#24 Harbor Takes

We are back in our hailing port of Camden, ME. Camden is one of only two places on the Atlantic coast in the US where the mountains meet the sea. The other is nearby Bar Harbor. Both in Maine!

It is no surprise that this is one of the most picturesque harbors in Maine; a nice stop for visiting boaters, a small cruise ship line, and land lubber tourists. 

It is the home base of several windjammers which offer the opportunity to take a few days and experience a way of life aboard ship a century ago. There's a lot going on in this harbor. It is rich with local characters and beautiful boats of all shapes and sizes.

Classic boats are a common site here, and we particularly like this runabout named Penny.

 This beauty sports one of our favorite names for a boat. 

At Wayfarer Marine, the gorgeous classic Fife Belle Aventure is not where she should be at this time of year. She sits high and dry getting her hull refinished. A few months ago, someone decided to give her an environmentally friendly bottom coat of paint.

In the words of dockmaster Ben Cashen, “It certainly was friendly! Everything imaginable found it a great place to call home. The surface sported a coat of green fuzz.”

Close by, tied to the dock sits Lady J, a “super” yacht. That's the promoter's term, “superyacht” (one word). Yet another way to imply “over the top”, as in super-sized meals (yuk), super fund sites (double yuk), Super Bowl, superballs, Superdome, Superman, superhuman, supermoms, the super rich, and last but not least - Super PACs. 

Lady J carries a supply of bikes in case one wishes to toodle around town.

 So when one of these monsters comes to town, the natural question is, “Whose boat is that?” And it's almost a relief to hear that this behemoth was concocted to ply the seas as a charter. And those passengers you are surreptitiously eyeballing aren't the owners. Someone has paid for their short-lived experience on this 142 foot lap of luxury. This “boat” has a jacuzzi, wet bars, flat screen TVs, game table, and formal dining table seating 12. It's hard to remember that you've left the dock! But nice to know that Camden is considered special enough to be a stop on their fantasy cruise.

Wayfarer Marine's dockmaster Ben Cashen does a super job (oops, that word again) managing the traffic at their docks and moorings. You might spy him at the helm of Barby D, named after long-time employee and local historian Barbara Dyer.

What's going on here? Trick picture? No, it's just an RC boat.

On the mere mortals side of the waterfront, Harbormaster Steve Pixley is a multi-talented guy. Along with his regular duties, he's ever-ready to dive on your boat to untangle fouled props or serenade you on a trip to the dock.

Assistant harbormaster Leo has been busy reclaiming buoys run over by one of the 97.5% of boaters with no clue and not watching where they're going.

And no harbor would be complete without its complement of boatyard dogs. This one looks like it truly feels left at the dock.

Wayfarer's manager Brad Ellsworth takes his dog on morning rounds. Lucky dog.

Fluffy here seems to have mastered taking a dinghy ride standing up. Woo-wee.

 

Scupper thinks that's no big deal. Master Rick thinks PFDs for dogs are a great invention.

And to complete the harbor experience, you never know who's going to stop by. This is John Williams, probably the most prolific photo documentarian of life in this harbor. He has been kind enough to supply images of Sally W when her owners were busy underway.Thanks John!

Semper paratus. You never know who's coming for dinner. Fortunately, Key and Clara in the front, brought the lobster dinner for Dave and Vicki, seated behind, and Allan and Sally. We have developed a strong bond thanks to our ownerships of Lord Nelson Victory Tugs.

Coming soon: Camden's Windjammer Festival.