Any of you guys ever been there? I'm thinking it would be cool to sail those islands, and even find 'Balanced Rock', I believe it is called. Plus lots of other really neat geological formations.

If you feel like you're carrying an extra 300# ballast, it's only me. PLEASE let me out topside to view the scenery when you get there! Somewhere I saw an article about a guy who spent a week on his 22 footer up there. Seems his only problem was getting friendly with all the canoeist and waking up with way to many hangovers. Sounds like a great trip.
For the first time ever I was up in Door County this summer and my goal is to sail there. I should be able to pull the Catalina 22 behind my mini van (3500# rating), but I fear I would have troubles getting it out of the water. A marginal tow vehicle could be big trouble! Do you plan to sail up there or do a barefoot charter?

Heya, Doug!
Naw, take to damned long to actually sail there. I'd have to cross the length of Lake Michigan, cut through the NW of Lake Huron, then (likely motor due to traffic) through the passage into Lake Superior. Then, of course, I'd then have to transit the legth of Lake Superior! Certainly sounds awesome, and I shall do that one day, but... alas... as a working man, I simply cannot take a couple of MONTHS off of work.

As such, I'll be towing my Santana 2023 up there. Sure can't beat leaving early in the morning, launching, and being on the water late that same afternoon! When I was looking to buy my vessal, I intentionally looked for and purchased something that I could TOW. Didn't like the idea of being locked in the Milwaukee area like the rest of these scrubs that hang out around here (just teasing at you guys, you know that!)

I like the idea that I can be launching in the Carribbean the same day that I depart. Lake Nippissing, Georgian Bay, Lake Huron, North Channel, Apostle Islands... hell, everything is within striking range. Likely the biggest purchasing point of my vessal was that I could tow it. Had never seen a Santana 2023 before, checked it out due to curiosity. Goodness, my tow weight of the boat (dry) is only 1,580 pounds!

Anyway, when you do Door County (great time), I'd suggest launching at Fish Creek. They have free parking for your rig and vehicle behind the Post Office for however many days you want.

Let me know if you're interested in the Apostle Islands for next summer, perhaps we can carravan up there. Either way, looks awesome sailing, great scenery to be seen.

Since you have the flexibility of actually going somewhere (towing), I'd suggest you contemplate the North Channel, too. Simply fantastic, and a great launch site is @ Spanish, Ontario. If you ever decide to head that way, let me know, and I'll point out a few spots for you on my charts!

Anyway, anyone here ever done the Apostle Islands? Points of interest? Input?

Gary,

Marilyn and I did a bareboat charter out of Bayfield last August. We had a great time and had planned on hauling the MacGregor back this year. But ... we bought the Beneteau instead.

I stongly suggest you head to your local library and get a copy of Bonnie Dahl's Superior Way. She has a very detailed section on the Apostle Islands. www.amazon.com/Superior-Way-Cruising-Guide-Lake/dp/0942235495

Beautiful area to sail in. You will be on the hook most nights so make sure you have good ground tackle for sandy/mud bottom with plenty of chain. Your anchorage will be determined by the predicted wind for that night as most anchorages only have two sided protection.

Just got back last night from pulling a 3000# U-Haul, w/o brakes, from NC State (Raleigh NC) to U Mass (Amherst, MA). I must have been sleeping so many years ago when my geography teacher was talking about the mountains in Massachusetts! Compared to my #2200 camper and the 1997 Camry I've towed (both with brakes), this was a job! The good news is as soon as I lost the trailer I called my son and told him to start planning our Door County trip! Little Myrtle is going on the road! I'm sure the Zoom Zoom Mobile can do it! I'll be asking you guys for more advise next spring.

I meet a guy who did take the summer off and sail his Catalina 25 (28?)to the north shore of Lake Superior. He tried to blow some junk out of his fuel line and swallowed a mouth full of diesel! He was in a communication dead zone, and nothing - CB, marine, or phone, worked. He laid there for three days and figured he was just going to die. After a time everything "passed" and he was on his feet again. (Another reminder that our "play" can be dangerous!)

Thanks for the offer to form up a caravan. I've been reading about different groups that have rendezvous, and they sound great. I followed the thread about the mid-lake buoy trip, but figured you big guys would be there and back before I got half way out. Some sort of "trailer-sailor" event sounds like fun.

Summer's almost over. Enjoy a little more sailing.

Doug