Hey, everyone!
I've started this thread off of my former 'Ocean Passages with Com-Pacs' (https://cpyoa.com/forum/index.php?action=post;topic=12414.0;last_msg=92891 (https://cpyoa.com/forum/index.php?action=post;topic=12414.0;last_msg=92891)) thread in which there was some interest generated for a possible Com-Pac outing/adventure in the Apostle Islands in the summer of 2023. As I mentioned in the aforementioned thread, I used to sail around the Apostle Islands when I was growing up, and I would love to take my new-to-me CP 23D up to the area, to revisit the places I remember so fondly from days long gone by.
I also mentioned in the thread, per above, that there is a marina near Bayfield, WI, Port Superior (http://portsuperior.com (http://portsuperior.com)) that I thought perhaps could be a home base for gathering everyone before we launch, set sail, etc. One of our CPYOA members, 'spsexton' bought a CP 33 that it sounds like he kept at this marina; this, from what I gathered on the thread he started about his new-to-him CP 33, SV Moonrise. I thought I might try to reach out to him, via PM on the forum, to see if he might be interested in joining us, and also if he would share impressions of the Port Superior Marina as well as his thoughts re: where to cruise in the Apostles, as he mentions having done so himself.
As people who have expressed interest in attending are hauling in from some distance away, it sounds like a trip of at least one week might be best. Does this sound good to folks?
I think that I read, in the other thread, perhaps August 2023 might be a good month to look to for scheduling our adventure? According to the 'Old Salt' in my family (my dad!), August was the month we always chartered during for our sailing trips. I know that early fall was also suggested as a time frame as well.
I will see if I can track down CPYOA member 'spsexton' since he's local to the area -- or at least he was at the time of his last post on this forum. I will also do some research on the Port Superior Marina to learn about their amenities and report back what I find. I am not sure what sort of fees they have for launching, parking our rigs/trailers, etc. There may be other locations we could consider for this sort of thing, too. I will also look into what sort of provisioning is available in the area for stocking up on food, water, gas/diesel, other boat supplies, etc., etc.
Looking forward to reading others thoughts, suggestions, feedback! Let's keep this conversation going!
Fair winds,
~ Chelle
SV Sunflower (Sunny) | 2021 Com-Pac Legacy
SV No Mas! | 1990 Com-Pac 23D MK3
sailawaywithchelle.wordpress.com (http://sailawaywithchelle.wordpress.com)
Perfect! I've been researching sailing the Apostles in a small boat. There is a lot of information out there. :)
Sailingbreezes.com is as good a place as any to start reading.
I think I am in also. It will be my 5th time in the Apostles. Previous trips were in my Precision 21 staying in downtown marina in Bayfield. The marina was perfect, with a municipal launch ramp a bit down the road and food within an easy walk. Always willing to try a different marina. Does it have a launch ramp?
August works for me also, at least at this time. Make sure a sail to Rassberry Island is on the list. The light house is beautiful. Sail On Al
Perfect Al! Always good to have someone with who has been before.
Al, Did you spend any nights on the hook? Its a big area and day sailing from a marina won't get too much of the area covered, especially from Bayfield. And the night sky from the water is too good to not spend at least a few nights nestled into a leeward bay on one of the islands. But a week on the water with no stops to re-provision and charge up is probably too long for most. If we plan far enough ahead enough slips to accommodate everyone could probably be had at the Madeline Island marina for a night mid trip. Or just stop there or in Bayfield for an afternoon to get off the boats and spend some time on the hard.
Late Aug-early Sept is ideal.
Hmmm...my world has been quite unpredictable as of late, but if you wish crew, and as a previous owner of No Mas, I would find it uber fun to take the helm some again and help her finish that circumnavigation!
Having spent some time up that direction it should be noted that the swimming season for lake Superior is August 5-6th! Even then snow is possible. Being a Southern Boy the water is chilly as it never gets out of the 60's.
Rick, it's comforting to know that in these troubled times, you haven't lost your sense of humor! Thank goodness some things are absolutes!
Bob23
Count me in!Would love to bring my new to me Eclipse,"Janyl Marie" up.
Quote from: Bob23 on July 30, 2022, 06:04:06 PM
Rick, it's comforting to know that in these troubled times, you haven't lost your sense of humor! Thank goodness some things are absolutes!
Bob23
So appreciate the vote of confidence on a senses of humor as everything i said was true! We do have to get together again somewhere doing something. Maybe Seachelle can help us all flock together. :)
peace,
Mas
To answer the question, we (2 on board) always spend the night in the marina close to food, showers, friends. But, there are plenty of places to drop the hook but many locations are really deep so a lot of rode is necessary. I would only want to be on the hook for perhaps a nite or 2 since a lot of the area is accessible by day sailing. Part of being in the Apostle Islands is a fish boil, Madelin Island, and the other Islands that are relatively close. Devils Island is fantastic and that would be an overnight or 2. Prior to sailing the islands my wife and I took a tour boat out to Devils Island to see and listen to the wind and water going through the caves. I think it belongs on the list. Oak Island is good hiking and Raspberry Island has a great light house. To add an additional comment. The water is very cold, with storms that can blow up in a minute. Everyone needs VHF communications with an antenna up top the mast and the Boy Scout motto of Be Prepared in mind. One afternoon in August, we had winds of 45 mph and one night it dropped into the upper 30's. Sail On
To not scare any of us smaller craft off. All's suggestion of a VHF is a must, but a good handheld does the job fine if you don't want to run wires up your mast. You are never out of range of coast guard and can always pick up the weather reports and wind advisories. Keeping up on the wind forecasts and always being prepared to seek shelter on a leeward side of an island is needed, but it's nothing too daunting for a skipper who's fairly sure of themselves and their boat.
After spending 4 nights on the hook on the various islands I would highly recommend catching at least one clear night out. You've never seen the nights sky until you've seen it from the cockpit of a boat anchored in calm waters in the Apostles.
The fish camp on Rocky Island is another good attraction to check out.
I haven't been to a fish boil since '98 when we visited Mackinaw island. Fresh caught white fish is so delicious!
just watch those bones
A quick update, friends!
I've placed a call to Port Superior Marina out of Bayfield. I spoke with a woman named Kelly who is the point person for slip reservations. Kelly said that she will not know how many slips she'll have available next season (during August or Sept) as it depends upon whether or not current slip renters rent again next season. Kelly said that she will know by Nov or Dec, this year, how many slips, if any, are available for our time frame next year. She put my contact info down on her 'list' to reach back out once further details are learned.
As for some other info I learned:
** As of now, the rate is $50 day (plus taxes) for a 25 ft slip rental at the marina, $2 extra for each additional foot over 25 ft. I think most of us, if not all, will fall under the 25 ft size; also, the smallest slip the marina offers is the 25 ft. size as well. (My marina has 20 ft wells, in contrast.)
** The marina has a restaurant/bar on site; showers/restrooms; clubhouse; laundry facilities, etc.
** The marina has a ship's store, that's only for boat parts, etc. I'll have to look to see how far the closest grocery store is for provisioning, though I think for me, personally, I'll try to provision from home as much as I can in that capacity.
** There is NO launch ramp on site at the marina, but there are, apparently, two public ramps within 2-10 minutes of drive time from the marina. (One is in Washburn, the other in Bayfield.) These ramps do not allow overnight parking for rigs/trailers, though. :-\ It sounds like parking at the marina itself with our rigs might be an issue, too, as parking is tight there, from what I learned.
I'll keep digging to see what other alternatives I can uncover. Maybe there is another marina we could stay at -- I'll look back to the posts in this thread to see if there were others suggested. Also, I will look more deeply into the public launch sites to see if there might be exceptions for overnighting the rigs in their lots, or if the management would know of areas where we could park our rigs.
Fair winds,
~ Chelle
SV Sunflower (Sunny) | 2021 Com-Pac Legacy
SV No Mas! | 1990 Com-Pac 23D MK3
sailawaywithchelle.wordpress.com (http://sailawaywithchelle.wordpress.com)
Thank-you for the update and your continuing investigation!
Chelle,
Thanks for taking the reigns on planning this. I would check into Buffalo Bay Campground/Marina, part of Legendary Waters Resort in Red Cliff. They have a very nice launch ramp, transient slips set aside, and ample parking. It's also more central to the islands. A day trip to Bayfield is a short drive or sail away.
I have a slip reserved for August 29-30-31 at Legendary Waters Resort four miles north of Bayfield. Have not been there before so can't tell you anything about what they offer. There slips are $35 a night and your right across from Basswood Island. I'll let you know what it's like when we get back.
ROGER
Thanks so much, everyone, for your feedback and sharing additional places I can look into for our home base port next year! I am thrilled to see so much interest generated over the possibility of this trip! I will continue to research and report what I learn with you all. Please keep shouting out any other suggestions, too -- the more options we have, the better! :)
Mas, I hope you will join us and I know that No Mas! would love to visit with her former captain and caretaker!
Fair winds!
~ Chelle
SV Sunflower (Sunny) | 2021 Com-Pac Legacy
SV No Mas! | 1990 Com-Pac 23D MK3
sailawaywithchelle.wordpress.com (http://sailawaywithchelle.wordpress.com)
When we were in Bayfield at the downtown marina, we drove to Pikes Bay Marina since it was opening soon. A great looking marina and maybe one that we should consider. I think they had a launch ramp.
We would usually launch at the Bayfield ramp, south of the center of town. One would motor over to the marina and one would drive the car/trailer. They had plenty of storage available, although it has been years so who knows now... We would have to coordinate to get boats in and cars/trailers to the marina. All doable. Sail on Al
Looking at their website they don't have a ramp and suggest the town ramp 1.5 miles north, but they do offer trailer/vehicle parking. Bigger place by the look of it - would think that would lend itself well to accommodate a group of us.
I was cleaning shelves yesterday in our den and came across "The Visitor's Guide to Apostle Islands National Lakeshore by Dave Strzok". This was the book that gave me the desire to go sail the Apostle's. I know it is available on Amazon new for $12.00 and used for $4.68. This is well done and worth the money plus will put the islands in perspective to anyone sailing next summer. I can lend my copy to anyone too.... Sail On. Al
Hello, Apostle Island fans!
Just an update:
1) This week, I plan to reach out to my contact, Kelly, at the Port Superior Marina to see if they've determined a number re: available transient slips for August 2023. (Back in August of this year, when I had spoken to her, Kelly told me to check back in with her in November or December of this year to learn what may be available for next year's season.) I will also check into the Buffalo Bay Campground/Marina, per CPYOA member slode's recommendation, to see what their availability is, as well as Pikes Bay Marina, as suggested by CPYOA member alsantini.
If folks know of any other facilities, please let me know, and I'm happy to look into accommodations elsewhere as well. I'm also ordering a copy of "The Visitor's Guide to Apostle Islands National Lakeshore", by Dave Strzok, as alsantini mentioned this book as a great resource for planning our adventure.
2) Would everyone who is still interested in attending please chime in to confirm your preference for a week in August for our trip? I believe, if memory serves me, we had decided upon August, instead of September?
3) rogerschwake, you mentioned in a post on this thread:
" I have a slip reserved for August 29-30-31 at Legendary Waters Resort four miles north of Bayfield. Have not been there before so can't tell you anything about what they offer. There slips are $35 a night and your right across from Basswood Island. I'll let you know what it's like when we get back."
Would love to hear your thoughts regarding your experience and whether you think it could be suitable for us as a potential home base or as a place in which to visit on the trip.
4) Looks like the following islands have been noted of interest: Madeline Island, Devils Island, Oak Island, Basswood Island, and Raspberry Island. I'd also like to add Stockton Island. Any others?
I'm going to assume if we use the weekends for our arrival/set-up and then break-down/departure times, that would leave us M-F for touring the islands. Is it feasible to do one island per day? What do you all think? I don't have a sense for how long it will take to sail to each island, realizing of course, this will all depend upon wind conditions, etc. Weather conditions will also play into us potentially having to alter our plans as well.
Initially, I was thinking of trying to establish a planned itinerary for us, but this may not be what folks have in mind?
Perhaps folks would prefer to visit the islands on their own, and meet up only at only certain points/times during that week?
Please share your thoughts and how you'd envision this trip -- feel free to PM here on the forum, too, if you'd rather share thoughts that way.
Fair winds!
~ Chelle
SV Sunflower (Sunny) | 2021 Com-Pac Legacy
SV No Mas! | 1990 Com-Pac 23D MK3
https://passagesfromtheheart.wordpress.com (https://passagesfromtheheart.wordpress.com)
I'm still planning on attending. With the long drive, I'll probably be there for 2 weeks unless it is within a week of CLR. Then I'll do a week at each and if there is a week between we can visit our daughters in northern IL.
I have been collecting articles on the Apostle Islands for years. Unfortunately, they are still in storage up north, but I did find a "chart" from a seminar I attended at the Strictly Sail show in Chicago.
Well, the pics didn't come clear enough because of the limitations on size, but the back side describes anchorages and when not to use them because of wind direction. As for a marina, we'll need one for launching and storing our rigs, but I wasn't planning on returning until the week, or 2, was complete. But, that's just my plans.
If anyone is planning on making it to Outer or even Devils Island you may want to plan on a night on the hook for a round trip. In good winds it could be done in a day, but doesn't leave much time to explore. Stockton provides good anchorage in most conditions and is a good central location to make other destinations. Sand Island is also a beautiful spot to spend a night after visiting Raspberry and it provides some good hiking.
I for one will be spending at least a couple nights out. It's just too beautiful of a sky to not take advantage of seeing from a cockpit.
I found a couple of articles from Sailing Breezes. I haven' had the opportunity to read them yet, but hopefully they have some useful information.
http://www.sailingbreezes.com/sailing_breezes_current/articles/June03/bree.htm (http://www.sailingbreezes.com/sailing_breezes_current/articles/June03/bree.htm)
http://www.sailingbreezes.com/sailing_breezes_current/damedulac/sailing_the_apostle_islands.htm (http://www.sailingbreezes.com/sailing_breezes_current/damedulac/sailing_the_apostle_islands.htm)
If there's any way this event could be held near CLR, it would save us a lot of driving.
Joan will come to CLR, and then I can drop her off at our daughters in northern IL while I proceed to Bayfield. Or, the opposite.
Carl, when is CLR?
Fair winds,
~ Chelle
SV Sunflower (Sunny) | 2021 Com-Pac Legacy
SV No Mas! | 1990 Com-Pac 23D MK3
https://passagesfromtheheart.wordpress.com (https://passagesfromtheheart.wordpress.com)
Quote from: Seachelle on November 22, 2022, 05:09:26 PM
Carl, when is CLR?
Fair winds,
~ Chelle
SV Sunflower (Sunny) | 2021 Com-Pac Legacy
SV No Mas! | 1990 Com-Pac 23D MK3
https://passagesfromtheheart.wordpress.com (https://passagesfromtheheart.wordpress.com)
That is Steve's (kickingbug) call.
Kickingbug has just announced CLR will be the last week in June. Our youngest daughter is expecting her third son in July, so I'm kind of stuck right now. It would help me out if the Apostle Island sail was the week after CLR, but it should be planned so the majority can participate. I also have a sail to Ocracoke planned for September, and I'm riding my bicycle the entire length of the outer banks in late Sept, early Oct.
Hi, everyone!
I apologize, I'm a bit slow-on-the-go following up with various marinas to learn availability for transient slips this upcoming season. I reached back out to Kelly at Port Superior Marina, earlier today, but got her voicemail. I left a msg for her and, hopefully, she will reach back out to me soon. I plan to contact other marinas that folks have mentioned in this thread as well, so I will work my way through the list and report back what I find.
Sadly, it looks like I will, most likely, be unable to attend, myself, as I made the very difficult decision to find a new captain for beautiful SV No Mas. (She is now in South Carolina, with a very excited captain who's planning many adventures for the two of them!) I am not sure that sailing my Legacy in the region we've proposed is something that I want to do, but perhaps. I'm not certain how that will all shake out, as of now.
With the above said, I'm wondering if there is someone, here, who would might be willing to take over the organization of this event? I am happy to continue to help, of course, but am hoping someone may be willing to take up the reins where we've left things thus far.
Carl, thanks for letting us know about CLR and your schedule -- and many congrats on your daughter's new baby on the way! Wonderful!!!
Hope you all have been enjoying the holiday season and Happy New Year!!!
~ Chelle
Edit: I spoke with Kelly at Port Superior Marina. She said that slips are available, however, they're still waiting to see if they can sell some of those slips as seasonal slips for the 2023 season. She asked us to check back in April 2023 for transient slip availability. She thought she'd have about 10 transient slips (she's guessing).
After owning a Sunday cat and a compac 25 in my past, I?m about to rejoin the compac community with a Horizon Day cat. It would be a little tight, but my 13 year old and I are potentially interested in joining for the first half of the week, assuming it?s the first week of August. Not sure I?m a good person to organize as I?ve never done that before, nor am I familiar with the area and I need to leave Wednesday. I would be willing to help organize if someone else can be primary.
Hello, folks-who-are/were-interested-in-an-Apostle-Islands/Lake Superior Com-Pac gathering! I am happy to report that I've recently enjoyed some 'adventuring' up in the Apostle Islands this summer! I have learned a lot about the area as a result! I think, next summer (2025), I may be able to swing organizing an Apostle Islands meet-up -- is anyone still game?
Fair winds!
~ Chelle (formerly 'Seachelle' on the forums)
If I end up with a 19 by then, I might be up for that!
3 of us are planning a return to the North Channel next summer. No dates set yet, but if the 2 events were consecutive weeks, I'm in.
I'm interested in next summer.
We were already planning an Apostle Island trip next year, so Sylvia and crew are definitely a go if timing works out.
So excited to hear that there's still interest in a Com-Pac Apostle Islands gathering! We're going back up, in mid-September, and I will continue to research amenities/cruising grounds out of the Bayfield, WI, vicinity.
We visited Bayfield, earlier this year, in mid-July. Then, we went again, last week, for another boat shopping/sailing trip. The weather in mid-July was unusually warm, according to the locals with whom I spoke (I think it was in the high 80s/low 90s and pretty humid). Last week, while we were there, the weather was in the upper 60s/low 70s for the highs. We were lucky to have both sunny weather and good wind (no rain!) for both the July and August trips; I'm curious to see what the weather will be like, for our next trip, in September.
There are a handful of marinas in the area we could use as home base and/or stay at during the trip:
Bayfield Marina (https://bayfieldmarina.net/)
Port Superior Marina (https://portsuperior.com/)
Pikes Bay Marina (https://www.pikesbaymarina.com/)
Schooner Bay Marina (https://schoonerbaymarinallc.com/site/)
Washburn Marina (http://www.washburnmarina.com/)
Ashland Marina (https://www.ashlandmarina.com/)
Madeline Island Yacht Club (https://www.miyc.net/dockage)
I will report back on anchorages around the islands, but one, in particular, I'd personally like to visit is off of Stockton Island -- it's called Presque Isle Bay. There are a lot of hiking trails on the island, too, which could be nice in order to stretch our legs: 5 Incredible Stockton Island Hiking Trails: A Hiker's Paradise in Apostle Islands (https://www.apostleisland.com/2023/07/19/5-incredible-stockton-island-hiking-trails/#:~:text=The%20Julian%20Bay%20Trail%2C%20spanning,located%20in%20the%20Apostle%20Islands.)
If memory serves me, many moons ago, my family also anchored on the eastern side of Stockton Island -- I think it might have been called Julian Bay, and there was/is a gorgeous, white sandy beach on that side of the island. We spent the afternoon swimming, as I recall, and I loved every moment of it!
Just as something to whet the appetite: This website features various Apostle Islands ferry tours and adventures -- it gives some great ideas re: some of the attractions of the various islands and may pique some of your interest in deciding upon which islands to cruise to on our boats: https://www.apostleisland.com/ Some islands have caves to explore, lighthouses to see, trails to hike, beaches to relax. Also, if people want more nightlife types of activities, we can always plan a night or two in town.
I'm thinking of trying to organize a week-long sort of adventure to allow for travel time (trailering!) to and from the Apostle Islands. It's about an 8+ hour drive for me, so in essence, two days of driving for me and I am hoping for 5 days of cruising the islands.
Let me know what y'all are thinking! If you have other resources to share for helping shape up a cruise itinerary, please chime in!
As for dates, I'm thinking August, though I think some folks also suggested Sept. My hubby and I are flexible, here!
Fair winds!
~ Chelle
It's 3 days driving for me. I would like to sail the north channel fo two weeks and then head over to Bayfield, or vise-versa. I don't know what the weather is like in July, but CLR is the last week of June, if I could tie all my driving together...🤔
Heading back up to the Apostle Islands next week. Going sailing out of Bayfield as well as also going sailing in the Duluth/Superior area -- will snap some pics and take video to share with y'all of our adventures. I'll look into more planning goodies re: the area to share as well. If anyone wants me to look into anything, specifically, while I'm in the vicinity, please give me a shout out. Cheers!
P.S. Carl, I think you're a moderator of the CPYOA forums, right? Wondering if you see this, is it possible to change the title of this thread from "APOSTLE ISLANDS ADVENTURE 2023" to "APOSTLE ISLANDS ADVENTURE 2025?"
Hey, folks!
Over this summer and fall, I made four trips up to Lake Superior for boat shopping and sailing in the Duluth-Bayfield/Washburn/Ashland (Apostle Islands) areas. I made some videos of my excursions and thought I'd share them, here, to whet your appetite for sailing the Apostle Islands this coming 2025 season! (See links, per below.)
Let's see if we can make a 2025 Apostle Islands Com-Pac Flotilla work! I will be keeping my new-to-me 2002 Com-Pac 25,
SV Solitude (formerly forum member Rafici's boat) at Washburn Marina, which is a lovely and very friendly marina. It has a great ramp and plenty of parking for people to park their trailers. I can ask the manager about transient slips for folks -- however, I'll need to have a boat count to give to them an idea as to how many slips we'd need. I have been told that slip availability is typically not known until somewhere btwn Jan.-Feb. -- this is because they have to wait for current slip holders to see if they're renewing for the 2025 season.
The above said, there are lots of other options for marinas in the area, too. Of course, the advantage with our trailerable Com-Pacs is that they're easily launched and rigged, so if necessary, it's easy to relocate to another marina, if necessary. Plus, if we anchor out -- no slip necessary. It's all manageable and we can make it happen!
I'd suggest to start researching islands you'd like to visit, but we also need to keep in mind the travel times for reaching said islands. For example, Madeline Island is the closest Island to Washburn and would be easy to reach within a daysail (and even back, I think).
One of the destinations I have in mind is Stockton Island. Beautiful anchorages, white sandy beaches, and trails to hike! But, I've been told it takes about 5 hours (from Bayfield) to sail there with decent wind -- and that's aboard a 36+ ft sailboat! I'm surmising with the shorter waterlines we have with our boats, it will take longer -- of course, there's also always adding the 'iron sail' in the mix, if needed.
Again, with trailerable boats, we can always relocate to areas which would put other islands within reach, as opposed to departing from Washburn or Bayfield.
Check out a map of the area: https://www.nps.gov/apis/planyourvisit/maps.htm (https://www.nps.gov/apis/planyourvisit/maps.htm)
Here are my videos of sailing in the Apostle Islands area, as well as video footage of my new-to-me Com-Pac 25! ENJOY!!!