THE BASIN

43° 48.28’N 069° 51.35’W

4th ed. Cruising Guide page 99 Maine Coast Guide: Casco Bay 222

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Charts: 13290, 13288, 13293

Chart Kit: 60, 17

Casco Bay overview chart Harbor chart

HERE is what many yachtsmen dream about when they ponder the ultimate safe harbor—a small lake surrounded by rocky points and dark green trees, with barely a sign of human habitation, the water as still as a millpond, completely protected from every direction.
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The Basin is an extraordinary harbor on the New Meadows River, about two miles north of Sebasco Harbor. It is worth going out of your way to make the passage through the deep, narrow entrance and into the broad sanctuary beyond. In this part of the world, this is the best hurricane hole around.
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Unfortunately, the very protection and tranquility produces glassy water which has, in recent years, attracted occasional swarms of jet skis.
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Approaches. Coming up the New Meadows River, pass Cundys Harbor and leave can “5” on Sheep Island Ledge to port. Look along the east shore for a slight indentation which marks the entrance to The Basin. A house with a pointed chimney is just to the north of the entrance.
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Turn right into the channel, perhaps 150 feet wide at low tide, and run straight down the middle. The channel narrows to about 75 feet at the left turn where slowed tidal current drops its suspended sediment. Controlling depth is 7 feet here, but turn wide around the bend to find it. Like magic, The Basin will open up before you.
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Anchorages, Moorings. Anchor in the middle of the western part of the Basin, in 14 to 20 feet of water at low. The bottom is mud. Even at the height of the summer season, The Basin usually has only a handful of boats, and there is room for a fleet.
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Some boats work their way in close to the small island, Basin Island, to the east, or close to the rocky point of land that juts down from the north, but use caution. As benign as The Basin seems, the east side is shoal, and there is a ledge almost dead center, shown on the chart between two 11-foot spots, which claims its share of unsuspecting yachts. Pass either north or south of it but not over it.
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The Basin on a calm night feels like a high mountain lake far removed from the sea. To dispel the illusion, taste the water.
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Things to Do. Beautiful Basin Island is owned by the state and can be explored. However, this is a popular stop on the Maine Island Trail, and the steep banks of this tiny island are eroding. Walk softly.
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The Basin holds some of the warmest salt water on the Maine coast (67° F). The timid won’t find a better place to take the plunge.