Portland, Maine to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia on the CAT ferry

[Ted Hoppe]

I am day dreaming about a possible summer trip which includes motorcycle riding, boats and a ride through the maritime provinces. A ferry trip to Yarmouth looks like a great way to continue after the boat show on my way a-round-about way home.

Has anyone taken this new boat?

[Norman Bernstein]

Re: Portland, Maine to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia on the CAT ferry

I did it, about 30 years ago.... drove to Portland, took my bicycle in the ferry, landed in Yarmouth NS, and biked south and east along the coast... beautiful scenery. Camped out about 60 miles from Yarmouth, although my plans were cut short due to a bad tire and an ankle sprain.... I didn't make it to Halifax, but had to take a bus back to Yarmouth, and took the ferry back to Portland the following day.

Of course, that was before the existence of the fast ferry... instead, the conventional ferry was an overnight trip, and I booked a small cabin aboard.

One thing I remember from the trip, was spending the night before the ferry in a small motel in Yarmouth, and having breakfast the next morning... a buffet, with a lot of smoked fish... I was in heaven!

[CWSmith]

Re: Portland, Maine to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia on the CAT ferry

I took the old Cat and I loved it! What a great way to get to a truly great destination.

[Ted Hoppe]

Re: Portland, Maine to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia on the CAT ferry

More i look at the route and read about these beautiful places - it does sound good. With an ambitious plan like this in July i will have to be planning now as well as get TOWMBO to sign off on this. Maybe get a few stringers to join me.

Boat show, a ride on the Intrepid, a dash through New England and a return trip through Canada. It would fun to do a series of get togethers with various folks here.

[CWSmith]

Re: Portland, Maine to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia on the CAT ferry

I was jealous enough without Intrepid. That really put me over the top!

[BrianW]

Re: Portland, Maine to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia on the CAT ferry

Those fast ferries (in general) are fantastic but expensive to run.

[StevenBauer]

Re: Portland, Maine to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia on the CAT ferry

We've talked about doing a Nova Scotia motorcycle trip many times. When we looked into it in the past the ferry has been really expensive. Maybe this latest venture won't be as bad. There is also the Digby-St. John ferry. We might be interested if the timing works out, Ted. And if not you will have to stop here for a visit on your way North.
Last time we visited NS we had a great time.

Steven

[Barry]

Re: Portland, Maine to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia on the CAT ferry

Wasn't the "Nova Star" Seized by Federal Marshals for outstanding debt?
I thought it had lost the franchise from Nova Scotia to run the service.
Is it back up and running?

[Garret]

Re: Portland, Maine to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia on the CAT ferry

I've done the high speed cat from Fort Myers to Key West. Quite a ride. Do not wear your hat if you go outside!

One of the captains is a friend of the SIL & we got to visit the wheelhouse as he undocked @ Key West. Whole thing was done with a joystick & a few buttons on a little hand-held. He said it used to be wireless, but Homeland Security made them go to wired for security.

[elf]

Re: Portland, Maine to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia on the CAT ferry

Been on that thing. Didn't have to pay the ticket, however. Like an apartment building on water, completely isolated from the shore, too far out anyway.

The fast ferries to Mortha's Vineyard are just as effortless.