SOUTH BRISTOL / THE GUT
About a mile up the Damariscotta River, just north of Christmas Cove is The Gut, a small passage between Rutherford Island and the Bristol peninsula. The picturesque village of South Bristol has grown up around The Gut, which is a protected natural harbor. Leave Nun “6” to starboard and turn northeast into The Gut keeping the ledge marked by red day beacon “2” well to starb
oard. This is a quiet harbor shared by commercial fisherman and pleasure boats, and provides an interesting inside passage for vessels small enough to clear the overhead cables at the bridge, or a quiet overnight stop with a chance to get ashore and stretch your legs, have a meal, or pick up a few supplies. In the West Gut, slips and moorings are available from the Gamage's. Do not attempt to anchor anywhere in the passage. The swing bridge, which crosses The Gut at its narrowest part, is manned around the clock, 365 days a year, and opens on demand. Give a couple of blasts on your horn for the bridge to open. Current can be strong and the passage is narrow so stand off a ways while the bridge is opening and mind the ledge marked by green day beacon “3” on the north side of the channel just west of the bridge. Vertical clearance is only 55 feet so the bridge and passage is not an option for larger sailboats. Dick Shew (207-644-8120) is the South Bristol Harbor Master. The village of South Bristol is active in the summer with a few shops, two fish piers and a lobster co-op on the wharfs that line its shores. Supplies and meals are available from the Harborside 300 yards north of the bridge (207-644-8751) or from Island Grocery & Restaurant just to the south. Osier’s Wharf Store just next to the bridge may be open again this summer for breakfast & lunch. Live or cooked lobsters are available at either the co-op orOsiers. The twin towns of Damariscotta and Newcastle and the bustle of Route 1 are about 12 miles north. THE GAMAGE SHIPYARD
West of the swing bridge, opposite the day beacon is the Gamage Shipyard. The yard is easily identified by its large old gray building and by its new red-roof dock house. A shipyard in one form or another has been at this location for over 150 years. From 1924 to 1976, Harvey Gamage, best known in a family of boat builders, built almost 300 vessels, some pleasure, most commercial. These included Navy mine sweepers during World War II, numerous large fishing trawlers and draggers, and schooners, including Mary Day, Shenandoah, The Harvey Gamage, Bill of Rights, and Appledore II. Perhaps most famous is the Clearwater, built in the 1960s as a symbol of environmental action on the Hudson River. In 2001 the yard changed hands and is undergoing a much needed overhaul. In 2002, a new wharf, dock house and 30 slips with electricity and water were built. The yard now offers gasoline, and diesel fuel at the west float. The fuel dock has 9 feet of water at low tide. The yard has a 25 ton travel lift and can assist with repairs, maintenance, or winter storage. Other changes are planned including replacing the old shed with new offices, bathrooms and showers. For yachtsmen, slips are often available and the yard has a number of rental moorings. You can raise the yard on channel 9 or by phone at 207-644-8181. Gamage Shipyard, LLC
6 Gamage Drive
South Bristol, ME 04568
Ph. 207-644-8181
Fx. 207-644-8273
e-mail: [email protected]
www.gamageshipyard.com
Facilities:
Slips: 30 with power & water
Moorings: 16
Fuel: gas & diesel
25 ton Travel lift
Services:
haul out
repairs
inside & outside storage
