Chain o lakes area alternatives
 

Well the chain o lakes in IL. will be closed for some time I'm sure. Record water levels and debris everywhere, there was a dock with 6 boats attached to it floating down the river today.

Where to go?

Lake Geneva is closest but speed limits and a general attitude towards chain boaters I heard sucks.

I have been on Michigan from North point to racine a few times and enjoyed it. The wife is a little nervous ever since we got stuck in solid 5 footers when a few hours before it was foot maybe.

I was thinking of Milwaukee dropping it in and having the rivers to bum around in if it gets too rough on the lake.
How are the rivers around Milwaukee?
I assume they are no wake?
Any recommendations for good places to go to by water?

Any other ideas for northern IL. Or southern Wisconsin?

Thanks in advance.

big flood

Thats an old pic...we burned that bar a few years ago! New bar is higher and dry.

Hit up Racine, nice Marina. Lots of stuff to do, plenty of restaurants, a cove if the lake kicks up, nice launch really close. Small town walking distance..pool, 2 hot tubs , clean .. I like it a lot. Plus you can hit Kenosha which is only 9 miles and that is a nice small town to check out also .
Never really ventured down the Milwaukee river much but I hear lots of people have a good time there. Last weekend we were going to explore more and turned around, the smell from whatever $hit plant is around there was pretty bad . Not sure if it travels down the river but wasn`t in the mood to find out .

Probably the Pabst brewery you smelled...

Kenosha is a great town. You can dock at The Boat House, go in have a drink on their deck, walk across the street to Villa DeCarlo and have some of the best pizza around. You can also visit the Kenosha Yacht Club. They have a new management team, new chef, food is pretty good, good service, easy to get in and out. Beach is right around the corner.

I have never boated on that side of lake Michigan - but I have walked thru Racine harbor more times than you can shake a stick at -- IT IS BEAUTIFUL. good launching ramp - lots of parking and the marinas that are there seem to have everything neat and orderly. Also a number of restaurants in the area. I don't know if you can trailer your boat - but we have had some great time on the East Side of the lake in New Buffalo, Michigan City, St. Joe, Holland and South Haven. We don't have a boat that we can just go to the big lake - so I feel your pain - but when the stars align it doesn't get any better.

3pointstar

We trailer everywhere. Actually just came back from camping in South Haven last weekend. Absolutely beautiful out there.

COOPS-- just wanted you to know that the Michigan City Boat Races will be August 3-6, 2017. Since you have a legit boat for the big lake - the best seats in the house are on the course - check out the website 2017 Michigan City Schedule | Super Boat International it gives you the full schedule. We have been there a couple of times to see the boats that more wrapped up in their tow vehicles than I have in my retirement savings! It really is something to watch.

We did South Haven last year with the intention of going up to Saugatuck - almost got there but the passengers didn't like the larger chop - turned out it wasn't that bad- and we were only about a mile south. I didn't have much seat time in larger waves - but this year it has changed a bit. We were out in good 2-3' on lake Macatawa earlier this spring and finally figured out how to run in them - really my son figured it out but I'll take the credit. Last time out on the lake - it was glass - maybe a 3" chop at best. I've never driven that distance WOT -- for sure warming the globe 8 cylinders at a time!

take care and be safe!

3pointstar

I've never been there. How about the Madison Chain of Lakes?

I bought my 26zx from Madison and the lakes that we test drive it on seemed shallow for the size....really shallow.

Sturgeon Bay/Door County area is a good time.
Shipyard marine is having their fun run out of Sturgeon Bay this weekend
Events List Shipyard Marine

Anyone ever go down to Shelbyville or Clinton Lake?

I'm on Clinton Lake and have gone to Shelbyville several times over the years. The guy slipped next to me a couple years ago used to live in Bourbonnais and make the trip down every weekend.

I'll be up there for the Shipyard RunDezvous this weekend. You going to be up there?
The water around Door County is amazing...and the area is gorgeous.

I took this pic with my gopro in 4 feet of water on a cloudy day last summer. Doesn't get much better than that.

http://i.imgur.com/bNn2NKS.jpg

I've been to shelbyville once. I liked the lake itself, but the launch facilities for a larger boat were awful. The ramp itself was great, but there were no courtesy docks to fit my boat. Makes launching and retrieving by yourself (while momma takes care of the little ones) impossible.

Clinton is great. The lake itself is pretty small, but the water is pretty warm early and late in the season (ha!) and the ramps and courtesy docks are top notch, and the trailer parking is pretty good at Clinton Lake Marina.

Was up in Door County a few years ago in the fall and sooooo wanted to have a boat up there! Amazing water!!

I'm sorry I had no idea about the Madison lakes being shallow. One other place I was thinking of is Castle Rock Lake. My friend had inlaws that used to have a place there. He did mention to me that he would see offshore boats there.

Great picture!
Heading up today for the Shipyard run, staying at Quarterdeck/Skipper Buds.

You can have fun in the rivers in Milwaukee but it's just idling around from establishment to establishment. If you're going to run from city to city on Lake Michigan just check out the NOAA website for wind and wave forecasts. You can look several days out.

Awesome! Look forward to meeting you. We have a room at Stone Harbor, and a slip at Sturgeon Bay Yacht Club for Friday and Saturday nights.

Friday night party at Stone Harbor should be a great time! Meet ya there.

Of the three Madison Lakes, Lake Mendota is the largest and deepest ( 80 ft). Lake Menona and Lake Waubesa are smaller and shallower in spots. but are busier than Lake Mendota.
There is not a whole lot going on as far as bars etc, but still good water to rip around in, as there is no speed limit. The south side of Lake Mendota by the college Union, has an abundant supply of college co eds laying out on the docks. Make sure you run mufflers as the water cops are strict about noise.

Looks like the forecast is better for Sunday for lake michigan. Thanks for all the recommendations.

NOW MY WIFE WANTS A CRUISER TO OVER NIGHT IN RACINE!