Standup Zone Forum
The Foil Zone => Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP => Topic started by: Caribsurf on July 22, 2021, 08:03:35 AM
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We moved from Kittery up the coast to Boothbay, Maine this May. We live on a cove off a river with a lot of submerged rocks, lobster buoys and floating oyster farms not to mention drastic tides and swirling winds. After a month or so of investigating the Cove at all tides and wind directions, I decided to give it a shot off our dock. I learned it is very doable with the right wind and tide, and I am looking forward to many sessions come the more predictable Fall winds. This day the wind was light, so I was on my big board 115 Fanatic and using 5m Duotone and 2000 Fanatic foil..really fun and memorable day
https://youtu.be/n6hPubHhJHo
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Wow Don, that looks like a great spot. You are very lucky to have a place right on the water. I'll bet there are places to foil around Boothbay for every wind direction. You might even be able to use the current in those rivers to your advantage.
The one time I cruised up the Damariscotta River in my sailboat, I anchored right near Burnham Cove and spent the night on the NW side of Carlisle Point which I believe is the point just across the cove in the video.
I just subscribed to your YouTube channel. I'd love to see more videos from Maine.
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Hey Badger, thanks for the message..ya it's lovely up here as you know having sailed up here. I am looking forward to paddling down the river from Damariscotta to our dock with outgoing tide. Unlike Kittery Point, we still have enough water to SUP even at low tide in our cove.
It's been hard figuring out where to foil in Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor, either due to inhospitable access or no parking. I will definitely be hitting Popham and Reid State beaches when crowds subside.
There is not a lot of info on kiting, windsurfing or foiling in mid coast Maine..all that act is in southern Maine as you well know.
Still I scour maps and charts and Google Earth trying to find the perfect lake, pond or beach to launch from. The good thing is now I know it's possible right from our dock. I was pretty hesitant at first , but now know where rocks and other obstacles are.
here is Google Earth shot of our cove at lower tide you can see the rocky ledge that sweeps across the cove , at high tide it's all under water but a few spots still dodgy even at high tide
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Fantastic Carib! You are doing great. What a beautiful spot. I love that area. How wild is it that there is a sport that makes that wind super fun?
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Hey Badger, thanks for the message..ya it's lovely up here as you know having sailed up here. I am looking forward to paddling down the river from Damariscotta to our dock with outgoing tide.
Damariscotta is only 8 miles upriver from your house. If you time it right, you should be able to paddle there on the incoming tide and back home on the outgoing tide in less than two hours getting a huge boost from the current.
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Fantastic Carib! You are doing great. What a beautiful spot. I love that area. How wild is it that there is a sport that makes that wind super fun?
Thanks Admin, it really is beautiful around here. We keep pinching ourselves.
I am taking sailing lessons and hope to get a small sailboat for the calm Summer days, but it’s nice to know I can foil when the wind really kicks up. This Sunday looks good. 15 with gusts to 20-25.
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Hey Badger, thanks for the message..ya it's lovely up here as you know having sailed up here. I am looking forward to paddling down the river from Damariscotta to our dock with outgoing tide.
Damariscotta is only 8 miles upriver from your house. If you time it right, you should be able to paddle there on the incoming tide and back home on the outgoing tide in less than two hours getting a huge boost from the current.
That’s very doable in terms of distance, but I don’t know the River and will have to check and see if any concerns along the way. Neighbors keep mentioning strong currents but I have not seen anything of the kind.
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When cruising the Damariscotta in my sailboat, I did notice some strong currents in places. Nearly as strong as the Piscataqua as I recall. I only went upriver as far as your cove.
If you want some extremely fast current with an element of danger, check out the Sasanoa River. It actually has rapids at certain times of the tide. https://goo.gl/maps/xsHA7oRrAAEkAA6z8
Oven Mouth is a smaller one. The current in the round basin to the east continuously spins in a circle like a big whirlpool, then rips through the cut where it exits. https://goo.gl/maps/Z3csP8A72SufoY4EA
MacMahan Island has a good one that is so fast, you can actually see and feel the drop in elevation as you drop through it. https://goo.gl/maps/MfridYMR16V7mNSEA
I took my sailboat through all three. In each one, there is a point where there is no going back and you have to commit. Wherever the current is extremely strong, the vessel going downstream has the right of way.
I cruised the coast of Maine for 20 years. After a while, you start looking for places like this just to make it interesting.
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I paddled from Exeter to New Castle 10 years ago and that ride down the Piscataqua was harrowing, especially around the Rt 1 and I-95 bridge supports. Never saw such fast running confused water...but I was the only one not to fall in thank goodness.
I heard the Damariscotta has a few narrow sections where the flow intensifies so will have to check this out.
Thanks for the links and references, they will come in handy. It must have been exciting for you exploring these areas.
I paddled the Sheepscott reversing falls some years ago...a SUP was no match and I got swamped multiple times..the kayakers were having a ball.
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I'm bringing home a couple of Bill's old wings to use with my SUP. Not sure I'll ever be able to foil but I had a blast here in Hood River on the SUP with a wing.
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hey Stoney, whether you use a wing on a paddle board or foil board it's still a lot of fun. Maybe CCBC should allow wings to make the trip a little easier? ;D
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A friend of mine put a SUP WINDer keel on his soft-top SUP and it works great for going upwind.
https://slingshotsports.com/products/sup-winder
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That is very cool and great idea. I can wing upwind on a SUP but really have to dig in the upwind rail to make any progress. I know beginners are always being swept down wind, so this is a great solution.