There’s a stillness in the world of Pulpit Harbor this fine Sunday morning broken only by bird song, the crinkle of an eagle’s feathers as he hunts along the shoreline and the low rumble of April Brown’s lobster boat as she gets ready for a morning of setting traps.
Adventures while sailing the coast of Maine and wherever the winds lead us.
Friday, June 16, 2023
Tuesday, May 9, 2023
Spring Commissioning for Oriane
Highlighted tasks are completed
First Tasks |
Cover off |
Batteries hooked up and charged |
Interior cleaned and straightened up |
get rid of mold & absorbant stuff |
Dodger and bimini installed |
Solar panel hooked up |
Engine commissioned |
tape waterline |
Bottom paint |
New zincs installed |
Interior teak oiled |
cushions off and delivered to cleaner |
get cockpit cushions |
Clean under galley sink |
Clean bilge – inspect hoses and pump |
Hull waxed |
Hot water heat exchanger valves |
clear tank vents |
Water system flushed and filled |
Before Launch |
Distance log reset to zero |
Check safety gear - update as necessary |
Documentation on board |
Post launch |
Personal gear onboard - PFD, Foulies, etc |
get sails & bent-on |
Zinc in Heat Exchanger 9/16” nut |
Deck cleaned |
As possible |
Re-bed deck fittings |
Service winches |
Clean cockpit lockers and rearrange gear |
horn for hailer |
Replace nav lights with LED’s |
Replace Deck lights with LED’s |
Redo teak deck |
Wednesday, March 29, 2023
Inner Winter Harbor on Vinalhaven is a spectacular place but a bit more challenging to get into without local knowledge. Follow your chart, watch your depth sounder and you’ll find a good place to anchor. I particularly like the 9 foot spot on the chart near the bridge over the Mill River. Great holding and very secure from storms. Best advice is to follow the lobster pots in the narrow section just before the anchorage.
This is how I have taken my boats all the way in to the old quarry derrick: after passing the large cliff face at a narrowing part of Winter Harbor, stay close to land on your starboard side to avoid the 2 foot spot on your chart. You might see the kelp marking the spot. Then make a large arching turn keeping the 2’ spot to port. Ahead you will see a passage between rocks. Follow the lobster pots, your depth sounder and your charts. You will now be at the really cool well protected 9’ spot that has good holding. The road bridge to the north is a good place to head with your dinghy as it is provides shore access at high tide to get some shoreside exercise. High tide, otherwise muddy. You can also take your dinghy under the bridge as tide allows to gain access to Seal Cove. I would favor a rising tide to start such an exploration as you wouldn't want to have Mill River to go dry while you're on the far side.
If you wish to proceed to the head of navigation, try it on a rising tide and watch the mud flats. There is a triangular rock on your starboard side as you follow close aboard the western shore. Use that rock and the bench on the quarry across the water on your port bow as a range that will get you through the mussel beds with water under your keel. Anchor bow and stern or send lines ashore to old iron pins.