Apostle Islands - Proper Boat?

[OldCat]

I was wondering if anybody could tell me what is the cheapest possible boat that they would be willing to use for sailing the Apostle Islands. I have a 17' Daysailer and I'm wondering if it is sheltered enough from the islands that I could sail it up there. Please don't laugh at my question

After looking at a map - I would do this in either a kayak or a small sailboat IF I I knew local weather. I have sailed beach catamarans to Catalina and around Anacapa in Southern California. Having plenty of other boats around helps a lot if you need rescue.

A wet suit helps a lot in case you capsize. Have flares and orange smoke bombs. Have a waterproof VHF with weather channels. Put key stuff in dry bags. Make sure you know how to right your boat, and practice using the VHF. If camping, pull the boat well up on the beach and tie it to a tree. Get to know the local waters, like currents, waves and navaids well.

I like the sugestion to have a good motor, both for light winds and heavy.

I once watched a pair of Hobie sailors get in trouble in a thunderstorm micro-burst on a mountain lake, they went to the hospital for hypothermia. They kept trying to keep or get the boat back up after a capsize with full sail up, then they would try to sail the boat and capsize again. It would have been easy for them to take the main down and run off using the jib to the other end of the lake to a beach where there was a campground and plenty of help. Or drift upwind if they knew how to heave too, either under both sails or just the main*. Instead, they kept going back in the water...

I'd have a few years experience with the boat first. And, maybe a trip or two where you did not go all the way to the islands and just day sailed the local waters. Then, you won't have to ask the question, you will already know if this will work for you in those waters.

OC

* You can put a catamaran's full batten main sail into an 's' curve in big winds and heave too. The top of the sail is on opposite tack from the bottom, the boat stays upright and creeps slowly upwind.