[Rhodes22-list] Apostle Islands

[Bill Effros]

Slim,

I'm so relieved...

I was lying out on my boat 2 nights ago, looking at the stars, thinking 
that we hadn't heard from you in a while, and hoping that you had not 
sailed off into the sunset, unable to find your way back.

More navigation next winter.  I am planning to bring my pelorus back to 
the boat and use it to establish fixes for the anchoring project.  I 
think the pelorus (sometimes called a "dumb compass") is a more accurate 
instrument for this purpose than either a magnetic compass or a GPS.  I 
will test it against a fluxgate compass, which I also have on board, but 
if I had to put up money, I'd bet on the pelorus.

Glad you had a great time.  Glad you got back.

Bill Effros

Slim wrote:

>Hello Todd Z. and welcome to the Rhodes community.  Funny you should mention
>the Apostle Islands -- I live in Minneapolis and I just got back today from
>a four day trip there.  Yes, you'd love to sail there in a Rhodes 22!
>
>Earlier this year we planned a trip to the Thunder Bay area, but those plans
>fell through and so we decided to go to the Apostles for my very first
>venture on Lake Superior.
>
>I've sailed some big water in the distant past but this is my "rookie year"
>for sailing the Rhodes on the world's largest lake.  It was awesome!  On our
>first day out we had winds of 15 - 20 and we broad reached at hull speed or
>better for several hours, with following seas and waves 3-4 ft.  It was like
>a carnival ride, and for the first few minutes I wished I was on a bigger
>boat.  But then I settled in and let the boat do what it does and we rocked
>and rolled and put nearly 30 miles under the keel in about 5 hours!!!
>
>There were no navigational problems.  All the islands are within sight and,
>barring fog, we we able to see everything, and were able to do the boy scout
>thing with just a chart and a baring compass.  Fortunately we had great
>weather and we didn't get lost.  We met a kind gentleman at the marina who
>pointed out some common anchorages and docks, etc. but we found our own way
>just the same.
>
>We found some nice sandy beaches where we beached the boat and let the dog
>run.  We had a little rain but nothing to stop us.  We swam in the lake
>which is thought of as hypothermia-city, but this year it's the warmest it's
>been and we swam in blissfully cool, fresh water several times.   Remarkable
>since the lake is famous for being ice-cold.
>
>The sailing/camping aboard was exhilarating, challenging and lots of fun!!!
>Can't wait to do it again.
>
>Slim
>
>
>__________________________________________________
>Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
>
>  
>