North Channel Cruise / Isle Royale / Lake Mendota

[Mark Prouty]

I've signed up for the Trailer/Sailors Association's North Channel Cruise from July 23rd to July 31st. I'll be taking my 13 year old son Tim.

I hope it is as exciting as my trip last summer to Isle Royale. Isle Royale is the Island off Thunder Bay in Lake Superior on the map below.

Camping on Isle Royale.



From the The Isle Royale Story you can see I have alot to learn about sailing in big water! Much more to it than the daysailing I'm used to on Lake Mendota here in Madison, WI.

Daysailing on Lake Mendota with my Montego 20
.

Isle Royale Maps

I'll be living on My Mac in Lake Mendota for two weeks (late June/earyl July) while my kid is taking lessons at Hoofers Sailing Club. Going into work from the boat. Shower at the health club.

The Kid will get to lessons in the dinghy


Hoofers Sailing Club Tech Dinghy Sailing


The North Channel is in Lake Huron where Drummond Island is on the map below. It is supposed to be one of the top sailing spots in the world.


I'll be busy!

[Dave X2000 Jac]

Mark,
We sailed/explored the North Channel for two weeks last summer on my 26X and will be returning July 18 - Aug. 3 this summer. The Trailer Sailors itinerary looks nice, but we're more inclined to go off on our own, spent the night in a deserted cove, etc. If you havent already done so, get the Richardson's for Lake Huron. It includes lots of detail about the North Channel and Georgian Bay. You shouldn't need any other charts. Also, we got some great ideas from Lakeland Boating - Lake Huron which also includes NC and GB. Each afternoon before the mosquitos get active, we like to explore the islands for blue berries and scenery. Repeated trial and error led us to our most effective way of "docking". I slowly nose in to two feet of water. My brother slides off the bow with a 100' line cleated off to the bow. I back out and do a "180". I cut the motor, lift it and flip the captain's seat to tie off the line to a rear cleat. My brother pulls us in to shore. Just before we scrape in to the shore, I position and tie off a big astroturf door mat to underside of the stern where the stern rests on the rocky shore. That way the gelcoat doesn't chip, and you can get on and off (boat-shore) with ease. Two long lines to trees, and you're set for the night. This set up puts you a little closer to the mosquitos, but with good screens (You MUST have good screens !!!) it's worth the convenience of being at shore. The weather can get nasty, but with that many islands, you can usually find a leeward shore that will let you navigate your way out of the waves.
You'll love this place,
Dave "Jac"

[Mark Prouty]

We sailed/explored the North Channel for two weeks last summer on my 26X and will be returning July 18 - Aug. 3 this summer.

Maybe we'll see you up there!

The Trailer Sailors itinerary looks nice, but we're more inclined to go off on our own, spent the night in a deserted cove, etc.

I am worried about sailing with such a large group. I'll probably break off from them.

If you havent already done so, get the Richardson's for Lake Huron.

Yes I did get Richardson's. It seems very good.

Also, we got some great ideas from Lakeland Boating - Lake Huron which also includes NC and GB.

I'll look into getting that.

Each afternoon before the mosquitos get active, we like to explore the islands for blue berries and scenery. Repeated trial and error led us to our most effective way of "docking". I slowly nose in to two feet of water. My brother slides off the bow with a 100' line cleated off to the bow. I back out and do a "180". I cut the motor, lift it and flip the captain's seat to tie off the line to a rear cleat. My brother pulls us in to shore. Just before we scrape in to the shore, I position and tie off a big astroturf door mat to underside of the stern where the stern rests on the rocky shore.

What an excellent idea. I've heard how rocky it is there. I also got one of these anchor buddies.

(You MUST have good screens !!!)

Yep, just got em.

You'll love this place

I hear its great. I'm looking forward to it.

Thanks for the feedback!
Mark

[SPC Paul]

Mark,

I read the story of your Isle Royale trip. Sounds like a blast. That is definately one of the first places I'm sailing to. I live in Houghton, MI, so it's not all that far. Just about 50 miles straight across Lake Superior. I've lived there for about 6 years now, but I've never been to the park. Have you ever sailed the Green Bay/Door county area? I've got a friend in Howard, WI who keeps telling me what a great place Door county is, so I was wondering if anyone has sailed that area.

Oh yeah, almost forgot.... Today marks my unit's 13th month in Iraq! Strangely there was no celebration...

SPC Jared Paul
"Old Ironsides"
1991 Mac 26S

[Jim Bunnell]

Mark-

My son (9) and I are planning the Trailer-Sailor cruise also. Unfortunately for Tim, my 14 year old daughter can't make the trip. I'm new to cruising, so I'll probably stick with the float plan so there are people around when I screw-up Look forward to seeing you there.

Jim

[Rich Smith]

My wife and I are towing our Mac to Killarny and spending the third week in July in the North Channel. If you see a MacX with a big "Halcyon" logo stop by for a drink!

Cheers,
Rich.

[Mark Prouty]

Mark,

I read the story of your Isle Royale trip. Sounds like a blast. That is definately one of the first places I'm sailing to. Have you ever sailed the Green Bay/Door county area?
Oh yeah, almost forgot.... Today marks my unit's 13th month in Iraq! Strangely there was no celebration...

Houghton! I'll bet winters are awsome with that 200 inches or more of snow each winter. I remember driving through there and seeing piers to the second story of houses. A engineer I worked with went to Michigan Tech University. He remembered plastic sledding from a second story window. You'll be digging a hole down to work on your Mac in the winter.


My wife and older son met me on Isle Royaly last summer. The came over on the Ranger III out of Houghton. You are so close you have to get over there. It was an exceptional place!


I have sailed in Door county but I was only 10 or 11 years old. My dad rented a sailboat from Sister Bay and we sailed to Chambers Island. That was a long time ago and my memory has faded but I remember it was very beautiful. I also remember be becalmed and gettting really bored on the way back. Hey that incident in my childhood may have subconsciously persuaded me to get a Mac 26X with a big motor.

I'm looking forward to the days when you're out of Iraq and I can read the posts of you with your sailboat.

[Mark Prouty]

Hi Mark,

North Channel? Wow! You may well run into some folks doing The Great Loop while you're there.

It's right on the route!

Great post, too love your jpgs & gifs!

I'm envious,
David

Ahh! but only one small piece of a much larger adventure!

Thanks,
Mark

[Mark Prouty]

Mark-

My son (9) and I are planning the Trailer-Sailor cruise also. Unfortunately for Tim, my 14 year old daughter can't make the trip. I'm new to cruising, so I'll probably stick with the float plan so there are people around when I screw-up Look forward to seeing you there.

Jim

Yea, my son is getting to that age. I going with the group for the same reason. I screwed-up a little on the big water last year and put us in a position that was not real safe one night. My son was scared to death at the time but now talks about it like it was one of his best adventures ever.

[Mark Prouty]

My wife and I are towing our Mac to Killarny and spending the third week in July in the North Channel. If you see a MacX with a big "Halcyon" logo stop by for a drink!

Cheers,
Rich.

Thanks, hope to see you. I'll stop by for that drink. Listen for my boat Double Trouble. My son likes to use the VHF.

[Dave X2000 Jac]

Rich,
Killarney is a cool little town. Be certain to get a white fish and fries dinner from Mr. Perch (the red and white school bus). Killarney is a great starting point for your sail - only 1/2 day of sailing to Baie Fine and some great hiking. You will get cold (Yes - even in July). You'll probably get wet. You will experience lots of mosquitos. ......but it's all worth it to have such great cruising.
Maybe we'll see you,
Dave "Jac"
p.s. Heywood Island has great inlets for spending a quiet, isolated night.