Best Chicago Harbor to Launch Go Fast Boat
 

We’ve used Burnham the last few years. The harbor has been good with the noise but the turnabout into the gated parking area is difficult to navigate with a longer wheel based tow vehicle. What’s the best harbor to launch for a go fast?

I’m thinking either 31st Street or Diversey are the two winners. Burnham although a cool location is to tight for trailer parking. We have a relatively small boat so Diversey is attractive because of it’s proximity to the Playpen. 31st is attractive because it’s newer and closest to the house (coming from Bourbonnais). Also any thoughts on Hammond? They have a nice beach, casino and camp ground. I know just enough to get into a bad situation. Any help would be appreciated.

The only bad thing about Diversey is trailering through the city. Nice harbor and usually plenty of parking.
31st street has by far the best ramps IMO but the parking situation sucks. If you plan on launching you have to get down early and be prepared for them to have the launch ramps closed at any time.
I just started launching out of Hammond last year and they have plenty of parking, half the price of Chicago. Very nice harbor. The only drawback is the skyway toll.
Hope this helps

Thank you!

The easiest is east chicago Indiana. It is also the least expensive. The launch is 4 lanes wide and almost always has an open lane. Plus it is all highway to get there.

That's a good alternative. The area looks like it's surrounded by factories. When you launch your boat there where do you end up boating?

I have used both Diversey and 31st street. 31st street has better ramps, but the parking sucked. We had to go down the street about a mile or so and park at some random place. Diversey allows us to keep the truck and trailer in their lot all weekend (we rent a slip for the weekend).

That sounds like the way to go, Diversey Harbor it is. I’m also going to give Hammond a shot, thanks.

We trailered down for the Scene party 2 years ago and stayed at 31st for the weekend. $75 a night for a slip, $27 ramp cost (each way), $22 a night for trailer parking (blocks away at the McCormick place Trailer Marshaling Lot). Total cost of $248 to come down after work Friday and leave on Sunday. No real information available about the process on their website or anything.

Last summer, we were going to do the same thing and just get kicked in the nuts like the previous year. At which point they informed us that due to lack of on-sight parking the ramp is now closed at 31 Street Harbor on the weekends???

So we decided for 2017 to launch at Northpoint Marina. Free launch, free trailer parking... and a just a 40 mile rip to the city. We launch there and head to Milwaukee a couple times a summer also. This is my preferred option for boating in Chicago. note: I heard that starting in 2018 Northpoint is going to start charging $10 to launch

I have also launched at the Worth ramp, if coming from the south side and rode the CalSag out to the lake. Not a bad option, if you start early. Just know with the distance to cover and locking out to the lake This is going to take some time.

Worth ramp is enticing. How long of a trip is it to the Navy Pier lock through the Cal Sag? Is it all idle speed?