I find Portland, as a harbor, to be less than optimal. It is busy and full of wakes and what not. While there are lots of markets and shops, there is no real supermarket within walking distance unless they want to get some exercise. Ther is a Trader Joe's on Marginal Way, but that is a good poke and temps are forecast to be in the 90s all week. I would not want to be walking there today.

Falmouth is worse, wide open, and while Clapboard is lovely and Handy's new amenities are nice, there is no place to provision. The Town Landing Market is pretty small and of limited usefulness.

I looked at the web site companion to the Taft guide and had a couple of thoughts. It would help to know their draft and what they have for a dinghy/motor.

First, if their hearts are set on the Portland Harbor, they could go all the way up the harbor and tie up to a South Portland town dock near the western end of the big bridge (referenced at http://www.mainecoastguide.com/guides.html). Link to City of South Portland info on the landing and park is below. Or they could also go to SouthPort Marina, except the water's a bit thin there. There is a Hannaford store within walking distance, and I'm pretty sure one of those little malls there has laundry (as does the marina).

Alternatively, they could give Centerboard Yacht Club a call on 68, snag a mooring, and maybe dinghy up to said landing to get provisions and do laundry. You'd want a good outboard for that.

Or for something different, they could go to South Freeport, get a mooring from Brewer's, do laundry there, and see if they can get a ride to Bow Street Market. They could gas up the dinghy, take a ride up the river, admire the Concordia yawls, and sleep like babies in that lovely calm harbor.