Corinthians Annual Cruise - 2025
Maine
Cruise Planning Notes
Updated: 29 November 2024
29 Nov 2024 From John Geissinger
Joe,
I saw yacht club at Blue Hill may not be available. This is another option. Farm to table dinner on North Haven
John
https://www.turner-farm.com/
29 November
Bill & Joe met over Thanksgiving dinner to discuss Cruise.
Bill was informed that the YC at Blue Hill is not available for use for the Cruise Finale dinner.
Plans now being revised to consider start of the Cruise at Boothbay Harbor then moving E.
More to come shortly.
…Joe
From: Bill.Burnham
Date: November 21, 2024 at 4:03:32 PM EST
To: "'John Butler'"
John,
Please let me handle to opening and closing dates….the wrap up dinner date is contingent on KYC-Blue HIll availability. Still waiting to hear back.
From: John Geissinger <jwgeissinger@gmail.com>
Sent: Saturday, November 9, 2024 10:53 AM To: Bill.Burnham@deltanow.com Subject: Re: Hi
Bill,
Here are some ideas going generally west to east from Belfast. I am listing spots where I feel comfortable we can get 30-35 boats anchored or moored, even if we might need to raft.
1. Bucks Harbor-very close to Charlie and Sally Stone house
2. Winter Harbor or Seal Bay on eastern shore of Vinalhaven. Seal Bay is a great place to dinghy around and yes, see the seals. Also access to hiking trails
3. Stonington and Merchants Row-I love Stonington, but that may be due to fact I summered there when young. Merchants Row is a collection of small islands, we could anchor almost anywhere. I haven't been there since 2012 and I have heard reports the lobster boats are getting more aggressive in waking cruisers up at 4am.
4. Isle au Haut-I have not sailed here yet, but have taken the mailboat here as a kid. Great hiking, part of Acadia National Park. Two spots to anchor with easy dinghy ride to town and park-Flake Island or Kimball Island
5. Buckle Harbor is always mentioned but I am concerned we would not be able to get our fleet in there.
6. Mackrel Cove can accomodate the fleet-I would suggest the western side. Plenty of room for a dinghy race.
7. Burnt Coat Harbor-I have not been in here, but we should be able to either grab moorings or anchor
8. Black Island-just north of Swans, is an anchorage between Black, Opechee and Sheep Island. We should be able to fit here, small boats go in farther, larger boats on the outside. Was here years ago, only boat there, great view of Mount Desert to the east.
9. Frenchboro/Long Island-one of my favorite landfalls coming from Canal. Great hiking trails. Some moorings where we could raft, room to anchor NE of main harbor in 15ft MLW.
10. Pretty Marsh Harborj-western side of Mount Desert. Bit larger harbor-went with NYYC years ago.
11. Little Cranberry Island (Hadlock Cove)-some town moorings, room to anchor. Isleford Dock is a fun restaurant
12. Winter Harbot-past Mount Desert. Nice small yacht club. You may recall we went there in 2012 after you and I had a wonderful race.
13. Flanders Bay. I have not been here yet but it does look attractive on chart. NE of Mt Desert.
From: Bill.Burnham
Date: October 27, 2024 at 10:03:03 AM EDT
To: "'John Butler'"
John,
I thought we had dismissed Islesford as a venue…too small a harbor for 30 boats. Also, my cousin who is the former Commodore at Seal Harbor YC across the way confirms this.
My recommendation is to hold the Closing dinner at Blue Hill. I have already talked to Sally Stone to work on this. BTW, former LIS Fleet Captain Britt Welpley is a Member .
William (Bill) Burnham
From: Alice Neily Mutch <amutch11@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, Sep 4, 2024 at 3:54 PM
Subject: Re: 2025 Corinthians Annual Cruise
To: Bill Burnham <bill.burnham@deltanow.com>
Cc: John And Diane Butler <johnb528@gmail.com>, Henry Atterbury <atterburyhc1@gmail.com>, Tom/Mary Stoner <mtstonermate@gmail.com>, Rick Nietsch <ricknietsch@gmail.com>, Nancy Hames <nhhames@gmail.com>, John Geissinger <jwgeissinger@gmail.com>, Andy Mutch II <amutch2@gmail.com>, Henry And Denise Atterbury <VitaleDenise@aol.com>
Andy and i have secured all spaces available at Belfast
(20 slips and 21 moorings for either July 31 OR Aug 1
We have still in positive play a site for supper and a caterer
We had a very fun and productive day in Belfast
Alice Neily Mutch
Date: Wed, Sep 4, 2024 at 3:54 PM
Subject: Re: 2025 Corinthians Annual Cruise
To: Bill Burnham <bill.burnham@deltanow.com>
Cc: John And Diane Butler <johnb528@gmail.com>, Henry Atterbury <atterburyhc1@gmail.com>, Tom/Mary Stoner <mtstonermate@gmail.com>, Rick Nietsch <ricknietsch@gmail.com>, Nancy Hames <nhhames@gmail.com>, John Geissinger <jwgeissinger@gmail.com>, Andy Mutch II <amutch2@gmail.com>, Henry And Denise Atterbury <VitaleDenise@aol.com>
Andy and i have secured all spaces available at Belfast
(20 slips and 21 moorings for either July 31 OR Aug 1
We have still in positive play a site for supper and a caterer
We had a very fun and productive day in Belfast
Alice Neily Mutch
From: John Butler <johnb528@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, Aug 21, 2024 at 2:37 PM
Subject: 2025 Annual Cruise Planning
To: William Burnham <bill.burnham@deltanow.com>, Alice Mutch <amutch11@gmail.com>, Tom Stoner <mtstonermate@gmail.com>, Henry Atterbury <atterburyhc@aol.com>, Nancy Hames <nhhames@gmail.com>
Cc: Rick Nietsch <ricknietsch@gmail.com>
Greetings Planning Team,
I realize that some of you have indicated that you are unlikely to participate in the cruise. However, I would appreciate your assistance in itinerary planning for it. Bill Burnham has volunteered to be the cruise chair.
We're going to Maine and I'd like to focus on the Mount Desert Island general area. We were last there for the park centennial in 2016 for which Bill Burnham was the cruise chair. I've attached the cruise guide for that cruise.
I'd like to schedule an itinerary brainstorming session on Zoom to kick things off. I will send out a separate link for a doodle poll for that.
Here are some of my initial thoughts on itinerary:
Based on the past 3 Maine cruises (2016, 1019, 2022) I think the likely number of boats is about 30. However, in the interest of not excluding boats based on a cap of 30, I'd like to consider the possibility of 35 boats participating. It can be challenging finding places to accommodate that many boats. Tom Stoner suggested we consider splitting the fleet, if necessary. Have a kickoff and closing location that can include everyone, but maybe not all locations in between.
As I have mentioned to some, I would really like to include the Sweet Chariot Music Festival on Swan's Island. It is a three day festival with Shanties on Shipboard in Burnt Coat Harbor on Tuesday and Wednesday. I think the festival is likely to be August 5-7 in 2025. Here is info on this years festival:
https://www.sweetchariotmusicfestival.com/schedule.html
This would probably work best if we had half the fleet go on Tuesday and half on Wednesday as Burnt Coat Harbor and the festival venue may not be able to accomodate all of us at once.
I thought about starting in Camden. We tried to do that in 2022, but there was a conflict that prevented it. I know we were in Castine 3 years ago, but that seems a possible kickoff location with a sail down Eggemoggin Reach on the following day.
Rather than sail up Somes Sound as we did in 2016, I think Northeast Harbor would be a good choice for a lay day. It is possible to enjoy Acadia places of interest from there. Maybe have a mid cruise dinner at the Asticou Inn. Maybe split the fleet so that we are all in NE Harbor on only one day. In 2016, we were not able to accomodate the entire fleet in NE Harbor and some had to take a launch from Southwest Harbor.
One possibility for the closing dinner is Islesford Dock Restaurant. They have a "Celebrate" link on their website that indicates the restaurant seats 200 with a minimum of 30 required for an event. We might have about 80. Can Hadlock Cove on Little Cranberry Island accomodate all us, some at anchor and some on moorings?
Here is a draft itinerary that takes into account the above:
Conflicts to consider:
Classic Yachts racing in the area
Jul 24-26 Camden Classics Cup
Thu, Jul 31 Castine Classic Yacht Race; Castine to Camden
Fri, Aug 01 Camden Classic Yacht Race to Brooklin; Camden to Brooklin
Sat, Aug 02 Eggemoggin Reach Regatta; Start/End at wooden boat school
My draft itinerary has us sailing down Eggemoggin reach during the Eggemoggin Reach Regatta. I think that is okay. We know how to be respectful of racing yachts. It means no race for us that day.
We need to get started on this to lock down locations. I appreciate everyone's help in working out an enjoyable itinerary.
Thanks,
John
Date: Wed, Aug 21, 2024 at 2:37 PM
Subject: 2025 Annual Cruise Planning
To: William Burnham <bill.burnham@deltanow.com>, Alice Mutch <amutch11@gmail.com>, Tom Stoner <mtstonermate@gmail.com>, Henry Atterbury <atterburyhc@aol.com>, Nancy Hames <nhhames@gmail.com>
Cc: Rick Nietsch <ricknietsch@gmail.com>
Greetings Planning Team,
I realize that some of you have indicated that you are unlikely to participate in the cruise. However, I would appreciate your assistance in itinerary planning for it. Bill Burnham has volunteered to be the cruise chair.
We're going to Maine and I'd like to focus on the Mount Desert Island general area. We were last there for the park centennial in 2016 for which Bill Burnham was the cruise chair. I've attached the cruise guide for that cruise.
I'd like to schedule an itinerary brainstorming session on Zoom to kick things off. I will send out a separate link for a doodle poll for that.
Here are some of my initial thoughts on itinerary:
Based on the past 3 Maine cruises (2016, 1019, 2022) I think the likely number of boats is about 30. However, in the interest of not excluding boats based on a cap of 30, I'd like to consider the possibility of 35 boats participating. It can be challenging finding places to accommodate that many boats. Tom Stoner suggested we consider splitting the fleet, if necessary. Have a kickoff and closing location that can include everyone, but maybe not all locations in between.
As I have mentioned to some, I would really like to include the Sweet Chariot Music Festival on Swan's Island. It is a three day festival with Shanties on Shipboard in Burnt Coat Harbor on Tuesday and Wednesday. I think the festival is likely to be August 5-7 in 2025. Here is info on this years festival:
https://www.sweetchariotmusicfestival.com/schedule.html
This would probably work best if we had half the fleet go on Tuesday and half on Wednesday as Burnt Coat Harbor and the festival venue may not be able to accomodate all of us at once.
I thought about starting in Camden. We tried to do that in 2022, but there was a conflict that prevented it. I know we were in Castine 3 years ago, but that seems a possible kickoff location with a sail down Eggemoggin Reach on the following day.
Rather than sail up Somes Sound as we did in 2016, I think Northeast Harbor would be a good choice for a lay day. It is possible to enjoy Acadia places of interest from there. Maybe have a mid cruise dinner at the Asticou Inn. Maybe split the fleet so that we are all in NE Harbor on only one day. In 2016, we were not able to accomodate the entire fleet in NE Harbor and some had to take a launch from Southwest Harbor.
One possibility for the closing dinner is Islesford Dock Restaurant. They have a "Celebrate" link on their website that indicates the restaurant seats 200 with a minimum of 30 required for an event. We might have about 80. Can Hadlock Cove on Little Cranberry Island accomodate all us, some at anchor and some on moorings?
Here is a draft itinerary that takes into account the above:
| Group 1 | Destination | NM | Notes |
Fri, Aug 01 | Castine | Is there a place in Castine for the opening dinner? | |
Sat, Aug 02 | Buckle | 24 | Dinghy Race |
Sun, Aug 03 | NE Harbor | 13 | |
Mon, Aug 04 | Lay Day | 0 | Group dinner at Asticou Inn |
Tue, Aug 05 | Burnt Coat Harbor, Swan's Island | 14 | |
Wed, Aug 06 | Blue Hill | 21 | |
Thu, Aug 07 | Wooden Boat School | 14 | Salty Pot |
Fri, Aug 08 | Hadlock Cove, Little Cranberry Island | 17 | Closing dinner at Islesford Dock Restaurant And Gallery |
Total | 103 | ||
| Group 2 | |||
Fri, Aug 01 | Castine | Is there a place in Castine for the opening dinner? | |
Sat, Aug 02 | Buckle | 24 | Dinghy Race |
Sun, Aug 03 | Blue Hill | 15 | |
Mon, Aug 04 | NE Harbor | 23 | Group dinner at Asticou Inn |
Tue, Aug 05 | Lay Day | 0 | |
Wed, Aug 06 | Burnt Coat Harbor, Swan's Island | 14 | |
Thu, Aug 07 | Wooden Boat School | 10 | Salty Pot |
Fri, Aug 08 | Hadlock Cove, Little Cranberry Island | 17 | Closing dinner at Islesford Dock Restaurant And Gallery |
Conflicts to consider:
Classic Yachts racing in the area
Jul 24-26 Camden Classics Cup
Thu, Jul 31 Castine Classic Yacht Race; Castine to Camden
Fri, Aug 01 Camden Classic Yacht Race to Brooklin; Camden to Brooklin
Sat, Aug 02 Eggemoggin Reach Regatta; Start/End at wooden boat school
My draft itinerary has us sailing down Eggemoggin reach during the Eggemoggin Reach Regatta. I think that is okay. We know how to be respectful of racing yachts. It means no race for us that day.
We need to get started on this to lock down locations. I appreciate everyone's help in working out an enjoyable itinerary.
Thanks,
John