Another Relocation Question With a Twist (Lincoln, Stonington: rental, contractor, camp)

[pc-not]

I know, we've had dozens of these "want to move to Maine" threads. In brief, here's my situation.

I've been gone from Maine for a long, long, time. However, I understand the lifestyle and the people pretty well. How can one forget? Five years ago my plan was to sell here in NW Florida and move back to Maine. Not retire in the traditional sense, but still work some while I can.

The plan is modified now to keep this place and live five or six months in Maine. First year I would like a camp or small town rental to "scout from".
Once we find the spot we like. I want to build.

Brief background and requirements:

Have lived downeast, midcoast, and southwestern. Not too familiar with anything beyond 80 miles north of the coast. Would like to checkout Lincoln area, NMLM.

Being a remodeling /restoration contractor, need to find an area that would provide some work.

Having commercial fished for nine years, the salt water still flows in my veins along with the sawdust. Would like to get out on a lobsterboat occassionally. Even if I had to drive to the coast.

Don't want to be in a busy touristy area, but close is o.k. I could live in a remote spot , but wife, notsomuch. We are not yuppies, but know what it's like to live and work for them.

That's enough information for now. Fire away with questions and suggestions, I greatly appreciate your input.

[kellysmith]

Originally Posted by pc-not

I know, we've had dozens of these "want to move to Maine" threads. In brief, here's my situation.


Having commercial fished for nine years, the salt water still flows in my veins along with the sawdust. Would like to get out on a lobsterboat occassionally. Even if I had to drive to the coast.

That's enough information for now. Fire away with questions and suggestions, I greatly appreciate your input.

I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for a lobster fishing license. First step is 1000 hours as an apprentice, then you would be on a waiting list with several thousand waiting for a license to become available. Some areas take over a decade to get a license in. You can hire on as a sternman probably to build the apprentice time but getting a license takes years, and no one is going to hire a stern man who isn't there at their beck and call. It's a closed society as far as getting sponsored as an apprentice, then getting the license.

http://www.maine.gov/dmr/rm/lobster/...cebrochure.pdf

[pc-not]

Originally Posted by kellysmith

I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for a lobster fishing license. First step is 1000 hours as an apprentice, then you would be on a waiting list with several thousand waiting for a license to become available. Some areas take over a decade to get a license in. You can hire on as a sternman probably to build the apprentice time but getting a license takes years, and no one is going to hire a stern man who isn't there at their beck and call. It's a closed society as far as getting sponsored as an apprentice, then getting the license.

http://www.maine.gov/dmr/rm/lobster/...cebrochure.pdf

Sorry I wasn't more clear, but I'm sixty-four years old and have no intention of going lobstering for a living. The last time I thought seriously about it was in 1971 and in 1983 I came to Florida to longline.

While tuna fishing along the Maine coast from 1964 - the mid seventies, I made friends with a few lobstermen who probably have family members still fishing. Have a close friend from Stonington who is a retired lobsterman. Old salts like us just want to go as a third hand for free. The last boat I owned I logged over 26,000 hours and was married to it just as much as to my wife. No intentions of doing it for a living anymore!