EEL Posted December 28, 2008 Share Posted December 28, 2008 Following up on Ross's suggestion, I'm starting a thread for a trip to Cape Porpoise next weekend. I believe it is best to paddle the area within three hours of high tide. The inside flats out at low tide and stories of stuck boats and long slogs in the mud dragging a kayak abound. Finding a decent chart of the area is a trick and I have none. I suggest looking at Google photos to get a view of the area. It is a small archipelago close to shore and offers a variety of paddling. The trip up from Kennebunkport has much to commend it. You may find these of interest: http://www.thekennebunkportconservationtrust.org/webcam.html http://www.thekennebunkportconservationtrust.org/webcam.html Basic tide and daylight info for Friday. Sat. and Sunday tides about an hour later each day. 1-2-09 Sunrise 7:13 Sunset 16:23 Low 8:39 High 14:46 Low 21:03 Currently the advanced forecast, which is unlikely to hold till then, suggests weather on Friday and Sat would be better days. Possible launch sites are Colony beach in Kennebunkport at end of Ocean Ave., town dock at end of Cape Porpoise road, or area at Turbats Creek. Again, Google these for directions/map. Which to use is likely a function of conditions and number of paddlers. I suggest launch time of 10:30 or 11:00 with return time of around 15:30. Goat Island with lighthouse is a good place to stop for hot drinks and snacks. Ed Lawson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdkilroy Posted December 29, 2008 Share Posted December 29, 2008 I'll follow the thread as the week progresses; if it ends up being a go for Sunday, count Laura and I in. Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerry s Posted December 29, 2008 Share Posted December 29, 2008 Following up on Ross's suggestion, I'm starting a thread for a trip to Cape Porpoise next weekend. I believe it is best to paddle the area within three hours of high tide. The inside flats out at low tide and stories of stuck boats and long slogs in the mud dragging a kayak abound. Finding a decent chart of the area is a trick and I have none. I suggest looking at Google photos to get a view of the area. It is a small archipelago close to shore and offers a variety of paddling. The trip up from Kennebunkport has much to commend it. You may find these of interest: http://www.thekennebunkportconservationtrust.org/webcam.html http://www.thekennebunkportconservationtrust.org/webcam.html Basic tide and daylight info for Friday. Sat. and Sunday tides about an hour later each day. 1-2-09 Sunrise 7:13 Sunset 16:23 Low 8:39 High 14:46 Low 21:03 Currently the advanced forecast, which is unlikely to hold till then, suggests weather on Friday and Sat would be better days. Possible launch sites are Colony beach in Kennebunkport at end of Ocean Ave., town dock at end of Cape Porpoise road, or area at Turbats Creek. Again, Google these for directions/map. Which to use is likely a function of conditions and number of paddlers. I suggest launch time of 10:30 or 11:00 with return time of around 15:30. Goat Island with lighthouse is a good place to stop for hot drinks and snacks. Ed Lawson Hey Ed To bad you missed today on the Merrimack...hot but exhilerating with the wind and ice floes. Cape Porpoise for next weekend sounds like a plan to me. See you then...weather/conditions permitting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spider Posted December 29, 2008 Share Posted December 29, 2008 I'm interested and should be flexible for either day. Hoping for good weather of course... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rossjb1 Posted December 31, 2008 Share Posted December 31, 2008 I'm interested and should be flexible for either day. Hoping for good weather of course... Hey Ed thanx for posting! I plan on attending. Ross Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdkilroy Posted December 31, 2008 Share Posted December 31, 2008 Here are chartlets I made of Cape Porpoise Harbor and an overview of that coastal area. http://s311.photobucket.com/albums/kk467/j...ape%20Porpoise/ If you think they might be helpful, email me and I will send the images to you to print. Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EEL Posted December 31, 2008 Author Share Posted December 31, 2008 Here are chartlets I made of Cape Porpoise Harbor and an overview of that coastal area. If you think they might be helpful, email me and I will send the images to you to print. Thank you. Much appreciated, Jon. Kindly send images to me at elawson@grizzy.com. I do believe you are in luck as weather forecast is currently indicating Sunday will be the best day. Ed Lawson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob budd Posted December 31, 2008 Share Posted December 31, 2008 If Sunday is the day is there anyone from Ma, especially in the North Shore area, who wants to car pool? I can carry 2+ boats if that matters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EEL Posted January 2, 2009 Author Share Posted January 2, 2009 Since the gale warning ends Sunday morning, trip to Cape Porpoise is on for Sunday with a launch time of 1100 at Kennebunkport. The parking area and launch beach is reached by Ocean Ave. and is opposite the Colony Hotel. Since I have never been there, can't say more about it. If things look dicey we can go up and launch at Cape Porpoise. Plan is to have a nice mellow trip up to Cape Porpoise wandering along shoreline for most part. Short stop at Goat Island anticipated. As a CAM or S&G trip or whatever, each person is responsible for deciding whether to launch or not and their safety once underway. Arriving prepared for cold water and cool air is assumed. If you plan on attending please respond here or by PM. If anyone has questions about the trip, please ask here and hopefully someone will have an accurate and cogent answer. If the forecast changes dramatically, I will post a change in plans here by 10PM Sat. Ed Lawson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob budd Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 From points south I have always taken (95 to) the Wells exit, second from the NH border, first on the toll road. You take a left at the end of the ramp (there's a light), then a left at a "T" intersection, then a right after the Maine Diner. This road takes you all the way into the "Lower Village" where you'll find Allison's Restaurant. You can also get there from the Rte 35 exit (from 95 - services at that exit); you pass the high school and take what amounts to a shallow left at what appears to be a rotary (actually the local version of the "Big Dig"). This road takes you the library where you take a left and bear right. The road winds its way to a Sunoco station, take a left and over the bridge to the "Lower Village". From points north you can also get Log Cabin Rd from Rte 1 (perhaps eschewing 95 altogether) which comes into the "Lower Village" and requires a right turn after passing the parking area for tourist shuttles, crossing water, and a "Do Not Enter" intersection at a bend in the road. You will enter the "Lower Village" from the opposite end and Allison's will be ahead on the right. In the "Lower Village" you turn east onto Ocean Ave. The rest is pretty simple. The tightly packed shops break up soon after the turn giving way to B&Bs and the aforementioned hotel. I believe they have no issues parking at the beach. It opens onto a small "bay" and from there to the ocean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EEL Posted January 3, 2009 Author Share Posted January 3, 2009 For refreshments after the paddle or to get our stories straight if we don't, this looks to be the place as seems to be something for everyone. http://www.federaljacks.com/ales.html If winds are really up, suggestion to go up the Kennebunk river was made and sounds to be a better idea than going up to Cape Porpoise. Ed Lawson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerry s Posted January 3, 2009 Share Posted January 3, 2009 Ed I'll be there! Gerry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rossjb1 Posted January 3, 2009 Share Posted January 3, 2009 Ed I'll be there! Gerry Hey folks, unfortunately I won't be able to make the trip tomorrow. Here in NY visiting with family and need to stay a little longer. I will be around next weekend and I am hoping to get out on both days I will post for that. Hope the weather holds up. Ross Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdkilroy Posted January 3, 2009 Share Posted January 3, 2009 Regret that I will not be attending. Enjoy! Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill H Posted January 3, 2009 Share Posted January 3, 2009 Last day of vacation, I will be spending it with my wife to get points to paddle next weekend. Have Fun Bill H Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EEL Posted January 4, 2009 Author Share Posted January 4, 2009 It seems a day for not paddling for one reason or another. I have come down with a bad cold and don't think it prudent to go either. Ed Lawson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerry s Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 Since no one responded positively I guess I'll be staying home as well Gerry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rossjb1 Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 So how about this same paddle but next Sat or Sun. I would like to get out and explore that area. I'll wait to post though. Ross Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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