The Great -Lakes- Gatsby

09/21/2023

Miscellaneous cabin info

09/21/2023

Aft cabin

09/21/2023

More toilet talk ~ Gatsby-specific

09/21/2023

Head & marine toilet

09/21/2023

V-berth and portlights

07/16/2023

BONNIE KNOWS GATSBY
Jim attended the race week award ceremony along with Bonnie Dahl. He heard they were from Rice Lake and afterwards introduced himself to her husband as the owner of Rick Collins’ boat. Not only did he recognize the name, he knew Gatsby by name and so did Bonnie.

07/07/2023

Guide for sailors out of Pike's Bay with specific details for guests on Gatsby. This is adapted from a TCSC Fun Times Armada guide.

FUN TIMES ARMADA/APOSTLE ISLANDS CHARTER & GATSBY GUIDE DRIVING Check for traffic and construction warnings. It takes 4 hours from the Twin Cities whether you take 35 to Duluth or the scenic Wisconsin route. The interstate is better in adverse driving conditions (night, storms) but is farther ...

07/07/2023

Xlists Pre,Morning,DATE: _____________,SKIPPER: _________________ 0,1,2,3,4,PRE & MORNING,1,2,3,4,P,EVENING & POST ELECTRICAL,ELECTRICAL Connect shore power,Battery 1: 12.___ ___ ___ Battery 1: 12.___ ___ ___,Battery 2: 12. ___ ___ ___ Battery 2: 12. ___ ___ ___,Charge batteries as needed Charg...

07/07/2023

CHECKLISTS
Every sailor dreams about checklists
I keep mine on Google Sheets, feel free to copy and customize:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1S4K1QWmKLDTvhxPLYP_d9QmkRVM6B5ENpTq1c36EgYE/edit?usp=sharing
Daily tasks, daily log, launch, haulout, and a training list are in this document

Xlists Pre,Morning,DATE: _____________,SKIPPER: _________________ 0,1,2,3,4,PRE & MORNING,1,2,3,4,P,EVENING & POST ELECTRICAL,ELECTRICAL Connect shore power,Battery 1: 12.___ ___ ___ Battery 1: 12.___ ___ ___,Battery 2: 12. ___ ___ ___ Battery 2: 12. ___ ___ ___,Charge batteries as needed Charg...

06/10/2022

OWNERSHIP COSTS
Costs for the first season and a half were right in line with my estimates. I accounted for both expenses and 'unrealized' costs in my projections.

2020 Actual expenses $20,650 (short season)
2021 Actual expenses $5,300
Add in some repairs to be made and money towards sail replacement and you get close to $8,000.

Projection for 3 year ownership $8,650
Projection for 4 year ownership $7,720

06/10/2022

OWNERSHIP VERSUS CHARTER Is it cheaper to own or to charter frequently? Here's the math I used:

Gatsby
$8,000 Operation cost per season * See separate breakdown post
$4,000 Per co-owner
$200 Per day of sailing, for five 4-day sails

Chartering from Port Superior
$1,400 31' boat for 4 day sail
$2,400 36' boat for 4 day sail
$100 Per person per day for 6 crew

Chartering is probably cheaper if you're averaging costs across a full crew. What about packing a full crew of 4 in Gatsby and splitting costs? Only USCG-licensed captains may charge for passage. There's no law against accepting donations, however.

On the non-financial side chartering saves you a lot of maintenance headaches. (Co-)Ownership gives scheduling flexibility and makes single/short-handed sailing financially feasible.