I am new to the Minneapolis area from Maryland. I am considering buying a trailer sailer for use in the Apostle Islands area, but have never sailed there. What is the general opinion about taking West Wight Potter 19 to the Apostle Islands? If one were to stay in the general shelter of the islands, would a WWP19 behave appropriately? Also, what type of weather (wind speed, wave height) usually causes a Potter 19 to stay in the harbor (for an average sailer)? Can it be beached at night, or is the shoreline around the islands generally too rocky for that? Thanks in advance.
Potter 19' - Apostle Islands
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I have been sailing in the Apostle Islands for the past 7 years. I think the West Wight Potter is a great boat. The islands do offer a great deal of protection from sailing in the open lake but it is not unusual to get winds in excess of 15kts especially in places where the islands are open to a large fetch from the lake. Wave heights of 1-2 feet are fairly common but higher winds can really kick up the swell. I don't know that I have ever seen anyone beach a boat there. Some of the islands do have sandy beaches-mostly on south facing shores but there are a few that can be rocky. It is possible that there are rules against beaching because all the islands are national park lakeshore but I don't know that. The apostles are an amazing place to sail and you would probably have a great time in your 19 footer but there will be days that conditions will keep you in the marina when bigger boats are out. There is no doubt in my mind that bigger is better in terms of comfort and stability but perhaps that is just me. I'd be happy to answer any other questions you have and I would be happy to take you for a sail on my Hunter sometime if you'd like to get a look at the place.
I just brought a Potter 19 from Bayfield to my boatyard. It is for sale and there have been many folks who have sailed Potters in the Apostles. This particular boat is the blue water layup model. There are some Potters that were built thinner for inland lake use to save money and some were built with thicker laminations. This is the thicker and recommended for Lake Superior.
Well, PM me and let me know some dates and times. I am most likely going to be up there this weekend at least.
There are many places to beach and camp listed for kayak and canoe in the Apostle Islands. Should be no problem for a Potter. The charts I have are not the usual nautical type, but are park and rec type and list this type of info.
Our 19' boat (Sandpiper 565) is similar in design and capabilities to the West Wight Potter. We sail mainly in Lake Ontario.
I have sailed in ours and other Sandpiper 565's in 23+ kt and in waves up to 6 or 7 ft. It's uncomfortable and a bit of a nail-biter, but as long as the sails are properly reefed, the boat can take it.
Considering the comfort and experience of the admiral, I usually plan to stay put if the sustained wind is going to be much above 15 kt and/or waves consistently above 3 ft. Of course if it's just me and some crazy friends, we'll go out in worse conditions.. but properly prepared with reefed sails, harnesses and jacklines.
We would definitely sail our little boat in the Apostles, if the chance ever came up.
I have sailed in ours and other Sandpiper 565's in 23+ kt and in waves up to 6 or 7 ft. It's uncomfortable and a bit of a nail-biter, but as long as the sails are properly reefed, the boat can take it.
Considering the comfort and experience of the admiral, I usually plan to stay put if the sustained wind is going to be much above 15 kt and/or waves consistently above 3 ft. Of course if it's just me and some crazy friends, we'll go out in worse conditions.. but properly prepared with reefed sails, harnesses and jacklines.
We would definitely sail our little boat in the Apostles, if the chance ever came up.
There was an article in Small Craft Advisor a few months ago about a number (three, I think) of sailors with small boats who traveled within the Apostles. Their story might be informative from the perspective of smaller boats. That, coupled with the Princess' expertise should give you lots of perspective.
AS,
I sail in the Apostles on both my Beneteau First 36.7, but also my smaller First 235. Here are some random tips.
1) Mount your VHF antenna on your masthead. Do NOT relay on a handheld. I hear calls all the time that must be relayed by boats with higher antennas. VHF is line-of-sight, remember.
2) Wind direction is have a huge effect on wave size. Winds out of the NE there is 150+ of fetch in the North Channel and 6 footers can appear in almost any sustained breeze. Lots of lees, but watch out for the gaps as the waves come back fast.
3) FOG can roll in hard. Have a good GPS and a way to make lots of noise. The pump-style air horns work great.
4) Get as far north as you can. Do NOT launch your WWP in Ashland or Washburn. Nice places, but you will spend a full day getting to the islands.
5) Look for opportunies to dock in the islands and sleep on shore. More room. Unless you LIKE sleeping on board.
6) There is only maybe 3 anchorage in the AIs that offer true 3 sides protection. Mostly its 1 side +. Listen well to the forecast, and plan according. You'll see what others are doing. Best all-around is Quarry Bay on Stockton. Hard to get messed up there.
7) Docks fill up fast. Best if you have a small inflatable boat to get into shore if you have to anchor. Most anchorages have very nice sand bottoms on waters 10-20 feet. perfect.
I sail in the Apostles on both my Beneteau First 36.7, but also my smaller First 235. Here are some random tips.
1) Mount your VHF antenna on your masthead. Do NOT relay on a handheld. I hear calls all the time that must be relayed by boats with higher antennas. VHF is line-of-sight, remember.
2) Wind direction is have a huge effect on wave size. Winds out of the NE there is 150+ of fetch in the North Channel and 6 footers can appear in almost any sustained breeze. Lots of lees, but watch out for the gaps as the waves come back fast.
3) FOG can roll in hard. Have a good GPS and a way to make lots of noise. The pump-style air horns work great.
4) Get as far north as you can. Do NOT launch your WWP in Ashland or Washburn. Nice places, but you will spend a full day getting to the islands.
5) Look for opportunies to dock in the islands and sleep on shore. More room. Unless you LIKE sleeping on board.
6) There is only maybe 3 anchorage in the AIs that offer true 3 sides protection. Mostly its 1 side +. Listen well to the forecast, and plan according. You'll see what others are doing. Best all-around is Quarry Bay on Stockton. Hard to get messed up there.
7) Docks fill up fast. Best if you have a small inflatable boat to get into shore if you have to anchor. Most anchorages have very nice sand bottoms on waters 10-20 feet. perfect.
Here are some quotes from the Apostle Islands website:
All shorelines are open to beaching of boats with the exception of Eagle and Gull Islands, which are closed for colonial bird nesting.
Bears also regularly inhabit Sand and Oak islands, and, due to their swimming ability, may be found on just about any of the Apostle Islands.
Overnight docking fees are $10 for boats less than 40 feet in length and $20 for boats 40 feet and greater.
The National Park Service (NPS) does not recommend the use of open boats under 16’ long for travel between islands.
The Boater's guide is available at http://www.nps.gov/apis/planyourvisit/upload/Boaters_guide.pdf
Sounds like fun! maybe I'll see you up there next year- on a calm day ( my boat is actually 15' 10" long, but I'll tape on a 3" bowsprit ).
All shorelines are open to beaching of boats with the exception of Eagle and Gull Islands, which are closed for colonial bird nesting.
Bears also regularly inhabit Sand and Oak islands, and, due to their swimming ability, may be found on just about any of the Apostle Islands.
Overnight docking fees are $10 for boats less than 40 feet in length and $20 for boats 40 feet and greater.
The National Park Service (NPS) does not recommend the use of open boats under 16’ long for travel between islands.
The Boater's guide is available at http://www.nps.gov/apis/planyourvisit/upload/Boaters_guide.pdf
Sounds like fun! maybe I'll see you up there next year- on a calm day ( my boat is actually 15' 10" long, but I'll tape on a 3" bowsprit ).
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