Thanks for following along — you’ll find links to a live GPS tracker and to the feed of photos/etc available to Off Center Harbor members below…
This all started as a little idea for a relaxing local cruise in one of our favorite/familiar areas. Then the pop-up tent arrived, and suddenly our little camp-on-islands-boat had a new sleep-aboard “cabin” and everything changed.
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David Tew says:
Does anyone know what the numbers mean at each GS Tracker hourly reading?
David Tew says:
GPS
Brian Waite says:
It might be that on a distant view, each point would expand into more points as you zoomed in. The number is the number of points that it will expand to.
Craig Raymond says:
Enjoying following your voyage. Your next few days look good weather wise….but if helpful, we’re in Winter Harbor (Sand Cove) & if you’re in need of mooring, place to hold up for a night or 2 before heading further downeast, shower facilities, a good lunch or evening cocktails we’re happy to hook you up.
Steve Stone says:
Thank you Craig. I’ve marked it on the charts. WH is hopefully a regretable sail by but definitely a bail-out/wait-out spot for me if needed.
Craig Raymond says:
Great! & looks like you may have reasonable weather for the downeast stretch.
Best & Fair Winds to you!… especially passing Bass Harbor Head bar (not my favorite place)
Eric Warner says:
I have been following along vicariously from about as far away as you can get without leaving the continental USA. I’m slaving away in my office in Oceanside, CA and dreaming of being on the water in Maine. I sail a Beetle up in Frenchman’s bay and surrounding lakes/ponds when I can get back to my sister’s house in Sullivan. The GPS tracker was very fun to follow and I had it up on one of my screens (I have 4 sitting on my desk…) and watch to see where you were and where I thought you might stop next. It looked like you were heading off to Vinylhaven and thought better of it the other day and took an abrupt turn to port into Tenants Harbor.
I know the pressures of keeping things going on dry land demand being taken care of, but I hope you are able to finish the rest of the journey up around the corner into my stomping grounds and then all the way up to Lubec :). I will watch to see when that may happen! Hopefully soon, but might be next summer’s adventure :).
Thanks again for taking us along on the jouney. If you get a chance I would love to see a collection (not sure whether to call it an album, or story, or what in the latest online lingo) of your pictures/videos in one place of the journey. The Instagram pics/videos were great, but I think they are also mixed in with other ones from OCH.
Happy Sailing!
Steve Stone says:
Thanks Eric. That’s inspiring to know the voyage warranted a dedicated screen. Been there, and in fact that’s one of the reasons for the cruise. Thanks for following along. I’m watching for a tide and weather window and learning more about the tides and currents further Downeast and still hoping for a four to five day window to knock out the remainder. If not, next year.
Steve Stone says:
Yes, I was hoping to make it to Vinalhaven that evening but with a big storm rolling up the east coast, not much wind, and the wind not filling in as forecast (so possibly not enough battery power to motor all the way in to Vinalhaven), I didn’t want to get caught out late. My night running lights aren’t the best either, cause the mosquitos are brutal after dusk so night sailing in Maine isn’t so good. Too bad cause sailing at night is tops.
Steve Stone says:
I’m blown away by all the kind offers of hospitality en route. And especially the promise of a hot shower and rum. I’ve been reading them all as they come in and appreciate all the comments and we’ll wishes. Sorry I haven’t been quicker to respond. My head and hands have been chock full and reception has been spotty. Lay day tomorrow with the storm and a friend has offered a cottage with WiFi so I look ok forward to catching up a bit if I can get the nerve to push the power button.
William Foster says:
It’s been a lot of fun to follow your progress.
Thanks for all your posts and Insta pics.
William Foster says:
That looks like a real sweet spot there Bunker cove between little spuce and Great Spruce islands. Looks magical. Stay safe.
David Tew says:
Ha! Rum. I forgot to offer that. Next time we’ll leave a bottle for you at Damariscove: https://newportcraft.com/thomas-tew
David Tew says:
Steve- That small island you anchored behind in Port Clyde… do you know someone there? I have seen a small Chuck Paine sloop moored there that’s intriguing. Maybe the folks who own it live on the island? https://www.chuckpaine.com/boats/paine-15-2/
David Tew says:
I see you’re heading for Tenants Harbor. Steve Cartwright is a great guy to stop and meet. He’s got a dock you can tie up to just to the east of the big boathouse with ways about midway down the southern shore of the harbor. Say Hi from Dave and Margaret. His cat is Tang.
Steve Stone says:
Thx. Will try to say high. I think he and I had a brief exchange last year when I sailed passed his dock.
Steve Stone says:
That little boat is owned by someone other than the folks at n the island. Sweet Jonesport lobster boat in there too. See insta for photo soon.
David Flanders says:
Hi Steve,
Seems to me that you’re making great progress. I only hope that bAmy has joined you long before today. (By the way, is that she in the photo with her at the helm ?) Nice shot. Can’t wait to hear more narrative, and more photos; but, first things first. Safe speed,
David Flanders
Steve Stone says:
Thanks David. That’s Amy in the photo above. She was sidelined by taking care of some family medical needs this year during the window we had to cruise together, so she won’t be along. Bummer for us all.
Anne Bischof says:
I love this! I live in Freeport and work in Portland, sending good vibes :-) Thanks for sharing this!
Sean Scully says:
Smooth sailing, and forget the waypoints.
Steve Stone says:
Thanks Sean. I seem mentally incapable of setting waypoints so no worries there.
David Gruendel says:
Looks like you’re anchored or moored in Cape Porpoise near one of our favorite Maine restaurants. Hope all’s going well. Following your track has us reminiscing about our trips by car up the coast a few years ago. Wish it had been by boat.
Steve Stone says:
What restaurant is that Dave? This thing I’m on is essentially a 200 mile Maine lobster shack crawl.
David Gruendel says:
Pier 77. When we were last there a couple of years ago, it was actually two restaurants–a high end one on up the hill and a less formal but very nice one down close to the water. The latter gets very busy at noon.
Steve Stone says:
Thanks!
Ken Elowe says:
Hi Steve! In Muscongus Bay there’s my 2 favorite lobster shacks side by side on the docks in Round Pond – Round Pond Lobster and Muscongus Bay Lobster. Muscongus Bay has the best lobster roll on the coast (IMHO!). And a lot of great anchorages around the islands there.
Steve Stone says:
Thanks Ken. Had to bypass Round Pond unfortunately. Next time. And now those lobster shacks are on my radar for land trips too.
John McDougall says:
Good luck and smooth sailing Steve & Amy. I am hoping to do a bit of cruising myself in the coming Aussi spring.
David Flanders says:
I totally understand the “scared” part, particularly after watching the previous video. Fog and rocks – not a good combination. Be careful; it’s a wooden hull (and beautiful, too). Hope Amy gets there soon. Take care, David Flanders
Tony Owens says:
Steve, Richmond’s Island off Cape Elizabeth has good sandy holding bottom on either side of the breakwater. Quiet protected and a nice beach to stretch your legs. I striper fish out there most every morning and happy to drop off a forgotten item or two. Will keep an eye out for you
Steve Stone says:
Hey Tony. Thanks for the offer. I was eyeing the Richmond Island anchorage closely as I passed and thinking about your resupply offer, as I wasn’t sure the wind would hold out to get me up into the islands that day. I was well-provisioned leaving the last harbor . . . and then it started blowing and I went on a three hour overpowered wave surfing run all the way into Jewell and Cliff (Jewell had the regular summer “rowdy” crowd in Cocktail Cove so I went around the corner to Cliff).
seville simonds says:
I am in Northeast Harbor with Rogue in advance of sailing in the three classic yacht races ending with the ERR on August 7. I’ll be keeping a watch in hopes our paths might cross.
Safe travels.
Donald Sullivan says:
Steve, you and Amy are living my dream, I am currently dry sailing my recently built Caledonia Yawl out of my garage in Connecticut, however for many years I dreamed of a trip like yours.
I will be with you every day.
Godspeed
Don Sullivan
Stephen L. Clark says:
Don, who built your Caledonia? Thanks, Steve
Donald Sullivan says:
Steve, I built my CY myself; 500 hours over 6 months . . . one of the great experiences of my life.
Steve Stone says:
Thanks Don. Hope you’ve enjoyed it so far.
Michael McEvoy says:
Best of luck on your grand adventure! And at least you have one brave soul on board, so all should go well! We’ll all be following your GPS plot with keen interest – just the America’s Cup-worthy tacking dual in the parking lot to line up for the extraordinarily twisty launch ramp was worthy of careful study – yep a launch ramp to avoid at all costs! Seriously though, this is an ambitious if not downright gutsy voyage and I hope you have a grand time of it. Ishmael himself would doubtless be proud!
Steve Stone says:
Thanks Michael. Great launch ramp and car/trailer storage (when school is out) at the Traip Academy dock. Remember to pay your launching fee, and I gave a donation to the school on the way out when picking up the car. What a great service/convenience that setup is there. And to all — don’t forget to notify the harbormaster if you’re leaving a car and trailer overnight for an extended period of time. I forgot, and by the time I remembered a few days later they had already run my plates and I was on their radar as a potential search and rescue.
Harold Wheeler says:
You are living my dream. There is nowhere in the world I would rather be, will follow.
Donald Goldring says:
this sounds like a fabulous trip and I’ve been watching detail of the Caledonia yawl on the OCH site. It looks like the ideal boat for your trip! Happy sailing.
David Wildermuth says:
Hope you can get to Water Cove on Bailey Island an get to Morse Cribstone Grill, right around the point . Great family, great staff. Good nutrition!
Steve Stone says:
Nearly. It was a great lunch stop in the little hole in the cliffs anchorage on Bailey.
Fritz Feiten says:
My wife recently participated in the Salish 100, a small boat rally/cruise from Olympia to Port Townsend in Washington State (max 22′ length — not sure if thats on deck or overall). There were MANY people participating in Caledonia Yawls. In fact it is one of the most popular boats for this fun event. These boats are amazingly seaworthy, and fast off the wind. Have a great trip!
Steve Stone says:
True that. A lot of credit goes to Iain Oughtred and Geoff Kerr. And of course the old lads of centuries past who designed and built boats of this type in Scandinavia.
Robert McEvoy says:
highly recommend Mud Hole and also going up into Machiasport and walking around Bill Copperthwaite’s place. Super nice anchorages both…
Steve Stone says:
Great suggestion on Bill’s old place Robert. I’ll put that on my chart. Friends of his were connecting me to film a piece on him when he died so suddenly/tragically.
Robert McEvoy says:
Good chance you could cross the boarder into Grand Manan by the time you get up that way. Cool way to make your trip international. That said, that final stretch has some crazy ass current. If you time it perfectly from Cross Island or Cutler though you could probably do it.
Steve Stone says:
It’s tempting, but there are covid testing and permits required right now so I’ll pass this time.
Mike Duncan says:
I “see” you Steve! What a great trip! Fair winds!
Mike
Richard Morrison says:
Good luck Steve! Don’t by-pass beautiful Quahog Bay in eastern Casco. I’ll follow your progress and sail out to greet you in my Herreshoff Coquina. Hot shower and Mt Gay rum await.
Steve Stone says:
Near miss Richard. Thanks for the offer!
William Kirkeminde says:
I see the map but no waypoints???
Sean Scully says:
I think that was on purpose. It is just a fun trip. Where the wind blow’s will be great.
Steve Stone says:
Ya, that was just a very rough plot of the distances. Everything changes by the minute with this kind of boat so I’m not a waypointer but rather a go’er with the flow.
John Hughes says:
What a terrific adventure!
Wolfgang Doughty says:
Waiting anxiously in rainy Florida
Best of good weather to you
William Foster says:
It is really nice to read all these wonderful and welcoming invites!
George Boggs says:
How exciting! Looking forward to watching your progress from the Salish Sea where I’ll be doing a bit of Island hopping myself. Thanks in advance for sharing everything you will learn on the way. BTW, apprehension is a good thing as it will serve keep you on the right course. Fair winds…
Doug Malcolm says:
Wonderful adventure, Steve. Soon, Amy and you will have so many stories to tell family and friends. Exciting! (And, yeah, a little scary. :)
I can’t offer a shower – I’m nowhere near your route – but I’ll be following along closely.
Next year, I plan to start a similar coastal passage in sections, staying at MITA (Maine Island Trail Assoc.) sites and also camping aboard. I have a new-to-me 50-year-old Lund aluminum skiff – the same boat MITA uses. I’m designing/building the tent/cooking piece now. Fun stuff.
Good luck. Enjoy!
Steve Stone says:
Awesome. That’s a good boat. Jealous of the speed.
Jim Kramer says:
Fair winds. I’m in West Palm Beach if you need anything!!
Steve Stone says:
Ya never know.
Andrew MacGinitie says:
You’re scared, and I’m jealous. You’re also missing the ‘y’ in “mighty Atlantic” (spotting typos is my superpower). Good Luck! May the wind be always abaft your beam, and may the “road” NOT rise to meet your feet ;-)
Linda Tripp says:
Good luck on your adventure! I grew up in Kittery Point but now live in Tenants Harbor. There is a spare mooring, spare dinghy, float, shower, wood working shop, and ride to town here if you need any of them.
Wishing you fair tides and winds.
Steve Stone says:
Linda, I can’t say enough thanks and wonderful things about your help and providing me one of your Harts Neck Cottages in Tenants Harbor on short notice during the 36 hour storm. The whole experience was very memorable.
David Tew says:
We’ve got a mooring, float, hot showers, laundry and beds waiting for you in Boothbay Harbor if you wish.
Steve Stone says:
Nearly Dave. So close. When the wind shifted on the nose, Damariscove came into my sights.
David Tudor says:
We Iive in Five Islands should you need something.
Steve Stone says:
Thanks David. Five Islands is on my radar now. Wind came around on my nose that afternoon and made me start looking at Damariscove Island. Just as I started looking it over I received a text from Doug Welch, E.D. at Maine Island Trail saying: Go for Damariscove! It’s a don’t miss. I eased the sheets and was off. After feeling the huge currents pulling the lobster pots under a couple miles out from the mouth of the Kennebec, I liked the idea of going cross current and not against it.
f bart smith says:
Good luck with your travels. Sounds like a grand idea. Bart&Anna Smith
Christopher Rheault says:
Best of luck on a great adventure!
When you’re coming thru Muscongus Bay feel free to stop in our cove for a night, shower etc. Davis Cove, just east of Friendship.
Steve Stone says:
That looks like a great anchorage up in there Christopher. Was nearly there and no doubt that would have been better than Port Clyde, but with the storm coming I needed to be in Pt Clyde in hopes of reaching Vinalhaven the next day. As it turned out, I headed into Tenants Harbor so could have made it to you and chilled more. I’ll definitely remember it and will take you up on your offer sometime.
Bruce Lindsay says:
Hi, I live in York just a few miles from Kittery Point. Would love to meet you and see you off on your adventure today. Where are you launching? Pepperell Cove of Kittery Point Yacht Yard?
Steve Stone says:
Hey Bruce. It was great to meet you while launching. Sorry I was chasing a tide change and didn’t have time to sit and chat. Turns out the current didn’t change direction until well after high tide.
Lou Kimball says:
I’m right across from the Gosslings in Middle Bay. Hard to tell from your route map, but it looks like you may make it in there. Let me know if you need a shower! I’ll come pick you up.
Steve Stone says:
The Gosslings was on my list as a potential anchorage Lou. Sorry I missed you and thanks for the offer!
Steve Proudfoot says:
Best of luck. Hope the weather improves. Will be following your trip.
Gord Phillips says:
Sounds like a great adventure! I’ll be watching your progress, and if the pieces fall right, may be able to meet you on the water as you get to Lubec. Watch for a blue Acadian Yawl with a Canadian flag……. Fair winds, etc.
Steve Stone says:
That’d be great Gord. I’ll be looking for a friendly face in Lubec if it happens. Hey can you fill me in on the tidal currents up that way, especially rounding the corner up into Lubec?