Sept. 30, 2026 After the Nor'easter, Made it out of Maine

So, have you ever wondered about the difference between a nor'easter and a hurricane?  Well, they're both counterclockwise storms. The name nor'easter refers to the direction of the winds along the coast. They're generally non-tropical coastal storms powered by contrasts between warm and cold air and often develop near the East Coast and move northeastward. Hurricanes are tropical storms powered primarily by warm ocean water. Nor'easters occur most frequently and strongest from September through April, whereas the Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30.  Nor'easters can cause heavy snow or rain, strong winds, coastal flooding, rough seas and beach erosion but rarely carry the minimum 74mph winds required to be a hurricane.

Wednesday Sept. 30, 2026    Portland to Gloucester   85 miles and 8.5 hours

Two long travel days ahead but after being in Portland for a week waiting out this nor'easter to pass it was time to get going again.   Light winds.  Seas continue to settle, but still running 3' or better.  Nice thing was they have a long 8-9 second period...so really just large swells.  Lifts the boat up, lowers it back down.  Not uncomfortable but when you stop you always have a case of the wobbles - feeling the motion even though you're in calm waters. Out Portland harbor, pass yet another cruise ship in port.  The weather certainly didn't stop any of them from visiting, but can't imagine it was much fun for the passengers traveling from port to port. Then along the Portland shoreline passing the three lighthouses we visited by land, and eventually turning to starboard and making a direct long straight passage towards Cape Ann.

Surprising how close the Portland lighthouses are to each other.  Here's the
Bug Light closest to Portland.  In the distance on the left is
 Spring Point Ledge Light

From Spring Point Ledge Light you can see the Portland Head light
in the distance to the right

And the Portland Head Light on a calmer day as we head out into the open Atlantic

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It looks deceptively calm but there are actually 3' swells.  Aegis was stuck in
the marina with us, but wound up next to us in Gloucester and Hadley Harbor. 

Somewhere off our starboard but unseen as they were too far away, we passed Kennebunkport left Maine and passed Portsmouth and New Hampshire and entered Massachusetts.  Around the Cape and into Gloucester where we picked up a mooring ball for the night. Stayed in the same mooring field as when we were going north. Rather than fighting the extra time to retrieve and clean the anchor and chain in the morning, it's easier and quicker to simply drop the mooring line and go.  Same issues with this being a commercial seaport - lobster boats leaving at 4 AM don't mind making a wake and rolling you out of bed. 

Dog Bar Lighthouse at the end of the breakwater entering Gloucester Harbor

Evening cruises on a windjammer in the harbor

Overcast all day but got a little color at sunset.  Aegis on a mooring behind us. 

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Journey for Sept. 30, 2026

Thursday Oct. 1, 2026  Gloucester to Hadley Harbor  85 miles and 8.9 hours

Another long day, but making good progress.   More open water to start.  Running 10+ miles offshore as we pass Boston.  Swells have died away but replaced with 2' shorter period choppy waves.  Along with glare off the water, it's more difficult to spot the scattering of lobster pots that we still come across. Amazing to me they drop these traps in up to 200' of water.  That's a lot of line to retrieve.  We're crossing areas of 250-300' depths which allows Otto to take over for a few hours.  Winds continue to pick up as we pass Plymouth and enter Cape Cod Bay.  

Picture of our mooring ball.  You grab the attached line and secure it to
your bow cleat. The ball is permanently anchored to the seafloor.

We first met the 75'  Lone Wolf  back in Southwest Harbor. 
Then in Portland during the nor'easter but a different marina

Morning cruise offshore.  Not much to look at but water.

We timed the transit of the Cape Cod canal about perfect.  Fight a slight outgoing current as we enter the canal, but it reverses to an outgoing current at the half-way point and we get a push out into Buzzards Bay. Still have several more hours to get to our planned destination of Hadley Harbor.   A great small harbor not too far from Woods Hole. The owners of a nearby island have placed numerous free mooring balls for cruisers to use. To get there we are heading almost straight into the increasing wind and spray is starting to fly with each wave we hit.  Boat is pretty salty by the time we arrive.

 

Jetty at the entrance to the Cape Cod Canal. 
That smokestack was a landmark for us from 15 miles out!!

Giving the right of way to commercial traffic on the canal

The Patriot State ship looks identical to the State of Maine we saw in Castine. 
Makes sense as we are passing the Massachusetts Maritime Academy.

Wings Neck Lighthouse as we begin heading out into Buzzards Bay

Upon entering the inner harbor we see it filled with sailboats at every mooring.  Strings of pennant flags flapping from most.  Part of a rendezvous from a yacht club out of Martha's Vineyard.   No room for us, so we head back to the outer harbor where we drop anchor which grabs strong. Bull Island offers us good protection from the SW winds which will continue to build overnight and through Friday.  After two long cruising days, we'll stay put until Saturday when winds and waves will again settle. 

Entrance into inner Hadley Harbor is not for the faint of heart. 

Inching our way in slowly paying close attention to charts and depth finder  

The reward is a cove with free mooring balls.  If only one was available.

Journey for Oct.1, 2026

Friday morning we notice several sailboats heading out from the inner harbor.  Surprising as I figured the yacht club rendezvous was staying there all weekend.  Since winds will be switching 180 degrees to the north overnight, we decided to up anchor and hope that a few of the moorings were available.  Chain comes up clean, but anchor had dug deep into a sticky muddy clay bottom requiring a bit of washing.  Worked out perfectly as we had a choice of several open moorings.   This will make our early morning departure super easy.  Nice sunny day.  Warm in the upper 60's.  Thought about dropping the kayak to paddle around a bit.  Haven't used them this trip.  Wondering now why we brought them!  

Sept. 22-29, 2026 Waiting out the Nor'easter in Portland

 Tuesday - Tuesday,  Sept. 22 - 29, 2026   Docked in Portland 

Knowing we were here for an extended stay, Martha made reservations for a rental car starting on Wednesday. Of course, a reservation means nothing.  Got a call from Enterprise before we left for pick-up. "We don't have any cars available". Thursday still nothing available.  Finally had something at a different location for us on Friday.  Wasn't a complete waste as I needed to do an oil change on the engines so utilized Thursday to get samples for analysis, drain 8 gallons of old oil, remove and replace 4 filters and refill.  Sounds so easy but still takes me half a day hunched over in the engine room.  Martha did some sewing repairing the flybridge instrument canvas cover and also baked a perfect batch of granola. 

Glad to finally have a car Friday.  Wound up with a slight upgrade to a small SUV - Hyundai Kona.  Road trip south to Ogunquit.   They have one of the few long sandy beaches in Maine, so it's a tourist town. South of the beach is a preserved rugged shoreline with a trail called "the Marginal Way".  Very scenic and an easy walk as it's paved. Good vantage point to see the building surf. Hardest part is finding somewhere to park to access the trail.  "No parking - strictly enforced" signs posted everywhere in the neighborhoods leading to the trail.  Serious about that enforcement.  Sheriff stationed and writing tickets at will. We got lucky and found a neighborhood parking spot just outside the "no parking" zone.

The long sandy beach at Ogunquit in the background

Nice little overlook to catch the building seas

The town built this lighthouse in 1947 to help keep boats off the ledge

Surf's Up!

Back in the car and headed north to Kennebunkport.   Another busy tourist town.  Ready for late lunch, early dinner.  Again, parking almost impossible.  Finally just gave in and let the valet worry about it at The Boathouse Restaurant. Split some clam chowder then a fish sandwich for Martha and shrimp tacos for John.  Nice view over the very small harbor.   We had passed Wallingford Farm stand on the way down, so stopped there on way back. Nice 1800's home and Feed Store building.   Got there just as they were closing, but Martha was still able to grab a small pumpkin out of the patch for the boat.  Then back to the boat for the night. 

Part of the pumpkin patch at Wallingford Farm

Saturday decided on a trip north.  Destination was Wiscasset. Had to pass through Yarmouth, Freeport, Brunswick, and Bath to get there. Beautiful ride up with fall colors evident in the maple trees along the roadside. We had been wanting a really good lobster roll before we left Maine and the one at Red's Eats gets mentioned consistently in Top 10 lists. It's also the self-proclaimed "Prettiest village in Maine". Once a major 18th century shipping and customs port, Wiscasset retains numerous old Federal and Victorian homes that attest to the town's earlier wealth.  Great self-guided tour and audio app. 

Downtown Wiscasset

Lots of beautifully maintained 18th and 19th century homes

Crazy steep roofline on this old house next to "The Ancient Cemetery"

The thing about Red's Eats...it's a shack down on a corner where a bridge carries Route 1 across the Sheepscot River.  There is always a line.  We were lucky with only an hour's wait.  During the height of the summer season, it can be much longer.  The lobster roll is huge. We really should have gotten one and split it.  Each roll contains tail, claws and knuckles for a whole lobster.  It easily had double the meat of any other roll we've had up here.  Toasted bun.  Meat is naked but your choice of butter or mayo on the side (butter for us).  Made our way back to Portland stopping for a nightcap at Belleflower Brewery.  Portland is a craft brewery meca.  Too many to choose from so only hitting a few.  Belleflower is known for their IPA's and their "Light Bearer" Triple NE IPA did not disappoint.  Super hazy, juicy, almost creamy.  10% ABV but so smooth you'd never know it. 

Waiting in line to place our order

Red's Eats lobster rolls. Yes, there's a bun somewhere under there.

Sunday started the brunt of the nor'easter here.  Winds 25-35 all day.  Rain off and on.  Hard to get going but finally managed to find our way to Q Street Diner for a late breakfast. Another wait in line as apparently the locals all had the same idea. Then visited the three local lighthouses to check out surf conditions.  Went to the Portland Head Lighthouse first.  It's a bit further out of town and more exposed than the two other lighthouses at the harbor entrance.  Surprising number of people out checking the conditions. Wind was howling so opted for a quick look from a distance.  

Waves crashing at Portland Head Light. 
 That's Ram Island Ledge lighthouse just visible in the distance

Then on to Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse.  We've taken pictures of it before while entering Portland.  Called a "sparkplug" light due to its unique shape.  Originally sat out in open water until a 900 foot breakwater was constructed using 50,000 tons of granite in 1951.  You can walk out to it if so inclined.  A bit too unlevel for us on this foul day.

Long walk to the lighthouse on rough stones

Superyacht riding out the storm anchored behind Little Diamond Island

Last stop was at the Portland Breakwater Light. Nicknamed "The Bug Lighthouse " cause it's "cute as a bug".  Inspired by the fourth-century Choragic Monument built near the Acropolis in Athens. The unique style sets it apart from any other lighthouse in the world.  The structure is cast steel including the Corinthian columns and capitals.  Originally built in 1875 at the end of a 2000-foot breakwater.  The land encompassing the breakwater was filled in and used as a shipyard for building Liberty ships during WWII.  Monument honors those ships on the land which is now a city park. 

The Bug Lighthouse

Ornate Corinthian detailing makes this a very unique lighthouse

Liberty ship monument.  At its peak they employed 30,000 and could
built 13 ships simultaneously. Eventually made 236 Liberty ships
 and 30 British "Ocean" cargo ships.

Rest of the day back at the boat.  Heaters on.  Pot roast in the Insta-Pot. Caught the Jaguars game (another win!!) and then watched a recording of the F1 race from Azerbaijan.  Very glad we have that 100' Nordhavn next to us.  While we're still getting tossed about a little, it is working well as a wind break and wave attenuator. 

Monday and we're still working through the weather today.  Rain forecast all day.  Winds dropping down a bit staying in the 25mph range.  Just a gloomy day.  Looks like we'll make out better than some other areas along the east coast.  Just need to wait it out and let the seas subside. Martha's back has been a little tight and we've been searching for the heating pad that we're pretty sure we brought back on board. Looked in all the usual cubbyholes with no luck.  Now at that stage of "where else could it be? what about ....".  Finally found it buried under "stuff" in the back corner of the lower bunk in the 3rd stateroom.  Had given that area a cursory look several times but this was a deep dive.  Just glad we found it and it's giving Martha some relief. Now rested and relaxed, time for some chores.  Big one today was doing laundry.  Marina has 2 washers and dryers but every time we checked at least one was busy.  Decided to just collect up everything and head for the local laundromat where it's easier to get multiple machines and get it all done at once. With this colder weather we're layered up and wearing heavier clothes, so it seems to pile up faster.  Filled two large duffle bags and off we went. While Martha was occupied with the laundry, John took the rental car to check out Micucci's Italian Market. Grabbed two slabs of their famous sicilian pizza to go, some of their home-made sauce and a bag of pasta.  Dinner plans completed.  Then off to Standard Bakery for a few pastries for in the morning and a nice rosemary and salt Focaccia bread. Also snuck in a stop back to Belleflower Brewery for a 4-pack of that IPA.

We needed to return the rental car Tuesday and had a couple more chores in the morning.  Over to Costco for some cheese and of course, other things managed to jump into the cart. As usual, $150 poorer and we left. Then another grocery run to Hannaford's for normal provisions.  Figure we'll be anchoring or mooring a bit more so need to keep our supplies up. Topped off the water tank.  Review all the weather apps and navigation tools in preparation for our planned Wednesday departure.  Feels weird being in the same place for a solid week. Ready to get moving.

The 100' Nordhavn that was protecting us against the storm
left early afternoon on the high tide. They are headed south as well,
we may cross paths again.

By 6pm Tuesday, winds and waves were completely gone. 

Night view across the harbor to Portland. 

 

Sept. 22, 2026 Portland for an Extended Stay

 Tues. Sept. 22, 2026  Boothbay Harbor Marina to South Port Marina 38 miles and 4.0 hours

Weather, weather, and more weather.  Been watching for days as a potential nor'easter was possibly forming.  A high-pressure system is holding to our northwest while a low-pressure system is forming to our southeast. As they fight it out there will be strong winds and waves along the entire east coast. Working its way from the Carolinas all the way up to Maine.  Strongest winds are still several days away from us. Looks like Thursday thru Monday will be the worst days here, but seas have already started building.  So, we figured today was the last good day for us to travel and getting to Portland makes the most sense for an extended secure stay in a place with some things for us to do. Appears we'll be here at least a week.  Current sea state forecast as follows: Wed.: Seas 4-6', Thurs.: Seas 7-8', Fri.: Seas 8', Sat.: Seas 7', Sun.: Seas 10-13', Mon.: Seas 8' dropping to 6', Tues.: Seas 6' to 5'.  Hoping to get going again next Wednesday if things will just level out at 3'.

Windy app shows forecasted wave heights to 18' by Sunday.

American Legend cruise ship came into Boothbay Harbor overnight. 
They were already unloading passengers with their launch as we passed by.

Today's trip was just a half day but conditions, while not terrible, were already not particularly fun.  Forecast called for 2' swells from the east with lesser waves from the north.  So, a bit confused.  Some pretty open waters as we crossed Casco Bay with an occasional swell getting closer to 3'.   Lobster traps scattered so still needed a mindful eye on them, which becomes more difficult as they oftentimes disappear under the waves and then pop up. Swells on our stern port quarter are not our most comfortable ride as the boat lifts and then surfs down waves usually turning into the wave requiring constant steering corrections.   Too slow for Otto to keep up, so an all-day manual steering exercise. 

1821 Burnt Island Light Station - second oldest lighthouse in Maine

1892 Inn at Cuckolds Lighthouse - now privately owned.
You can rent one of the two suites in the rebuilt lightkeepers house

1857 Seguin Island Light Station sits 180 feet above
 sea level, making it the highest in the state.

1871 Halfway Rock Light Station. Located halfway across Casco Bay.
  It was a "Stag Lighthouse" - deemed too dangerous for women or families

1897 Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse at the entrance to South Portland
The only "sparkplug" lighthouse accessible to visitors by land

Weird cloud pattern mimicking the reflections on the water

Doesn't look too rough out until you see waves crashing on a rock

 Made it to South Port Marina a little after noon.  Best diesel price around at $5.99/gal so loaded up with 320 gallons.  Should get us back to the Chesapeake even if we need to occasionally run a little faster speed. Got fuel here last year for just $3.09/gallon!  Dockmaster showed us our slip and suggested we go bow in to be positioned best for NE winds.  We always stern in, so this was different.  We're on the inside of a long T-head, so there's dockage down the entire length and getting on/off from the swim platform is a non-issue.  We will lose our view on Wednesday when a 100' Nordhavn docks on the outside of the T-head, but he'll provide us great protection from wind and waves off the harbor. 

The watchtower atop Cushing Island used through WWII
to aid in protecting Portland Harbor

It is full-size cruise ship season with 1-2 ships docked daily in Portland. 
Norwegian and Virgin here upon arrival Tues. Gone Wed. AM with Celebrity now in port

New neighbors. 2023 100' Nordhavn New Journey protecting us from NE winds.
Perhaps owned by retired drummer Steve Smith of the band Journey? 

Our Journey for Sept. 22, 2026