Crossing the Gulf of Maine by trawler is different from doing it by sailboat. First, we can go faster. Second, we’d really rather not do it at night because of the lobster pot issue. Third, you can’t — wait for it… — sail. It’s motoring the whole way.
Our Tug is really comfortable motoring at seven to eight knots. Most of all, the noise level is acceptable and can be tolerated for long periods of time. It’s the ‘happy place’, as long as you don’t need to get somewhere fast. Continue reading Maine Cruise 2018 – Gulf of Maine to Boothbay→
When we cruise, we rarely plan more than a day ahead. And even when we do plan, we usually change our minds. That’s how we got to Scituate.
Figuring out how to get to Maine is always a puzzle, especially with two dogs. We sit with our iPads calculating the distances and times for different runs and argue the pros and cons of countless alternatives. On the sailboat(s) we generally did the straight shot overnight, either from Provincetown or directly from the Cape Cod Canal. With the Tug, it’s different. Continue reading Maine Cruise 2018 – Scituate→
We spent three nights in Cuttyhunk, anchored near the shallows in the northwest corner. The first night, the last Thursday in July, was lovely. The harbor was uncrowded and the weather was perfect. Flybridge Evening weather, the Cuttyhunk Raw Bar, and great views. Continue reading Maine Cruise 2018 – Cuttyhunk→
A Maine Cruise was not on our summer plan, but we find ourselves on our way!
Since we expect to be on the boat for an extended cruise over the winter, we had planned to stay close to home this summer. However, a quick road-trip to Maine a few weeks ago for some family matters gave us just enough of a taste of Maine that we looked at each other and nodded in agreement: yup, we want to do Maine. Again. Continue reading Maine Cruise 2018 – Portsmouth RI to Cuttyhunk→
When we ordered our American Tug 395, we were aware that the boat comes from the factory with two different versions of climate control.“West coast boats” are delivered with a single small air conditioning unit that includes reverse cycle heating capability, plus a separate Webasto diesel hot air furnace. “East coast boats” come with three air conditioning units that have reverse cycle heat, but no diesel heating system. Both boats also include a pair of King electric heating units. As we intend to take our boat south, the additional air conditioning capacity of the East Coast boats was something we need. However, we also cruise in some pretty cold and damp conditions, so heat is important to us. Continue reading Got Heat?→
We took delivery of our new American Tug 395 Esmeralde on April 1st, 2017, so she will forever be our April Fool’s Girl. (This year, she was also our Easter Girl.) In order to celebrate, Bruce got her winter cover off on Saturday so on Sunday April 1st, her birthday, we could have a little celebration on-board and herald the start of her second season. It turned into a bright sunny day, perfect to enjoy being aboard again. Continue reading Happy 1st Birthday Esmeralde!→
This trip to Florida was essentially un-planned, so we had no reservations other than one we made in Key West a year ago. We had made the reservation because we could cancel it without penalty, so why not? Now, although Key West isn’t actually our favorite destination on the planet, it’s not so bad in February so to-Key-West-we-will-go.
