Tuesday, August 16th

It was a rolly, windy, noisy night aboard Cutter Loose in Camden Harbor.  Northeasterly winds, rain and fog remain in the area at daybreak.  A small craft advisory has been issued and remains in effect for Penobscot Bay.  The weather gods of Maine are shouting "hold on there, Cutter Loose...don't be in such a hurry to leave".

[caption id="attachment_1276" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="The sun makes an early evening appearance in Boothbay Harbor"][/caption]

At 11 AM, visibility increases to one mile in fog and rain.  We take advantage of this window to make southwesterly progress.  But the rain resumes almost as soon as Cutter Loose is out of the harbor.  The short option for today is Tenants Harbor.  But we decide to continue on to Boothbay Harbor in the rain, despite our late departure from Camden.

Our course takes us southwest, out of Penobscot Bay and into the mouth of Muscongus Bay where we enjoy a beam reach in 12 knots of wind.  We transit Fisherman's Passage, a shortcut through a cluster of islands known as the Hypocrites.  At 6:15 PM, we arrive in Boothbay Harbor where the sun peaks through the clouds to make its first appearance of the day.  Our friends Hayden and Radeen graciously arrange a slip for Cutter Loose at the docks of the local Island Packet dealer. 

[caption id="attachment_1277" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Classic ketch catching the last few rays of sun in Boothbay Harbor"][/caption]

Dinner ashore tonight is with the crews of Island Spirit and Drake's Passage.  Reaching Boothbay Harbor exceeded our expectation.  With 43 miles under the keel today, our return to the Chesapeake Bay is off to a productive start.