Fall weather in Maine

[philb Junkie19]

The endless summer here in Maine finally came to a screeching halt. Had a sail a week ago Friday and guys were still catching mackerel at the dock. Things changed after that. Sunday found the harbor busy with lobstermen pulling their skiffs and securing boats for the forecast freak storm.  Pulled my boat out Sunday and brought it home. Monday, six boats in nearby Belfast harbor either dragged their moorings or broke free to be damaged or wrecked on the rocks.  A cruising power boat was in many many pieces at the town landing. I guess it was not much compared what our Florida and Gulf Coast folks have seen but unusual here in Maine. My harbor is pretty secure secure especially in the unusual east wind and boats did fine, a few even put in here for protection. 

The weather said it was time to call it a season. Sailing has been great this fall.  We had a junk rig Junket (gathering) a weekend in mid September with warm weather and a touch of unseasonable fog. No woolies needed. I even got in a fine overnight sail the weekend of Oct. 21st.  Weather was so mild my new Little Buddy heater sits still unused. I'm not complaining about that. I'm thinking it come spring it will get ample use. It's still Maine.

[Jasmid53]

Is the Junk Rig Junket an annual event? Cause I would like to come up and see the other boats. I don't have a junk rig. Just interested in them. Have read Anne Hill's books, the book about Ming Ming: can't remember the guys name though, and I have probably seen every video on you tube. Your 19 looks really smart will its junk jig. My sails have a few years left in them, but after that, who knows.

[notbob]

A cruising power boat was in many many pieces at the town landing.

Not sure if you saw her when she was afloat or not, but her name was Nomad, and she was a beauty. 

[philb Junkie19]

This New England junket was the first in the US. They have been happening in places like Britain, Norway and New Zealand for years. The second annual get together is planned for Gouldsboro Bay, Maine next fall and specifics will be posted on the Junk Rig Association's web site.  You would be welcomed, junk rig or not. In fact only two of the four boats this first year were junk rigged mine and another 19 footer.  One of the non junks a Bolger designed 33 footer was originally rigged with his hybrid "Chinese gaff" rig. That was changed to sprit boomed sail.  In fact, there were more people who came without boats than with. One of them had just finished building a junk rigged Badger similar to Annie and Pete Hill's but it is on Lake Champlain. Another couple are rebuilding and converting their boat, a Pearson 30 I believe it is, for extended cruising.  A couple who are planning to buy a boat for family cruising are the same ones who took the youtube video of my boat last year. One just interested man actually drove from Oklahoma. Boat less folks camped or stayed at a B&B but we had sufficient room aboard during the day. 

Annie Hill is an officer with the Junk Rig Association and a regular poster. The web site has all kinds of great info including a slide show at the top of the page of many junk rigged boats  Arne Kverneland's chapters in the Junk Information / public files section are great from understanding the basics to designing a rig and making the sails.  Membership is about $9 us. /year

Notbob, Nomad's owner must be devastated. I might have seen her from my occasional sails into the harbor but I do pay more attention to the sailboats including the brigantine schooner that has made Belfast home. 

[Jasmid53]

Thanks for that comprehensive reply. I am going to join the JRA. Your mention of the Bolger boat brought back some memories of the Bolger boat I built. It was the crab skiff for Payson's Instant Boats. I was proud of the finished boat and had some good times on her. I sailed in the waters of Ipswich MA and Essex MA. One of the most beautiful places in the world. Not just saying that 'cause that's where I grew up.

Problem with the skiff was the sailing rig. There was no way to reef it. Or at least that's what I thought at the time. Wish I still had her. I'm the type of guy that likes to change things around trying to improve something. Well I was in the middle of some improvement to the boat when I bought my first house. Twelve years latter the boat was not worth fixing up. If I had her today I would be experimenting with a small junk rig for her.

I'll see you then at the next junket. I'm in Rhode Island. If I still have my 16 I'll try to bring her. My car is too small to tow the 19.

[notbob]

Notbob, Nomad's owner must be devastated. I might have seen her from my occasional sails into the harbor but I do pay more attention to the sailboats including the brigantine schooner that has made Belfast home.

Actress or Cramer?  Where are you based?  I'm often in Belfast, albeit on commercial power vessels mostly.

[philb Junkie19]

Don't know the schooner's name but it understand will be taking on passengers next summer. Stockton, where are you out of.
Phil

[notbob]

Hahaha no kidding.  I am ALSO in Stockton.  Happy Thanksgiving to ya!  We're doing a Portsmouth Yardstick Regatta on the 10th of December down in the harbor if you're interested.

[philb Junkie19]

Whoda thunk it! Had a good T'day with lots of family. What will people be sailing? I've never raced, not counting another boat a little ahead or behind.  Dec. 10th brrrrr.
Phil

[notbob]

Ohhh we'll have some O'Day Daysailors out, as well as potentially some 420s, an Opti, and a precision.  Basically as many boats as we can fill.  I unfortunately dont think that I can get the 23 in by then, but it's all in good fun.  We're a youth oriented non-profit, so it's not so much about racing as it is about fun education.  Portsmouth Yardstick allows us to race anything.

[philb Junkie19]

From what I've seen of the summer program it's a wonderful opportunity for youth of all ages to experience the joy of sailing and being on the water. I loved the look of delight when the older of the two live aboard boys and the grandson of a friend caught up with my boat in what I guess was a 410.  What time do things get going? Need help hauling boats to the harbor?

[notbob]

Right now we're sailing a fleet of old 420's as well as a small fleet of O'Day Daysailer 1 & 2's.  We also have a precision and some other boats here and there.  We'd love a hand!  I'll send you a pm.

- nb