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Author Topic: First Isle Royale Trip  (Read 4193 times)

Offline UP Tolman

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First Isle Royale Trip
« on: June 18, 2018, 08:49:14 AM »
June 8-10 I made my first Isle Royale trip with my Jumbo 24! This was a dream of mine from the start of my build! Flat calm crossing from Eagle Harbor, MI to Duncan Narrows on east side of the Island. One way it was 56 mi. 2 hours at 27 mph, 6.8 gph. Not bad, but if I slowed a hair more I could have been even more efficient. I crossed with my brother's boat and FIL's, 3 boats wide most of the way. That was a crossing to remember, doesn't happen often like that. On the return we slowed as it was 2' chop most of the time with strong crosswinds. 23 mph at 6.0 gph. We caught enough lake trout for the freezer and to have a fish fry and fish boil. Mostly it was time spent relaxing with the guys.. I had another brother along with my 4 y/o son on my boat. My boy is hooked, both on boat rides and fishing! He never put his pole down the entire time out there, I couldn't help but smile.

The fishing can be out of this world out there, but we really didn't focus our time on it. Overall i was very pleased with my boat, perfect arrangement for Lake Superior! The water temp was 37-39 degrees so the full cabin was a dream to have. Next year I will have a vented heater,  but even without it I had my best sleep all week out there! Left the dock on the mainland full of gas and I refilled once I returned. 35.8 gallons over almost 140 miles. I was happy!

Also, I had forum member Rockyheadlands stop by very briefly at the island, gotta love Tolman builders!

Enjoy the pics, the crossing over, at the dock, my son and his spot on the dock, and my brother with a catch.

Greg
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Jumbo 24; Started July 2014; Rolled November 2014; launched August 2016

Offline GS

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Re: First Isle Royale Trip
« Reply #1 on: June 18, 2018, 12:44:36 PM »
Awesome!
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Offline Easygoing

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Re: First Isle Royale Trip
« Reply #2 on: June 18, 2018, 04:47:27 PM »
What a cool trip!  Thanks for sharing it with us!
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Offline yooper52

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Re: First Isle Royale Trip
« Reply #3 on: June 18, 2018, 06:46:11 PM »
That is excellent!
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Offline Cordell

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Re: First Isle Royale Trip
« Reply #4 on: June 18, 2018, 06:54:54 PM »
Quote from: UP Tolman on June 18, 2018, 08:49:14 AM
My boy is hooked, both on boat rides and fishing! He never put his pole down the entire time out there, I couldn't help but smile.

Nice work! Stuff like that makes it all the more rewarding.  You probably got a lifer on your hands there  :D
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25'  Jumbo
Start: 8/29/15
Flip: 4/9/16
Launched: 1/27/2018

Offline Cannon

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Re: First Isle Royale Trip
« Reply #5 on: June 18, 2018, 09:54:46 PM »
You are going to love it, and most of all, it will bring you and yours home safe for years to come! Well done!


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Great Alaskan 28' started June 2015, launched August 2016
Remember, the ark was built by amateurs; while the Titanic was built by professionals.

Offline AlasKen

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Re: First Isle Royale Trip
« Reply #6 on: June 19, 2018, 09:42:28 AM »
Quote from: UP Tolman on June 18, 2018, 08:49:14 AM
... Overall i was very pleased with my boat, perfect arrangement for Lake Superior! The water temp was 37-39 degrees so the full cabin was a dream to have. Next year I will have a vented heater,  but even without it I had my best sleep all week out there! ...
Greg
I just wanted to share the option I used for my Jumbo.  It is a Dickinson Newport P9000. http://dickinsonmarine.com/product/newport-p9000-propane-fireplace/  It is a bit spendy regular price but I caught a 1/2 price sell around Christmas several years ago.  It is a sealed burner with a double wall exhaust pipe.  Fresh air for combustion comes in through the outer wall and exhaust goes out the center.  It has a fan but works without it just fine with no battery draw that way.  It does not use much propane.  I have a small ~1 gallon bulk propane tank in a propane locker on the deck.  I turn it off at the valve when not in use.  So far I have never used the entire 1 gallon tank in a summer.  That is partly because I don't use my boat as often as I would like.  Even in 45* wet days I only use it sporadically.  I heat things up then shut it off.  I will warm things up first thing in the morning and then again in the evening when relaxing at anchor before going to bed.  Like your area it can be chilly in AK even in the summer.  This works well to take a chill off and dry things out in the morning.  Everything is toasty warm and mostly dry 15 minutes after turning it on.  Usually turn it off after about a half hour.  Where it really shines is when it is wet and blustery while fishing.  Being able to warm up in the cabin and dry clothing without leaving the fishing grounds is worth it.  I have a photo of my son standing in the cabin while holding his rod out the door jigging while backed up to the heater drying off on a cold day with heavy rain.  My wife's only complaint is why I waited so long to get it.  Neal @ skiffkits had the first one I saw.  Not only is it functional it is purty as well.  Glass front allows you to see the flames in the evening.  I believe I have some photos on this site of my install.
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Kenneth Dodson
Crystal Dawn
24' Jumbo

Offline UP Tolman

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Re: First Isle Royale Trip
« Reply #7 on: June 19, 2018, 12:02:02 PM »
Quote from: AlasKen on June 19, 2018, 09:42:28 AM
Quote from: UP Tolman on June 18, 2018, 08:49:14 AM
... Overall i was very pleased with my boat, perfect arrangement for Lake Superior! The water temp was 37-39 degrees so the full cabin was a dream to have. Next year I will have a vented heater,  but even without it I had my best sleep all week out there! ...
Greg
I just wanted to share the option I used for my Jumbo.  It is a Dickinson Newport P9000. http://dickinsonmarine.com/product/newport-p9000-propane-fireplace/  It is a bit spendy regular price but I caught a 1/2 price sell around Christmas several years ago.  It is a sealed burner with a double wall exhaust pipe.  Fresh air for combustion comes in through the outer wall and exhaust goes out the center.  It has a fan but works without it just fine with no battery draw that way.  It does not use much propane.  I have a small ~1 gallon bulk propane tank in a propane locker on the deck.  I turn it off at the valve when not in use.  So far I have never used the entire 1 gallon tank in a summer.  That is partly because I don't use my boat as often as I would like.  Even in 45* wet days I only use it sporadically.  I heat things up then shut it off.  I will warm things up first thing in the morning and then again in the evening when relaxing at anchor before going to bed.  Like your area it can be chilly in AK even in the summer.  This works well to take a chill off and dry things out in the morning.  Everything is toasty warm and mostly dry 15 minutes after turning it on.  Usually turn it off after about a half hour.  Where it really shines is when it is wet and blustery while fishing.  Being able to warm up in the cabin and dry clothing without leaving the fishing grounds is worth it.  I have a photo of my son standing in the cabin while holding his rod out the door jigging while backed up to the heater drying off on a cold day with heavy rain.  My wife's only complaint is why I waited so long to get it.  Neal @ skiffkits had the first one I saw.  Not only is it functional it is purty as well.  Glass front allows you to see the flames in the evening.  I believe I have some photos on this site of my install.

Thanks Ken! Your install was the push for me to add it to the list! It will be the next big purchase! Ideally before fall fishing, but more likely before next spring. It will definitely be icing on the cake for this boat!
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Jumbo 24; Started July 2014; Rolled November 2014; launched August 2016

Offline larspa

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Re: First Isle Royale Trip
« Reply #8 on: June 19, 2018, 05:44:18 PM »
AlasKen,

My personal experience is that propane raises the room humidity a lot when burned.  It sounds like you didn't have that problem on the boat?

te
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Jumbo 24' launched Sept 2022

Offline UP Tolman

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Re: First Isle Royale Trip
« Reply #9 on: June 21, 2018, 08:31:24 AM »
Quote from: larspa on June 19, 2018, 05:44:18 PM
AlasKen,

My personal experience is that propane raises the room humidity a lot when burned.  It sounds like you didn't have that problem on the boat?

te

No, his unit vents exhaust to outside thru the stack going thru the roof. I will be doing the same. Dry heat
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Jumbo 24; Started July 2014; Rolled November 2014; launched August 2016

Offline Cannon

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First Isle Royale Trip
« Reply #10 on: June 21, 2018, 08:45:41 AM »
I like the whole heater concept, especially the low humidity! My only issue is where to mount it...
I am currently using a Little Buddy with the tilt sensor removed. Works OK, actually better than it did for elk hunting, but the humidity issue is a pain in the posterior.
Dave up there in AK mounted a heater with a blower unit in his GA which I thought was pretty cool


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« Last Edit: June 21, 2018, 08:49:50 AM by Cannon »
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Great Alaskan 28' started June 2015, launched August 2016
Remember, the ark was built by amateurs; while the Titanic was built by professionals.

Offline Larry Semmens

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Re: First Isle Royale Trip
« Reply #11 on: June 21, 2018, 09:51:47 AM »
I used a small Espar diesel heater and it has been really nice.  It has two ducts and a strong blower so heat is distributed. doesnt use much fuel, produces dry heat.  It is mounted in the cuddy and exhaust is out the port cuddy wall.  It is a bit loud when I kick it on from my bunk in the morning, but other than that, no complaints.   I am real happy with it. 
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Offline Rockyheadlands

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Re: First Isle Royale Trip
« Reply #12 on: July 19, 2018, 07:49:03 AM »
Pretty darn excited when we came around the corner and bam a Tolman. Keep em coming folks. The C Dorys seem to have us outnumbered up here this year (12 so far). Finish your builds and get up here. We currently are stationed on Amygdaloid Island and Belle Isle is a fabulous spot for a rendevous. Giant salmon bursting through the surface,lake trout everywhere but it's the views and adventure of the island. 13 miles from Silver Islet in Ontario, 22 from Grand Portage MN and 50 miles of sweetwater from the Keewanaw Peninsula. We will be here through Sept 15. We have our 20' Standard here now. What a boat
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Offline AlasKen

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Re: First Isle Royale Trip
« Reply #13 on: July 19, 2018, 09:13:11 AM »
Quote from: larspa on June 19, 2018, 05:44:18 PM
AlasKen,

My personal experience is that propane raises the room humidity a lot when burned.  It sounds like you didn't have that problem on the boat?

te

As mentioned it is closed chamber direct vent so no moisture.  Prior to this I used a Mr Buddy 2 panel heater and a Mr. Buddy single burner model that screwed onto the bottle so it was small and easy to store.  In fact I still carry it as a just in case backup.  Both of these worked well to warm the cabin but did tend to fog the windows when not underway.  When under way I could crack a couple of windows and remove some moisture. 

I will agree finding the space to mount it conveniently was a bit of a puzzle.  I have seen some mounted in the cuddy on what I would refer to as the cuddy/anchorwell bulkhead.  I chose to mount it in my cabin on the rear bulkhead at about a 45* using the bulkead and the cabin wall for mounting.  I have a bench seat under it and it really didn't impact seating.  The heat actually goes out so the seat doesn't get hot and it is comfortable to sit next to.  I was also looking at the Espar but with the sell this was a bargain.  The other motivator is that it looks nice and gives a fireplace like view when enjoying a hot drink when at anchor or trolling along on a blustery day.  So far I have had no issues with reliability.  One think to keep in mind is you need to light it with a match or lighter, my version at least does not have a igniter.  I use a long neck lighter to light it.
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Kenneth Dodson
Crystal Dawn
24' Jumbo

Offline pfithian

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Re: First Isle Royale Trip
« Reply #14 on: August 05, 2020, 07:41:06 AM »
Great thread, we are looking into an Isle Royale voyage with Made It next July.

My initial thought would be to splash at Eagle Harbor and make the ~60 mile run as weather and sea conditions allow. 

For those that have done it, can you advise suggestions for a first time voyage?  Is extended truck/trailer parking available in Eagle Harbor?
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Made It Jumbo 25
Skiffkits No. 7025 1/2009
Build Start:  3/2009
Hull Flipped: 1/31/2010
Maiden Voyage:  9/16/2011
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