Canada's Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area 1

[Paul D.]

Just returned from a trip through part of the Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area in Ontario. Some of the best wilderness cruising in the world. For more information, see https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/amnc-nmca/on/super

[Paul D.]

Part 2: Includes crossing over the border back to Isle Royale National Park, MI.

[Jim Walsh]

Nice photographs, Paul. I especially like the bull still in velvet. I've spent a bit of time in northwestern Ontario in pursuit of mature bulls.

[John Stone]

Wow Paul, that’s lovely. We camped in the UP last summer and I was really impressed by the magnificent beauty of the whole area. Looks like a great place for sailing.

[JD-MDR]

I've been trying to get over to the islands every weekend leaving Thursday nites. I've just about got Santa Cruz island covered. at least the anchorages. I have hiked all the open area. Two thirds of the island is restricted but I will get a permit soon. I been trying to learn how to use the genaker and the mizzen staysail. I think the sheet lines are too short. Aren't they supposed to go all the way around the forestay. These are just right for the genoa. although they are very ratty. Me and the Beneteau got inside the reef close to the beach. There is room for two or three more but you have to use a stern anchor. About 7 or 8 boats chose to stay outside. That place is called Coche Prietos. The water is so nice not too warm probably 70 degrees. I'm using swim goggles and body surfing fins. I think I will invest in dive gear, at least mask, snorkle and fins. I was certified for advanced open water dive but I haven't used it in 25 years. I'm not very good at taking pictures.

[Dave H]

Great photos Paul!!
Thanks for posting! I still dream about that part of the lake!!
Your wing and wing with the asym and genny is very interesting. I hadn't thought of that.
Dave

[s2sailorlis]

Beautiful cruising grounds!

[Dave H]

JD-MDR,

Whether your gennacker sheets are led inside or outside your forestay depends on the top attachment point of your halyard.

On my Typhoon SR, a fractional rig, the spin halyard was above the forestay, so sheets were led outside the forestay. To gybe, we released the active sheet, allowing the asym to flop ahead of the boat, drive through the gybe, and trim on the new side. I think we figured sheets, like a spinnacker, 2x boat length.

On my I9m, a masthead rig, the spin halyard is below the masthead. It also serves as the pole topping lift for the genny. So the sheets are lead inside the forestay, just like a genoa, and the gybe is done just like a genoa.

I'm intrigued by your mizzen staysail! Nice.

Dave H

[JD-MDR]

Thanks Dave . this is my latest photos with all the sails up. I think I have the mizzen staysail attached correct this time. I don't see a way to gybe the staysail. It looks like I have to take it down then rehook it on the other side I have one really long sheet. I think its for the spinaker and I'm supposed to walk it around the forestay when I gybe.

[Dave H]

JD-MDR,

My CD stemhead fittings have all had three holes. If your block for the asym pendant (tack) is in the forward most hole, there is no need to walk around. To gybe:
-release the leeward sheet
-let it fly
-the asym is now out in front of your boat flopping around (requires long sheets.)
-drive the gybe
-trim in on the new leeward side.

I don't know anything about a mizzen staysail. Very interesting though. It looks like you now have it tacked down on the side deck. Am I seeing that correctly?? Any way it could tack down at the mainsail tack? Then it would be on centerline, and I could see it gybing. Wild guess now - What if you passes a loop of rope or webbing around your boom gooseneck, with a block in the loop, and passes the staysail pendant through the block? I am assuming now that a pendant in the mizzen staysail block would allow you to ease the pendant the further off the wind you were. If easing the mizzen staysail luff is not needed, then a carabiner in the gooseneck loop, instead of a block,would suffice. (???)
Dave H

[Dave H]

The above assumes no mainsail. To use the main, your arrangement looks best.