Lake Superior Beckons

H

hank clow

New member
We're looking forward to another season on Lake Superior and hope many of you will join us in exploring this greatest of the Great Lakes. Early June to September are the traditional cruising dates for the Big Lake. At this writing the lake temperature is around 34 degrees and we're expecting snow.

We are conveniently located near L'Anse, MI and the Keweenaw Peninsula. This location provides easy access to a variety of cruises from overnight to several days. There is a nearby launch site and marina and we have plenty of room for truck and trailer parking.

We are planning a cruise to Isle Royale National Park in early August and would be delighted to have others join us. We're looking at spending 10 days exploring but, given the changeable conditions on Lake Superior it's difficult to plan a specific itinerary. We will launch from Grand Portage, MN as it is just an 18 mile crossing to the Park. One drawback to visiting the Park is the prohibition of domestic animals on vessels. Huge fines have been imposed for violation of this rule even when the four-legged friends have remained aboard.

Last summer we were able to host several C-Dorys and we're hoping they'll return and bring friends. We look forward to your inquiries about cruising in the great north country.

Hank and Pat Clow
Meri Aura
 
We spent two days with Hank and Pat boaterhoming in their yard last August before launching at Grande Portage for our trip to Isle Royale. They are gracious hosts and we enjoyed our time with them. Hank told me about his favorite cruising spot, Isle Royale on Lake Superior at the Hontoon Gathering two years ago and we really enjoyed the trip, and so will you.
 
Wow! What a great invitation. We were one of the boats that trailer camped in Hank and Pat's yard last Summer, before cruising the area. You couldn't find better host. Meeting new friends like them has been a large part of our C-dory cruising experience.

Bill and Becky Smith

Blue Days
 
Hi Hank & Pat, I still have Possible Isle Royal August on my calendar. (The possible part means exact schedule unkown.) I still have every intention of joining you guys for that. Don't know Rosanne's schedule, and with all the other travel and time off she has taken so far and planned this summer, it may be just me. But in any case, you can plan on Midnight Flyer joining you either solo handled or party of two! 8) Just let me know when you plan to launch! Colby

P.s. I too have boaterhomed at the Clows. Great hospitality, and good area to cruise!
 
This is Todd and Susan Miller.
We live in Grand Marais MN, about 40 miles from Isle Royal.
Tomorrow I leave to go look at a c-dory 25 in Florida.
Hopefully I will bring it back with me.
Then we should remain in contact for your trip to the big lsland.
Cheers.
Todd and Susan
 
If you plan on boating in Minnesota waters, be aware that there is a new requirement that all boats with an enclosed head, sink and enclosed sleeping area must have at least one ABYC approved CO detector installed. A porta potty under a vee birth is not considered an enclosed head.
All enclosed boats that do not meet the three criteria, are required to have three CO warning stickers. An example would be a 22 foot C-dory with a porta potty under the vee birth does not need a CO detector but is required to have the warning stickers.
The Minnesota DNR web site Sophia's Law page has more info.

Larry Anderson
Reel Time
VSC examiner Duluth Power Squadron
 
Thanks for the heads-up. We'll check with the Minnesota DNR for clarification on out-of-state boats launching from Minnesota facilities.

Meri Aura
 
Hank, Pat,
First thing I did after reading that post about Minnesota's new CO2 Detector law, was go to the DNR site and start reading. It is exactly as posted above. They are including out of state boats. I.e., any boat that boats on Minnesota waters! My take is that we should be able to get those stickers at any marina or DNR outlet. Politically, I don't agree with Minnesota. I don't need 3 of those damn stickers stuck all over my boat! (Stern, berth and cabin). From reading comments on at least one of their news stories, I suspect I'm not the only one that feels that way. I do have a CO2 monitor on my boat. But it is not hardwired, but rather what they probably consider portable with it's own 10 year battery. To install a hard wired one if your boat does not already have one, will run several hundred dollars just for the unit. Also, according to the rules you need to have the units installed in both the cabin and sleeping quarters. So I suppose they would expect two in our boats, if the porta potty counted. That's the CD-22. I think the CD-25 folks will have bigger worries with the enclosed head. Anyway, just my two cents worth. I'm still looking at joining you and any others for Isle Royal. I'll plan on sending a request to the MN DNR for some stickers, or to just pick them up at where we launch. I'll attach them, but they will be removed when I return back to Wisconsin! :mrgreen: Colby
 
After taking a look at the calendar we're scheduling the Isle Royale adventure for August 1, 2017. We will gather on that date at the marina in Grand Portage, MN. Departure for the Island will be the following morning. We're planning a tentative ten-day itinerary, but anyone joining us can come an go as they please. There is a large filling station near the marina where you can conveniently fill your tanks as the fuel on the Island is rather expensive and there are only two sources available.

Thanks Colby, for your research on the Minnesota DNR CO requirements.

We'll keep you updated as the summer evolves. Current Lake Superior water temperatures are 38 degrees. Brrrrrr!!!!

Meri Aura
 
Battery operated CO detectors that meet ABYC requirements, will be available soon. The cost will be about $110.00. According to the DNR, stickers will be available at marine retailers and marinas.
The law was created when a child died in an aft cabin due to an animal chewing a hole in an exhaust pipe. She was found dead thirty minutes after entering the cabin.
Reel Time
 
I can get the requirement to have CO detectors. However, I don't see the utility of the stickers (unless they change color in the presence of CO). Stickers aren't going to alert you to any CO levels or sound an alarm if you are sleeping.
 
What I was told by the DNR, is that if your boat does not meet all three requirements for installing CO detectors the law states that if you have an enclosed, area warning stickers are required.
 
It's official. We bought the C-dory 25 and will hopefully have it here in Grand Marais within 10 days. Let's keep in touch. I am the port captain for the Great Lakes Cruising Club, a licensed Captain, and former sail boat live aboard cruiser with my wife Susan. We are looking forward to the C-dory life.
 
We look forward to seeing you on the big lake this season, if it ever warms up. We actually had a few snowflakes today. We are also former sailors and GLCC members as are many other C-doryites (that may not be a word)

Trailer on over to the Keweenaw Peninsula and join us for a totally new view of cruising on Lake Superior.

Meri Aura
 
Minnesota has postponed the startup of the CO detector law until May of 2018. There where too many unanswered questions and the battery operated version just became available. My last conversation with a marine patrol game warden was that they might exempt outboard powered boats from the requirement.
 
I sort of suspected this might happen. Really an overkill law that I don't think the state could have enforced on out of state boaters without hurting their tourism. BTW, if anyone wants one of the decals, I did get a bunch of extra ones. Sadly, the decal sizes are a bit overbearing. So many other things on the water that can cause you harm, and they chose to over do it on this one. Colby
 
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