GL: New England Cruising.

[Frank Arndorfer]

Greetings all.
 
My wife and I have been "On the Loop" on again/off again since late 2005. We
left Lake Michigan, travelled the river systems south, across the Gulf,
Keys, Bahamas (two winters), up the Atlantic ICW numerous times. Our boat is
currently on the east shore of the Chesapeake in Oxford, MD. where we've
been wintering it while we return to the frigid land of Wisconsin. Go
figure.!!
 
We're laying plans for our summer cruise 2009 and are looking to leave
Chesapeake early July and travel northeast to Maine, likely going up as far
as Portland/Freeport, and possibly farther north east, depending on
schedule.
 
I've read as many publications as I can get my hands on for this area. I'd
appreciate any input/suggestions anyone experienced in this area may have
but I'd also be interested in a return timetable if we'd choose to move the
boat back down to Chesapeake for winter storage. What is the latest date we
should consider for the journey southwest.???
 
We've travelled about 10,000mi since leaving Wisconsin in September 2005.
We're reasonably seasoned cruisers and our boat (LaNostra)  is a 2004 Grand
Banks 46 Classic. She's equipped with twin 450 Cat diesels, Naiad
stabilizers, etc. so it she's a stout boat for offshore cruising. We're very
conservative in our approach when dealing with weather, seas, etc. 
 
Thanks in advance for any tips.
 
Frank Arndorfer
414.254.1668
262.628.3575 (fax)
fmja10 at yahoo.com