Cruising - Corner

A Long Weekend at Long Cove

We were lucky to have an early season long weekend sail to visit a favorite place. Long Cove offers quite a bit to the explorer in you. It is located on the western side of the island and is well protected. You can find documentation of trails for this area, and I've shown on the attached map what we did.

Long Cove Route
Our route through Long Cove.

The basin is a treat. The tide wash in and out of this area is very strong. We entered with the dinghy in the tail end of an incoming tide, enjoyed the area, and then left on the outgoing wash. Our dinghy would not be strong enough to take us in on an outgoing tide. Lots of beauty to behold and places to explore.

Perfect Lunch
A perfect lunch stop during our exploration.

If you reference a map from the anchorage, you can find your way to the dirt road leading to the inner part of the island. This road links to the main routes on Vinalhaven. About a half mile in on the left, leave the trail and you'll find an abandoned quarry and remnants of the operations here.

Quarry Equipment
Old quarry equipment left behind.

Another trail can be found on the way to the basin on the left. You'll see remnants of the pier used to move off granite. Dinghy landings can be done here, but bring extra line to anticipate the tide change. The loop trail is an experience, with a huge fissure in the rock structures and very thick moss along the trail.

Trail with Moss
Thick moss along the loop trail.
Looking South
Looking south from the trail.

The directions say to cut the boat in half.

Yes, you read that right! I’m about 50 hours into this year’s winter project—building a new dinghy to replace our aging inflatable, which had some issues last year.

 

This dinghy is a kit designed by Russell Brown at PT Watercraft in Port Townsend, Washington, and distributed by Chesapeake Light Craft. You can check it out here: PT Watercraft.

 

The kit is incredibly well-designed, and the pieces are going together smoothly. I’m now approaching the much-anticipated “cutting in half” step. The forward part of the dinghy is designed to fit into the aft part for transport and storage. It’s both a rowing and sailing dinghy—versatile and perfect for our needs. We’re even planning a little celebration on February 1st for this big milestone.  Cutting a new boat in half isn't quite in the normal vernacular for boat building

 

I thought it might be fun to share this project in the newsletter. If you have a winter project you’d like to share, please send it along! These projects are great for keeping the mind active during Maine’s cold winter days. As I sand and shape, my thoughts are already drifting to rowing across the next anchorage this summer.


Looking to hear about your projects!
PT11 - Assembly