Vinalhaven, ME to Southwest Harbor, ME

Tuesday, July 28, 2026

Departure: Little Hen Island Anchorage (Vinalhaven, ME) N44°05.871′ W68°48.075′ 9AM

Special Comments:

Departure Day!
After yesterday’s drama, you could hear a pin drop onboard this morning. Grateful for walls and separate quarters.
Meanwhile outdoors is absolutely breathtaking!
Cruising along around 10:30AM we encountered some dense fog. Throughout our cruise it would pop up and evaporate. (Same at the docks too.)
Beautiful view from the cockpit area. So many islands and background mountain silhouette. MANY crab pots!
Headset on for docking. The only time we spoke in the past 24 hours. Smooth docking. Our stern neighbors, couples we met before in Boothbay Harbor, ME onboard M/V Laughing Gull.
Our starboard neighbor, a luxurious vintage trawler, M/V Marie (138′). Launched in 1930, top speed of 14KN, accommodates 12 guests and a crew of 6. Yacht was custom commissioned for Constance Campbell Bennett (1904 – 1965), American Actress, Radio Host, and Producer. She spent her early years cruising the East Coast as a private luxury escape. Later 1941, she was acquired by the United States Navy and commissioned for wartime military service. Renamed during the war, she was utilized specifically as a submarine echo finder to track enemy threats. For the vast majority of her post-war life, she sailed under the name M/V Acania. In 1995, a dedicated owner saved her from a Miami scrap yard and underwent a multi-million dollar restoration to preserve her historic charm. Following a subsequent change of hands and modern refits, she was renamed M/V Marie and repainted into her iconic, deep navy-blue hull color.
Keenan H, Hinckley Yacht Services (Southwest Harbor, ME) stopped over to inspect the boom. Said, it’s a easy fix and will follow up in the morning.

About Southwest Harbor, ME:

Attractions: Blues Brothers Statue, Charlotte Rhodes Butterfly Gardens, and Wendell Gilley Museum.
Average annual income, $95,854 (2025).
Average residential property costs, $500,000 – $550,000 and waterfront, $630,000 – $1,000,000/+.
Claremont Hotel (Southwest Harbor, ME) is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, built in 1884. Quickly became popular for affluent families from CT, MA, NJ, and NY seeking to escape summer heat.
Filming location for Storm of the Century (1999).
First island destination for summer visitors after the Civil War (1861 – 1865).
First permanent European settlement on Mount Desert Island was in 1761.
Has only one school, Pemetic Elementary School (Southwest Harbor, ME). High school students attend, Mount Desert Island High School (Bar Harbor, ME).
Home to Ellis Boat Company, Hinckley Yachts, and Morris Yachts.
Local eateries, Eat a Pita & Cafe 2, Little Notch Bakery, Harbor Table and/or Upper Deck.
Located on Mount Desert Island, however along the quieter side compared to Bar Harbor area. Much slower pace of life while remaining close to Acadia National Park.
Originally, was part of the larger Mount Desert township.
Popular trails: Flying Mountain, Ship Harbor, St Sauveur, and Wonderland.
Population 1,762 (2025).
Situated along the southwest entrance of Somes Sound, often noted as the only natural fjord on the US East Coast.
Town split from Tremont after a heated local argument over building a new school.
Wendell Gilley Museum, one of the rare USA institutions entirely dedicated to decorative bird carving.

Arrival: Dysart’s Great Harbor Marina (Southwest Harbor, ME) 1PM

Next Stop: Unknown?

Wednesday, July 29, 2026

Docked: Dysart’s Great Harbor Marina (Southwest Harbor, ME) (Dock C)

Special Comments:

Jacques followed up with Keenan H, Hinckley Yacht Services (Southwest Harbor, ME) this morning. Earliest they can attempt the repair is on Tuesday, 8/4/26. Also, requires a haul out. So much for a easy fix!
Cold and foggy day! Glad to be indoors doing laundry. A low-pressure system is project to bring east to northeast winds (10 – 15KN with gusts to 20+ knots), rain, and dense fog (visibility under 1 NM at times). Temperatures cool in the 60s.
Jacques had the pleasure of meeting one of the crew members onboard M/V TinTin. Was eager to know if another Belgian was on the dock. Adventures of Tintin is a series of 24 comic albums created by Belgian cartoonist Hergé. Unresolved mystery!

Next Stop: Unknown? (Tuesday, 8/4/26)

Thursday, July 30, 2026

Docked: Dysart’s Great Harbor Marina (Southwest Harbor, ME) (Dock C)

Special Comments:

Day two of the low-pressure system projected to bring east to northeast winds (10 – 15KN with gusts to 20+ knots), rain, and dense fog (visibility under 1 NM at times). Temperatures cool in the 60s. Cold and rainy day!
Awaiting for Dave to stop by at noon to check things out. Meanwhile, Micah gave a list of recommendations of things to see and do. As of 2PM we’re still waiting! NO call, email, or show! Hostage to the vessel for absolutely nothing!

Next Stop: Unknown? (Tuesday, 8/4/26)

Friday, July 31, 2026

Docked: Dysart’s Great Harbor Marina (Southwest Harbor, ME) (Dock C)

Special Comments:

Sipping our morning coffee at 8AM there was a knock on the hull. DAVE! Came onboard and said it’s a easy fix. Left with our dyneema line to return within the hour. Twenty minutes later it was fixed and tested.
Today, we borrowed one of two loaner cars available a heavy-duty short flat truck. OMG, I needed a step stool trying to climb in it. Actually, had to use Jacques help (LOL).
Jacques dipped into Hamilton Marine (Southwest Harbor, ME). Claiming it to be one of nicest marine stores he’s visited.
We enjoyed a three hour drive of sightseeing the area. Shocking to see folks of all ages swimming in the pond. Local water temperature is only 55°F. BURR!
Received our mail delivery of goodies to include a shipment of magazines from Nordhavn that honorably mention N4701 for our library onboard.
Early dinner at The Upper Deck (Southwest Harbor, ME). Where we enjoyed conversing with a local resident, Eric (originally from Boston, MA).
On our way back to the boat, we swung by West Marina (Southwest Harbor, ME) to see what we couldn’t live without given the store permanently sometime in September offering 40% – 60%. With the discounted price we purchased two ReliefBand Motion Sickness Devices along with a handful of misceaallenous items.

Next Stop: Bar Harbor, ME? (Tuesday, 8/4/26)

**Long Pond North Pond**
Mount Desert, ME

**Cranberry Island**
Great Cranberry Island, ME

**Dysart’s Great Harbor Marina**
Southwest Harbor, ME

Saturday, August 1, 2026

Docked: Dysart’s Great Harbor Marina (Southwest Harbor, ME) (Dock C)

Special Comments:

Hard to believe it’s August already!
Jacques walked into town, I opted for the quietness onboard. Sometimes the “me time” outweighs any meal or shopping opportunity. Throughout this lifestyle it’s dawned on me that I require far more “me time” then he does.

Next Stop: Bar Harbor, ME? (Tuesday, 8/4/26)

Sunday, August 2, 2026

Docked: Dysart’s Great Harbor Marina (Southwest Harbor, ME) (Dock C)

Special Comments:

Dense foggy morning.
Our bow neighbor, M/V First Light departed this morning along with our stern neighbor (sailing vessel).
Cooler temperatures has Jacques working on some stubborn stains outdoors.

Next Stop: Bar Harbor, ME? (Tuesday, 8/4/26)

Monday, August 3, 2026

Docked: Dysart’s Great Harbor Marina (Southwest Harbor, ME) (Dock C)

Special Comments:

Dense foggy morning.
We had intentions of stopping by the quaint town and bakery today, Little Notch Bakery & Café (Southwest Harbor, ME) BUT finding a parking spot for the heavy duty utility pick-up was impossible. So, we skipped it and just provisioned as planned, Southwest Foodmart IGA Grocery (Southwest Harbor, ME).
For whatever reason, neither of us feel the vibe of downtown area.
It’s been two full days that Jacques has been wearing his hearing aids, and now I’m constantly being told, I speak to loudly (LOL). He admitted being able to hear himself walk, chew, and even listening to birds.
Always shocking to me how many boaters come in approaching the dock and don’t have any of their lines ready.
Rainy afternoon.

Next Stop: Abels Marina & Boatyard (Mt Desert, ME) (Tuesday, 8/4/26)