FAQ FOR PRIVATE CHARTERS

Who will be the Captain?
Mark and Katya Gordon are co-owners of Amicus Adventure Sailing, a small family-owned charter sailing business that operates out of Knife River, MN. Mark (captain) has more than 25 years experience in directing wilderness programs and leading wilderness trips with people of all ages and over 18 years as a licensed Captain and EMT. He has climbed, skied, hiked and canoed throughout North America and bought his first sailboat in 1985 and has been sailing his various boats every since. Katya (first mate) is a lifelong sailor and is a veteran of outdoor wilderness experiences, with more than 15 years of experience leading trips in mountains, lakes, deserts, rivers, and oceans. She is an advanced facilitator and trainer in restorative justice, restorative processes and circle keeping. Together they have sailed thousands of miles on Lake Superior and beyond with their their two daughters, Cedar (9) and Lamar (6) who will also be aboard for the trip. In 2007 they completed a year long, 5,000 sailing trip to the Bahamas and back from Lake Superior with their two daughters (ages 2 and 4) aboard Amicus - a 34 foot steel ketch.

"Our vision as a family, and as Amicus Adventure Sailing, has always been to take people sailing with us - two hours to two weeks or more, as we say. What is closest to our hearts is to eat, sleep, and live on board as a tight group as we sail to remote anchorages together."

What is the sailboat like?
Amicus II is our custom designed, 40-foot steel cutter. She is rugged and seaworthy--built to sail the world’s oceans. She has an 11.5’ beam, 5.5’ beam, a full keel and weighs 27,000 lbs. A 54 hp diesel engine provides plenty of power when the wind dies. She is equipped with both solar panels and wind generator and has yet to rely on shore power. She carries 70 gallons of diesel fuel and 100 gallons of water and has both composting and conventional marine head (toilet) systems. Together, these lower our carbon footprint and greatly extend our cruising range away from marinas. Her comfortable cockpit is protected from both sun and rain by a hard dodger. Inside, she sleeps eight, has an ample, functional galley and storage space for weeks of travel. A diesel cabin heater keeps the cabin toasty warm on those chilly Lake Superior evenings. Two kayaks and a dinghy are carried on board for exploring anchorages and making trips to shore. In a nutshell, Amicus II embodies our priorities: safety, self-sufficiency, simplicity, and sailing comfort.  

Do I need any experience?
No experience is necessary for your private charter, just a willingness to be part of a great adventure. You will have the opportunity to participate in all aspects of the trip from standing watch to cooking if you wish. You can learn the basics of navigation, sail handling, anchoring, steering, provisioning and use of onboard electronics. You can also sit back and just enjoy the ride – it’s your trip and we want you to participate at whatever level you feel most comfortable.

Where will we be sailing?

Mark will go over various anchorages and sites to see with you for the area you will be sailing in and you can help plan the route based on sites and anchorages you would like to visit. Weather and conditions permitting, Mark will do his best to take you where you would like to go.

What will the weather be like?

Weather conditions will vary depending on when you do your trip. For trips in May and June you can expect temperatures to range from the 40s in the evenings to high 70s in the daytime and a greater possibility of rain and fog. June is a transition month weather wise so you can expect just about everything from bright and sunny to cold and foggy. One thing for sure is there will be lots of good sailing with plenty of wind. Trips in July and August are generally warmer and dryer with a bit less wind.  It can be cool while sailing offshore anytime during the summer.  September often has glorious sailing in relatively warm and dry conditions. Following the clothing list we provide will help ensure a comfortable trip regardless of the weather conditions.

What are the insects like?

You can expect some mosquitoes and other biting flies while on shore though they are usually not an issue during the day. We carry insect repellent for shore trips and have screens on all hatches and port holes on the boat.

What do I need to bring?

In general you will need to bring your own cloths, toiletries, sleeping bag and foul weather gear. We also recommend you bring a few good books to read. You are welcome to bring your cell phone and ipod and we have the ability to charge both, however cell phone coverage will often be spotty.  We will provide a clothing and a gear list prior to the trip and are happy to give advice on selecting items you may not have.

What is the food like?

The food is simple and nutritious. Dinners are primarily noodle, rice and bean based with different sauces and can be meat based or vegetarian. Breakfasts include oatmeal, granola, eggs, bacon, pancakes, cream of wheat. Lunches are sandwiches, burritos, crackers, fruit and vegetables. We provide a menue list prior to the trip for you to choose from. We have lots of experience with special diets and can accommodate most dietary needs. 

What will we be doing all day?

All of our destinations offer a variety of activities both on shore and on the water This is your trip and we will do our best help you enjoy it to the fullest. At the start of your trip we will set up a basic itinerary and make adjustments along the way based on weather conditions and your interests. All of our destinations offer possibilities for kayaking, hiking and exploring on shore and of course lots of great sailing.

Mark is an experienced sailing instructor and is happy provide opportunities for learning and experiencing first hand the details of sailing the boat from steering, sail handling and anchoring to safety and navigation. You can also set your trip up as a Sail Training or Learn to Cruise course.

What safety equipment is onboard the boat?

Safety equipment onboard includes: all US Coast Guard required safety equipment (life jackets, flares etc..)  Person Overboard Recovery System, EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon), 3 VHF radios, Cell phone, first aid kit and life raft.