YORK, Maine — Two sailors from Boston were resting aboard their sailboat in York Harbor on Wednesday night, after a U.S. Coast Guard cutter towed the powerless boat through rough seas to the harbor around 6 p.m.
The men, who were sailing with a dog, a miniature pinscher, declined to give their names but said they were fine after an ordeal that began earlier in the afternoon off the coast of York near Nubble Light.
They just purchased the 31-foot yawl in Kennebunkport and needed to get it out with the high tide, which was the only reason they chose such rough weather to sail to Boston, they said.
The sailboat had no engine, and they lost their GPS and communications equipment overboard, one said. They put down anchor, which the Coast Guard needed to cut in order to tow the sailboat, he said.
A crowd of people stood along Long Sands Beach, taking photos as the 47-foot Coast Guard vessel made slow progress towing the sailboat through rough surf. The York Village Fire Department also sent its rescue boat.
Village Fire Chief Chris Balentine and rescue personnel waited for the sailboat at Town Dock 2.
Balentine did not immediately have the names of those aboard and could not be reached for comment later in the evening.
The men said they were on their way to Boston and hoped for better sailing weather ahead.
Before they left, one said, they would purchase an engine for the trip.