bistro followed by white wine, supplied by Rochelle, in the cockpit. As the mosquitoes started to bite, it was time for bed.

We awoke to a beautiful blue sky morning and departed on schedule at 8am for Rockland. I believe Rachel guessed this as a destination a day or so ago. Rachel, keep guessing prizes to follow. We are yet to determine if there is space there, but will worry about that later.

I have taken video footage of the departure and first hour of sailing and will post a composite later when we have a faster connection. As has been the pattern so far, we have no idea where we will go next. But our general strategy is to try to arrive by mid afternoon to explore the local environment, eat, drink, sleep and move on.

We need to find more wild life. Our friends, Bob and Linda sighted a humpback whale yesterday 20 ft from their boat on their way from Provincetown to Boston. Go to youtube and search for movies from the sailboat Fujin and you might find it. It was really close. I am hoping that we can go far enough east to a hotbed of puffins

3pm - INSERT MOVIE HERE - awaiting slow phone upload

We sailed across Muscongus Bay on a beam reach with 20kts apparent and were flying. At this point of sail we had full sails and got to a maximum recorded speed of 8.68 kts and an average speed of 7.02 kts since we started. Subsequently we rounded Burnt Island and headed to Muscle Ridge Channel and on to Rockland where we docked at Journey’s End Marina.

During the sail Yolande made breakfast - we wait to eat until we are sailing - and today's specialty was Quinoa, yoghurt and bananas. It was really good and would only have been better with bacon.

Burnt Island has a special place in our hearts as we anchored there on August 10th 2010 on our way back to Boston from Penobscot Bay. Our logbook entry reads:
“Motored to north side of Burnt Island and anchored with two other sailboats. As we anchored one of the famed thunderstorms approached and poured down on us. In advance was a down draft with strong winds followed by 25kts from the north. We had originally planned to sail to Christmas Cove but because we would arrive at night we changed to Burnt Island. Thank goodness otherwise we would have been out sailing in that storm at night. The anchorage was difficult. Added a tripline. In storm we dragged anchor a little and then held firm. Hopefully we will get anchor up with ease and without lobster pots.”

Thus it was great to see Burnt island in the daytime with blue skies and no storms.



After we passed Burnt Island we headed to Muscle Ridge Channel which was fun. It was a combination of sail trim (winds were gusting up to 30 knots) and changing directions by 45 degress instantaneously, as well as navigation through the channel and finally a game of dogems with all of the lobster pots. We safely navigated and arrived at Journey’s end marina by 2:30pm. This was the best day of sailing in the trip.

About to go and settle up with the marina fees. We will see if they are less than previously. Currently the rates have been $135, $106, $90 - as we head northeast they get less expensive (or we get less choosy).