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