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True North Pirates Club
True North Pirates Club is dedicated to enriching our community’s quality of life by bringing the spirit of the Apostle Islands maritime history to life for our local kids and their families. Through free, hands-on island adventures that educate and inspire exploration of our local waters, we pillage our own charter business’s resources to help the next generation connect with our maritime heritage—our boats, our shorelines, and the stories of past adventures that spark wonder for that elusive horizon.
Our Current Expedition
Our current project is to build a Mackinaw boat that we designed off of some old 1890's photographs we found at our local museum, these small sail/row Mackinaw boat—the same kind of double-ended vessels once lined these very shores on the north side of Bayfield. Click here to see our design! Our best guess is that many of these inner island boats were built much smaller than mackinaw boats that faced the open lake. While many places sources state a mackinawboat to be 18ft or more. The historical photographs clearly show a local fleet thats range is more like 12 - 18ft. For generations, these boats carried families and friends into the Apostle Islands for fishing, exploration, and time together on the water.
The late 1800s were a time before outboard motors, when the hours spent traveling from point A to point B on the water were perhaps an unrecognized valuable thread in the fabric and the community that lived here.
Why It Matters
In the past, communities came together through the act of building boats in the winter and setting sail in the summer. Those shared experiences built connection, creativity, and a deep respect for the lake. The Pirates Club seeks to revive that sense of purpose and community—utilizing our charter business’s resources as an avenue for education in boatbuilding, seamanship, and exploration while rediscovering the wild beauty of the islands we call home.
Donate a Boat to the Pirates Club
Do you have a sailboat sitting unused?
We’re always looking for small sailboats and projects to restore for the True North Pirates Club — a hands-on youth sailing and adventure program on Lake Superior. Many great boats end up sitting in yards, barns, and marinas. Instead of letting them deteriorate, we give them a second life — teaching kids restoration skills, seamanship, and time on the water.
We’re especially looking for:
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Small sailboats (8–26 ft)
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Dinghies and beach cats
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Trailerable sailboats
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Project boats needing repair
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Boats without motors
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Older fiberglass or wood boats
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We love historic boats with character!
Condition doesn’t have to be perfect — projects are welcome.
What we can do
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Pick up locally (case-by-case)
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Restore and use for youth sailing
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Repurpose parts for training boats
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Give your boat a meaningful second life
Tell us about your boat
Email: truenorthsailingcharters@gmail.com
Or send:
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Boat type / size
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Location
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Condition
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Photos (if available)
We’ll get back to you quickly.
Your unused boat could become a kid’s first sailing adventure.
Join Us
By building boats, learning skills, and exploring the islands, we’re not just preserving history—we’re reviving the best parts of it and pushing our story forward. The shores of Lake Superior have always belonged to the pirates: those with a thirst for adventure, freedom, and a bit of rebellious independence.
