Boat Launches On Lake Michigan

hammer01 · 05-25-2006, 12:46 PM

If You Trailer To Lake Michigan, What Is Your Favorite Place To Launch In Terms Of Proximity, Launch Facility, Parking , Security, Locks, Etc. Just Trying To Get A Few New Ideas. Cal Sag Is Long Haul To Get To Lake And Not That Scenic. Travelled To Indiana And Friends Launched Off Of Lake Shore But Do Not Know Rules And Restrictions For Towing There. Tia For Your Input.

FORGOT TO ADD THAT I MEANT NEAR CHICAGO AREA. I AM COMING FROM SOUTH OF CHICAGO. SORRY.

BZ · 05-25-2006, 01:40 PM

I place Hammond Marina....BZ

Wally · 05-25-2006, 03:56 PM

Diversey is nice but its tight to get there through the city streets. Has security there too. Must have patience when going down there...

Don't bother with Wilson, last i saw of it only jetskiis were launching there cause of how shallow it is around there plus all the sand that seems to build up inside that launching pit! That and it looks like Mexico city down there with all the BBQ'ers and low riders and soccer games going on!!

Burnham Harbor has a nice launch and secure area as well...but I've only been there by car so i couldn't tell ya what the best way to get there towing a boat would be....

Farther south of Burnham i don't know.....north i believe the next launch would be Tower rd...but i think its only for locals or residents....there's also a launch in Highland Park....but the same thing..i think its for residents...or some sort of permit required.....only one i know of north of that would be Waukeegan....Launch is ok...plenty of parking...but for some reason there's always TONS of seaweed growing around there....
Farther North You have North Point marina....real nice launches and tons of parking no worries there....but its about 30min ride to downtown depending how fast you go....but you have a choice of going to Milwaukee which is a bit more boater friendly when it comes to docking on the river.....

KAAMA · 05-25-2006, 10:08 PM

Pastrick Marina is pretty nice I think as far as a launch goes....nice and wide with lots of parking, and a gate guard at the enterance who takes your usage fee. Pastrick Marina is just a few miles East of Hammond.

hammer01 · 05-30-2006, 11:10 AM

Just Thought I Would Say That We Used Hammond And It Was No Problem At All. Construction Getting There Made It Less Than Fun With Some Tight Cement Pylons, But We Made It And The Launch There At Hammond Is Very Nice And So Was Everyone That We Met.