Corinthians Annual Cruise 2025: Maine

Day 3; Saturday; 3 August 2025


Billings Cove, ESE Deer Island, Maine

Day 3; Saturday; 2 August 2025 Billings Cove, ESE Deer Island, Maine

 
 
Port of Call Latitude & Longitude:  44º 11.96 N; 68º 35. W
Order of the Day
·      See Table:  Order of the Day.
 
Introduction
·      Today is the third day of the Cruise
·      The main events of the day are a leisurely sail down east to the E end of Eggemoggin Reach past the RW EE buoy and then a short segment to the S to enter the E end of Deer Island Thoroughfare.  A final leg of ~ 2.5 nm will bring us to Billings Cove.
·      One thing you will quickly learn from cruising Maine is that many locations share the same name for the harbors! I have lost count how many Seal Cove or Seal Harbors there are.
·      Please do not go to the Billings Cove off Eggemoggin Reach about 7 miles away as the crow flies.
·      We will be anchoring in Billings Cove which is to the north as you approach Southeast Harbor. The entrance is straightforward coming from Stonington or Merchants Row. Any dangers are well marked. Billings Cove is the first you will come to. It is larger (The New York Yacht Club Cruise frequents this cove)
·      The holding to be good and depending upon the wind forecast one can pick the side of the cove to give adequate protection.
·      Please note there is a 4' spot marked on the chart to the NE.
·      On a future visit, if you want even more solitude, head past Billings Cove to Pickering Cove. It is smaller, and more reminiscent of the smaller harbors Maine cruisers love. The entrance is straightforward, notice the rocks outside the southwestern corner of the entrance-these will be visible at high tide. Run up the middle and find a spot anywhere up to the island in the middle. Lobster pots or moorings may limit the anchorage.

Introduction

• As an added attraction the annual Eggemoggin Reach Regatta & Race will be ongoing today
• This is a very big deal for locals and participants
• This is the largest wooden boat regatta in the world since 1985!
• Wooden sailboats from 24’ + will parade down Eggemoggin Reach and the race will be held at the eastern end.  See Chart
• The Race will occupy the Eastern third of Eggemoggin Reach from 0800 to ~ 1700
• USCG requires observers to be anchored in designated areas.
• Mariners (we Corinthians!) must exercise great caution not to interfere with the Race operations.
• It is a Corinthians tradition that we leave only good feelings behind as we cruise an area.
• So be prepared to take evasive action
• Anticipate racers actions
• Ship & crew safety first — but: this is not a time to exercise your rights by "rules of the road"
• Courtesy and common senses should prevail.
• Lots of Photo Ops

• Billings Cove is located NE of Stonington at the E end of Deer Isle Thoroughfare (DIT).
• It is a large harbor with good protection for > 270º with good holding.
• After departing Bucks Harbor, the Fleet will turn SE and head down the famed Eggemoggin Reach.
• It is a fairly straight course through the center of the suspension bridge channel toward the E end.
• As you approach the E end of the reach attention is needed to thread the islands and shoals.
• The Fleet will then turn to the S and sail around the E end of Deer Isle and enter the E end of the DIT.
• A continued circle to the N brings the Fleet into Billings Cove.
• See the Proposed Route Chart below.
  

• See Table:  Attractions & Activities.
• Stonington is 4 nm to the SW for those who would like to make a quick visit. It is possible to anchor on the N side of the channel E of the main part of town. Mooring are sometimes available for short time use.
  

• Classic Yachts Racing Association
• CCA Guide to Stonington

John & Dianne Butler transit Eggemoggin Reach in 2018 during the Regatta