Apostle Islands, Lake Superior

[thisoldspouse]

How else do you spend your cold winter nights here in Wisconsin, dreaming about sailing around the Apostle Islands. I would love to plan a trip sometime this summer, around June or July. I would trailer my V222 up and wait until the weather permitted.
I'm wanting to spend a couple of days and nights sailing and camping on the islands. I want to take advantage of the swing keel and pull right up on the islands. Beach the boat and camp.
I've looked online at the campsites available though the state parks. They give you a good look at the campsite, but not at the shore line.
Here is the question. Can anyone offer specific first hand knowledge of what islands would fit the bill? Sand and York are two of the islands I thought might work.
Thanks, Eric

 

[cephius (Dave)]

Its been a while since I cruised those waters. I just reviewed my charts. If I remember the guide correctly there are few anchorages that protect well from all winds. You need to pick the spot based on the wind forecast. At the time my anchor concerns were for the 42' boat we had chartered. You should be able to find a few more for your boat.

I highly recommend you pick up a cruise guide. If you have trouble locating one, you might contact Superior Charter.

One nice thing about the Apostle Islands is that it's not a very big area. You can reach the safe shelter of Bayfield or Port Superior in a day's sail from any point.

 

[PrincessoftheLake]

I am pretty sure that Stockton would be a good choice. Great campsites and a nice long sandy shore line. The only thing is I would check with the NPS and make sure you can beach your sailboat.
I have never been to York and I don't know what the campsites are like on Sand but one of the bays does have a nice sandy beach. It would not be Lighthouse Bay but it might be Justice Bay. For the quintessential cruising guide pick up "Superior Way" by Ron and Bonnie Dahl. I would check West Marine to see if the stock it. I know you can get it anywhere in Bayfield.
My husband I have a Hunter 40.5 that we keep at Pikes Bay Marina and we are up there quite a bit. We have been cruising the Apostles for about 7 years now.

 

[David in Sandusky]

Presque Isle Bay on Stockton

Presque Isle Bay on Stockton meets all of your requirements. In fact, it's possible to tie up at the dock there, but there are only a few slots, and I don't know if they will let you stay over night at the dock.

When we cruised there, we anchored off a number of campgrounds, but don't remember any others as protected as Presque Isle.

You do know that the bears will visit the campgrounds?

 

[DannyS]

This trip is completely do-able. My first boat in the Apostle Islands was a vintage Cal 20 and I sailed and "camped" all over that area. You'll just need to pick your spot well for the forecasted wind. Many of the beaches are rock but I'll list the sand beaches I can think of. I have seen boats beached for the night at most of these spots, but as Princess said, you might want to check in with the Forest Service.
On Stockton, there's Quarry Bay on the SW side (good for NE, N, NW winds) Presque Isle bay and Julian Bay on opposite sides of the peninsula SE side. All of those spots have long sand beaches.
On Oak Island, there's a beach on the north side of the island (good for SE, S, SW winds). There's also a great hike up to a beautiful overlook here.
Rocky Island and South Twin Island are close together to almost create a harbor. Rocky has sand/pebble beaches. If the wind is from the SW, South Twin has a spot on the NE corner that is sand.
Big Bay on Madeline Island is beautiful but you won't be alone. It's a busy place.
If you get out to Outer Island, the sand spit on the SW corner of the island is good.
SW corner of Ironwood Island is very nice and it's one of the forgotten islands. People sail by but never stop.
The SE side of Raspberry is also good, great hike to the Lighthouse from here and you can take a tour.
One of my all time favorite spots is on the NE of Bear Island. There's a little finger of rock that hangs out to create a beautiful little cove with a great sand beach but watch out for N, NE and E winds.
Anyway, That's enough to get you dreaming, there's more but part of the fun is finding them on your own.
We keep our boat at Buffalo Bay Marina, there's a launch there. If you use that one, stop by slip 22 and say hello!

 

[Chilidog]

I heard that the islands can get quite crowded in the summer.

As for beaching the boat, i would be concerned with the sandpaper like action of the beach on the hull.