1 of 5: 1st to sail a Sunfish 150m around Isle Royale

[@joesalemi2414]

Wow man yeah…..the hammock….. you a bad man.

[@AdventuresInReach]

The hammock helped with another mile and hour. I'm a little confused about your comment. Thanks for watching.

[@Minong_Manitou_Mishepeshu]

Thanks! Love these Isle Royale vids.

[@AdventuresInReach]

Hello. You're one of my frequent viewers and I really appreciate the comments and this support. It's truly what keeps me going.

[@gabrielbentley9061]

Please make a instructional video on hoisting the sail when in the water after paddling

[@rmj2n]

I scuba dive and I also have to take dramamine. When we stop at the dive site and stop moving the swells and waves really get to me unless I can get in the water quick. Some divers are super slow getting in so I just have to sit there getting tossed around and it's not a good feeling.

[@AdventuresInReach]

It's amazing how much getting in the water helps. I learned that when guiding sea kayaking trips when big waves never bothered me but rescuing someone would sometimes set it off.

[@tyolsn]

so impressed!

[@AdventuresInReach]

Thank you! That was a fun trip. Did you watch the whole series? ... there's 5 videos.

[@jimk4570]

Hat's off to you taking on such an adventure in a small sailboat. The sunfish is very capable and trustworthy. My longest sail on a laser was 16 miles roundtrip in 4 hrs, so I can really appreciate what you have been through. I made some navigation lights to mount to my mast. I enjoy sailing at night. I cannot imagine however being so far from land.

[@AdventuresInReach]

Hey thank you. There's probably a small percentage of people who have experienced a long sail in a small sailboat...but more should try it. 16 miles/4 hoirs is a long stretch. I'm curious where you are at with your laser. I have a video idea... Any tips for making navigation lights? I don't have any and have just been bringing red and green glow sticks, but generally don't sail at night. Maybe I should try that more. Being far from land isn't so bad as long as you are ready with enough accessible food and water, emergency bag, drysuit, paddle...and checking the forecast ahead of time. It is a little daunting though when you realize you are hours from any land.

[@conleytgn]

Hey, I really enjoyed this series. I hiked Isle Royale probably 10 years ago, and just a few weeks ago I sailed a sunfish at UPBC bible camp in Little Lake Michigan. Your trip looked like a total blast. I've done my share of canoe camping but you've got me itching to buy a sunfish now. Keep up the good work, I really enjoy the sailing content.

[@AdventuresInReach]

Do it! I highly recommend buying a sailboat. They are relatively cheap, easy to learn, and can obviously still be used for camping if you approach it like sea kayaking. If you're interested in more here's my Sunfish sailing playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLNcpRGw7T0bgCPwT85FSucfIhewgFrkXX

[@MrShanebizzle]

This seems crazy but awesome!! Really enjoyed this video, looking forward to the series. Thanks

[@AdventuresInReach]

Glad you enjoyed it! It was a pretty epic trip. I'm actually heading out into Lake Superior for a trip into Canadian territory later this summer. Keep a look out for the video.

[@Moleasses102]

Such an amazing adventure. Thanks for sharing moments of frustration and indecision as well as joy, makes the adventure much more real!

[@AdventuresInReach]

Thanks for your comment. I'm sometimes tempted to leave the low points out, but I agree that it certainly makes it more realistic and relatable. Just an FYI that this is a series and the second one is posted. It has some more frustrations and decision points. Thanks again.

[@knpstrr]

Talk about getting seasick on sailboatdata Sunfish has a "comfort ratio" of 2.31 haha not exactly a "cruiser". Though I must say this adventure is really cool in this boat, I get why you did it.

[@AdventuresInReach]

It's certainly not intended for cruising, but it's been working well in my many trips. Did you see our last trip around the Apostles?

[@randomshortvids3111]

this is really the best youtube channel... thanks so much keep it up!

[@AdventuresInReach]

Wow! I really appreciate your comment. Feel free to share the videos around. I plan to keep making them. What do you like the most about it?...so I can keep doing those things.

[@randomshortvids3111]

@@AdventuresInReach great question! obviously i think we all love the sailing, and DEFINITELY do more camping, and when you do go more into detail of how you do it, like start a fire and cook something, good luck!

[@AdventuresInReach]

Perfect. Thanks for the feedback!

[@maxcheerio6837]

I have a sunfish and sail Lake Superior but so far just around Thunder Bay in Canada that looks like a really fun adventure

[@AdventuresInReach]

Nice. That's a pretty area. Have you ever been to the Slate Islands? I'm hoping to sail and camp with my Sunfish there sometime this summer if the border opens up.

[@jasonmassie4129]

Enjoyed your video and journey. Came across this as I just got a 76 hull like yours but bit cut out where the mast typically goes so it will be a repair project. Learning about the fish from your videos. Keep it up

[@AdventuresInReach]

Thanks for watching. That sounds like a big repair, but certainly worth it if it gets you out on the water. I have a few more sunfish videos coming yet this year before I run out of content and have to wait for spring.

[@donhobbs3271]

Way cool! I never considered camping with my Sunfish. I do it often with a kayak or canoe.

[@AdventuresInReach]

It's a fun way to travel and camp. The biggest downfall is that you can't sleep aboard, but if you think of it more like a kayaking trip it works pretty well.

[@donhobbs3271]

@@AdventuresInReach Plus you let the wind do the work!

[@samueltalsma9863]

Heyo- I've got a hobie 17 on lake michigan and have been wanting to go for some long distance / sail /camp trips. thanks for inspiring me/ showing it can be done! wondering what your route planning process looks like? do you have any favorite routeplanning apps, wind tracking tools, or decision making strategies to deal with weather and waves? would appreciate your insight. Thanks and happy holidays :)

[@AdventuresInReach]

Hello. I don't use any route planning apps. I simply pick a spot that sounds interesting to explore, purchase or print an appropriate map of the area, enter coordinates of the marina and all area campsites and landmarks into my GPS, and go for it. I generally use the Windy app for wind or just listen to the NOAA weather radio forecast. My thought about wind and waves is to plan for the absolute worst, play around with flipping, righting, things breaking, reefing, handling in bad conditions, etc. before the trip so that it's not a big surprise and scare during the trip. What I/we go out in is dependent on the experience, temperature, load, gear, forecast, group consensus, etc. at that particular time. I pack several days extra food just in case and inform work that I won't return in time unless it's safe. I practice being comfortable with letting wind out of the sail(s) in a hurry and enjoying the waves.

[@johnamartine]

Stumbled on this while browsing Sunfish videos and thought "hey, that's the Island Royale guy who commented on my Sunfish video the other day". Great video and an awesome sail/journey.

[@AdventuresInReach]

Thank you. I have many more Sunfish videos on the way, that you might soon find while browsing.

[@knpstrr]

Probably not legal, but it would be cool if someone built a Thoreau type cabin for use for anyone that lands on the island.

[@AdventuresInReach]

Not Thoreau type, but there are those sweet screaned in lean-to shelters all over the island.

[@clydeosterhout1221]

I have been anxiously awaiting this series. I put a link up on the Sunfish Forum. Anyone who wants to cruise on a Sunfish needs to watch your videos! One thing that I would really like to see at the end of the series would be a video on “What I learned”, showing a short video section of a critical moment, and the lessons you drew from them. Once again I would like to thank you for sharing your experiences. I plan on taking my Minifish cruising this Fall, but under far more benign circumstances! Cruising Chincoteague Bay is a walk in the park (lol, literally, as it is mostly a national seashore) compared to Superior.

[@AdventuresInReach]

Thank you for posting on the Sunfish Forum and for your suggestion. I will most definitely do a lessons learned video. I was sort of considering this in some form, and your comment helps to put the pieces together. More benign is a good thing too! I enjoy both the crazy, tense, challenging sailing as well as the calm, peaceful, relaxing. They both have their place. I hope you enjoy, and I'd love to hear how it goes. There aren't many people cruising with their Sunfish so I'd be interested in comparing notes.

[@AdventuresInReach]

--If you want a shortcut to reliable, recommended gear, then check the links in the description --Join my email list and get a free Small Sailboat Camping Packing List--link in description --Please consider liking and subscribing! --Check out this “Sunfish Sailing Adventures” playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLNcpRGw7T0bgCPwT85FSucfIhewgFrkXX

[@ivanbartha9090]

How did you do your campsite permits?

[@AdventuresInReach]

First buy your Isle Royale day passes, season pass, or national parks pass. Then call the park with the boat registration number, make, length, your pass number, and your intended itinerary. They will send an email for you to print out with your itinerary and rules. You can just print that out and bring it with, and never need to show up at a ranger station on the island. The itinerary is also pretty flexible. I asked and they are okay with writing in different campsites and different days (as long as you have the pass to cover it, which is why I purchased an IR season pass), staying at places that are full if needed (weather), and camping at shelter sites if needed.

[@Minong_Manitou_Mishepeshu]

I sub'd. Shared.

[@AdventuresInReach]

Thank you. I always appreciate folks getting excited about my videos, and hope they help get people out there.

[@connormerritt31]

First! Great vid, lots of good info and I really enjoyed the bit about making sure you know what your options are. Looking forward to part 2!

[@AdventuresInReach]

Thank you again! I try to entertain while also conveying information that can be useful for others-especially if it helps keep them safe or feeling more confident about their decisions. I posted part 2 last night! The other parts should follow in the next week or two.

[@JohnBoyJoy]

"world's largest lake"

[@AdventuresInReach]

Sure is! It's an awesome place to sail.

[@JohnBoyJoy]

@@AdventuresInReach never heard of the Caspian Sea?

[@AdventuresInReach]

Yes, that is bigger inland body of water, but it's also a "Sea" with salt water.

[@JohnBoyJoy]

@@AdventuresInReach we'll have to agree to disagree then like the other nations about what it is I guess

[@OUTRAGEOUSSAILING]

Why are you wearing a drysuit

[@AdventuresInReach]

Good question. It looks warm. The water temp of Superior averages about 40 degrees Fahrenheit. When I started it was in the low 50's and with all the wave action was in the mid 30's the last couple days. There was only one day I didn't wear it on the water. (There's a series of 5 videos) During this video I was crossing about 26 miles and the drysuit is like a life raft. I didn't want to need it and be stuck trying to put it on in waves.

[@arask6400]

Nice work, iv wanted to do a similar trip after hiking Isle Royale. If you check out my channel IV been playing with a sunfish this year and have some experience with dinghy camping having done the Everglades challenge.

[@AdventuresInReach]

I just watched your videos about sailing in the surf. That looks like a good time. I subscribed. I'd be interested in hearing about your experience in the Everglades Challenge. Are you ever in the upper midwest? I'm also considering going south to warm water sometime this winter... It might be cool to sail together.