The Difference Between the Coasts

While summers in San Francisco are known for cool, brisk and foggy breezes, the coast of Maine is just about the opposite — except for the fog part. Maine’s fog, by contrast, tends to be warm, humid and accompanied by gentler breezes. We return to our New England sailing roots every summer to see family and take in the pleasures of coastal sailing. Maine’s a place to remind you that sailing doesn’t have to be ‘exciting’ (or in 25 knots of breeze) to be enjoyable. While speed is a worthy quest for many, one of the reasons we love sailing is the opportunity to slow down.

Our sailing time in Maine is generally a recreational, conversational few hours where we catch up with family and take in the coastal air. In the background, lobster boats pick up their catch of the day and fishing boats run in and out in search of mackerel and striped bass. There’s a 10- to 12-ft tide, lots of lobster buoys to dodge, and plenty of rocks and reefs, but good charts and endless islands to explore make it a sailing destination you don’t want to miss.

But one big difference — and a reason that the West Coast will always have our hearts — is that come September, the boats in Maine will start to be hauled out for the winter, while in the Bay Area, the winds will get calmer and warmer, and the fog will become less frequent.