GTOKILLER

iTrader: (1)

Cool thanks ill look into it! Ive always wanted to cruise across for a long weekend & check out the other east coast.

J-Bonz

iTrader: (3)

When you get close to pullin the trigger, pm me.. I will give you the low down.......

scope1407

So after some thought, I've decided to keep the boat and eventually bring it over to Chicago. I'm getting rid of my leased ATS instead.

I found a rack storage marina called Crowley's yacht yard, has anybody ever kept a boat here?

Is this the only place for rack storage in Chicago?

MILD THUNDER

iTrader: (3)

I haven't kept my boat there, but crowleys has been around for a long time. They're in a good location water wise. Right off the mouth of the Cal Sag river and the lake. The good thing, is if the lake is nasty rough, you can launch it there, and either buzz a couple miles over to Hammond marina, and have lunch at the casino, or drop anchor behind the breakwall nearby , to get some sun. Or, you can shoot down the cal sag river. Not much to see down that way, as its mostly industrial, but once you get to the locks at 130TH st, you can go thru those, and theres a couple bars/restaurants to stop at. Don't expect anything fancy, as this area isn't as nice as it once was. But, at least your on the water, and not land locked due to lake conditions.

If the lake is calm, you can leave crowleys, and head north to the city. Its about 15 miles or so to get downtown. Theres a area just north of navy pier, called the ''playpen". Its a pool enclosed inside the breakwalls, and a big hangout for boaters.

Or, by heading south from crowleys, there are two nice beaches right outside Hammond marina. Continue east, for about 6-7 miles, and you'll hit east Chicago marina. A gambling boat there, and a decent little beach outside there. About another 10 miles, and you'll get to wells st beach, and after that, boaters beach. Boaters is another big hangout area normally. Carry on for an additional 10 miles, and you'll hit Michigan city. Nice there, few places to eat and what not there. Michigan city is probably about 35 miles from Crowleys, so it is a boat ride.

Basically, that side of the lake is usually calm, when the weather is HOT. Winds from the south, keep it that way. But in the spring, and cool summer days, when the winds blowing out of the north, northwest, it can get nasty. Or when thunderstorms roll thru. I highly recommend monitoring weather forecast. You don't wanna get caught out on the lake during a bad storm, esp in a 25ft'er. Other than that, enjoy! Keep in touch with our group of Chicago guys, lots of good people in our group to raft up with.

hammer01

I'd make a weekend of it and stop at some of the Indiana marinas to see if it might work for you. The convenience of hitting a button on your lift every weekend is priceless and can be done for slip fees of around $2k. Less boating makes sense to trailer to your optimal destination, and storage can be found for a few hundred max per month, probably $100 and that's if you don't locate somewhere with a driveway. Several nice spots to leave it on the chain so I'd make a drive up there as well. Several friends leave there's on lifts up there or just on trailers at a marina for cheap weekend launch fees. Another option is up near Northpoint for rack storage or trailer launch storage.

In general, you need to figure out what type of boating you are accustomed to. There are several on the board here that even prefer the Illinois/Kankakee river which is prob an hour from the city to the SW. Lots of options, narrow it down to beaches, adult partying, water sports optional, always boat able water conditions, etc. Feel free to pm any of us for ideas. It's a lot of fun!

scope1407

Bringing the AT to Chicago this spring, does anyone leave their offshore in the water at Belmont or Montrose Harbor? Thinking about getting a "star dock". I would probably use Scaat on the bottom, and take it to Crowley's for routine cleanings. Getting Married this spring, my budget doesn't allow for the slips.