SEBASCO HARBOR

43° 46.05’N 069° 52.02’W

4th ed. Cruising Guide page 101 Maine Coast Guide: Casco Bay 230

Charts: 13290, 13288, 13293

Chart Kit: 60, 17

Casco Bay overview chart Harbor chart

SEBASCO HARBOR is a welcoming spot, well protected under most conditions and easy to enter. It is probably the most convenient harbor at this end of Casco Bay, and it is not far out of the way for boats traveling east or west. On the chart it looks wide open to the south, though ledges at the harbor’s mouth and the Dry Ledges farther out give it a fair degree of protection.
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Before the days of refrigeration, this harbor sometimes was filled with trade ships taking on ice from the Cornelius Ice Pond for delivery to all parts of the world. Now it is the site of Sebasco Harbor Resort, a long-established and well appointed resort whose resources are available to the visiting yachtsman. With its ample parking and facilities, the resort makes an elegant place for crew changes.
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Approaches. Coming from the south, leave the Jamison Ledge can “7” to port and head for flashing red “8” at Harbor Island Point. Note unmarked Dry Ledges on the chart and make sure you are well to the west of them. At flashing red “8,” turn east and continue well beyond can “1” before heading north into the harbor.
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The ledges making out a long way from the southeast tip of Harbor Island are exposed except at high tide. The less prominent ledges on the right side are marked by a privately maintained beacon. It is safe to turn north into the harbor when you can see the channel between the boats moored to the west side of the harbor and those on the east side.
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Anchorages, Moorings. During normal summer winds, the ledges at the entrance to the harbor provide good protection, and this is a comfortable anchorage. Strong wind from the southwest, though, blows in swells, and you will sleep more peacefully on one of Sebasco Harbor Resort’s dozen or so stout moorings, grouped on the west side of the harbor. The moorings of Sebasco Harbor Resort are marked with dayglow polyballs. Reservations are recommended. During the day, a launch service operates from the resort float on the east shore, where they have regular gasoline, water, and ice.
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Expect to pay slightly more than the going rate for moorings here because your fee includes the use of the resort’s facilities ashore.
If no moorings are available, there is usually room to anchor in midharbor, in 15 or 26 feet of water. Brewer’s Boatyard also maintains some rental moorings in the harbor.
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Getting Ashore. The usual three toots will summon the Sebasco’s launch, or you can take your dinghy to the float.
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For the Boat. Sebasco Harbor Resort (Ch. 09; 207-389-1161, 800-225-3819; www.sebasco.com). The cupola marked on the chart is a many-layered octagonal green-and-white wedding cake of a house, called the “Lighthouse” by the resort and used for guests. Sebasco’s dock and float are just north of the Lighthouse, with 5 feet of depth at low tide. Gas, water, pump-outs, and ice are available, but no diesel. For repairs, head around Harbor Island to Sebasco.
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For the Crew. Sebasco Harbor Resort has showers and laundry facilities as well as a new restaurant. The Rock Gardens Inn (389-1339), next door to the Resort, is another option for elegant lodging.
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Things to Do. Sebasco Harbor Resort is a vacation spot with a long tradition of quiet, understated elegance. Its facilities, including a pool, showers, and laundry facilities, are available to visiting boaters. Guests may also rent kayaks to explore the harbor and the New Meadows River.
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The resort’s lodge was built in 1908 as a clubhouse by a New York contractor who sold it 17 years later to start the smaller Rock Gardens Inn next door. It has recently been sold again, and the new owner is expanding the golf course, the spa, and the conference and banquet facilities and developing the resort as an exclusive getaway. They have updated the buildings, built the new Pilot House restaurant, and enlarged the golf course. Yet they have carefully maintained Sebasco’s essence—service and entertainment in a beautiful setting served up in a wonderfully relaxed and welcoming way.
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Even if you haven’t rented a mooring, for $15/day you can indulge in the Resort’s golf or tennis, dip in the saltwater pool, work out in the fitness room or on the dance floor, take in a movie, or even—if you can’t get enough of the water—sign up for boat tours or sea kayaking. The kids can discover candlepin bowling, shuffleboard, a small playground, and plenty of open space to fly kites.BROUGHT YOU THIS INFORMATION. BUY THE GUIDE!