Vacation planning ?

[nes-cv23]

Trying to think of a fun thing to do this summer on the 23, and was thinking of taking it to Dulth and running up the nort shore. Any one else done anything like that and can offer some advise on where to go and how to navigate the big water? 

[Hyperacme]

Jason did it few years back ...
He should chime in soon.
He posted some cool pictures.

[Jason]

I know I am not the only one who has navigated the mighty Lake Superior but i'll throw in my 2 cents. I've only been in the apostle islands area of Lake superior but in 3 different boats. CV16SS, V172, and most recently the CV23. All worked out great but you need to keep an eye on the weather and head out on a calm day.

I use the Navionics app on my phone for navigation and it works great.

I've always chose the Apostle Island area as I like the idea of having the protection of the islands in the event of sudden weather changing. Plus, they islands are all national park land and have dock mourning, hiking trails, light houses, and other historical places to explore.

It is a bit nerve racking when you get out to the outer islands, see 362' deep on the depth finder, can't see another boat as far as you can see, and your cell phone does not have any reception. but the reward of being "off the grid" and in that beautiful environment is well worth it!

If you want more details about where to lauch, camp, dock, etc let me know.

http://forum.cgoamn.com/index.php?topic=3381.0


http://forum.cgoamn.com/index.php?topic=6765.0

I'd really like to launch near Grand Portage and explore Isle Royale and the Susie Islands some time.

[fireman24mn]

I have went fishing off of the north shore many times. We launched out of McQuade Safe Harbor just type it in and you will pop up. you can run to Duluth from their or if you wanted I'm sure you could run up to Two Harbors. 

As Jason said watch the weather and wind if the wind is coming out of the north east you will get big waves fast.

I have been out many times and been 2-3 miles from shore and the lake was like glass, other times not so much. Almost got lost in the fog once had to use a compass to get back to the launch.  I was always in a 19ft boat.

Myself I would like to do the Apostiles and I would also love to Go to Lake Of The Ozarks. Both big water and big boat areas but can be done in our smaller ones as well.

[CVX Fever]

I've boated lake Superior quite a bit. I wouldn't recommend the north shore. Not a lot to do and not many places to run for cover if the weather turns sour on you. And trust me if it gets nasty that CV23 will feel really small quick. I ran my 23' Larson Hampton cuddy from Barkers Island in Duluth over the the Apostles and back but I wouldn't recommend that to anyone without a lot of experience on the lake. Your better offer just trailering over to Bayfield and exploring the Apostle Islands from there. You can also slip the boat in a marina and use it as a hotel room which is what I've always done. As Jason already said there are lighthouses, hiking trails, docks to tie to, and beautiful sandy beaches you can enjoy in the Apostles.

Before leaving I'd put a ship to shore radio in the boat, get some good nautical maps of the area, and bring someone along in another boat if possible for safety. If something happens and you have to get in that water you've got about 10 minutes before hypothermia sets in. There is also a book written by Bonnie Dahl called the Superior way. I used it when I did my 9 day trip out of Grand Portage around Isle Royale. Lots of good information. There is a section on the Apostles where she gives you locations of docks, good anchorages (she's a sailor) , shoal areas, beaches and other useful information on each island. A must have for boating on Superior IMHO>

I love boating in the Apostles, my favorite place to boat right after Isle Royal. Be careful, once you experience it you might get hooked!

Here's a few of my pictures.

Outer Island Lighthouse. North shore in the background. Lake was pretty calm that day.



Here' walking up to the same light house



Here's the first trip I ever took up there with my 23' Larson. I went with a group. Parked in a transient slip in downtown Bayfield. You can see this area is super popular with the sailers and for good reason.



Presque Isle Bay, Stockton Island. Crystal clear water with a beautiful sand bottom - gorgeous! I've boated the Apostles mostly with a group but have done it solo. More fun with a group and safer.

[nes-cv23]

Thanks guys, thats the kind of advise I was looking for. I knew it wouldn't have been the trip to do unprepared. That wasn't the only place we we're thinking of but I think it will go the the bottom of the list now.

[fireman24mn]

I not know that I would shy away from it. I have a friend that lives in Lakeville and goes up there fishing quite a bit in the summer. He has a 19 ft boat. He just watches the forecast to decide if he is going or not.

[Jason]

Put it back on top of the list!! It is by far my favorite place to boat. You just can't beat the feeling. You stop the boat and you can see huge boulders 30' under water. The feeling is just amazing out there. You have to check it out.

Otherwise, I have also really enjoyed Voyageurs. A lot of docks you pull up to with campsites. (I think you can reserve ahead of time now)
http://forum.cgoamn.com/index.php?topic=2414.msg26580#msg26580

Lake Vermilion is a lot of fun. lots of small channels.

Burntside lake in Ely is very nice as well. Deep and clear with lots of tiny rock islands.

[CVX Fever]

All the CV23's in the club you guys should get something put together. Jason knows his way around the Apostles. I've seen CV23's running around up there on more than one occasion. I'd never bring the 18 up there but I would a CV23 if I owned one. It'a an amazing area. That would be fun/cool to have 4-6 of them running around in a group. Jeff R & Jim B will go!

[nes-cv23]

We will go there sometime. but it's like the first time on the Mississippi, it would be nice to have someone who's done it before...with.   Mississippi is no big deal know.   If we could get a group to go togather... Count us in!     Was also thinking of Elk lake or Tourch lake in Michigan. Clear, clear, blue water.

[DL-North]

Hey Jason,

Don't tell them about Burntside, nothing to do there.

Dan

[fireman24mn]

We will go there sometime. but it's like the first time on the Mississippi, it would be nice to have someone who's done it before...with.   Mississippi is no big deal know.   If we could get a group to go togather... Count us in!     Was also thinking of Elk lake or Tourch lake in u.p. Michigan. Clear, clear, blue water.

If you don't have one buy a cheap iPad from CL that has GPS in it. Download the Navionics app (or use use your phone) If you pre download maps you will have depth and markers on there.  We were just on a cruise in the Caribbean and I opened the navi. app on my phone and it showed ship speed and direction just didn't have all the detailed depths. If I would have downloaded the maps previously then it would have.  I use it on the big boat all the time. I also just bought the depth finder that connects via wifi to the iPad so now I will get real time readings that update my maps as well.

I would be interested in the trip after I get the 23 done don't want to take the jet up there.

[Rosscoe]

All the CV23's in the club you guys should get something put together. Jason knows his way around the Apostles. I've seen CV23's running around up there on more than one occasion. I'd never bring the 18 up there but I would a CV23 if I owned one. It'a an amazing area. That would be fun/cool to have 4-6 of them running around in a group. Jeff R & Jim B will go!

Thats what I was thinking.