- Estimated Cost: $30
- Deposit: $20
- Max Trip Size: 8 people
Join some fellow rovers for a day of sailing on Lake Superior on a 38′ sloop. In addition to the day trip, there are a limited number of spaces for those who would like to spend Friday night, Saturday night, or both aboard the boat. This is members-only trip regardless of whether you go for the day or overnight.
The Route
If wind and weather permit, we’ll leave the harbor basin by sailing under the iconic Aerial Lift Bridge, then proceed along the north shore until we pass the Glensheen mansion. We’ll turn south towards the Superior Entry — the gap that separates Minnesota Point from Wisconsin Point — and return to the harbor basin. We’ll have lunch and some snacks aboard. If it’s a warm day we’ll stop and anchor for a swim for those interested and maybe send the dinghy ashore with those who would enjoy that. We’ll return to the dock around 6:00 and have supper on the boat, in the marina, or at a nearby restaurant (TBD) with a goal of getting anyone with a long drive home back on the road by 7:00 p.m.
If the significant wave height on Superior is forecast to be more than 3′, we’ll stay in the harbor basin or perhaps head up the St. Louis River to Spirit Lake and anchor next to the boat-in picnic area on Clough Island. If it’s going to be stormy and awful, we’ll cancel, with a target of making the final call by noon on Friday.
Rarely, there can be a day in June without enough wind to sail, and if that happens, we’ll fire up the diesel engine and make this into a sightseeing trip.
Learn to Sail
A primary focus of the trip will be to offer the opportunity to learn sailing and boat handling to those interested. Conditions permitting, you’ll have the opportunity to take a turn at the wheel and handling sails. On a larger, more stable boat like this, things happen more slowly and it is possible to talk through the theory and the steps as they occur. Most people find that these skills then transfer to smaller boats.
Trip logistics
There is hot and cold running water aboard, toilet facilities, a fridge, and a 3-burner range, and space below to relax or take a short nap if the sun and wind become overwhelming.
Due to limited space and marina policy we cannot accommodate dogs on this trip.
There are three double berths (beds) and one single berth aboard for those who would like to spend Friday night, Saturday night, or both aboard the boat. There is a shower and restroom building at the marina for our use in addition to the more compact facilities aboard. For those staying, we’ll share simple meals on Friday night and Sunday morning.
If the trip fills up and there is further interest, we’ll schedule another, similar trip.
About the boat
“First Light” is a Tartan 3800 built in 1998, 38′ long overall, and 12’5″ abeam (wide). The design was considered a racer-cruiser at the time and was an evolution of the extremely popular Tartan 37. The rig is a masthead sloop featuring a large, overlapping foresail and a moderate-sized main. Both sails are equipped with roller furling. There is 7,000 pound fin-shaped lead keel extending down 5’4″ below the waterline providing excellent stability and upwind performance. Auxiliary propulsion is provided by a 3-cylinder diesel inboard. Solar panels provide electric power.
About Steve
Steve purchased First Light in Chicago in fall 2022 and sailed her to Duluth last spring, through Lake Michigan, under the Mackinac Bridge into Lake Huron, up the St. Mary’s River, through the Sault locks into Lake Superior, and west across Lake Superior to Duluth. Prior to First Light, Steve had a Hunter 26 that he sailed in Lake Pepin, the Apostle Islands, Lake Vermilion, and up the Mississippi as far as Minneapolis. Steve has two smaller sailboats, one built by his own hand, and has a third one in progress.