Superior Charters & Yacht Sales

My father and I have been renting from SCI for years (~15 years). I got my sailing certification in 2011 from their learn-to-sail program with an awesome instructor John! They have always been great with on-shore showers, bathrooms, and a nice office. The boats have always been well maintained, and they are very accommodating. Beyond that, the Apostle Islands are one of the best places I've ever sailed. The Caribbean has become too crowded, but this gem is still kept relatively secret from the world. Lake Superior is a huge lake and as challenging and rewarding to sail on as any ocean. As an instructor once put it, "It's life or death out here [on Lake Superior], but if you're mindful, it's life."
10 years ago (27-07-2016)

The boats float. With the right wind, they go straight.
9 years ago (24-07-2017)

We have been chartering sailboats for 14 years now. We have chartered with Superior Charters for at least 8 years, on 5 separate occasions. We have always been happy with Superior Charters. They are a professional operation, and their boats are well maintained and ready to sail. This has not always been true for other charter operations in the area. We switched to Superior Charters after two bad experiences in a row with a different organization headquartered in the Bayfield Marina. Superior Charters has one drawback, which is that it is located in Pikes Bay, a bit more than a mile from Bayfield Proper. So no walking right from the Bayfield Marina to enjoy the wonderful charms of Bayfield itself. The Pike's Bay marina is very nice, and has a good restaurant on it, but it is not as nice as being in the Bayfield City Marina with the whole lovely town just a short walk away. Although, nothing stops you from sailing back to the Bayfield City Marina and tying up there overnight there to enjoy easy access except a modest $30-40 nightly slip fee! But since we are sailors and come for the islands out in Lake Superior not for hanging out in Bayfield. It is more important that we trust Superior Charters sailboats to be in good repair and ready for serious sailing out for up to a week at a time out on Lake Superior. This last time we set up our charter (we re going in just a few weeks--goody!) we had a miscommunication with the booking staff, and ended up with a conflict with another charter group. Once we showed we had clearly intended on our set of dates, Superior Charters went above and beyond to fix the problem, probably at a loss to their own revenue. That s not something you get from every business. Short and sweet--good, reliable sailboats, ready to sale, and a professional, helpful staff when you need them. I never hesitate Superior Charters to my friends who charter. Now excuse me--I gotta start packing!
13 years ago (04-08-2013)

Great experience
10 years ago (09-07-2016)

The Apostle Islands in Lake Superior are one of the great cruising destinations in the world - and relatively undiscovered. Clear water, long sand beaches, and lots of island anchorages. We've sailed with Superior Charters for the last 4 years. Service is great, good selection of boats and never a problem. For a real treat, stop in for dinner at Wild Rice before you board!
16 years ago (09-09-2010)