Best Hinckley Yacht Charters Cruising Guide 101
Hinckley Yacht Charters Cruising Guide shares some important information With over 3000 islands and 3500 involved miles of coastline, Maine rendition a lifetime of cruising possibilities.
One of the best things about sailing our waters is the vast number of coves and harbors available for exploration Hinckley Yacht Charters Cruising Guide. This allows the freedom to take long or short hops with a harbor almost always within reach.
Hinckley Yacht Charters Cruising Guide Update
We found that our most enjoyable Hinckley Yacht Charters Cruising Guides were ones in which the distance traveled during the day was limited to give us plenty of time to enjoy the scenery and explore the many coves, islands, and harbors along the way.
Maine had a rich history of outer island life around the turn of the century so don’t be surprised to find a long-forgotten cellar hole on a seemingly deserted island.
Hinckley Yacht Charters Cruising Guide with Take some time to pick blueberries, take a hike, do some bird watching (ospreys, eagles, cormorants, etc.) and, if you’re lucky, spy a whale, some white-sided dolphins, or harbor seals.
Check-out time at Great Harbor Marina in Southwest Harbor is 1 p.m.
Your checkout will take from one to two hours depending on the size and complexity of your boat. It will take about an hour to load and stow, so let’s plan on leaving Southwest Harbor at 4 p.m. and see what our options are.
Hinckley Yacht Charters Cruising Guide Day-1
Hinckley Yachts history Assuming your breeze is in its prevailing southwest quarter, we round Clark Point and head north up Somes Sound, a majestic fjord and the only one on the eastern seaboard. Valley Cove on the western side of the Sound is your destination for the night.
Hinckley Yachts staff mooring (which has an ‘H’ on it) may be available for a charge or feel your way toward the southern shore and anchor in 25 to 30’ of water at low tide.
If Valley Cove is too crowded you can continue up the Sound to Jock William’s boatyard on the western shore or Abel Yacht Yard on the northeast side (both have rental moorings).
Right next to Abel’s Yacht Yard is Abel’s Lobster Pound, a pretty spot for dinner ashore. Somes Harbor, at the northwest end of Somes Sound, is another possibility for the evening’s anchorage.
If you choose Somes Harbor, row ashore in the morning to the float on the west side and walk into town to explore the wonderful bookstore, Port in a Storm.
If you prefer to head west from Southwest Harbor go out Western Way and spend your night in Bass Harbor (try The Wharf on the east side of Thurston on the west side of the harbor for some real Downeast cooking) or, if time allows, continue to Pretty Marsh (on the western side of Mount Desert Island) a tranquil harbor with plenty of swing room.
The best spots to anchor are in either the northern end in eight feet at low water or in one of the two coves (Somes or Sawyers) on the southwestern side past Folly Island. Hinckley yacht brokers
You can row ashore to the east side of Pretty Marsh Harbor and climb the wooden stairs to Acadia National Park’s picnic area amidst a regal grove of spruce and cedar. This is a wonderful spot for a sunset barbecue, so be sure to bring your dinner along.
Hinckley Yacht Charters Cruising Guide Day-2
The next day you will sail up Eggemoggin Reach with Buck’s Harbor as your night’s anchorage. If you get away early you can go around the north end of Long Island and then south-southwest to the mouth of the Reach with Hinckley yacht club.
Eggemoggin Reach is often clear of fog even when it is thick elsewhere, and as its name implies, you can usually reach either up or down. If you fancy classic wooden boats, swing by Center Harbor and check out the beauties that are usually floating about in close proximity to Joel White’s yard.
Continue on to Buck’s Harbor and enter on either side of Harbor Island. There is one protected anchorage on the northeast side or check with the Yacht Club or Buck’s Harbor Marine on channels 9, 10, or 16 to see if they might have a mooring for you. Try the Café Outback, a short walk from the dock, for an informal dinner ashore.
Hinckley Yacht Charters Cruising Guide Day-3
If you are ready for a town bustling with activity, the Camden/Rockport area is the direction to head. Camden Harbor is quite crowded in the summer, but a berth or mooring can usually be found by calling Wayfarer Marine on Channel 9.
Hinckley Yacht Charters Cruising Guide There are many shops and restaurants near the waterfront and stores for provisions. The Waterfront Restaurant is a popular place with a deck overlooking the harbor or take a stroll down Bayview Street to Cork’s, a wine bar with light dining. The town of Rockport around the corner is quieter.
Moorings and/or dockage are available at Rockport Marine on the northeast end of the harbor. The Sail Loft Restaurant is a good place for dining ashore in Rockport.
Hinckley Yacht Charters Cruising Guide Day-4
After leaving Camden/Rockport take a bit of time to explore Penobscot Bay, either sailing down towards Owls Head or across to Islesboro Island.
For the evening your goal is Pulpit Harbor, one of the prettiest and most protected anchorages on the coast.
A tremendous osprey nest perched on Pulpit Rock marks the entrance to the harbor. You can anchor along the eastern shore and in the northeast cove.
Hinckley Yacht Charters Cruising Guide Day-5
On the fifth day heads out and into Fox Island Thorofare. North Haven is to port where supplies can be obtained if needed. After proceeding East through Fox Island Thorofare, head a bit south of east to the area called Merchant’s Row that is south of Deer Isle.
There are many islands here with beautiful small coves to lie in for the evening. One of our favorites is between McGlathery’s and Round Island. There is also a good cove on the north side of McGlathery’s.
Hinckley Yacht Charters Cruising Guide Day-6
Leaving McGlathery’s head east again toward Marshall Island and the south side of Swan’s Island. If weather and time allow you can lunch in Sand Cove on Marshall Island or sail over to Long Island and into the harbor at Frenchboro.
This is a classic Maine Island town built around the harbor. The island abounds with wildlife. Lunt & Lunt have a few moorings. Pick one up and row in to pay.
While you’re ashore, buy some lobsters from the local fishermen and treat yourself to a real Maine supper aboard your boat or eat ashore at the local lobster wharf with Hinckley yachts models.
You can also anchor outside the mooring area or on the 15-foot bar east of Harbor Island, although it tends to roll.
Hinckley Yacht Charters Cruising Guide Day-7
The last night out should be spent relatively close to Southwest Harbor since check-in time is 11 am.
Some choices, providing you get an early start, are Burnt Coat Harbor, Buckle Harbor, or Mackerel Cove on Swan’s Island; Bass Harbor is closer and Valley Cove in Somes Sound even closer.
Best yet, come back to Southwest Harbor the night before and dine and be entertained at The Deck House & Cabaret Theater directly above our offices.
Listed below are some good alternative harbors if weather or whim dictate:
Day 1-Burnt Coat Harbor (south side of Swan’s Island)
Mackerel Cove (north side of Swan’s Island)
Buckle Harbor (west of York Narrows by Swan’s Island) and Great or Little Cranberry Island (southeast of Southwest Harbor) Southwest Harbor, stay right here and enjoy The Deck House & Cabaret Theater (call 207-244-5044 for reservations)
Day 2-Castine (north of Cape Rosier),
A town bursting with history. Try to arrange a guest mooring or dock space at The Castine Harbor Lodge (207-326-4335) and enjoy their extensive wine bar and scrumptious appetizers.
The Manor (207-326-4861) sits high on a hilltop overlooking Castine Harbor and is an excellent choice for dinner, as they will chauffeur you back and forth from the Town Dock, Eaton’s Boatyard, or the Castine Yacht Club. The Castine Inn, The Pentagoet, and Dennett’s Wharf are other good dining choices.
Day 3-Tenant’s Harbor on Penobscot
Hinckley Yacht Charters Cruising Guide us about Tenant’s Harbor on Penobscot Bay is an attractive working harbor with supplies available.
It has good holding ground and some moorings. The East Wind Inn on the north shore serves breakfast and dinner. A quieter anchorage is Long Cove to the north of
Tenant’s Harbor.
Rockland, south of Camden, is a wonderful town with a great mix of the traditional waterfront and new shops. Try the Café Miranda for eclectic dining at its best, Contes for REAL Italian dining, or Amalfi’s, my personal favorite, for a Mediterranean treat.
Blogs – Sweet Yacht Charter
Check out the Farnsworth Library and Art Museum while you’re there for a glimpse of works by three generations of the Wyeths and many other American artists.
Day 4-Isle Au Haut
Hinckley Yacht Charters Cruising Guide informs us about the reality of Isle Au Haut. So Friends The Isle Au Haut is a great place to stretch your legs with over 30 miles of hiking trails belonging to Acadia National Park.
Butter Island, west of Deer Isle, is a great day stop for a beach picnic or a walk up Montserrat Hill to a wonderful view of the surrounding islands.
The island is owned by the family of the late Tom Cabot, a leader in preserving the islands of Maine.
The Cabot family welcomes cruisers but asks that you only access the island from the Eastern facing beaches (Nubble & Orchard). The public is no longer allowed on the Barred Islands named Bartender and Escargot.
For an overnight anchorage try Northwest Harbor on the western coast of Deer Isle. In your approach, beware Gull Ledge between the can and the nun.
Day 5-Northeast Harbor
Northeast Harbor(channel 9 for a mooring or dock space). Treat yourself to a picnic with take-out food at the local grocer’s just a short walk up from the harbor.
Or try 151 Main Street, Full Belly Deli, Blackboards, Docksider, or Colonel’s Deli for light fare. Little Cranberry Island.
Try the Islesford Dock for great food and sunsets. Be sure to visit the Islesford Museum close to the docks.
Day 6-Hancock Point
Hancock Point in Frenchman’s Bay. It’s a bit of a sail, but well worth it. There are 3 guest moorings that belong to the Crocker House on the east side of the point.
The Crocker House is an elegant country Inn with delicious dining (and the best jazz piano in town if you are lucky enough to be there on the right night).
There is an excellent French restaurant, Le Domaine, in Hancock. If you make reservations(207- 422-3395) they will pick you up or send a taxi.
Hinckley Yacht Charters Cruising Guide Day-7
Same choices as Day 1. However, we would be remiss not to mention our shop neighbors here at Great Harbor Marina and that the town of Southwest Harbor (a short walk from here) has a lot to offer.
There are many fun shops and some great restaurants. Try Café II on Main Street (next to Eat a Pita), the Red Sky, on Clark Point Road (right at the blinking light), or Fiddler’s Green (between Great Harbor Marina and town) for excellent creative dinners.
Try The Dry Dock, Eat a Pita, Quietside Café, and Little Notch Café on Main Street for tasty informal meals. Although Best Hinckley Yacht Charters Cruising Guide helps out the best dining restaurant.
The Deacon Seat on Clark Point Road is now offering Thai and Mexican foods some nights. If you have a car or don’t mind a long row try Seaweed Café in Manset (Reservations 244-0527) for superb dining with an Asian flair.
Although you can’t get there by water, there are two new spots that deserve attention: try the Nautilus Restaurant in Bass Harbor (in the triangle, not Bermuda) for the most scrumptious Caribbean food and the Westside Grill next to the Southwest Harbor Food Mart for a little bit of everything.
Other places worth seeing if you can find a mooring are Monhegan Island (majestic with lovely hiking trails) or Matinicus (the outermost Maine Island inhabited year-round).
For the more adventuresome, there is always a cruise Down East. A sail past Schoodic Point heading east will introduce you to the rugged and somewhat isolated coast of Maine.
The cruising grounds surrounding Mount Desert Island are spectacular. Take your time to explore the islands, fishing villages, resort towns, and remote coves. You will not be disappointed as this is a sailor’s paradise.
A Cruising Guide to the New England Coast by Duncan and Ware, A Cruising Guide to Maine, Volume II (Rockport to Eastport) by Don Johnson, and A Cruising Guide to the Maine Coast by Hank and Jan Taft are invaluable reference guides and we will be sure to have one aboard for you. Enjoy your cruise!
