Lake Superior over winter storage

[AThomas]

Hi all - we are intending to cruise our sailboat on Lake Superior July / August 2024 and hope to find over winter storage from Aug 2024 to July 2025 ideally on the Northern shore. We are a 35' fin keel sailboat - is this something anyone could help us with?

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by AThomas

Hi all - we are intending to cruise our sailboat on Lake Superior July / August 2024 and hope to find over winter storage from Aug 2024 to July 2025 ideally on the Northern shore. We are a 35' fin keel sailboat - is this something anyone could help us with?

Canadian or American shore?
Oddly, Americans call the Southern Shore, of Lake Superior, the North Shore. It's their most Northerly shore.

[Spot]

Originally Posted by GordMay

Canadian or American shore?
Oddly, Americans call the Southern Shore, of Lake Superior, the North Shore. It's their most Northerly shore.

In Minnesota vernacular the 'North Shore' is actually the WSW shore looking at the lake as a whole. There is some irony in it all.

[SailingHarmonie]

Originally Posted by GordMay

Canadian or American shore?
Oddly, Americans call the Southern Shore, of Lake Superior, the North Shore. It's their most Northerly shore.

Then there is the "Eastern Shore of Maryland" that faces WEST to the Chesapeake Bay, but the North Shore of Long Island (NY) faces NORTH to Long Island Sound.

No logic in place names...

[AThomas]

Originally Posted by GordMay

Canadian or American shore?
Oddly, Americans call the Southern Shore, of Lake Superior, the North Shore. It's their most Northerly shore.

We are intending to stay Canadian side next summer and would welcome any info on options for storage over winter 2024 / 2025 - whilst obviously sending best Christmas wishes for this year to both North and South shores! Rgds

[GordMay]

In Thunder Bay, there’s McKellar Marine Centre [1], Thunder Bay Yacht Club [2], and perhaps, the Port of Thunder Bay’s Keefer Terminal [3].

[1] ➥ https://mmarinecentre.com/

[2] ➥ https://tbyc.on.ca/mission-island-facilities

[3] TEL: (807) 345-6400 *** FAX: (807) 345-9058

I don’t believe, either Red Rock nor Nipigon Marinas have haul-out & winter storage capabilities.

Further East, there will be something, in Sault St. Marie.

[Mike OReilly]

Gord’s got it right. Personally, I’d focus on the yacht club. They have a travel lift, and a large storage yard. McKellar had a crane and a small yard. I’m not sure how the YC handles temporary visitors, but it was a great place.

[Senojev]

Check if there are any restrictions on how long you can leave the boat in Canada, especially if you plan on spending the 2025 season in Canadian waters.


I know a few years ago Canada clamped down on storage in the North Channel and Cape Breton and left boats homeless.

[LakeSuperior]

You can sail from the North Shore (of Lake Superior) to MI/WI/MN in 16 hours or less plus or minus. Essentially, you could winter up in any number of marinas on the US side then.

[IRENE]

There are options in Bayfield, WI and Duluth, MN/Superior, WI if you need to come south. Duluth was a wonderful town when I frequented it prior to 2015.

I believe there is a facility in Marquette, MI as well.

Good Luck

[LakeSuperior]

Originally Posted by IRENE

I believe there is a facility in Marquette, MI as well.
Good Luck

Haul out in Marquette is via a crane hired at the end of season by all. Hence you can't randomly haul unless you hire the crane yourself.

Houghton/Hancock, MI has a travel lift at Julio's Boat Yard.

Ontonagon, MI has a travel lift.

[Cymen]

For Marquette, Michigan, there is a travel lift that is privately owned and hauls to store in the public marina parking lot (requires putting your boat in and taking it out at specific times). There is also a privately owned area right next to the public marina with a rail system but similarly requires the boats in/out at specific times of the year (it's an event space when it isn't winter).

I think given the timing requirements, it's not as useful for non-residents but if you are still interested in storing here, Brian at UP Sailing Company can connect you to the local resources.

[woodboro]

Ontonagon ,Mi has a dry dock, which is very reasonable IMO

[Donsboat]

Good morning.. I am a sailor out of Thunder Bay Ontario and belong the the Thunder Bay Yacht club. I have cruised from superior Wisconsin to Thunder bay. On the U.S. side (and the closest to the USA-Canada border) there is a small club in Siver Bay Minnesota you may try contacting regarding winter storage. You may also try our Yacht club as well but I cannot speak to availability. Red Rock Ontario outside of thunder bay may be able to.accomodate you as well. Good luck with your voyage and perhaps we will see you on the water. Cheers.

[GordMay]

Greetings, and welcome aboard the CF, Don.