CANE - 2005 North Cruise

On Saturday, July 9^th, after a windy and wet Friday night, I Object and Applejack left Scituate heading for Gloucester. The seas were lumpy, but the wind was good. That is until midday when it died completely. The remainder of the trip under motor to Gloucester went well.

Sunday, July 10^th, 2005

I Object, Applejack, and Goodnight Moon left Gloucester to go to Wentworth by the Sea in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Slightly latter Santiago and Cheeky Monkey headed out of Gloucester together. The wind was blowing 15 and gusting to 18. The seas were calm. It was a glorious sail. Rejoice, Finally and Amoreena had stayed at the Annisquam Yacht Club and they headed to Wentworth as well.

The Annisquam Yacht Club

At around 1:00 p.m. the sun became very strong and the wind died again. The fleet celebrated cocktails on E-dock where we were joined by Mahalo, in from Kittery. Wentworth was a lovely marina, but it was a bit too much when they charged Lois and Mark on Applejack $10 each just to use the pool. The floating bar off of A-dock was much appreciated and well utilized by Larry Robertie (Cheeky Monkey) and Joe Sullivan (Santiago).

Monday, July 11^th, 2005

The fleet shoved off with an early start (7:00 a. m.) heading for Portland, approximately 45 nautical miles away. An incredible sail. The wind was steady at 20, gusting to 30. It was a broad reach most of the way and then a beat straight to the beginning of Portland Harbor. There were a few members who thought the wind was a bit too much. The only problem encountered on this sail was Cheeky Monkey who lost power and his traveler car control blocks disintegrated. Larry deserved an award as Sea Man of the year for sailing Cheeky Monkey all the way to Portland. Fortunately, one of our new members, Dale Darling (Dewey Rose), commandeered the Centerboard Yacht Club Launch. Along with his son, Dale Jr. and Steve Stienberg, he caught Larry, towed him to a mooring, and then later to the yacht club dock. Dale latter worked with Larry to help him cure his engine problems.

Portland, from the appropriately named Sunset Marina

Tuesday, July 12^th, 2005 – a layover day

Dale once again worked with Larry and by midmorning it appeared that Cheeky Monkey was squared away. Dale ferried all who wanted to go to the supermarket, and in general spent all day helping fleet members. A wonderful cocktail party was held at the Centerboard Yacht Club. Dale conducted a skipper’s meeting and briefed everyone on what we would be doing for the next few days. The comment as the sun went down was, “Four days of sun, warm weather and no fog - are we really in Maine?”

Wednesday, July 13^th, 2005

The fleet circled off of Centerboard Yacht Club until everyone had joined in, and at 9:30 a.m. Rejoice, Goodnight Moon, Finally, Amoreena, Mahalo, Santiago, I Object, Cheeky Monkey, and Dewey Rose sailed off in a light breeze heading for Eagle Island and lunch, and then on to Snow Island. At approximately 11:00 a.m., Scott McKinley on Rejoice announced that we were going to have our first ever burial at sea. After serving many years but no longer suitable for human use Charlie Rathke’s favorite hat had been properly weighed and prepared, and as we approached Cousin Island its remains were cast into the deep and the fleet had a moment of silence. Our condolences to Charlie.

The CANE Fleet sails up Casco Bay after departing Portland

As we turned the northern tip of Grand Cheabeague Island we ran into a wall of fog, and wind. Fortunately, Dale was in the lead and we followed him bow to stern until we reached Eagle Island where some boats anchored and attempted to eat lunch. Cheeky Monkey snagged not one but two lobster pods and was unable to weigh anchor when it was time to leave. Once again, Dale came to the rescue. In heavy seas while his Catalina 30 was being manned by his son, Dale, he (Dale the elder), jumped from his boat to Larry’s and helped him free up the anchor. Unfortunately, during this process, Cheeky Monkey’s engine once again quit. So Dale and Larry sailed her through rough seas until we got to the idyllic Snow Island. Everyone enjoyed the night at Snow Island – it was magnificent! The scene was beautiful and no one dragged anchor. Goodnight Moon successfully passed her first evening ever at anchor.

The CANE Fleet anchored at Snow Island

Thursday, July 14^th, 2005

A quick sail to Sebasco Estates and we arrived just ahead of the fog. Everyone gathered aboard Amoreena for cocktails. Even Cheeky Monkey managed to make it to Sebasco Estates after having had his fuel removed from his tanks, the tank cleaned and refilled with fresh diesel. Finally, the engine appeared to be running correctly. Latter that evening everyone attended a fleet dinner at The Ledges restaurant at Sebasco Estates. Everyone except Steve Dempsey got their dinners. At the dinner, various awards were announced. Santiago received the rookie award, Mahalo got the Partridge Family award, their two sons were extremely well-mannered and we hope they will sail with us again. Goodnight Moon received two awards – the Navigator award went to Don Kluberdanz for his superb chart work for the entire cruise, and the Anchoring award went to Paul Robinson for his splendid job at Snow Island. Finally, James McCarthy and Ron Hersey ], received the Felix and Oscar Odd Couple award. Rejoice received an award as chaplain for conducting our first burial at sea. Applejack was awarded a Javelin award for tossing of their boat hook to or at Amoreena. Amoreena was going to get the best cocktail party award, but after the mooring attempt at Sebasco they got the Hooker award instead. Dewy Rose, Dale Darling’s boat, received the Captains Courageous Award. Cheeky Monkey got the Annual Peter Wood Award for all of the difficulties he had been having, and also as he was single-handing he got the Needs-a-Hug award as well.

Cocktails aboard Amoreena

Friday, July 15^th, 2005

This morning, Rejoice, Finally, Cheeky Monkey and Goodnight Moon left as they were completing a one-week cruise. (click here to see the remainder of their journal)

The day was beautiful, sunny with a light breeze as they headed for the Saco River. Those who stayed at Sebasco heard that Cheeky Monkey, once again, was having problems. This time it was a quickly replaced broken fan belt resulting in an overheated engine.

A number of the people who remained at Sebasco climbed aboard Amoreena for a touring sail of the area. We motor sailed into an area called the Basin, and incredibly secluded hurricane hole just north of Sebasco Estates. Cocktails were aboard Applejack. Another sunny day. Are we still in Maine?

Picturesque Sebasco Estates

Saturday, July 16^th, 2005

Amoreena, Mahalo, Dewy Rose, Applejack, Santiago and I Object left Sebasco at 9:00 a.m., the sun was bright, the sky clear, the winds were light and the seas were flat. Are we still in Maine? We motor sailed to Eagle Island, and then four of the boats set their spinnakers and all headed for the Harakeeset River and South Freeport for shopping. It was a beautiful sight to see the boats with their cruising Spinnakers raised and sailing along. When we arrived at brewers Yard in Harakeeset, there was some wait for slips, but eventually everyone was accommodated and a number of the fleet headed to the Harakeeset Lobster Pot for a late lunch.

Sunday, July 17^th, 2005

A layover day and everyone went to Freeport to shop. Cocktails were aboard Santiago.

Monday, July 18^th, 2005

We awoke in Maine. The fog was so thick we couldn’t see the entrance to the harbor, and we delayed leaving until 3:00 p.m. Finally, at 3, the fog lifted enough to get us out of the harbor. And with the skillful assistance of Dale Darling, again, we managed to motor through fog to the Goslings where we anchored. Cocktails that evening were aboard I Object. The cocktail party was cut short as it started to rain around 7:00 p.m., and everyone headed back to their boats.

Applejack in the Maine fog

Tuesday, July 19^th, 2005

We never really did see the Goslings for when we woke up this morning the fog was still quite thick, but we did hear seals on the rocks nearby. Thanks to the good council of Dale on Dewey Rose, we decided not to go to Jewel Island as we had, because of the fog. Instead, we decided to go back to Portland and perhaps try for Jewel Island the next day. This turned out to be an excellent decision because once we got back to Portland the sun came out, but at 5:00 p.m. a terrific thunderstorm blew through the harbor. We hoped that would change the weather and get rid of the fog. Cocktails that night were aboard Mahalo. A second round of thunderstorms came through just as the cocktail party got underway. Fortunately, we were all under cover and were able to enjoy the libations.

Wednesday, July 20^th, 2005

On this morning the dawn was bright, sunny and clear with little wind. We left Portland at 10:30 a.m. heading for Jewel Island, without Dale. The storm had cased a tree near his home to fall and rip out the electrical wiring. He had to wait for the electric company to come and restore power to his home.

Mahalo led us on a scenic rout through Diamond Pass to Hussey Sound, passing Little Diamond Island, Great Diamond Island, Peak’s Island and Pumpkin Nob before we rounded to Long Island to go up Luchse Sound to Jewel Island. We thought we had bid a fond farewell to Dale Darling, and thanked him for his generosity and guiding is through the fog. After we anchored at Jewel Island, who should appear but Dale and his son Dale one his son’s power boat. They came to check on us and make sure everything was well. Hopefully Dale will sail aboard Amoreena on next year’s southern cruise. It was extremely hot at Jewel Island and a few brave souls jumped into the cold water. Some even twice just to cool off. Jewel was a lovely island. Hiking to the towers and climbing them provided a wonderful panoramic view of Casco Bay. Jay Hogan and his with Mary had joined the crew of Amoreena and cocktails were had on Amoreena at 5:00 p.m.

Jewel Island

Thursday, July 21^st, 2005

Mahalo, Santiago, I Object and Amoreena left Jewel Island at 9:00 a.m. in a bright, sunny, calm day. We motored to Richard Island and then were able to sail to the mouth of the Saco River. Dan on Mahalo led the way up the river as he used to keep his boat there and was familiar with the area. The current was against us, but the trip was worth it. The scenery was breathtaking. The Saco Yacht Club had moorings ready for all of us and welcomed us with open arms. Cocktails on shore were hosted by I Object. The members of the Saco Yacht Club were exceedingly pleasant and accommodating.

Mahalo makes her way up the Saco

Friday, July 22^nd, 2005

Amoreena, Applejack, Mahalo, Santiago and I Object bid one another a fond farewell as we motored down the Saco River. Mahalo and Amoreena headed for Portsmouth, Santiago for Wentworth by the Sea, Applejack and I Object were off to Gloucester Harbor, the sky lit up with lightning flashes dancing all along the shore. We were just able to grab moorings inside the harbor when the storm struck. Fortunately, it did not last long and a 72-mile day came to a pleasant ending.

The next day Applejack and I Object sailed to Scituate.

Sunday, July 24^th, 2005

Applejack, I Object and Rejoice headed for the canal and Buzzards Bay. The wind was perfect as we ran with just our genoas, but by late morning the wind lightened and cruising spinnakers were employed for the sail to the canal. We motored through the canal with the current, and when we got to the west end there was absolutely no wind. Rejoice went to Pocasset, Applejack to Padanaram, and I Object to Falmouth.