Off to Mackarel Cove

We weighed anchor around 10:00 and started out from Smith Cove. Unfortunately, there was very little wind so we motored to Swan Island, entering Mackarel Cove around 2:00 pm. We took the route through Eggemoggin Reach which was beautiful. However, at the end the lobster buoys became almost as numerous as around Tenants Harbor, our standard for lobster buoy density in Maine. There was no clear path through the maze so we zigged and zagged through the pots. Many of the lobster buoys in Maine not only have the familiar lobster buoy but they also have a "toggle" buoy which is attached to the main buoy but floats anywhere from 20 to 80 feet downstream. Going between a buoy and its toggle can be disastrous since it can snag on the rudder or, worse yet, on the prop! You do not want to dive in Maine waters (temps in the 50's!) to free a fouled prop! So you pay attention to which buoy is the main buoy and which one is the toggle so you avoid splitting them with your boat - all the while looking out for the next set of buoy challenges. Oh well, it's all part of the Maine experience.
We like Mackarel Cove anchorage since it's not only very protected from the south but also has an excellent view of Mt Desert highlighted by the setting sun. There's also shoreline to explore in the dink and plenty of room to anchor. You have 8 feet of water at low tide almost up to shore. The mooring balls in the harbor are at the edge of deep water at 8 feet at low tide and close to shore. There are only a few and they serve to delineate the harbor's edge.