Events

Fundy Flotilla Dates Announced

Cruise in company from Mass-to-Maine, then on to the Bay of Fundy

As many as 35 sailboats and powerboats from throughout New England will set off for New Brunswick, Canada this coming August under the guidance of Points East Magazine. The Portland-based magazine covers – and promotes – cruising and racing along the coast of New England and on both sides of the Bay of Fundy.

The cruisers will be taking part in the magazine’s annual Fundy Flotilla, a two-week cruise from Maine to interesting ports of call in the Bay of Fundy and beyond. This will be the seventh year for these escorted cruises, and the destination this year will be the St. John River, with interesting stops along the way. Cruises to New Brunswick generally alternate with cruises to Nova Scotia.

The flotillas are limited to 35 boats and normally number about 22-28 boats, with generally just one couple per boat.  The boats taking part are always a mix of sail and powerboats, with a wide variety of sizes. Most are between 35 and 45 feet, but flotillas have had sailboats as small as 24 feet (a Bristol) and powerboats as small as 23 feet (a BostonWhaler). Boats come mostly from New England, but some have come up from the Chesapeake in order to join the cruise, and two have even come up from Florida.

The cost of the two-week flotilla is $400, which covers all the organizing work: making arrangements with harbormasters, marinas and yacht clubs at the ports the flotilla will visit, setting up tours of boatyards and museums, scheduling communal dinners, providing liaison with Customs when entering Canada and when returning to the U.S. The flotilla fee covers the boat and crew, no matter how many are in the crew.

Skippers receive a weather briefing prior to departure, and also receive gifts from flotilla sponsors such as Hamilton Marine, A.G.A Correa & Son Jewelers, Gritty McDuff’s brewery, etc. The boats and crews are easily noticeable on the water and off because of the flotilla burgees and flotilla T-shirts and caps.

This coming summer’s flotilla (Aug. 19-Sept. 3) will begin in Midcoast Maine, at Robinhood Marine Center off the Sheepscot River, and then make stops at Tenants Harbor, Northeast Harbor and Roque Island before clearing into Canada at Grand Manan. From there it will be off to Saint John Harbor, through the notorious Reversing Falls, and into the St. John River for 5 days of carefree cruising, going upriver as far as Gagetown before reversing course. Upon exiting the river, the next stop will be St. Andrews before returning to the U.S. at Eastport, Maine, where the cruise will end.

In addition to the Fundy Flotilla, Points East Magazine will also conduct a Mass.-to-Maine Flotilla, Aug. 5-20. This cruise starts in Onset, Mass. and goes as far as Robinhood Marine Center.

For more information about the Points East flotillas, please call the magazine office, at 1-888-778-5790. A newsletter is available free for the asking for those who desire to keep informed about future flotillas.