COOPS

iTrader: (2)

We want to take our 2004 292 Formula on a road trip from the Chicago area. Where would you recommend for a 1st trip? Pros and cons of both? Anywhere other than LOTO or Cumberland?
Towing isn't an issue... Plenty of truck.
Late August / early September ish.

Been on the Chain-o-lakes and Lake Michigan already so those would be out.

Thanks...

Sydwayz

iTrader: (1)

For your boat, Cumberland. I think Cumberland Poker Run is right after Labor Day.
http://www.lakecumberlandpokerrun.net/

jbraun2828

We did cumberland last year and had an absolute blast even with a broken motor. Still waiting to hear if they're even having a poker run this year, the website still shows 2013

nailit

We have a poker run in New Orleans first sat in sept. Patriot poker run. About 70 miles or so, helo follows for pics. See avatar.. Gcoffshore.com

Nice laid back run... Also have tickfaw 200 in early may!! Weekend event and a blast, lots of boats from up north. Read thread in Louisiana section

Jrocket929

You cannot go wrong with LOTO. Do the Shootout and Labor Day weekend. The Shootout is always the weekend before Labor Day. You will see some of the biggest heavy hitters in the boating world. I usually tow in the Thursday before the Shootout and stay through Labor day. So do a lot of the big race and poker run teams. Lots to do lots of nice places to stay and more bars and restaurants then you could visit in a whole summer all on the water. No place like it that I know of. Just my 2 cents. Cumberland is awesome too try to go once a year at least too.

88bullet

iTrader: (1)

Don't count out the buffalo poker run. there was 100+ boats last year. they do a great job putting on a very nice event!!

COOPS

iTrader: (2)

Is one better than the other for a 1st time?

I'm looking for less than 10 hours drive.

Wilks

you are around 7-8 hrs from the Ozarks. Don't go down through st Louis. Take 88 or 80 across and 74 down to Galesburg. take 34 down through Monmouth, Macomb and cross river at Hannibal. 61 south out of Hannibal to 19 then 54 straight down to lake. All four lane except for 30-40 minutes on 19 and goes much faster than going through st louis. we are little over 4 1/2 hrs to lake from quad cities. Check out vrbo for rental condos. Condos at the "Ledges" are good rental price and in good location. Put boat in water at state park PB2 in Osage Beach. They have trailer parking there as well. Anytime in July or August is a good time.

08 fastech 292

LOTO and Cumberland are two very different lakes with totally different boating experiences. We do a trip to each one every year with our Fastech 292. Both lakes are very large and deep so no shortage of places to explore; however that is where is similarities end. LOTO is very developed with lots of places to stay, eat, party, shop etc. Weekends the lake is very busy and a 292 feels small for the lake. During the week no issues, still busy but nothing like the weekends. We took our 271 there for years and still enjoyed it so don't get me wrong, the lake is a lot of fun. Cumberland on the other hand has fewer places to stay and restaurants. In fact, much of the lake sits in dry counties so you need to take your own booze. Some of this has changed recently, but I'm not up on the details so maybe someone else can comment. Most of the lake sits in National Forest so very little development. You can find remote coves and not see another boat for hours. Water at Cumberland is very clean and warm, probably mid-80's in August. Not a lot of activity during the week and while weekends are busier, your 292 will ride very comfortably. We go for the Thunder Run in June and its a blast. We typically stay at Jamestown Marina.

Hope this helps.

Dave

314joey

iTrader: (1)

LOTO...................go to the Shootout, you won't be sorry, best boating event of the year.