There are two boats at Dreamcatcher Sailing, Dreamcatcher, a 1971 33’ Pearson Sloop and Esprit, a 1977 Tartan 34. They both 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 4000-5000 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. They are both very seaworthy designs and can handle all weather, if necessary.

Cabin and Galley
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.
The galley is equipped with a large refrigeration unit, stove, oven (Dreamcatcher), sink with fresh running water, and plenty of storage space. There is an outdoor gas grill in the cockpit of the boat. Most meals that can be made at home are possible including steaks, pasta, pizza, shish-kabobs, soups, full breakfasts etc. All pots and pans, dishes and utensils are provided.

Outdoor Space

The cockpit is very large on both 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.

Dinghy
Our tender is a ten foot hard bottom inflatable.  It is pulled behind and is easy to board from the deck of Dreamcatcher.  For the several day cruises there is an outboard which fits on the dinghy for exploring.

The Captain
The husband and wife owners of Dreamcatcher are Captain John Thiel and Mary Thiel. They have owned the boat since 1995 and together have sailed Dreamcatcher to Michigan, Duluth, Minnesota’s North Shore, Thunder Bay and of course many seasons in the Apostle Islands. They do most of the maintenance and upkeep themselves to ensure the boat is always in top condition.
John is a U.S. Coast Guard Licensed Captain (Master, 100-ton Great Lakes) and has been sailing since before birth. The safety and comfort of the passengers and crew is his top priority. He knows the Islands inside and out and can always find a protected area should the weather turn bad.
In the winter, John and Mary, with their daughters Emma and Greta, operate Wolfsong Adventures in Mushing, which is located between Bayfield and Cornucopia. They teach people how to mush their own dogsled teams, give tours, and guide winter camping trips with the assistance of their 40 Siberian Huskies.
Two 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. 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. Jim is a retired journalist and lifetime boater with extensive single-handed wooden boat experience. Andrew grew up on a boat similar to Esprit and has sailed across the South Pacific. 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.