The Apostle Islands
There are twenty-one islands to explore in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. With the exception of Madeline Island, they are uninhabited, with only a few summer cabins left on a couple of islands. This extraordinary place is a floating wilderness, with only the occasional sailboat and kayak visiting its waters. Several islands have sea caves that can be explored by zodiac. The southern tips of the islands often have sand spits that extend far into the water. These unusual sand beaches are great places to anchor next to for the night or for lunch.

The water is cold most of the year, but warms enough in July and August for comfortable swimming among the Islands. The Islands offer great protection from wind and waves on a rough day. If the wind comes up and the waves becomes uncomfortable for anyone, we are never more than a few minutes away from calm water.
For more information on the Islands, visit www.bayfield.org or www.nps.gov/apis/.
The Boats
| There are three boats at Dreamcatcher Sailing, Dreamcatcher, a 1971 33 Pearson Sloop Esprit, a 1977 Tartan 34 and Egret, a Tartan 37. They all have been well maintained over the years and are in excellent shape. A sloop has one mast and two sails--a main and a jib or genoa. Designed for ocean cruising and racing, they have 4000-7500 lb. keels and cannot tip over. When the winds get heavy, the sails can be lowered or changed to provide a comfortable sail. They are equipped with new diesel engines which are used for docking, in extreme weather, when the wind is calm or when we need to get somewhere and the wind is not cooperating. This engine is quiet and smooth and makes for a nice cruise even without the sails. All three boats are very seaworthy designs and can handle all weather, if necessary. |
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| Cabin and Galley |
| Outdoor Space
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| The cockpit is very large on the boats, seating up to eight or ten and the entire deck is great for lounging during the day whether underway (given the proper conditions) or at anchor. There is a swim ladder on the stern and the top of the cabin makes a nice diving platform. The cockpits convert into another sleeping cabin at night with the help of some canvas. |
| Dinghy |
| The Captain
Several of the area's finest captains help John and Mary a few days per week. Captains Kay Bakke and Jim Neumann of Duluth and Captains John Mayers and Andrew Sauter-Sargent of Bayfield are all highly experienced sailors. Kay offers her skills as a lifetime boater and teacher. Jim is a retired journalist and lifetime boater with extensive single-handed wooden boat experience. John has been a sailing charter captain in the area for over 20 years, involved in bareboat charter certification training and advanced offshore skills training. Andrew grew up on a boat similar to Esprit and has sailed across the Indian Ocean. They are all very easy to be around and have a nice way about them. We are proud to have them as part of Dreamcatcher Sailing. |
Water Taxi Service
Dreamcatcher Sailing is providing Water Taxi service in the Apostle Islands
this year on our 24' Crestliner fishing boat. This service will be run before
and after our regularly scheduled sailing trips as captains are available.
Call us for more information. Pricing is $20/mile with a $50/hour waiting
fee if you want to visit an Island for a little while and ride back. Dropoffs
for camping, etc., include mileage there and back for the boat and pickup
a few days later is the same fee and is not included. Examples:
Basswood Island $80 drop off and $80 pick up, total $160, plus tax.
Oak Island $200 drop off and $200 pick up, total $400 plus tax,
Michigan Island $320 drop off $320 pick up total $640 plus tax.
Otter Island $280 drop off $280 pick up, total $560 plus tax.
Stockton Island (try the Apostle Islands Cruise Service as they may have regular
service there) $300/drop off etc.
Other Islands per way; Outer (south tip) $480, Rocky $360, Sand $400 (see
below for fall hunting prices)
If you are flexible, we may be able to combine your outing with another group and lower the price.
For fall hunting trips, we can launch at Little Sand Bay, making Sand, York and Oak Islands more affordable. Sand and York will be $175 drop off and $175 pick up, total $350 plus tax, and Oak dock $200 drop off and $200 pick up, total $400 plus tax.. Call us if you are interested. Limit six passengers.
Kayaks $20 round trip extra, over 75 lbs per person of gear will be $20/person
extra round trip, deer $50.
Water taxi has traditionally been a money losing business. We are offering
our services because we already have a boat available and captains, staff,
etc., and there is a need. The area of the Apostle Islands is vast in marine
terms. Going out 15 miles one way can be a short trip or a long one, depending
on weather. The boat we use is safe, reliable and appropriate for the Apostle
Islands and the captains are licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard. Prices are
based on mileage from a chart and a set rate. We are not charging enough to
make a profit, only cover costs and provide this needed service. We recommend
the Madeline Island Ferry Line for less expensive trips to Madeline Island
and the Apostle Islands Cruise Service for their regularly scheduled trips
as ways to save money. Our overnight sailing trips and camping by kayak (www.livingadventures.com)
are comparable in price, so please look at those as alternatives.
Contact us:
Dreamcatcher Sailing
88265 Happy Hollow Road
Bayfield, WI 54814
(800) 682-1587 or (715) 779-5561
dreamcatcher@wolfsongadventures.com


There
is a large cabin with sleeping accommodations for five (Dreamcatcher)
or six (Esprit) adults, two in the V-berth (bow) and three
in the main saloon and a quarter berth on Esprit. The large
berth (bed) in the main saloon converts in to a dining, charting, and
card playing table and the other berth turns into a couch. There is
a head between the V-berth and the main saloon for use while underway.
Our
tender is a ten foot hard bottom inflatable. It is pulled behind
and is easy to board from the boat.