Author Topic: Wells Harbor, Maine anyone?  (Read 2263 times)

Badger

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Wells Harbor, Maine anyone?
« on: December 06, 2021, 12:03:11 PM »
Does anyone wing foil at Wells Harbor, Maine?

I just had the best session ever there this morning and it is by far the best spot I have found yet. I've been to Harbor Park a bunch of times this year and have yet to see any other foilers.

The place has a lot going for it. Tons of room to foil, plenty of free parking, nice sandy beach. An added bonus is if the current on the incoming tide opposes the wind, you can jibe for hours and not worry about drifting downwind. I'm still learning and doing the walk of shame but today I went the entire session without a single walk. The current on the outgoing tide is much weaker so when the tide does turn to go out, it's not a big deal.

I can picture this place being a major foiling hot spot for the south coast of Maine in the next year or two.

Check out the video.  https://youtu.be/OLoSlbLmjqU?t=75

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« Last Edit: December 06, 2021, 12:24:09 PM by Badger »
Kalama E3 6'1 x 23" 105L
Axis HPS 980 / PNG 1300
Sunova Flow  8'10 X 31"  119L
Me - 6'0" - 165lbs - 66yo

Caribsurf

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Re: Wells Harbor, Maine anyone?
« Reply #1 on: December 06, 2021, 02:42:07 PM »
Hey Badger I’ll check the video when I’m not on my phone. That’s great that you found a good spot to wing foil. It would be worth my drive down there from Boothbay because here there’s rocks and tides and lots of obstacles making it difficult. Seems like unless you’re out in the open ocean you’ve got obstacles.
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Badger

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Re: Wells Harbor, Maine anyone?
« Reply #2 on: December 07, 2021, 05:19:05 AM »
Don, that would be cool if you came down here for a session. I've been scanning the Boothbay area from the satellite for possible wing foiling sites and you're right, they all seem to have problems either with rocks or access to the shore. You might need to get a boat. You could get dropped off and your wife could follow you on a downwinder. If I see any places with potential, I'll let you know.
Kalama E3 6'1 x 23" 105L
Axis HPS 980 / PNG 1300
Sunova Flow  8'10 X 31"  119L
Me - 6'0" - 165lbs - 66yo

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Re: Wells Harbor, Maine anyone?
« Reply #3 on: December 07, 2021, 06:50:28 AM »
I think some of the lakes up our way, especially  Damariscotta show promise..apparently the wind funnels down onto the lake creating good conditions for sailing/winging.

I foiled off our dock a few times on Damariscotta River and it was fun , but you have to watch for rocks, buoys and oysters farms , but on the right wind direction and right tide it's really fun.
Hobie Raw 8'10"
Jimmy Lewis Kwad 8'7"
Naish Hover 95 liter 5'7"
F-One Rocket foil board 5'5" 90 liters
Fanatic Aero 1250, 1500, 1750 HA foils
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Re: Wells Harbor, Maine anyone?
« Reply #4 on: December 07, 2021, 07:25:14 AM »
That looks like a great find! Is it primarily a high tide spot or is there enough depth to foil there at low tide also? Our crew primarily hits areas around greater Portland and Saco Bay. It would be nice to have another good flatwater option. Thanks!

Badger

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Re: Wells Harbor, Maine anyone?
« Reply #5 on: December 07, 2021, 12:35:25 PM »
That looks like a great find! Is it primarily a high tide spot or is there enough depth to foil there at low tide also? Our crew primarily hits areas around greater Portland and Saco Bay. It would be nice to have another good flatwater option. Thanks!

There is plenty of depth on the upper half of the tide but most of it dries out at low and is only deep where you see the moorings. I'm not sure how far we can push the window but you can count on at least 6, possibly 8 hours of foil time depending on the tide height. Luckily, the water is clear enough to see the bottom everywhere so you can tell when it starts getting shallow.

Here is a drone video of the harbor at low tide.  https://youtu.be/WUggvy8vYeo?t=17

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« Last Edit: December 07, 2021, 01:34:33 PM by Badger »
Kalama E3 6'1 x 23" 105L
Axis HPS 980 / PNG 1300
Sunova Flow  8'10 X 31"  119L
Me - 6'0" - 165lbs - 66yo

Badger

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Re: Wells Harbor, Maine anyone?
« Reply #6 on: December 08, 2021, 06:23:55 AM »
Has anyone tried Goose Rocks beach with a W or SW wind? This place looks awesome for riding incoming swells.  https://goo.gl/maps/Bfha1XMNHawtYyk46

Another spot just south of there is at Stage Island State Park at Cape Porpoise. I've been there many times but haven't taken the foil there yet. The swells come rolling into the protected cove at the north end of Stage Island and go for a long distance often without breaking. Perfect for foil surfing.  https://goo.gl/maps/AdrGdZXbk3TUp1226  It's a bit remote. You would have to park here on Pier Road  https://goo.gl/maps/sX5owPwSr6iLJ5CJ8  and wade/slog about 1500 feet to get out to the cove, but getting out and back as well as riding swells in the cove would be easy with a NW wind. I can't wait to try it once I get more proficient.

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« Last Edit: December 08, 2021, 07:18:02 AM by Badger »
Kalama E3 6'1 x 23" 105L
Axis HPS 980 / PNG 1300
Sunova Flow  8'10 X 31"  119L
Me - 6'0" - 165lbs - 66yo

 


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