Circumnavigating Lake Superior

boltman

Active Member
Dec 28, 2005
1,507
Flint/Swartz Creek MI, Ported in Whitehall/Montagu
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Just wondering, Has anyone circumnavigated Lake Superior, It is on my Bucket list of things to do before the end, Now I'm no where's near the end... but A Plan is always Nice to have for the future, I think it's going to take boat 2 months Maybe... don't know has anyone done this Yet?
 
I have no doubt that it's beautiful, yet it's not on my list. That's a LOT of territory to cover, with what I imagine is not a whole lot of variety.

After several trips to Georgian Bay and the North Channel, I still feel that area has more to offer, and it's definitely easier. I've boated to Toronto twice, but I've never been to the Thousand Islands nor have I done the Trent-Severn Waterway. I'd like to do both of those, and possibly venture into the Erie Canal.
 
Just wondering, Has anyone circumnavigated Lake Superior, It is on my Bucket list of things to do before the end, Now I'm no where's near the end... but A Plan is always Nice to have for the future, I think it's going to take boat 2 months Maybe... don't know has anyone done this Yet?

I been thinking about it. My wife still works part time so any longer trips are waiting unless I go without her....:grin:. A fellow near me did it in a SR 200 bowrider a couple years ago and this summer a father and his sons from town did it in kayaks. It would be a great experience. It's mostly pretty wild, lots of rock and minimal traffic. So far I've only covered Isle Royale and the area between Bayfield, WI and Marquette, MI.
 
Woody Tell me about Isle Royale....Wow it's one of the places we want to visit with our boat, but from Montague Michigan, that's a long time cruisin and a lot of fuel to get there, we were so close last week, we stayed a week in the UP with our camper and went into Copper Harbor Via Truck...The F450.. It was unbelievable.... Tell me more about Isle Royale..
 
When you crossed the bridge over the canal you went right by us. We're in the marina on the east side of the bridge. Beautiful area for sure, we have only missed two weekends this summer, one of them was last weekend. I don't know how much you saw Superior but when you did you should have noticed the lack of boats. That's what I like about the area, few people on the lake. Isle Royale is the same by boat. It is rugged, rocky with only one place to get diesel fuel on the Island. If you like to fish there is some of the best fishing on the lake at Isle Royale. If you need to have a variety of stores, restaurants and bars you won't find them on the island. When on the island you either walk, kayak or swim, there are no wheels allowed unless it's a wheel chair and then you won't be getting to far. The islands attraction is it's wildness, the rules there are enforced. The east half of the island is to most the more beautiful part but I think the whole island is cool. Spend some time there and you have a good chance to see moose and hear wolves howling while you sit on your boat. The island has miles of hiking trails and often make shorter loops from some of the public docks if your into taking a walk.

Look at the aerial views like at Google Maps and you will see from a geological standpoint what makes the island interesting boating, you'll see it easily on the east end. It will also illustrate this tip. Notice how the island looks like a bunch of parrellel ridges? It is, and they are under water to. Use extreme caution if you want to cross between islands because you'll be crossing rocky reefs.

Here's a good site for the island http://www.isle.royale.national-park.com/ I would also recomment the cruising guide called Superior Way, it covers Lake Superior and Isle Royale in great detail. If your wondering when the best time to do Lake Superior is, I would recommend July and August primarily because of wind and warmest water if you swim. Already the winds have become more of a factor, the windows between them are smaller making longer runs on the lake harder to squeeze in especially for a smaller boat like mine.
 
I know a guy that makes a superior run most falls ,think he may be there now .His boat name is superior knights and it is a 53 hatteras sportfish.You may catch up with him on the hatteras site.Also todd hurley lives up in escanaba (hurley marine davits) and i would imagine has a wealth of knowledge as i was reading a article in searay living last evening about him.I also remember the video he did of his trip home with the searay from NY to escanaba,that log stuffed in his prop tunnel was gnarrly.
 
Woody, what we did notice was the lack of Docks in the UP and the ability to dock a large boat over 25 feet...

We did see Copper Harbor though, Damn what a Site to see and that New Marina DNR run, it's awesome and it's a deep water marina at that...but their summers are so darn short up there...I don't really see us making a run up to the UP unless it's to visit the North Channel...and such... What are your thoughts about that, I'm sure you'e been to the channel many times...
 
Woody, what we did notice was the lack of Docks in the UP and the ability to dock a large boat over 25 feet...

We did see Copper Harbor though, Damn what a Site to see and that New Marina DNR run, it's awesome and it's a deep water marina at that...but their summers are so darn short up there...I don't really see us making a run up to the UP unless it's to visit the North Channel...and such... What are your thoughts about that, I'm sure you'e been to the channel many times...

I've never been to the North Channel, that's something else I'd like to see. It's about as far away from me as it is from you...about 300mi. Everyone that I've talked to tells me it would be worth it and a couple of CSR members have posted some good pics and blogs of their North Channel trips so I believe it.

You'd be able to find somewhere to tie up but you're right accomadations for large boats aren't abundant. I've heard that comment many times from large transient boats but they do all manage. For example in the fall 4 or 5 large SR(from Ohio I think) came into Houghton/Hancock and the county marina only had room for a couple so the rest had to tie up along the city bulkhead which is nice but there are no hookups or anything. I don't see that the length of summer up here would be an issue, plenty of time to do the whole lake.
 
Yeah See, that doesn't interest me, trying up to a wall... We could do it and remain comfy but why...And your right the North Channel is wonderful, we've been there but didn't go deep enough into the channel due to time constraints...and a 320 Sea Ray...You seriuosly need two weeks or more, to get deep into the channel and enjoy the really scenic views and Anchorage.
 
Dear Boltman,
I boat out of southern Georgian Bay (Midland, Ontario) and have travelled from Midland to the Straits of Makinow. Along the way, in the North Channel, we weren't that far from Lake Superior and I couldn't help but think it would be a great adventure. Problem was, as I listened to the Whitefish bay weather , all I could think of was the Gordon Lightfoot song "The Sinking of the Edmond Fitzgerald". If you are not familiar with this Lightfoot classic, every mariner should hear it. good luck. Therapy
 
I made the trip from Saginaw Bay to Isle Royal in the mid 60's. I also boat yearly in the North Channel, Georgian Bay area.
Hands down North channel wins.
While the trip to Isle Royal was a great one and time spent on the island was enjoyable, it isn't the same now. For example you must contain your grey water in a holding tank. That means, sink and shower.
You cannot have pets aboard. Not sure what else.
I live on Lake Superior in the spring and fall, Whitefish Bay to be specific.
I have been around Lake Superior 3 times by motorhome and motorcycle. Its over 1200 miles around the lake. As with our trip a lot of it is going to be open water with not that much to see. Maybe even worst in Canada. While parts will be spectacular, there will be a lot of milk runs also.
We had blankets of fog suddenly drop on us. We were fogged in on the island for several days. Lake Superior is a rough lake at times and travel must be governed by this and the ability to duck in when necessary. In Michigan there are harbors or refuge every 50 miles on the Great Lakes. Some are just that with no fuel or power. Little Lake between Grand Maris and Whitefish Point is often filled in and I understand there will be no more clearing of the harbor. That makes a long run between points. There is no fuel between Grand Maris and Sault Ste. Marie. Whitefish Point is filled with Indian fishing boats but you can at least get in the harbor. There is no fuel or power. I am not aware of the situation in Canada but study the harbors and fuel carefully.
As I mentioned I live on Lake Superior but I don't boat on it.
Don't want to discourage the trip in any way but just giving a personal realistic view.
Doug
 
Doug is right - do harbor and fuel research ahead of time it makes the trip more enjoyable.
I have disagree with another post's "not much variance in scenery". Just between Grand Marais and our home port here in Munising it goes from 300 foot sand dunes to untouched beaches to the colorful "pictured rocks" cliffs. We have spent much time down in the Georgian Bay, North Channel area in the past which is beautiful in a different way. We have not yet done the entire Lake Superior perimeter route ourselves yet but it is on our to do list.
We spend early May through late October boating on Lake Superior, mainly between Marquette and Grand Marais. Many early season fishing trips are made 50 miles out, just past the deepest spot (1300 feet). Off-shore fog is common early season with big air temperature drops, 20 degrees or more, as you head out from shore. From late June through August it is perfect boating weather with warm air and a mostly flat lake. We have had it kick up quick at times though on summer trips back from Grand Marais, going from a sheet of glass to 6 to 8 footers in 15 minutes. Check the forecasts - any question stay in port as like Doug said "many runs can be long" and rough seas only make them longer. Especially if your not familiar with the area.
Summer open water surface temps are only in the low 50's F but beach area surface temps can get into the low 70's during late summer. Air temp can change quite a bit with winds coming across the lake so be sure to bring warm clothes along just in case.

If there are any questions with planning this part of the lake we would be more than glad to help - just ask.

Plan ahead and enjoy !
 
A lot of guys in Grand Marais buy Canadian Fishing licenses also. That way that long trip which puts them close to Canadian waters allow them to bring back that limit also.
I wonder if the new rules about entering Canadian waters will put a stop to that?
You boat a beautiful part of Lake Superior.
Doug
 
I think the best way to do Lake Superior is in a top down sports car. Otherwise you are looking at many miles of tree lines. Then there is the matter of meeting a fuel truck every so many miles and trying to figure out how to get the diesel from the truck to your boat. Did I mention how cold and foggy it can be??
 
We go north in the summer for up to 3 months. If you have never spent this much time on a boat before you might want to concider a 6 week cruise to see if you want to double that time. Before you go make sure your boat is 100% and the heaters work well. We have two chart ploter systems on the boat. Only once did we have to use the back up and that was in bad weather. Learn how to use your radar. Good way is to block off the front window and drive the boat for a day in good weather only using radar with a look out on the front deck to tell you when you are about to make a mistake. If you have never anchored in 3 foot waves at night you might want to try it to see how you feel and your boat handle it. As before try it in the day first. Make sure your fuel gauges work well. We have fuel use gauges on both engines and when you get down to 1/8 on the dash gauge it is nice to know how much fuel you really have. If you do not have fuel use gagues a way to calibraate your dash gauges is to run one tank dry at a time and fill it noting where the gaude is as you fill it.
When we go ito an area we have never been before we use paper charts along with the chart plotter. We also print off a copy with way points of interest and ones that will tell us where to turn if we loose the two chart ploters and have to use a hand held GPS.
You probably need to make a dictch kit. We keep a hand held GPS, VHF radio and a sat phone in ours along with cold water survival gear.
Sounds like a good trip.
 
I did it on a motorcycle. That was a great trip.
And twice with a motorhome.
Doug
I did it on a motorcycle a couple times. First time was in 1976. I haven't thought of that in years, good time but...but, but...oh no, :wow: I've got memories, I'm getting old.:smt089
 
I think the best way to do Lake Superior is in a top down sports car. Otherwise you are looking at many miles of tree lines. Then there is the matter of meeting a fuel truck every so many miles and trying to figure out how to get the diesel from the truck to your boat. Did I mention how cold and foggy it can be??
How long ago was it that you did it by boat?
 
I did it about the same time. Maybe 1977 or 78. I was by myself. One memory was I got hit hard on the side of the head by a bug. I stopped and had lunch. When I put my helmet back on I got stung on top of my head. That bug was a bee. Damn that is a bad place to get stung.
Do you happen to remember a small sign saying waterfall with an arrow? I went up the short road and there was this nice waterfall.
No big deal was made of it. In the states it would have been a park or something.

I hear ya on the old part.
Doug
 
How long ago was it that you did it by boat?

Having seen it, I would never do it by boat. It's just too much time spent looking at a shore and tree line. People I know who have gone up into Lake Superior describe how dicey it can be getting fueled up. The truck is late; the Lake is rough when you need fuel; lack of ports of refuge; cold, foggy weather. Not my idea of a good time. Conditions are better suited to a large sailboat. The UP is beautiful, however, and offers interesting driving conditions and places to see.
 

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