21 Skater on Lake Michigan?
#1
Registered
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Minooka, IL
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
21 Skater on Lake Michigan?
Hello all,
I just moved to Chicago from TN and am looking forward to some great boating. I'm interested in knowing average water conditions on Lake Michigan around the downtown area during boating season. I have a 21 Skater that I've been running on rivers in TN for almost a decade now that I would hate to have to sell to handle the bigger waters. I'm living in Minooka and will be boating primarily on the Illinois river and hopefully taking trips to lake Michigan atleast twice a month. Will my little Skater handle it or do I need something bigger? I'm not too concerned about hitting real high speeds on the lake because I can probably satisfy my need for that on the Illinois river.
Thanks!
I just moved to Chicago from TN and am looking forward to some great boating. I'm interested in knowing average water conditions on Lake Michigan around the downtown area during boating season. I have a 21 Skater that I've been running on rivers in TN for almost a decade now that I would hate to have to sell to handle the bigger waters. I'm living in Minooka and will be boating primarily on the Illinois river and hopefully taking trips to lake Michigan atleast twice a month. Will my little Skater handle it or do I need something bigger? I'm not too concerned about hitting real high speeds on the lake because I can probably satisfy my need for that on the Illinois river.
Thanks!
#2
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Lincolnshire IL
Posts: 882
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There are some summer days where you will see kayaks on the lake and small bowriders. However, there are other days where no one (OK, a few crazy people) will go out.
If Lake Michigan is your primary focus, you will need a bigger boat! There are other spots for your boat, that are not so rough (Chain of Lakes, Illinois River, Fox River, Lake Shelbyville, Lake Geneva, Lake Mendota) if you have a trailer.
If Lake Michigan is your primary focus, you will need a bigger boat! There are other spots for your boat, that are not so rough (Chain of Lakes, Illinois River, Fox River, Lake Shelbyville, Lake Geneva, Lake Mendota) if you have a trailer.
#3
Registered
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Minooka, IL
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Do you think I'll be alright if I only plan on hitting the lake 2-3 times per month and sticking to the river for the rest of the time? I wish I could have seen the conditions on the lake in boating season!
#4
Charter Member #927
Charter Member
I'm not rying to scare you. the are a lot of days that you can have fun with a boat under 23'. It just seemed like when my boat was that size, I was working all of those days.
#5
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Lincolnshire IL
Posts: 882
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Payton is right. Winds out of the N, NE will generate some big waves, while winds out of the W, SW are not too bad.
If I were you, I would launch at Diversy Harbor, which is very close to the inner breakwall. Once you are inside the breakwall, you have a little space to run if the waters are rough. You can also go through the lock and tour the city by water...very nice view!
There is a spring run called the loop cruise (www.chicagoloopcruise) that is at the end of April. This cruise generally attracks boats in the 20-30' range. I will be doing it for the first time this spring. Should be a nice way to learn the area and meet some new people. Registration is free. Right now, they have ~100 boats registered for the event. It can be cold this time of year, but hey, it's Chicago!
Welcome to the niegh
If I were you, I would launch at Diversy Harbor, which is very close to the inner breakwall. Once you are inside the breakwall, you have a little space to run if the waters are rough. You can also go through the lock and tour the city by water...very nice view!
There is a spring run called the loop cruise (www.chicagoloopcruise) that is at the end of April. This cruise generally attracks boats in the 20-30' range. I will be doing it for the first time this spring. Should be a nice way to learn the area and meet some new people. Registration is free. Right now, they have ~100 boats registered for the event. It can be cold this time of year, but hey, it's Chicago!
Welcome to the niegh