Less known that the Great Loop, the Down East Circle Route goes North from New York City to Lake Ontario via the Hudson River and the New York State Canal System, out the St. Laurence Seaway, around the Gaspé Peninsula, down past Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia, across the Bay of Fundy into Maine and down the East Coast back to New York
In the summer of 2023, True North and her crew left their home port of of Rochester, New York, crossed Lake Ontario, and followed the Down East Circle Route as far as Portland, Maine. The trip took 2.5 months, and included many stops in two states and five provinces.
To learn more about the Down East Circle Route, this article from Passage Maker gives a nice overview. The ultimate cruising guide to this route is Captain Cheryl Barr’s book, “The Downeast Circle Route”, a great source of information.
And we’ve included practical information on preparing, crossing the border, overnight stops and select dining experiences.
Days 82 to 84 – The Bark was Worse than the Bite
Lee was downgraded and stayed 100 miles offshore, causing minimal damage to the area before moving on. Our last post of this season.
Day 81 – Our First Hurricane
Cruise ending, hurricane bearing down and friends departing. What a day!
Day 79 – Portland… We Made It!
After 79 days, 1,850 nautical miles and 288 hours underway, we arrived at our destination: Portland, Maine!
Day 78 – The Home Stretch
Getting toward the end of this journey, the feelings are bitterswet.
Day 76 & 77 – Summer Boating Life Style
As we near the end of this adventure, we spent a few perfect days in Boothbay Harbor getting to know great people and their interesting