Renting Canoes and Kayaks on the Island

Questions about water transportation and fishing on the island.

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Rafiki
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Renting Canoes and Kayaks on the Island

Post by Rafiki »

Am I correct in reading other previous posts that only canoes are offered at Windigo and Rock Harbor? Am I also correct in my readings that they are offered by the concession stands? If I am correct, then is it safe to assume that you can only rent canoes between Memorial Day and Labor Day (right around when the concession area closes and opens)? What are the prices on Canoes (Kayaks too if they are available)? Where are you allowed to take them? How long are you allowed to rent them for? Any information on matters would be appreciated. Thanks.
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Re: Renting Canoes and Kayaks on the Island

Post by Ingo »

Rafiki wrote:Am I correct in reading other previous posts that only canoes are offered at Windigo and Rock Harbor?
Correct.
Am I also correct in my readings that they are offered by the concession stands? If I am correct, then is it safe to assume that you can only rent canoes between Memorial Day and Labor Day (right around when the concession area closes and opens)?
Correct.
What are the prices on Canoes (Kayaks too if they are available)? Where are you allowed to take them? How long are you allowed to rent them for?
Check http://rockharborlodge.com/marina-rock-harbor (and call them if you have more questions).

Note that the Voyageur II also has canoes to rent and obviously will transport to other places on the island. Don't know what type, or if there's any difference on the transportation cost if you rent from them, but it should be easy enough to check with them.
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Re: Renting Canoes and Kayaks on the Island

Post by MikeT »

We rented a canoe from Don this spring. It was a Grumman 18 in good shape with a wooden yoke. A bit heavy for a long portage, but fine for short ones. You pay the normal rates for a canoe on the boat. It worked out great and I would do it again. If you want to rent one, you have to give them a call to make sure they have one available ahead of time though.
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Re: Renting Canoes and Kayaks on the Island

Post by colvinch »

Friends rented one 2 years ago and was like $250 for the 5 days we were there, a little pricey if you ask me. I think there is a place that will rent in CH..superior paddling maybe??? I think there are two places in CH one right next to the Queens dock and one next to the general store. I did meet some guys a few years back on the island that rented in Grand Portage, had a really nice light weight (looked like a racing canoe), said they got their entire gear from an outfitter there, unfortuantely I don't remember the name of the place but the canoe only weighed somewhere around 30lbs. I do know I had looked previously for my friends since I was doing the planning and I didn't really find much in the U.P. for canoe rentals


found this http://www.bear-track.com/page3.html in Grand marais

http://www.keweenawadventure.com/outfitting.htm in copper harbor

http://www.exploringthenorth.com/adventure/company.html

http://www.sylvaniaoutfitters.com/rates/rates.html
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Re: Renting Canoes and Kayaks on the Island

Post by Rafiki »

Thank for everyones input. It seems like if one were to rent a canoe, the best option would be from Capt. Don. I say this because if you rent from Capt. Don, you won't have to haul the vessel over to Grand Portage and can have Capt. Don load up a canoe on the Voyageur for you. The prices that Capt. Don offers seem close to comparable, if not better than other places. And if you know Capt. Don, you know he is a very friendly guy, so why not rent from someone you know and trust. Thanks everyone everyone.
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