Adventures & Cruises

Photo courtesy Paul BrownThe author, right, with Preston.

Chesapeake to Maine

March 20, 2023 at 12:00 am

That first delivery was an adventure and a lesson in different cruising styles

Photo by Mark BarrettDiana, relaxing in the cockpit of Mojo.

Fetching Lady Liberty

January 30, 2023 at 12:00 am

Part 1: Cruising partner Diana is goal oriented. In 2018, we sailed our J/30 from Cape Cod to Mount Desert Island because she wanted to climb Cadillac Mountain. In 2019, she wanted to climb the Statue of Liberty. Oh boy . . .

I walked from the shore to the site of our picnic; sure enough, there was a dirty, shaggy, totally disreputable-looking sheep standing with his head buried in our huge bowl of fresh fruit salad, and quite a crowd standing back watching him.

In sheep’s clothing

January 30, 2023 at 12:00 am

An unexpected wildlife incursion tested the mettle of this new captain.

Photos by Kevin McCarthyAbove, with Cape Cod Bay in the rear view mirror, the author takes aim at the Cape Cod Canal. At right, the author’s “nav station” on his 21-foot Eastern Pilot.

Runabout to Rhode Island

January 30, 2023 at 12:00 am

From Rye, N.H., to Block Island, R.I., in a 21-foot Eastern Pilot runabout: I’d been studying this route and planning this cruise for two years, and here I was, Aug. 10, 2022, on the cusp of my adventure.

At left, the research vessel Rachel K. Goodwin. Here, looking astern while at sea.Photo by Mike Martel

Coming full circle

January 30, 2023 at 12:00 am

A week-long gig 100 miles out to sea brings the author back to the early days of his career.

Photo courtesy Donna PriceThe author poses in the middle of a thick Maine fog.

An Aussie’s perspective sailing down east

January 30, 2023 at 12:00 am

Winter 2023 By Donna Price For Points East Ian and I have been sailing our 44-foot Nordic sailboat Mystic along the coast of Maine over the past four summers. We had never come this far down east before, as work commitments and other constraints always seemed to limit our time.Read More

Commercial and recreational craft share dock space in North Head Harbor on Grand Manan Island. Inset: The four happy travelers (left to right: Thom, Kathy, Robin and Tom) pose for a selfie on Barred Island.Photos by Thom Perkins

The fun starts beyond Schoodic

November 21, 2022 at 12:00 am

To cruise from this Maine peninsula to way-Downeast in Passamaquoddy Bay and the Bay of Fundy is to enter a big-tide world with fierce currents, eddies, and the endless joy of being alone.

Photo by Ian MooreLee and Jon show the strain of concentration required when sailing in fog.

Maine: Always different tomorrow

September 26, 2022 at 12:00 am

October/November 2022 By Ian Moore with Jon Kane and Lee Grimes With steady 10 to 15-knot southerlies, sunshine, and record high temperatures, you couldn’t ask for a better forecast for the first sail of 2022. Despite the forecast, I had reminded Jon and Lee several times to bring plenty ofRead More

Alexis on her mooring in Christmas Cove shortly before departing for her delivery journey.Photo courtesy David Sharp

Downeaster Alexis

September 26, 2022 at 12:00 am

With apologies to Billy Joel and his Downeaster Alexa, of ballad fame, the author’s sloop of almost the same name could claim that Maine honorific after a `70s cruise from Christmas Cove to Newport.

Photo courtesy Michael CamarataCaptain Michael Camarata and his wife/co-captain pose for a peaceful moment in their dinghy.

Adventure? No thanks.

September 26, 2022 at 12:00 am

“We are plain, quiet folk and have no use for adventures,” declared Bilbo Baggins. “Nasty, disturbing, uncomfortable things. Make you late for dinner.” We don’t like them either, but we sure have them.