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New England Lobster Pots

karkauai
 

Hi All,
We are finally making our way to Maine, first time North of Cape Cod. There are lobster Pots EVERYWHERE, even in 120 feet of water.  We'd like to sail overnight, but don't have a line cutter on the prop.
Does anyone know if there's a depth or distance offshore where we would be unlikely to encounter lobster pots and could safely sail at night?

Thanks,
Kent and Iris
Kristy
SM243
Bill Hall
 

Usually past 160 feet of water

On Mon, Aug 3, 2020 at 7:29 AM karkauai via groups.io <karkauai=yahoo.com@groups.io> wrote:
Hi All,
We are finally making our way to Maine, first time North of Cape Cod. There are lobster Pots EVERYWHERE, even in 120 feet of water.  We'd like to sail overnight, but don't have a line cutter on the prop.
Does anyone know if there's a depth or distance offshore where we would be unlikely to encounter lobster pots and could safely sail at night?

Thanks,
Kent and Iris
Kristy
SM243

James Alton
 

Bill,

   We sailed for 8 seasons in Maine and unfortunately these pots will often be set in waters deeper than 200’.  The deep set ones tend to be the worst since they will have significant ballast  (concrete blocks usually) in the pot to keep the pot from dragging so you don’t want to draw these into your running gear.  Sailing at night is probably ok so long as you clear your prop before starting your engine and getting under power.  You should be able to tell if you are dragging one of these things without going under to have a look since they cause a lot of drag. If things open up and you are able, consider Nova Scotia.  No pots at all on the South Shore during the season and even during the season the pots are minimal.  The water is also much warmer.

Best of luck,

James
SV Sueño
Maramu #220

On Aug 3, 2020, at 10:30 AM, Bill Hall <billhall95688@...> wrote:

Usually past 160 feet of water

On Mon, Aug 3, 2020 at 7:29 AM karkauai via groups.io <karkauai=yahoo.com@groups.io> wrote:
Hi All,
We are finally making our way to Maine, first time North of Cape Cod. There are lobster Pots EVERYWHERE, even in 120 feet of water.  We'd like to sail overnight, but don't have a line cutter on the prop.
Does anyone know if there's a depth or distance offshore where we would be unlikely to encounter lobster pots and could safely sail at night?

Thanks,
Kent and Iris
Kristy
SM243



karkauai
 

Thanks Bill and James, the wind has freshened a bit, and we should be able to sail again soon. More worried about motoring or motor sailiing. Will get into 175 ft or so and see what we run across, so to speak.

Kent

On Aug 3, 2020 10:47 AM, "James Alton via groups.io" <lokiyawl2@...> wrote:
Bill,

   We sailed for 8 seasons in Maine and unfortunately these pots will often be set in waters deeper than 200’.  The deep set ones tend to be the worst since they will have significant ballast  (concrete blocks usually) in the pot to keep the pot from dragging so you don’t want to draw these into your running gear.  Sailing at night is probably ok so long as you clear your prop before starting your engine and getting under power.  You should be able to tell if you are dragging one of these things without going under to have a look since they cause a lot of drag. If things open up and you are able, consider Nova Scotia.  No pots at all on the South Shore during the season and even during the season the pots are minimal.  The water is also much warmer.

Best of luck,

James
SV Sueño
Maramu #220

On Aug 3, 2020, at 10:30 AM, Bill Hall <billhall95688@...> wrote:

Usually past 160 feet of water

On Mon, Aug 3, 2020 at 7:29 AM karkauai via groups.io <karkauai=yahoo.com@groups.io> wrote:
Hi All,
We are finally making our way to Maine, first time North of Cape Cod. There are lobster Pots EVERYWHERE, even in 120 feet of water.  We'd like to sail overnight, but don't have a line cutter on the prop.
Does anyone know if there's a depth or distance offshore where we would be unlikely to encounter lobster pots and could safely sail at night?

Thanks,
Kent and Iris
Kristy
SM243




James Alton
 

Bill,
   I forgot to add that most of the deep water pots will have a second smaller float on them called a toggle.  The toggle aids in preventing the main float from being pulled underwater due to current or wind.  Try to avoid passing between the toggle and the main float since the pick-up line runs between these two floats.  Best of luck. James.  

On Aug 3, 2020 11:13 AM, "karkauai via groups.io" <karkauai@...> wrote:
karkauai
 

Thanks James, I'd figured that out. Now in 20 kts on the beam in 200ft and just a few pots now.


On Aug 3, 2020 11:53 AM, "James Alton via groups.io" <lokiyawl2@...> wrote:
Bill,
   I forgot to add that most of the deep water pots will have a second smaller float on them called a toggle.  The toggle aids in preventing the main float from being pulled underwater due to current or wind.  Try to avoid passing between the toggle and the main float since the pick-up line runs between these two floats.  Best of luck. James.  

On Aug 3, 2020 11:13 AM, "karkauai via groups.io" <karkauai@...> wrote:
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