I'm planning on learning to sail the Maine Coast in my recently purchased Cape Dory 22 over the next few years. I am fairly comfortable with navigation (was a navigator in the Navy in the Pacific back in the day). And with sailing in general....though I'm sure there are plenty of surprises in that department.

I've been passing the wintery months plotting routes on OpenCPN, pouring over a vintage copy of the Taft's excellent "A Cruising Guide to the Maine Coast". Here's the question that seems to be most on my mind at this point. As a former VFR small plane pilot, one is trained to constantly be on the lookout for safe landing sites in case of an emergency. When approaching a "working harbor", such as Tennats Harbor, Rockland, Stonington etc. and if one is interested in finding a mooring, or a good anchorage, or any other service, how does one find out who to call? When planning a flight you have the AFD, or Airport Facilities Directory, which gives frequencies, services available, and local information. Is there something similar for small boat sailors?

Thanks for reading...I look forward to learning from all of you knowledgable folks about the art of cruising!

Darden