Salem to Southwest Harbour
Wednesday 30th September 44:16.536 N 68:18.668 W
Wednesday 23rd September early start again leaving Salem just before sunrise at 06.00 then rounded Cape Ann at 09.05 motor sailing, with the headsail only, in a light north westerly off the land. Sailed passed a large pod of whales at the Scantum Basin off the New Hampshire coast leaving Smuttynose Island in the Isles of Shoals to port. We looked out for the Bush family home as Shelduck entered Kennybunkport avoiding the presidential protection buoys. Two large prominent dwellings overlooking the harbour entrance were flying the Irish tricolour from masts in their garden. The marina slip proved expensive $5 per foot per night, electricity not included. Next day with little wind and beautiful sunshine Shelduck motored through the wonderful island landscape to the Brewer dock at South Freeport. This is their last location going north so the last opportunity to get their 20% discount. Navigating through the islands is interesting and concentration is needed to avoid the thousands of closely spaced lobster pot buoys. That evening we dined at the famous Harraseeket Lunch and Lobster Company which serves up classic Maine seafood on the harbour side. Go early, they close at 8pm. We had a soft shell lobster each, a corn on the cob and a dozen large clams. Food is ordered and paid for through a window outside where most of the tables are. We ate inside in the small dining room as the evening was cool.
Friday 25th on to Boothbay Harbour where we needed to re provision. On arrival we found that the in town Supermarket recommend in the pilot had gone out of business so Anne and I walked a mile out of town to an excellent new one. Next day the passage was very cold with wind on the nose for the 47 miles to Camden in West Penobscot Bay. As Shelduck entered the small harbour a passing yacht recommend the Town dock. We had already turned down $6 a foot for the night and were planning to pick up a mooring. It was dark as we stepped ashore for a pre dinner drink. My eyes were starting to stream because of having little protection from the bitter wind because I had to leave the spray hood down for good view of lobster pot buoys. In the morning the Harbour Master asked just 50 dollars for the berth, very reasonable for Camden.
The final passage of this cruise was 42 miles to Southwest Harbour with a force 4 from behind, an exciting final 2015 sail. As Shelduck sailed through the beautiful Deer Island Thoroughfare she passed the Sheldrake ledge between Sheep Island and Eastern Mark Island at the entrance to Jerico Bay. Shelduck reached Treanor's pontoon at 15.15 to a great welcome from John and Mary. Monday was a lovely day, luckily. We spent it removing sails and everything from the deck getting ready for lift out. John arranged for three Hinkley boatyard people, all with different duties, to visit Shelduck and go through our winter lists. He also brought the sails to Acadia Sails for storage and checking and finally we filled the propane bottles. That evening we had invited Mary and John to dine aboard. However, Anne asked Mary if she could cook it in the house, which she did and very good it was too.
On this cruise from Great Bridge Virginia to Southwest Harbour Maine, Shelduck sailed 1119 miles.
