Captain and Crew:  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 (7). In 2007 they completed a year long, 5,000 mile 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.”

The Boat: Amicus II is a custom-designed 40-ft. steel cutter.  She weighs 27,000 lbs with an 11 ½ ft. beam and 5 ½ ft. draft.  Her heavy, full keel provides a very sea kindly motion, making her a joy to sail as she moves smoothly through waves.  Her hard dodger and well protected cockpit help to keep you out of the elements in challenging conditions. She sleeps eight (including 3 double bunks).  She is outfitted to minimize her carbon footprint and to spend extended periods cruising in remote areas away from docks and marinas. She has two 120 watt solar panels and a wind generator to power her two battery banks; she carries over 100 gallons of water and 70 gallons of diesel fuel. She is equipped with a small propane galley stove and both conventional marine and composting heads (toilets). A diesel cabin heater makes early summer and late fall cruising cozy and warm on brisk days.  Altogether, Amicus II and her crew embrace these core values: Simplicity, Sustainability, Seaworthiness, and Safety.

Do I need any sailing experience?
No sailing experience is necessary for this trip, just a willingness to learn and be part of a great adventure. You will have the opportunity to participate in all aspects of the trip from steering the boat to raising the sails. You can learn the basics of navigation, sail handling, steering, provisioning and use of onboard electronics. We want you to participate at whatever level you feel most comfortable.

When does the trip start?
The trip officially begins at 9:00 am on the first day and ends around 4:00 pm the second day. Participants are welcome to board the boat the evening before their trip after 8:45 pm.

How many people will be on the trip?
There will be up to six guests on the trip plus Mark and possibly a deckhand.

Where will I sleep?
You will sleep on the boat each night. There are eight berths on Amicus II. You will sleep in your own sleeping bag in a single berth or couples can share a double berth.

Where will we be sailing?
We will sail from Knife River, MN (home port of Amicus II) to Port Wing, WI. The crossing is approximately nineteen miles and will take between three and five hours each way depending on sailing conditions.

What will the weather be like?
You can expect temperatures to range from the 60s to the 80s. It can be cool while making the crossing depending on wind direction but once we reach Port Wing, temperatures are usually quite pleasant making for great beach combing and exploring.

What about seasickness?
Most people are fine in calm to moderate sea conditions as long as they stay on deck and do not spend time inside the boat. If you are prone to motion sickness we suggest taking an over the counter medication several hours before departure. If the seas are rough we will typically wait for conditions to moderate before departing.

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 rain gear. We also recommend you bring a good book to read while relaxing in the cockpit or on the beach.  We will provide a clothing and 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 contain meat or be vegetarian. Breakfasts include oatmeal, granola, fruit, eggs, bacon, pancakes, cream of wheat. Lunches are sandwiches, burritos, crackers, fruit and vegetables. Please fill out the menu preference sheet and return it as soon as possible. Included in the cost of the trip is lunch and dinner on the first day and breakfast and lunch on the second day plus snacks and non-alcoholic beverages.

What will we be doing all day?
The days will be a mix of sailing between Knife River and Port Wing then docking and exploring. While sailing, you will have the opportunity to be actively engaged in sailing the boat. You can steer, help with the sails and navigation or you just can sit back and enjoy the ride. While docked we will take full advantage of many activities Port Wing has to offer including beach combing, kayaking and checking out the village. 

Will I be able to use my cell phone while on the trip?
While we do not have rules about using cell phones while on the trip, we prefer you use them as sparingly as possible. There will be spotty cell phone coverage while docked at Port Wing. We do have the ability to charge your cell phone with both AC and DC chargers.                                                

 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), 2 VHF radios, Cell phone, first aid kit and Life Raft.

What does it cost? The cost is $300/ per person, three person  minimum, this covers all food and docking expenses.

What if I have more questions?
If you have more questions please do not hesitate to call or email Amicus Adventure Sailing directly at 218-290-5975 or AmicusSailing@frontier.com.