100% agree with secondwind, i also avoid downtown except for big events, the best part of our lake is Indiana/Michigan side, not sure if your familiar with it, but you'll be suprised how fast uou could get to Michigan city and new buffalo from east Chicago, beautiful beaches

100% agree with secondwind, i also avoid downtown except for big events, the best part of our lake is Indiana/Michigan side, not sure if your familiar with it, but you'll be suprised how fast uou could get to Michigan city and new buffalo from east Chicago, beautiful beaches

I'm not familiar with the Indiana/Michigan side. The beautiful beaches definitely have my interest. What about just launching in Michigan City and/or New Buffalo? I've been out on lake Michigan in our boat when the winds pick up and it's dangerous. I'd hate to get stuck 30 miles away from the ramp when the lake get's nasty. Here's a pic of our little go fast. Any water rougher that two foot chop and she's off plane.

New Buffalo is a really nice area. Spent an evening there last June after dropping my drive off in Bronson. Nice little harbor with a couple nice bar/restaurants right by the inlet/beach. There are places to stay right near the water or cheaper hotel options about a mile up the road towards the interstate.

Another option, would be Portage. You could get a slip at marina shores for the weekend. Park truck and trailer in their lot, unhook trailer, and leave it there if need be. Short boat ride to boaters beach. If water is calm, you could shoot to Michigan city, New buffalo, East Chicago or hammond for lunch. Be careful going to Hammond though. If you pull up to an empty dock, the security NAZI's will chain and padlock your boat in seconds.

Only downside with New Buffalo, was I remember them not allowing you to leave truck and trailer in their lot overnight. Michigan city is cool, theres things to do at night , like bars, restaurant, casino, etc

As far as chicago, goes, yes, 31st and Diversey are the closest options for getting to and from the playpen. However, even on days when the lake is calm, its not calm in those areas. You have tons of boat traffic, and it usually is a sloppy mess, especially outside monroe harbor. Being the type of boat you have, it will be a rough ride getting there, unless you leave nice and early.

I dont mind the down town part and we do this on the boat scene weekend, so it is nice being close to the play pen. Last year they "cancelled" it on Saturday because they were calling for 7-10' waves but people still showed up anyways. Was nice being so close and just bow up for a short ride there.

I heard last year they are closing that plant.. so no more hot water stream or as I call it Polish Bahamas.

I agree with Mild, Portage is nice and centrally located . Boaters beach is only 5 minutes away ... Chicago side even when calm seems to always be rough.

Really good info, thanks. Marina Shores is only 60 miles from my front door. I'm thinking given the size of our boat Portage will be the go to. We've had some success following large cruisers when we launch at Burnham but problems start to arise when they're going somewhere we're not!

Really easy, north wind is a no go, any kind of south wind sheet of glass. Just watch weather for wind shift. Will happen fast, any wind shift pack up and head back, little protected beach by east chicago you can finish off your day at.

New Buffalo absolutely lets you leave truck and trailer...and they have a HUGE lot walking distance from the slips. The only issue you'd have there is that the municipal marina isn't very big, so reservations are HIGHLY recommended through the MI DNR website. We boat out of there a couple times per year.

As mentioned, Hammond and East Chicago will probably be your best bets...but...any way you cut it, check the NOAA forecast (https://graphical.weather.gov/sector...Week.php#tabs) .

Boaters Beach is a great place to hang out, and even though Chicago isn't very "boater friendly," its still pretty awesome to see from the Lake, hang out in the PlayPen north of Navy Pier, or lock through on the River and go to City Winery. There are actually places to tie off on the sea wall of the River now...but I'd recommend having some SERIOUS fenders, as the ferrys and water taxis show no mercy. Grabbing a slip in the City can also be an issue...all the marinas are owned by WestRec, and reservations are through Dockwa online or through an app. 31st St. has TONS of open slips, but further in towards downtown and north, they are hard to come by (and they are $$$$$).

Let me know if/when you are coming up...I'd happily show you around if we are in town.