The following courses are currently scheduled - courses are listed alphabetically by title. Join the North House E-Newsletter to receive regular course updates.

North House will co-host an
OUPV Coast Guard Captains Training Course
December, 2009
- for complete details visit -
the Superior Marine Training web site

Polar Express, Schooner Adventure,
Sunset and Full Moon Sailing
Plus an array of course offerings
(please see details below)

Daily Sailing Aboard The Schooner Hjørdis
         (Lake Superior Schooner Adventure!)
Ben Doornbos/Matthew Brown/Nathanael Kinzli
Length in Days: 2 hours
Session Options: Daily mid-June to mid-October
Hours: Daily: 9am, 11:30 am, 2:30 pm and 5pm
Tuition: $45 adults, $35 for kids under 12
Materials Fee: Included
Level: All levels
Set sail on Lake Superior aboard Grand Marais' signature boat, the Hjørdis - a 50' traditionally rigged schooner.  Your two-hour sailing adventure includes an introduction to the craft of sail and, as opportunities arise, a colorful look at the ecology, geology, and history of Lake Superior.  The two-hour sail begins with a tour of the Grand Marais Harbor and as conditions permit, a journey past the lighthouse and onto the largest freshwater lake in the world - Lake Superior.  Looking back at the shore, your sailing experience may include views of the Sawtooth Mountains along  the North Shore, or nearby commercial fishing nets set up to 200 feet deep.  Sails most days of the week from mid-June to mid-October.  Call for reservations - six passenger maximum.  Sign up available starting May 1.


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Craft of Sail  
Matthew Brown
Session Options:
. . . 6/19/2009 - FULL, please call for waiting list
. . . 8/06/2009 - FULL, Please Call for Wait List
Spend a day out on Lake Superior aboard the Hjørdis, a traditional gaff-rigged 50’ schooner, learning the craft of sail.  This course offers the student a full day of hands-on experience learning points of sail, seamanship, rope-work, sailing terminology and boat handling technique.  As a floating classroom, the Hjørdis is a relaxed learning environment offering a variety of skills to be gained by an interested sailor.  The sailing experience will be determined by weather and varying lake conditions.  No prior experience is necessary, just a willingness to learn and have an enjoyable sail.


Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 1
. . . Hours: 9am-4:30 pm
. . . Tuition: $150
. . . Materials Fee: $0 Included
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Level: Beginner

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Craft of Sail Group Adventure 
Matthew Brown
Session Options:
. . . Daily June-September (call to assess dates)
Spend the day out on Lake Superior aboard the Hjørdis with your family, friends or group - a minimum of 4 people to reserve this full-day sailing adventure.  Head out onto the largest freshwater lake in the world aboard a  traditional gaff-rigged 50’ schooner.  Your group will meet in the morning to determine the day's sail, consulting the wind, weather and sailing conditions of the day. Once the weather is factored in, the group will leave the dock early in the morning, returning mid-afternoon.   All participants will have the opportunity to learn the basics of sail theory with plenty of practical experience aboard Hjørdis.  Seamanship, points of sail, rope-work, sailing terminology and technique are covered in a relaxed learning environment.  Mimimum group size for this sail is four people.  Maximum is six people.  Call to reserve your group sailing experience today.  Available most days of the week June through September.  Sign up available starting May 1


Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 1
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $150 per person
. . . Materials Fee: Included
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced

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Lake Superior Schooner Adventure - Group Sailing
Matthew Brown
Session Options:
. . . call to discuss date options
Extend your sailing adventure on Lake Superior with family and friends and jump on board Hjordis, a 50' traditionally rigged schooner- a minimum of four people is needed to reserve this four-hour sailing adventure..    Your sailing adventure includes an introduction to the craft of sail as well as a choice to focus on one of three specific hands-on, entertaining projects while out at sea - limnology (the study of freshwater and the fisheries of Lake Superior), knot-tying or traditional navigation and sextant use.  Must register as a group of 4-6 people.   Sails most days of the week June - September. Call head for reservations.  Sign up available starting May 1

Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 2 hrs
. . . Hours: 9am-1pm
. . . Tuition: $80 per person
. . . Materials Fee: Included
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced

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Marine Navigation Studies 
Ted Gephart/Matthew Brown
Session Options:
. . . 1/24/2009
Get yourself oriented to the 'rules of the road' and learn the basic navigational skills needed for safe boating on coastal waters from certified U.S.Coast Guard instructor Ted Gephart.  This classroom-based course covers safe boating topics that apply to any boater including both power and sail.  You'll learn to use charting methods including traditional methods such as dead reckoning and modern methods using GPS and radar.  This course is great for new boat owners of all types as well as experienced boaters wishing to refresh their navigational skills.

I.  Introduction to Navigation
   - from the globe to the chart
II.  Aids to Navigation
   - nautical publications
III.  Traditional Coastal Navigation Techniques
IV.  Electronic Navigation

Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 1
. . . Hours: 9am-4:30pm
. . . Tuition: $65
. . . Materials Fee: $0 Included
. . . Intergenerational Age: 12+
. . . Level: Beginner

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Polar Express (or was that Fleece) Sail
Matthew Brown
Session Options:
. . . Daily May through early June
Bundle up and get out on chilly Lake Superior to enjoy some  early season sailing aboard the Hjørdis.  While under sail the group may measure and record the temperatures of Lake Superior, discuss the Lake's effect on local weather patterns, and talk about how 'freeze up' and 'ice out' have historically affected shipping routes…or simply sit back, bundle up and enjoy plenty of laughs and beautiful scenery!  Plenty of extra warm jackets are aboard the Hjørdis as well as hot beverages (coffee, cocoa, tea) to make a chilly outing warm.  Call for reservations - six passenger maximum.  Sign up available starting May 1


Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 1.5 hours
. . . Hours: 11:30am, 2:30pm
. . . Tuition: $35
. . . Materials Fee: $0
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced

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Ropework - Knot Tying Workshop  
Ted Gephart
Session Options:
. . . 6/18/2009
. . . 6/19/2009  - FULL, please call for waiting list
Can you tie down that canoe? Lash up those sails? Throw a half hitch around the docking lines? Spend the day learning the craft of knot work and open the door to an indispensable skill that will last a lifetime. This course begins by introducing landlubbers and sailors to rope work used aboard traditional and modern vessels and progresses into making decorative and useful rope work including floor mats, pot holders, coaster and lanyards. You will learn to tie whippings, bends, hitches, lashings and splices...and know what to do next time someone asks you to show them your bowline.

Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 1
. . . Hours: 9am-4pm
. . . Tuition: $75
. . . Materials Fee: $15
. . . Intergenerational Age: 8+
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced

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Sunset Over The Sawtooth Sail
Ben Doornbos
Session Options:
. . . Weekends July through September
Hop aboard the Hjørdis as it sets sail at dusk to capture the spectacular sunsets on the North Shore of Lake Superior.  As the sun creeps behind the Sawtooth Mountain range in the west, you will enjoy the 'red' skies over the Sawtooth Mountain range along the shore.   As dusk approaches, a feast of rising stars is a dazzling experience not to be missed.  Hand crafted desserts are served on each trip. Starting times vary depending on the time of sunset - call ahead. Sail takes place if clear or partly cloudy (cancelled at the discretion of the captain if total cloud cover or rain).  Capacity four to six participants. Available most evenings mid-June thru mid-September.  Sign up available starting May 1

Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 1.5 - 2hrs
. . . Hours: Varies (depending on times of sunset)
. . . Tuition: $55/person
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced

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Superior Full Moon Sail 
Ben Doornbos
Session Options:
. . . Dates vary
Set sail aboard the Hjørdis at dusk and witness the full moon rising over Lake Superior.  Group discussions may include the natural phenomenon called 'moonshadow,'  lunar cycles and tides on Lake Superior. Enjoy the rising stars along with gourmet desserts and hot beverages served on deck - what else could you ask for?!  Starting times vary depending on time of moonrise-call ahead. Sail takes place if clear or partly cloudy (cancelled if total cloud cover or rain at the discretion of the captain).  Full moon sail will also be available the evening before and after the actual full moon. Capacity four to six participants.   Sign up available starting May 1

Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 1.5 - 2 hrs
. . . Hours: Varies (depending on time of moonrise)
. . . Tuition: $55/person
. . . Materials Fee: Included
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Level: Appropriate for all levels