C-Dory Meet Up in Midwest

I would love to join in.
I have finally gotten the replacement boat/trailer/truck together enough to travel. Not totally finished, but enough to start back.
Will be checking in for updates.
Looking forward to seeing y’all again
Best
Dale
 
August is nice up north… (while we’re enduring “ thermal lockdown” here)
A few years ago, I took the family to Gore Bay (Manitoulin Island) September 11 - 18 and we did the last night of the season at two restaurants before we left. So they were pretty much ready… the weather was mostly great with some exciting variety. Beautiful area…

Don’t know about Wisconsin or Minnesota, but Keweenaw and the U P have a secondary season of leaf peepers as far as being open for business. As far as boating… the weather starts shifting towards the end of September.

Looking for a respite from the dangerous heat index that keeps us confined.
 
We spent a week in that area, but we did not have our C Dory. The art shop owner near the waterfront is a C Dory owner and will have all of the info on boating there.

There was heavy fog, and rain in late August, early Sept. to the extent that the Tour boat went out, and turned back giving a full refund.

I don't think it would be a good area for hosting a cruise however.
 
What is the significance of the covered marina slips?
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Donald, having a covered slip provides shade from the summer heat, and protection from any rain. Great also if you have a covered area to socialize, again for the rain, and if you don't want to be out in the sun.

Regarding the Apostle Islands. Yes, a great place to cruise. But you do have to watch the weather. With all the islands and channels, you can usually find one that is out of the wind. When I've cruised n the Apostles, I usually launch north of Bayfield at the Little Sand Bay county park & campground. Parking is free, and the launch fee was $10. There is a very small marina there, no hookups, but some nice slips. The problem is, it's not very protected from northerly winds. So can be a real problem getting back in, or out, if the winds are more than about 10 kts. I've never had an issue with security and have left my truck and trailer there as long as two weeks. There is a nice protected launch ramp in Bayfield, but parking for more than 72 hours becomes a problem. I do believe the Bayfield marina offers paid parking. There are numerous lighthouses that are nice and interesting to explore. And some very scenic sea caves. I may or may not get there this summer, but do get up there every couple of years. Last time I was there, there seemed to be an abundance of C-Dory's cruising in the area. Colby
 
thataway":mnlzyi5f said:
We spent a week in that area, but we did not have our C Dory. The art shop owner near the waterfront is a C Dory owner and will have all of the info on boating there.

There was heavy fog, and rain in late August, early Sept. to the extent that the Tour boat went out, and turned back giving a full refund.

I don't think it would be a good area for hosting a cruise however.
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I'm the "art shop owner" Bob is referring to, however I sold that property a few years ago and I now live in Ashland and still have my C-Dory. Indeed, I do know a fair amount about boating in the Apostle Island and the boat ramps and parking nearby. For a four decades now I've taken a one to two week trip in the Apostle's beginning on Labor Day and from my experience the weather is consistently good and of course changeable. I don't know what all the criteria are for "hosting a cruise", but can talk about what I know of the area.

Other launch points around Bayfield are: Red Cliff, Washburn and Ashland each in increasing distance from the Islands and have parking fees.

I agree with Colby, Little Sand Bay offers free unlimited parking for trailers and cars, which is my preferred launch site for a longer trip and also the concern with winds when returning. You'll have to ask Colby about the fishing, I like to eat fish others have caught.
 
Last time I was in the Apostles, I believe last year, I caught my limit of Lake Trout. And I'm not much of a fisherman, so that should tell you something about fishing in the Apostle Islands. Of course you have to be in the right place, but the information I read about where to fish was pretty much spot on. :) But, I still prefer cruising to fishing, and visiting the light houses, and getting to kayak into the sea caves at Devil's Island is definitely a highlight! And Bayfield has a lot of interesting shops and good restaurants. Many of the islands offer excellent hiking opportunities, and there are some great anchorages as well. But again, it is Lake Superior and you have to watch the weather! Colby
 
Let me start with respect for the Big lakes born from my total void of experience in those waters… not that it has dampened my curiosity or fascination.
In reviewing the areas, there doesn’t seem to be a lot of places to shelter on Superior. The Portage Canal by Haughton/Hancock on the Keweenaw Peninsula looks good for day trips and the North Channel west of Killarney offer a multitude of coves and islands in the somewhat protection ov Manitoulin Island. The area has short runs between fuel and provisions.
I know Colby has had some hairy experiences between there and the incompletely charted Georgian Bay (all of which have an unforgiving rocky bottom). But it remains on looper’s favorites list and becons with coolness in summers hence my attraction.
I was able to get out with a local fisherman from Gore Bay. He was fascinated with my Navionics views of the bottom topography and said he had not previously been able to explore areas we wen to.
Am I being too audacious or would anyone be interested in exploring in August?
 
multimediasmith":79qyfbi5 said:
...
Am I being too audacious or would anyone be interested in exploring in August?
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I've been interested in visiting that area with my CD22 for some time. Not sure I can pull it off this August though.
 
multimediasmith":2sh18xud said:
Let me start with respect for the Big lakes born from my total void of experience in those waters… not that it has dampened my curiosity or fascination.
In reviewing the areas, there doesn’t seem to be a lot of places to shelter on Superior. The Portage Canal by Haughton/Hancock on the Keweenaw Peninsula looks good for day trips and the North Channel west of Killarney offer a multitude of coves and islands in the somewhat protection ov Manitoulin Island. The area has short runs between fuel and provisions.
I know Colby has had some hairy experiences between there and the incompletely charted Georgian Bay (all of which have an unforgiving rocky bottom). But it remains on looper’s favorites list and becons with coolness in summers hence my attraction.
I was able to get out with a local fisherman from Gore Bay. He was fascinated with my Navionics views of the bottom topography and said he had not previously been able to explore areas we wen to.
Am I being too audacious or would anyone be interested in exploring in August?
Click to expand...
The Apostle Islands offer some shelter.

I really hope to be up there in August but I have some electrical gremlins to chase on my new-to-me CDory plus some landslide trips that will take up some time, so who knows.
 
I agree with Big Swede, the Apostle Islands do offer some shelter. Isle Royal has quite a few inlets and places you can find shelter as well. Both of these areas are in Lake Superior. But there are stretches of water that you have to be weatherwise before heading out. The North Channel also has some areas you can find shelter, but there is also open water. I was between one beautiful cove and Little Current, when the winds picked up and I found myself in 6 to 7 foot seas. (Short spaced of course...) Not a fun time, but the 22 stayed afloat. Anywhere on the Great Lakes can present a challenge if you are outside of a protected bay and stormy weather hits. But there is a lot of very nice cruising available with fresh water, if the weather is good and you go out. Colby
 
Yes Colby, I remember your recounting the experience after leaving Baie Fine… harrowing.

I’m still leaning towards the eastern half of the North Channel. The islands are so close to each other as are the port towns, marinas, restaurants and grocery stores roughly 10 to 20 miles apart.

Just for fun, I pulled up the Active Captain maps of the area with the plentiful community sonar track overlays and it seems less intimidating with less open water runs between shelter spots. I do realize it’s potential for whipping up trouble though.

Isle Royal remains on the bucket list. Tom and Joyce are regulars there with C-Otter. They are an inspiration… but according to them, one has to be prepared for long stretches self contained with provisions once you’ve made the considerable passage. The new boat is not yet ready for such extended remote cruising.

I’d be happy with any break from this summer swelter. Then there’s the annual storm threat here on the Gulf Coast feeling like a pin in God’s bowling alley…
Hope to see y’all sometime… Can’t wait for fall… maybe we can try the Tennessee without hurricane debris.

Best
Dale
 
Just a few thoughts about C-Brat gatherings.
The biggest problem is finding a marina that can accommodate all the attendees. We’ve been challenged even at Hontoon Island because of hurricane damage but we’ve been able to make it work so far.

We did have a C-Brat gathering at Isle Royal some years back. The docks can not hold many boats making it difficult for a group. If one trailers to Grand Portage it’s only about 25 miles to Windigo on the west side of Isle Royal. I only had the C-Otter about 3 weeks before my first trip to the island. My advantage was the my buddy boat was crewed by boaters that had local knowledge. Hank and Pat Clow had traveled there many times.

We will be traveling on the Trent Severn and the Rideau Canal in a couple weeks so no isle Royal trip this year. Plan is to boat Isle Royal extensively next year again. I’m always glad to have a boat or two join us in our exploration and pass on what we have learned.

Isle Royal is not a difficult trip for an experienced boater as long as you prepare carefully. Be warned however…. It can become an addiction!

Back to gatherings… the ones that Ken and Tex held at Alton Illinois were the best. The marina loved having us, they had lots of slips and lots to do in the area..

All for now Tom
 
Would be in line to have an experienced visitor’s introduction to Isle Royal!

I’m heading north this weekend… launching from De Tour Village Monday with a local watching the truck & trailer. This bucket list item has been working its way to the top for a long time.

Are y’all through the Trent Severn to Georgian Bay yet? I’ve been watching the weather waiting for the heat to dissipate and the hail storms to stop… it’s been pretty hairy there lately. Hope you have been faring OK.

Noticed Colby and Rosanne have been exploring sort of nearby.
(See FindPenguins Door County July)
So many interesting places around the Great Lakes.

I now have NEBO and sent y’all a friend request. It would be nice to meet for dinner although I know it’s a long shot but still one has to ask.

Best

Dale
 
Hi Dale
We are presently at Peterborough Ontario heading slowly towards Georgian Bay. We will look for you on Nebo as we travel on…. We only plan out a couple days ahead. You’ll have a great time boating the north channel. We hope to do it and more of Georgian Bay another year.

I’ll work on an Isle Royal basic guide for C-Brats this winter. Great Idea.

We only post our location on Nebo once or twice a day when we use our Starlink.

Till next time ….Tom
 
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