It is that time of year when my boating fix in the Midwest is filled with planning next summer. I am seriously considering a week exploring the area of Lake Superior known as the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. I have never been there so any advice anyone might have on: Best launch ramp with nearby parking for the truck and trailer for a week, best marina's and anchorages, any sights or places that we do not want to miss? Is July and August the time to go? (It is about a 700 mile tow one-way from Indianapolis so is there going to be a North Channel rendezvous in 2017 that I should coordinate my travel plans with to spend less time on the highway?)
We have a R25SC.
As far as a Rendezvous is concerned I'm in the planning stages for one this coming summer (2017). With that said I don't have a firm date or location yet but wanted you to know I'm working on it. In early January I should have things organized in order to make an announcement here on Tugnuts. If you'd PM me your email address I'll send you a note as well. Interested to hear about the Apostle Islands.
We launched in Bayfield and stayed at the marina right in town and the ramp was an easy walk. The trailer storage was free and we parked our truck right at our slip. You have to try the White fish Livers at a restaurant called Maggies. Also with in walking distance of the marina. We took day trips to the surrounding areas and parks by boat. They have fuel but not sure if they had diesel since our boat was a gas outboard at the time. We did get stopped by the local police as they thought I was over width. Measured me twice as they thought I was not holding the dumb end of the measuring tape in the full position. Also watch your speed. There are police hidden in a few places looking to help you get rid of some your money. Be mindful of afternoon storms which can roll in quite fast. Beautiful area. We were there in September.
We are making plans for a Lake Superior trip the summer of 2017. Would like to include Isle Royal as well. Thinking about doing a circumnavigation of the entire lake. Services seem to be somewhat sparse on the Canadian side east of Thunder Bay. May just decide on that while we are up there!
We will be trailering in from Phx , AZ. . Trying to carve out 2-3 months for this adventure. This will be the first major outing for our new CW 28.
I don't know about diesel availability in Bayfield but I can recommend Pike's Bay Marina's fuel dock for diesel. Pike's Bay is just 2.5 nautical miles or so by water South of Bayfield.
I second the motion re: being care full about your speed as you approach Bayfield, particularly from the South. The speed limit drops sharply way before you get into the town proper and the police stake out that area frequently.
In my opinion, the Apostle Islands are one of the best destinations in all of the Great Lakes. You probably won''t do a lot of swimming. The lake stays very cold . . . through the whole summer! But all other aspects of boating in the area are wonderful. Bayfield is at the heart of it all and is one of our favorite places. You won't regret spending a week there with your boat. You will regret not spending two weeks there!
We Spent two weeks there August summer 2015, there is one ramp in town in bayfield, Marinas have parking for trailers. We spent nights at pikes bay, in town marina and Madeline island as well as anchoring out and also at the public docks at a couple of the islands, very very awesome boating. We visited many of the islands...sea caves are spectacular ......bring a dingy, bikes
Check out many pic's we have posted.gallery2.php?g2_itemId=41093
Thank you all for your great advice. Now you have us even more excited to make this trip. Bikes, Kayaks, and zodiac all in one trip! Does not get any better than that.
Todd and Anita
We also have both sailed and motored the islands. We have cruised the western half of Lake Superior, starting at Bayfield and cruising west to Duluth, then up the north shore to Isle Royal, then to Copper Harbor, MI and west to Bayfield. Spent a month - great fun. Apostle Island Marine in Bayfield has diesel and pump out. Madeline Island Yacht Club also has diesel. The ramp in Bayfield is deep and works well for our boat. The Chamber of Commence allowed me to park the truck and trailer in their parking lot. The facilities at Apostle Island Marina in Bayfield and the Madeline Island Yacht Club, Madeline Island are nice and clean. There are transient spaces at the Bayfield docks but no facilities. Cornucopia is also a great place to stop for a day and they also have diesel. You do want to keep a watchful eye on the weather. It can get very rough. July/August are the warmest but also the busiest months. Have bug screens available for your windows, hatches and door.
Once you leave the Islands, there is very few protected anchoring spots. Bonnie Dahl's Superior Way is the bible for lake Superior; I would highly recommend you obtain a copy before you depart from home. I also have a chart marked with places to anchor in the islands. I can explain the locations and provide additional information if anybody wants to send me a direct message or e-mail me. N1322D@GMAIL.com
