Spring Sail to Bass Harbor

The great thing about Deer Isle is that it is within striking distance of so many very beautiful islands and harbors along the Maine coast. After fixing the spreaders, Jennifer and I talked about where we might go. I really thought Mt. Desert Island was within two, and maybe only one, nights range. I gathered up the various necessary components for the Wayfarer, such as the paddle, rudder, anchors, sails, tools and buckets. I also loaded the forward compartment with the sleeping bags and pads, extra water, and clothes. We packed a cooler with beverages and snacks, plus our standard shipboard fare, which was a big cold dish cooked the night before, in this case, sesame noodles.

We drove Mary's 1992 Toyota down to the shore with Juliet in tow. It is a very beautiful drive, though only a half mile.



At the Beach at Old Ferry Landing, I disconnected the trailer and wheeled it down the sandy beach to the water's edge and checked the plugs, then launched Juliet by hand. Then Jennifer helped me drag the Pamco trailer back up to the grass in Gerald and Jean's yard.

Gerald and Jean's Inn at Ferry Landing



We carried the sails and heavy gear down to the boat and rigged her up. We used low plastic tote boxes that slide under the seats for easy access. Maps and rain gear, snacks, sandals, the camera, and other day use items are best stored in these totes, and in Ziplocs if sensitive to moisture. Ziplocs are handy. The sails were raised, the rudder installed, we donned our life vests, and Jennifer boarded the sailboat first. The water was cold, and I was careful to give a little shove out and step over the transom, quickly pushing the rudder down and steering away from a known rocky bar at the ferry landing. Jennifer grabbed the mainsheet to power the Wayfarer forward. Then the wind and calm take over. I got out of the way and Jennifer took the helm. We headed south toward Brooklin and Swan's Island.

A link to a nice cruising log.

Here's a link to a cruise that Dick and his friend Dennis sailed around Deer Isle in the opposite direction as Jennifer and I sailed.


2009 Maine Cruise: Dick Harrington's log - 1


We had run into them on Eggemoggin Reach as we made a shakedown daysail before our cruise. Dick has written and mapped out a terrific adventure which I know you will enjoy. I found it when I searched our sail number (W2414) and up popped a reference to the meeting in Eggemoggin. I shot a few digital pics, and present them here.





Dick and Dennis got a good look at our rig, and Dick mentioned he knew a few ways to speed things up for us. As we chatted, both over the gunwhales and the radio, I recognized that they were outpacing us, even with all of the camping gear they carried. We were nearly empty. Below is a photo of us passing in front of the Deer Isle-Sedgwick Bridge, a very beautiful edifice similar to "Galloping Gertie", which famously collapsed on film in the Tacoma Narrows in 1940.