I've chartered in the Apostles a number of times and overnighted in anchorage
off Stockton, but always in boats in the 27-30' range, which always seemed
adequate but I never took them for granted and even a 29 with a lot of grinders
aboard needs to be reefed sometimes. On one Stockton visit, we did spot what
appeared to be a Potter at anchor, and though it looked small across the bay,
it was likely a 19. I had already resolved never to take my young kids far
out on Superior in my M15, given the lake's frigid temperature and concomitant
hazards of MOB -- especially skipper overboard. But I always remained open
to having a go myself in my M15.
Yet I wonder if some of you have experience or thoughts on whether it would
be foolhardy to take such a small boat out to the islands. For those of you
reading who are not familiar with Superior, it's not a lake, it's an inland
sea, and there are certainly dozens and likely hundreds of oceangoing vessels
lying on its floor. Its waters are breathtakingly cold year-round. I have
anchored in the lee on one of the islands, thinking all was well, and checked
at
2 a.m. to find that every boat in the bay had swung 180 degrees with a change
in weather.
It seems that most folks responding are in at least 17s, which is quite a bit
more boat than a 15. Have any readers taken a 15 out into the Apostles?
Any reports would be welcome. Obviously I'll have to make my own assessment
about skills and comfort level, both of which are high, but I also have lots of
things to do yet in this ever-shortening passage and I don't need to be
proving myself in high-risk adventures. And just as obviously, on site
conditions
will have to be assessed at the time of departure.
All that being said, sailing the Apostles has provided the highlights of 30
years of inland sailing, and it's been a long time since I've been able to get
up there.
Steven
"Shenanigans" M15, #324 (1985)
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