Sept. 9, 2026 Rockland, Maine

Sept. 9-11, 2026 Boothbay Harbor, Maine to Rockland, Maine 45 miles and 5.1 hours

Good time in Boothbay Harbor. Nice town, good eats, good drinks, friendly dockhands. But we still need to keep moving north. Been planning this trip for Wednesday. Pretty decent weather today before the seas turn ugly on Thursday. Strong winds should build up to 5' seas before settling over the weekend...so off we go. Overcast and cool, but no rain in forecast. Woke up to 55 degrees and highs only mid 60's. Feel like temps stayed in mid 50's all day. Breeze off the 61 degree waters keeping it damp. Would have liked running from the pilothouse but these lobster traps have us too nervous. Better visibility from up top which we'll need.

Saying farewell to Boothbay Harbor

Dreary and cool morning to start our voyage

After exiting Boothbay we round Linekin Neck and are in open waters. Waves are running 2' but with a short period and primarily on the starboard bow. Not the smooth up and down swells, but a more push-push-push sensation. Fairly long haul across the Gulf of Maine. Deep water - we see up to 230' deep. Still doesn't keep the lobstermen from setting traps. Pass the 38' tall Pemaquid Lighthouse built in 1835. Sitting on a rugged granite wave-swept ledge, it is supposedly Maine's most photographed lighthouse. Continue on and make a pass aside Eastern Egg Island. Breeding grounds for a re-established colony of Puffins. Amazing birds. Live about 30 years. Don't breed until 5 years old. Spend 7 months completely at sea then return to the same borough, on the same island, with the same mate, to lay one egg each year. After their 3 month stay on the island, which is generally May, June, July, it's back into the sea for another 7 months. We're once again too late this season to see any. Start working our way northeast through a maze of islands and then along the coastline as we head up West Penobscot Bay. Tide is against us and several times as we pass between islands, the current surges and lobster trap markers become very difficult to see as they bob above and then below the surface. Finally make it to Owls Head Lighthouse. Sharp turn to port and we're pointed at the open waters of Rockland Harbor.

Out working the traps

Yup - Passed by a lot of lighthouses today

Follow the channel all the way in and dock at Rockland Public Landing by 1:30. Nothing fancy but gives good protection from the expected swells and winds this harbor can get. Felt like a longer day than the 5 hours it took to get here. Just a lot of physical and mental fatigue.

Noticed this crazy looking cloud pattern once we got docked

Looked like a weird watercolor painting in shades of gray

Get settled in and then a quick walkabout. Enjoyed this town during our visit last year. Still has plenty of charm and things to do. Farnsworth Art Museum (multi-generational Wyeth family art collection), Center for Maine Contemporary Art, Maine Lighthouse Museum, Capt. Jim Sharp's Sail, Power and Steam Museum, The Strand Theatre (movies, plays and symphony), Project Puffin Visitor Center, Hamilton Marine store, two breweries (Stone Alley and Rock Harbor), tons of restaurants, Atlantic Baking Company (amazing breads and pastries) and a Thursday morning farmers market which is primarily vendors with edibles - fruits, vegetables, cider, meats, seafood, baked goods, honey, maple syrup, etc. Original plan was to stay 2 nights, but opted for a third night just because we like the town.