Planning a trip to the Apostle islands.

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I/we want to plan a trip to the Apostle islands.

My question is, what if any charts etc. are required to explore this area.

Always being on inland lakes and here on the Mississippi for experience, it’s would seem that I need to do more preparation than “just show up”.

Advise please.

Regards,

Ron Fisher
 
Great place to plan a trip. You might be able to get by with out charts, but there are some small charts (fishing hotspots, etc) that have the local waters. There is a few books out also that talk about the Islands. No time now, but I will come back later and give you a little more info. I did run into another couple on a C-dory 22 in the Apostles two years ago. (Another reason I am looking to buy a C-dory myself...) Colby
 
We went there for the first time right after the Guttenberg gathering last September.
We were able to buy the charts that we needed at the Bayfield Marina.
Bayfield has a boat launch, trailer parking, restaurants, stores, lodging.

It sure can get cold up there.

It is much bigger water, I would make sure all of your safety gear is in order, including a good anchor, chain and anchor line. Even if you plan on doing only day trips, take bedding and supplies to stay out over night.

The new Indian Casino at Red Cliff has docking facilities, all you can eat buffet, and nice rooms at a reasonable price.

It is very scenic and the water is crystal clear.

Tex and Sharon
 
Ron and Connie,

We were up in the Apostle Islands two years ago, and have NOAA chart, Bonnie Dahls "Superior Way" cruising guide and Garmin SD card for Lake Superior. You are welcome to use them, if you like. Let us know and we can mail them. We stayed the first week in Washburn and the second at Little Sand Bay and used them as safe harbors. We made trips and overnights in Cornucopia and Black River Harbor to see the waterfalls and caves.

Rich, Judy and Tilly
"Sandpiper"
 
If I remember correctly, the docking facilities at the Indian Casino leave a lot to be desired. We launched at Bayfield and stayed at Ray's Point Marina, a great place: Journey On at Bayfield.

I'd get a cruising guide before I left for the Apostles, just so that you can get familiar with the various islands, in theory. And download the charts from NOAA: NOAA Charts. You'll either need a navigation program, which is a good thing to get, or NOAA has a free viewer.

Bayfield's a lovely place to visit, and don't miss a fish boil.

Boris
 
Boris, The New indian casino just had opened in Sept 2011 when we were there.
It is all brand new. including brand new first class boat docks with a breakwater.
 
OK, I figure that I will probably be jumped on about this, but I have flown and navigated complex aircraft without a problem, but a sailor that “has to” depend on navigation, I’m not.

What navigation aids will I “really” need?

Regards,

Ron Fisher
 
Hm, I would think that navigating an aircraft through all the different airspace is similar to navigating a boat through a lot of different channels. Though going aground is easier on you in a boat than in an airplane.

Just get the charts from NOAA, look at them, see where you want to go, where a good route is (learn the nautical markers, also free from NOAA) and go. No different from navigating an airplane. Just slower. NOAA web site above.

We use a chartplotter which automatically shows our position and tells us which way to head, after we enter our route, but Judy says that's cheating. I believe (but don't know,) that's what airplane pilot do.

Boris
 
Hello Ron,
Have some time now, and looked through what I have. I've been up to the Apostles with my boat twice. (A 26 foot cabin cruiser.) The water levels have been quite low, but with your boat, you should have no problem. However, some of the docks are going to be pretty high. (They were high for me in a Searay 268 Sundancer). I don't belive the levels have come up much. First, I'd recommend you go on to the Wisconsin DNR website, and google any other sites, to get information on the Apostle Islands. There is some good information about the islands them selves. Next, I'd get the Richardsons Lake Superior Chart book. Also the Lake Superior Ports o' Call by Lakeland Boating is a good reference. The NOAA chart for the Apostle Islands (14973) might come in handy. However, I have Garmin's Mapsource blue charts for Lake Superior, and they provided most my navagation help. Lastly, The Visitors Guide to Apostle Island National Lakeshore by Dave Strzok provides some good info on the islands as well. The Fishing Hot Spots chart I was thinking of earlier is Chequamegon Bay. However, it just covers in between Bayfield and Madeline Island. There are many channels between all the islands, so you can have some protection somewhere with most winds. But out in them middle of the channel can get pretty bad in a decent wind. Also, you can just about always see one of the islands during your venture, so you're never more than maybe 1/2 mile from land. A couple Islands I enjoyed, was Devils Island, one of the farthest out from Bayfield, for it's sea caves. Madeline Island has the town of LaPointe with some interesting shops. Stockton Island is probably the next largest and decent dockage, but it's a high step up to a cement dock. Bayfield has a pretty small launch, that you would have no problem with. Parking might be an issue if you plan on staying more than a few days. Up on the north end of the peninsula is Little Sand Bay, which has a ramp and good parking at the state park. With the channels and numerous islands, having some kind of map or chart, just to know where you are at is going to be helpful. Hope this helpes. Colby P.s. Strawberry Island has a neat old rehabbed light house.
 
Ron, With typical pilot skills, You can do the Apostles with a compass and the basic charts that they sell at the marina. A Vhf marine radio would be nice to have for emergencies and to keep up on weather alerts, but you can do that on a cellphone if necessary.

A depth finder would also be helpful as there are some shallow sandbars that extend long distances from some of the islands, but they are shown on the charts

Tex
 
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