ObsessiOns Dream Islands For sale this summer: 29 private islands in Maine. Heart shape optional. by Michael barry ver dream of escaping it all, of skip- Buy one, hold it, cherish it, rename it if you stoppingly, these 25 acres in Brooksville at ping the exit to work and driving un- like. From that five-figure bargain option the entrance to Bucks Harbor just bounced til a sign signals paradise is up ahead? to a family compound for $6.5 million, all back on the market–after a lightning strike EIt’s an intriguing idea, one that can’t be true. of these island getaways call Maine home, last summer smote the rustic cottage on this Paradise is nothing more than a mirage. sparkling with beaches, greenery, and wild- island into a black hole. But what if it could be more? What if those life galore. With so many to choose from, “It was biblical,” says Richard Knox of two weeks of summer escape from the dai- which will be yours? Maine Coast Heritage Trust. “The house ly grind could be more than just a rental on was a large structure, and it attracted the the coast? harbOr island lightning strike during the huge storm. The As you start searching for a relaxing va- bucks harbor, brooksville, $3.85M local fire department responded. When our cation spot this summer, try taking a detour This heart-shaped gem doesn’t just sound crews got there and saw what happened, from the usual beachfront cottages to search lovely–nature marked it as such. Heart- we were shocked. Really? This can’t be true. for a more exclusive hangout: your own. We’d been working to conserve the island For as little as $39,999 you could be for a number of years.” k C be lounging on your own private island, forever If you become the new owner, a new cot- ch separated from the rest of the world by water. tage can be rebuilt following certain guide- There are as many as 29 island oases for lines in the public interest. “The conserva- CHris pin sale this year, just awaiting your arrival. tion easement will find a balance with nature Summerguide 2 0 1 4 1 0 3 OBSESSIONS Great Island, Castine “Watch the sun rise with a coffee in the morning and watch it set with a gin and tonic in the evening.” –Outer Goose & Goose Nubble and add further setback from the shore.” electricity to be turned on, and there are two Add in the solar power and freshwater well With a deepwater dock and float already building sites and septic systems in place. and you’ve got yourself a high-class, person- in place on the harbor side, you have the op- Two thousand, five hundred feet of lake al Camp David. Just tell Mr. President where tion of setting off on a seaward adventure or frontage are spectacular in their own right. to dock his yacht. staying home to lounge in the sun on one of Taxes $4,169; 7 acres Taxes $17,908; 28 acres the island’s pebble beaches. Where better to live the New England fairytale? JOhn’s island Outer Goose & Goose nubble Taxes $9,351; 25 acres bristol, $3.75M Wohoa bay, addison, $499,000 hen roughing it isn’t your objec- For seafood or bird watching, Outer Goose blake island tive, John’s Island could be the and Goose Nubble Islands at the west- Messalonskee lake, Oakland, perfect answer to your island in- ern end of Moosabec Reach in Wohoa Bay $295,000 Wquiries. After all, according to Vladi Private may be screeching your name. “From our This serene island of seven acres would be Islands, “Once the home to boxing heavy- wharf, we look directly at an eagle’s nest,” hidden in Messalonskee Lake if it weren’t weight champion Gene Tunney, this stun- says owner Gary Chard. “With a cocktail, for its highly visible owner, former State ning residence was also visited by John F. we watch baby eagles take their first flight.” Treasurer Bruce Poliquin. Poliquin, who Kennedy. With its classic setting and its cov- The 36-foot Beal lobster boat and mooring nd property owners A recently secured the Republican nomina- eted location close to the quaint Christmas that come with the property will be handy gents tion to Maine’s 2nd Congressional District Cove community, it’s no wonder this prop- as you work your five recreational traps, too. A l seat, spent his childhood here. Deeper in the erty has such pulling power.” With such a “Watch the sun rise with coffee in the morn- A past, “The rumor from old guys around here pedigree, this sanctuary could let histo- ing and watch it set with a gin and tonic in is that not only was there a boys’ camp on ry speak for itself. Then again, why do that the evening.” The islands form a cove and the island back in the early 1900s, but a ho- when the present can say as much? That gravel beach on the western shore. Dig some otos from of re tel, too,” says realtor Shawn Marquis. These present includes a six-bedroom residence, clams and take your haul up to your recent- H are long gone, but the island is ready for the guesthouse, even a bunkhouse for the kids. ly renovated two-bedroom cottage for din- All p 1 0 4 p O r t l a N d monthly magazine He hops in his boat, zips over, and by sailors long ago. Those men of the sea picks it up on the dock.” camped on the larger island, preferring it Taxes $6,452; 11.5 acres to the mainland. Today, the three islands in the Scabby Chain offer the same pristine chance island views, completely uninhabited. While all Machiasport, $975,000 three are connected during low tide, should In the middle of Machias Bay, these you choose to develop, it’s the main island, 44 acres of Chance tranquility feel Petrel, that’s ready and waiting for the chal- like Maine’s answer to Winnie-the- lenge. Jeff Allen of Downeast Properties Pooh’s Hundred Acre Wood. Two- says, “A number of years ago the seller had thirds of the island is woodland, a permit to build a certain size structure. So, with the remainder occupied by roll- yes, you can get a permit. And with its prox- ner, butter and bibs as needed. ing meadows. That unique terrain is echoed imity to the point of Maine, the views are in- Taxes $2,390; 2.9 acres by Steve Shelton of The Island Agency. credible.” Developed or not, the Scabby Is- “Beautiful sand beaches on the north side land Chain offers remoteness, privacy, and Great island and then a huge, ledgy hillside mountain on exceptional wilderness. brooksville, $985,000 the southern side.” Hike up to unbelievable Taxes $3,890; 18 Acres “It’s just a short hop over to Castine Harbor views. Side-by-side houses along the beach from here,” says Joseph Sortwell at Land- impress with floor-to-ceiling windows that thruMcap island Vest’s Camden office. “Here we have lots carry the natural beauty inside with you. John’s bay, south bristol, $1M of hardwood trees and a lovely main build- Taxes $4,955; 44 acres On nearly 15 acres in John’s Bay sits the re- ing. Maine Maritime Academy’s campus is mote, oddly named Thrumcap, or wool right here, so there’s always activity on the scabby island chain cap, as French sailors in the 1600s decided. water and all kinds of boats.” Great Island Machiasport, $499,000 “Thrumcap is one of the few islands that’s offers 2,300 square feet of living space be- here aren’t many places left to un- out in open ocean yet accessible.” says Kathy tween a main house with fieldstone fire- plug and completely disconnect from Leeman of Legacy Properties. The French place and wraparound deck and a second society. The Scabby Island Chain in sailors are long departed, but the island of- small cabin. A dock house and floating TStarboard Cove is one of them, an ode to fers many options to put your feet up or get docks are ready for your boat. “The cur- a simpler time. Even the name, gruff and them wet. At different points in the tide rent owner calls Castine and orders a pizza. uninviting to some, was given to the chain you can swim in secluded, sheltered spots, Summerguide 2 0 1 4 1 0 5 OBSESSIONS and there are ledges that make great snor- keling launches. After daytime excursions, the five-bedroom, 2,500-square-foot house is more than enough for entertaining or un- winding, whether on the deck or in front of the large fireplace. “Whether you’re enjoy- ing a climb over the rocks or tucked into the house, you can’t help but bask in the beauty of the ocean, the birds, the surrounding is- lands, and the boats going by,” says Leeman. “You are surrounded by the power and im- mensity of nature. What better place could thrumcap, John’s Bay there be to replenish your energy?” One thing Thrumcap has in spades: options. Taxes $ 4,012; 15 acres scOtt island stonington, $595,000 “There’s a nice granite pier–it’s an old gran- ite quarry,” says Joseph Sortwell of Land- Vest. “It’s definitely cute. An adventurous type would be all set to build a cottage be- cause there’s a building site, and the soil’s been tested.” Gaze off to Vinalhaven and North Haven to the west and Jericho Bay to the east.