A) You need to be an experienced boater who wants to be 100% responsible not only for the cost of any damaged equipment, but by renting you accept 100% responsibility for the safety of your crew and yourself.
B) If you are born after Jan 1rst 1987 you need a boater safety certificate. If you are born before that you are grandfathered in.
C) It is best if you have owned a boat, or currently own a boat. If you have lots of experience on the water not as a boat owner I would say like 30 days on the water would be a start (the Coast Guard requires 360 days for a commercial captain).
D) The Apostle Islands qualify as offshore boating. To stay in Chequamegon or go to Madeline Island is fine with small body of water experience, but to go to the further islands you should feel comfortable offshore and have experience with VHF radios. Cell phones service is extremely limited and rescue/recovery can take a while and be expensive.
a) Madeline Island is the perfect destination for a day of boating. La Pointe, the town on Madeline Island, is the closest point but still a half an hour away from Washburn. Madeline Island is 14 by 4 miles long and has a lot of diversity, from The Cliffs at Big Bay State Park, to sand beaches also at Big Bay and many other places. La Pointe offers several dock options and places to eat and explore. Planning your trip around Madeline Island allows you to stay in well traveled corridors and remain mostly in cellphone range (depends on carrier).
b) If conditions on the Lake are wavy Chequamegon Bay offers shelters from the big lake and can allow for a fun day that might not be enjoyable on The Big Lake. Long Island blocks North Winds and Waves. If you go into the islands where there is north fetch, the waves are coming all the way from Canada. Long Island is a never ending beach and shallow warmer water that as a youth growing up here I spent 90% of my time taking friends to Long Island. I know you can look at a chart and see all the islands north, but remember you will have greater success and more fun if you stay in your comfort level.
c)If you wish to go North of Madeline Island you should have some offshore boating experience. The Apostle Islands are a huge archipelago of wilderness area that is truly amazing but respect for its largeness is a must and good conditions required. Stockton Island is a great middle island with a harbor for safe docking. Raspberry Island has a Lighthouse and a dock, and there are many other docks and amazing sea caves. However sea caves are created by the very waves that make exploring them reserved for good weather and experienced boaters.
d) Outer island is out of bounds, so is the west half of Sand Island. Interior Islands often have much more manageable waves that the further islands out. Consider your distance traveled as you must return that distance even if conditions change and waves build.
a) Boating and damage does not have to be a big deal. Every boater who has been boating for a while has had to B.O.A.T. or Bust Out Another Thousand. The most important thing is DO NOT PANIC. Boats built after 1977 (all our boats) are foam filled and cannot sink. Panic makes the situation worse, the most important thing an experienced boater will do is not claim damage is impossible but make sure you mitigate and reduce severity of any situation and keep your people onboard safe. Always stay with the boat, stop using boat if damaged, but control it by using an anchor and call for help.
b) If there is a damage incident safely getting all souls back to shore and recovering the equipment will take priority over dealing with who is at fault and the bill. No refunds will be given for 24 hours and damage deposit will likely be run.
c) I don’t provide prop insurance like many rental companies, but minor chipped props are billed at the prop repair price.
d) if you are worried about the cost of damage take a Captained Boat ride or the cruise ship. Damage occurs and your only real concern is safety and mitigating severity.
e) having boat insurance on your own boat is the best way to be fully protected, as my damage deductible covers my costs of repair but in severe incidents of negligence the insurance company hold you responsible for any and all damage.
a) No. There are too many variables. All rentals boats must be tied to a Marina slip or approved dock 1 hour before sunset, and The Apostle Islands docks are first come first serve. For year 1 I am not taking the risk that a camper will find and empty dock slip that is easy to get into. I hope to work this into the future, but for now it is too much risk for year
a) Many companies only offer refunds if it is so bad you cant safely boat. I want to let you get out of your rental if the conditions aren’t right for you to be successful. But I cannot give refunds for cold, or light rain, it all comes down to wind really. Or Fog. But winds over 15mph might be a really nice day but we can discuss if you feel comfortable operating a boat in 2-3 foot waves or bigger all day. Chequamegon Bay offer the ability to go boating on days where the big lake might be much less pleasant. CB-Boats.com reserves the right to cancel any rental at any time for any reason, and if we cancel you will receive a full refund. If you head out on your rental and conditions change you are required to do the safe right thing and come back but no you will not be refunded after you depart for weather.
a) CB-Boats.com will provide all Coast Guard required safety equipment. Life Jackets are kept dry at the Shop and must be selected to fit and brought with. On your end always be prepared for Lake Superior to be more cool than expected. Sweaters even Winter Jackets come in handy out there even in mid summer sometimes. Food and Water are considered important survival equipment should you be delayed on the water, which is possible. Sunglasses are often necessary to see in marinas. Beyond that make sure to pack refreshments and equipment you will enjoy while exploring Chequamegon Bay and The Apostle Islands.
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