Conference unifix::sailing

1174.0. "Casco Bay Launching" by CECV02::VAN_NESS () Wed Apr 12 1989 09:29

The following is a response I sent to Jeff but may be of interest to
noters in general.

There are two ramps that I've used. One is on the Portland side of the
channel and the other is on the South Portland side. The S. Portland
one is better because (1) it has ample parking (you can leave your 
trailer there), (2) it has a float right next to the ramp, and (3) it's 
steeper and cement with traction groves. The S. Portland side will
cost you $4.00 to launch. The Portland side (a 1/4 mile across the
channel) has parking but very limited. The ramp is tar with no traction
groves, is not as steep and not as long. NO charge here. 

The tides in Portland harbor rise almost 8 feet so you have to go with
it. Launching at low water would be impossible at Portland and difficult
but do-able at S.Portland. Mid and high tide are best...obviously. Check
your Eldrige tide tables. Portland is 15min earlier than Boston.

Directions: 

Portland: The ramp is located on the Eastern Prominard by the city pool.
          Get into Portland and down onto Commercial st. Follow Commercial
	  street to end and you'll be on India st. Just past the Bath
	  navy yard. You'll go around a left hand curve (sharp) and then
	  take the first right. Follow up the hill to eastern Prominard.
          You'll take another slower left curve and they'll be a road on
	  the right that goes down the hill to the ramp.

S. Portland: The ramp is located (hidden) among some industrial buildings
             at the end of the S. Portland Peninsular. Get into S.
	     Portland (exit 7): After toll Go to end of highway to Route 1. 
	     Take a left and follow until you see a Fire station on your
	     right. Take a right at the next lights after the fire sta.
	     Follow to second set of lights. Take a left onto MAIN st.,
	     S. Portland. Follow ALL THE WAY to the end. There are several
	     lights...keep going straight. At the end you'll see the 
	     industrial buildings and you'll have to take a left. Go
	     down through/past them and you'll see a big parking lot 
	     and probably several boats. The toll booth is there. 

Portland, like most large harbors, has very predictable wind patterns.
The prevailing winds are SW - all the time but.......
In the early morning it will be dead calm. About 11-12 it will pick
up a bit offshore - 5-8 knots. By 2pm it's blowing 15 knots - SW.
By 3pm it could be 20-25 knots gusty - still SW but beginning to turn
S and onshore. Late in the afternoon it's BLOWING and now Onshore.
After 6-7pm it reverses back down to calm by sunset. I head out early 
in the day looking for the onshores to take me home.

Hope this helps....

Fair Sailing to you too....
Frank