Sailing Lake Superior

[KenG]

I plan on sailing for a couple of weeks this August on Lake Superior on the North West part of the lake mainly the Red Rock, Rossport area over to the Sleeping Giant. I have a Hunter 26.
I don't have a dingy, in the past on other lakes I have taken a 10 ft gang plank that I made and with the rudder up, just back up close to shore and walk off the boat. Is this still a good idea or would a kayak or dingy be better.
I have Bonnie Dahl's Superior Way cruising guide and most of the anchorage's in the area seem quite deep with rocky shores, so I am thinking the gang plank will work.
Any information from anyone who has sailed the area would be appreciated.

 

[John Nantz]

Fall-back option?

Disclaimer: I’m unfamiliar with the shore on Lake Superior. The one thing I’m familiar with are the bugs on the south side!

Okay, given the above, the plan to use a gang plank may be enough, but if I was doing the trip (looks like a long one), it would be nice to have a fall-back option.

I just checked the local for sale ads for “inflatable” and “dinghy” and didn’t find anything suitable. However, in the Thunder Bay ads I found this one http://duluth.craigslist.org/boa/5096935947.html for $140 that looks interesting. It’s probably larger than what you’d really want but the price looks good, and something that could probably be re-sold fairly easy. The ad indicates it’s in Duluth but the way the ads go it may not be exactly there. This would be off your shortest travel route but maybe the trailer could be parked and make a detour with just the tow vehicle.

Another option would be to just pick up some el-cheap-o Sterns or something.

In the Northwest, here, we do stern-tying occasionally but one almost always needs a dinghy to do it or go swimming in cold saltwater.

One thing that would put a damper on the trip is to push the limits and ding the gel coat. Boaters here often tow the dinghy but that can be a problem if conditions get rough. We normally travel with ours deflated and stowed on the coachroof.

 

[DannyS]

I wouldn't plan on the gang plank concept working very often. Occasionally maybe, but it's not a typical practice up here. How many will be on board with you? For more than one, a dinghy is optimal but at the very least, get the kayak. There is so much to explore in that area, you'll want to get out and paddle around.

 

[KenG]

Thanks for the input.
There will only be one other person. I do have friend with a small double kayak that I could borrow, so will probably go that route.

 

[DannyS]

The best kept secrets (ok, not really secret from those that sail here) are the saunas around this area of the Canadian North Shore. You may need the dinghy or kayak to get to some of them but some do have docks and/or boardwalks to tie up to.