Ultralight canoes for Isle Royale

[Led]

A group of friends and I are planning to visit Isle Royale for the first time this August and we would like to explore via inland lakes/canoe. Have done Algonquin a few times and we usually rent ultralight canoes. I know the park will rent aluminums, but looking for something less miserable to portage.

Is there anywhere that I can rent a lightweight canoe and have it ferried over with me? Looks like there a couple places on the MN side, but I'll be traveling up from SE Michigan.

Thanks all! Been reading the forum for a bit now, lots of good info!

[Ingo]

Try Sylvania Outfitters in Watersmeet, somewhat out of the way coming from Mackinaw. That's the closest I could find in the U.P. for a kevlar canoe, but fortunately it is reasonably convenient to my family's cabin. It was some years ago and I haven't searched recently, though. Broke down and bought my own kevlar, so now I just haul it up from N.C.

If you do go from MN, make sure they are on or near Hwy 61--the addresses can be miles (and miles) out of the way. I've also rented a couple times from Beartrack Outfitters in Grand Marais, also some years ago. I think there may be another one or two in town now.

[kolo]

If you do go from MN, make sure they are on or near Hwy 61--the addresses can be miles (and miles) out of the way. I've also rented a couple times from Beartrack Outfitters in Grand Marais

If you end up arriving at the island via the Voyageur II from Grand Portage, I would strongly recommend renting what you need from Beartrack Outfitters. On my canoe trips I have rented from them and they have been very good to me. David and Kathy have been in the business for over 40 years. They are very knowledgeable, helpful, and Kind; they are good people!

[Led]

Thanks for the feedback and suggestions. Much appreciated.

Since we are coming from southern Michigan, it is unlikely that we'll be leaving from Grand Portage, MN to arrive at the island. Which is unfortunate, because it seems like it would be pretty easy to rent a lightweight canoe somewhere in Minnesota on the way to Grand Portage.

I'll probably either ferry from Houghton or Copper Harbor. Watersmeet is definitely a possibility (Sylvania Outfitters came up on my initial web searches), but it adds almost 2 hours to my drive. Would love to be able to pick something up on the way. I'll get on the phone and see what I can turn up.

[Ingo]

Let us know if you find anyone else in the U.P.