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Hey Mainers!! (again)

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jandrus
1st Mate

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USA
79 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/25/2003 : 18:39:41

All the talk about moving the national regatta east has me wondering where the Mainers went . . . Kira Flicka was moving to a mooring five miles from where I sit. Moondance and Kije were still in the Falmouth anchorage last fall. The veterinarians were moving up (sorry guys, I've forgotton your names, and the boat's). Emerald? Damage Control? Sail La Vie? There were two 250's at Portland Yacht Services last year.

The Hunter owners are showing us up! Lets do something this summer. I'm thinking a gathering at Snow Island or Boothbay or something would be ideal. If more of us are based lower in Casco Bay we could do the Goslings or Sebasco, or Potts, or anywhere. We can engage in my favorite sailing past-time - finding and passing Sabre 28's.

Justin - Splashing on the first and ready to go.

c25 #1942 s/v tako kichi

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 04/25/2003 : 19:17:42

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
We can engage in my favorite sailing past-time - finding and passing Sabre 28's.
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>
Oooh! That's my favorite! And one light day I found myself gaining on a 56' Swan, so I changed course so we were just 50 yards to windward as we sailed by!

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette-Honda "Passage" in SW CT

Edited by - on

allencl
Navigator

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USA
143 Posts

Response Posted - 04/25/2003 : 20:54:04

Hey Justin,

We have FINALLY moved up to South Portland (we're the vets). Boat's been moved about one third of the way and is in the water on the NJ shore just south of Sandy Hook. Hope to make it the rest of the way this spring / summer -- have a mooring application in for Willard Beach. Would love to hook up for a sail some time- I'll email contact info.

Cheers,

-Chris on "SPIRIT" C25 SR WK #5644

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jandrus
1st Mate

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USA
79 Posts

Response Posted - 04/26/2003 : 16:46:14

Chris - New e-mail is jandrus@alumni.bates.edu

Dave - Passing Swans is good but there is particular joy to passing Sabres in the waters where they are born :)

Justin

c25 #1942 s/v tako kichi

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jguyot
1st Mate

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USA
97 Posts

Response Posted - 04/27/2003 : 20:34:18

Hi Justin
We normally keep our boat on Long Lake down in Bridgton (We have a seasonal camp site on the lake). We have never put in on Casco Bay yet, but are hoping to put her in for a weekend around the first week in June, IF it ever WARMS UP!! If we put her in, I will let you know....
Infact, we actually have 3 250's (1-wb & 2-wk)on on our lake (#'s 585, 586,& 587) all bought from the same dealer on Cape Cod!! (One lives in MA, one lives in NJ, & I live here in Maine!

Jerry Guyot
250WK #586
"Sail La Vie"

Edited by - jguyot on 04/27/2003 20:39:44

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kurt
1st Mate

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27 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2003 : 09:56:26

I'm in, were in South Bristol between Boothbay and Pemiquid <sp> It would be fun to meet other C25/250 owners.

Kurt
C25 86 sr/fk

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LOREN SOUERS
Navigator

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USA
100 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2003 : 11:32:25

Justin & all,
I just got back to Ohio from southern Maine. My wife and I are considering buying a summer home there. We drove around a lot (in the rain last week) and checked out Brunswick, Bath, Georgetown Yarmouth, Free(?)port, etc. The next day, we drove up around Sebago Lake. First of all, we were disappointed to find not one sailboat, either stored in view or on the lake (Sebago) Of course, there were hundreds of power boats. Can you comment on this? We didn't see a yacht club either.
Also, can anyone out there give any advise on sailing in southern Maine, say, the greater Casco Bay area? I have sailed on Lake Erie, Chessapeake Bay and the Florida Keys. I know the tides are 12 ft or so and cause strong tidal currents in narrows. I also know parts of Maine coast have lots of fog. Can you tell me how often I might be able to sail up there, how difficult, etc.?
Any advise would be appreciated. Thanks to all.

Loren Souers, Skipper
Nimue, the Lady of the Lake

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jandrus
1st Mate

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USA
79 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2003 : 14:00:08

L - You should have told us you were coming! I live and work in Brunswick. Planning to move back to Portland and keep my practice in Brunswick.

The sailing season here runs for most from late May to early September. That said, we usually put in in early April, running late this year - hope to be in Thursday - and we pull in late October. It just a matter of dressing right and taking care to stay dry.

The lakes are popular. For me, freshwater doesn't do it. I like the idea that I could go out past the lighthouse, turn right, and keep going. Also, in a Cat 25 where 30 or 40 miles are doable, the varriety of desitinatons on the bay is a turn on. There are sailboats on Sebago and many of the other lakes but not a ton of them, and most are dinghies.

Sailing Casco Bay is wonderful. The tides are not that much of an issue. You need to take care when anchoring or tied to a pier without a float, but its ease to do. The current can rip in a few places and can set up adverse to a sea and create some chop but again, nothing really dramatic. You need to go further east to find the wicked tidal currents - how about a tidal current stong enough to reverse a waterfall?

Fog happens. It worse further east. We lose a few days a year to it. Our theory is we'll come home on GPS but not go out into it. We carry a handheld chartplotter (GPS 76Map) and listen to and give security calls as appropriate. The first time you get fogged out you'll increase your heart rate, but soon its not a big thing. We usually look for a good place to anchor or grab a mooring and get out of the way of traffic until it lifts. In Casco Bay its rare to have fog persist for more than one day.

I don't know of yacht clubs on the lake. There are plenty on the coast. Most have waiting lists from a few months to years. There are marinas in Portland and Freeport, but fewer east. Most people use moorings and have a dinghy or launch service to get out to their boat. I have mooring in Falmouth. I pay $175/year for a permit, and keep my Zodiac on the float at the town pier. Two minutes dinghy ride puts me aboard. I have a strong perference for moorings over docks - especially in a blow.

The attitude around here is excellent. People are helpful and friendly. We cruise in the company of 5 -6 other boats most weekends. We'll e-mail during the week, pick a destination, and meet up enroute. There are literally hundreds of places to go within a few hours sail of where-ever you are.

Justin

c25 #1942 s/v tako kichi

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LOREN SOUERS
Navigator

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USA
100 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2003 : 15:55:23

Justin,
Thank you for the note. You answered a number of questions we have had. BTW, I am a lawyer too. I have practiced in Canton Ohio (12 yrs on the municipal bench) since 1974. I gather you feel the C25 is fine for sailing in Casco Bay or even beyond.

Loren Souers, Skipper
Nimue, the Lady of the Lake

Edited by - on

jguyot
1st Mate

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USA
97 Posts

Response Posted - 04/30/2003 : 12:10:48

Hi Loren

There are no yacht clubs on Sebago Lake and actually very few Sailboats. (Also, another reason you did not see any boats in the water was the Ice just left the Lake Last Weekend!!)I also find it very suprising too as the lake is 27 miles long and up to 5 miles wide. The largest sailboat that you will find on the lake is about 25 to 27 feet. On a typical day, you might see 5-10 sailboats max. It is a great sailing lake and it does warm up nicely during the summer. You are also able to go up the Songo River, through the "Oldest Hand Operated Lock" (A very nice trip, but is crowded on Weekends) into Long Lake which is 11 miles long and 1-1/2 miles wide. Long Lake does have a Sailing Club and we typically have 2 - 3 races per year as well as our Tues. nite Fun Series. These races cover all types from Lazers to 25' Cruisers. If you have any other questions, please let me know.

Jerry Guyot
250WK #586
"Sail La Vie"

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jandrus
1st Mate

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USA
79 Posts

Response Posted - 04/30/2003 : 21:24:06

Loren -

I sail my 1980 fin keel in the Bay and the ocean regularly. You need to be careful but that's true of all boats on all waters, I think. Which keel is your boat equipped with? You might be slightly more limited in a swinger but it wouldn't be bad. You'd just want to avoid a couple of spots at max ebb because the waves get steep.

Last summer I did get to the limit of what I would consider safe, but had plenty of places to find refuge. I'm not going to guess at the wave heights but they were well over the spreaders and starting to curl. We were ok hard on the wind - lots of spray but the motion wasn't all that bad. I decided quickly that I didn't want to be out there and then had to wait a while for a calm patch of water to spin the boat around in without the risk of getting rolled. I have been knocked flat once and almost flat once (sails in the water on both occasions) so I know the boat will recover but I don't want to risk that pop-top flooding if we go past 90 degrees. I do sail with the hatch boards in and harnasses on in rougher conditions. Anyway, we waited for our moment, turned onto a broad reach and had a great time surfing our way to shelter. I wish I had a picture of Jessica up forward setting the wisker pole with spray flying off both sides of the bow. Knot log at 7.3 and the GPS reading 11 plus!

Anyway, enough war story - I feel that the C25 is the perfect boat for the bay and surrounding ocean. I would have no reservations setting out for an extended cruise south or east (here in Maine you go east, not north). Its really a function of the topography, though. There is shelter just about everywhere.

If you care to, you'd be welcome for a weekend. You could either stay with us and take a sail and tour of the Portland and mid-coast areas from the local perspective or you could take the boat for a weekend - my insurer would want you to sign away your life first but you're an attorney, you know that.

Ever think about coming back to the other side of the bench? We need a third around the office . . .

Justin - Official Delegate of the Maine Board of Tourism

c25 #1942 s/v tako kichi

Edited by - jandrus on 04/30/2003 21:27:01

Edited by - on

LOREN SOUERS
Navigator

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USA
100 Posts

Response Posted - 05/02/2003 : 10:32:53

J & J (Justin & Jerry)
Thanks for all your information, and, particularly the invitation. Perhaps Justin, like me, is often looking for crew. My C25 is a standard rig, full keel. I bought it on Lake Erie and moved it down to my little inland lake (Atwood). I understand what Justin is saying about the fresh water. It doesn't "sizzle" as salt water does. That is the sound salt water makes as it sprays off your bow. But, on the other hand, you don't have to wash off the fresh water after taking a dip. My family and I used to take a dip in the middle of Lake Erie all the time. The water was perfectly clean well off shore, and on a dead day, it was better than roasting on deck.

Justin, I must comment on your generous offer. I read your response yesterday and was talking to some of the girls in our office about a sailor meeting another sailor on the internet and offering to take him for a sail, or even loan him the boat for a sail. I said to one of the secretaries, "Do you think that sort of thing would happen with a big power boat?" She said (a non-sailor who has been on our boat), "Well, in order to be a sailor, you have to learn a lot. You can't just get on a boat and go. It takes a different kind of person." I am sure no one on this site will argue with her.

Anyway, I will be back up in Boston MA for my son's wedding in late July, but will probably be too busy to take you up on your offer. BTW, when we were up in Maine last week, we went into Portland one evening. We LOVE Portland. We went to Gritty's for a brew and to a great restaurant on the alley behind for dinner. AWESOME! We also stayed in Brunswick and really liked it. We are thinking of buying a little place to come up for the summers and don't want to spend many $$$ on a big house, just a little cottage or something.

I probably need to pay some rent here, so will sign out. Thanks for the notes, and keep writing. I love this thread.

Loren Souers, Skipper of Nimue, the Lady of the Lake (still on the hard til May 16 and needing lots of work.)

Edited by - on

jandrus
1st Mate

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USA
79 Posts

Response Posted - 05/02/2003 : 14:40:32

Loren -

Could you contact me off-list? My email is jandrus@alumni.bates.edu. I have a lead on someone looking for house-sitters but don't want to publish it publicly.

Justin

c25 #1942 s/v tako kichi

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/05/2003 : 10:53:03

Hey Mainer's,

In today's article over at SailNet, Sue and Larry have some great things to say about cruising Maine. I've been to Portland, Bath, and Kennebunkport, and I have to agree it's pretty country up there.

Here's the first paragraph from the article,

Cruising Maine

"According to the authors, no cruising destination, no matter how exotic, can match the beauty and majesty of Maine."

"If there’s a more magical cruising destination than Maine, Sue and I have yet to find it. The Bahamas, the Caribbean, and even Bermuda are all beautiful, but just seem to pale slightly when compared with the Maine experience. The cruiser in Maine is stimulated and rewarded with seemingly every turn of the compass.

I'm jealous! <img src=icon_smile_sad.gif border=0 align=middle>

Here is a link to the article,

http://www.sailnet.com/collections/cruising/index.cfm?articleid=suelar0324& tfr=fp

<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/c25sm.gif" border=0>Don Lucier<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/c25sm.gif" border=0>
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d904b3127cce9f7cd9ffdf1d0000003010" border=0>
North Star SR/FK

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jandrus
1st Mate

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USA
79 Posts

Response Posted - 05/05/2003 : 16:42:53

Don -

Thanks for pointing us to the post! Maine is indeed a wonderful place to sail. Cold though! Yesterday saw temps in the fifties but winds in the high twenties and lots of spray over the rail. I was wearing winter weight polypro long johns, fleece, and foulies - and it was still cold. :)

Justin

c25 #1942 s/v tako kichi

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