Chicago Air&Water-Where to Launch?
 

We plan on attending the Chicago Air and Water Show on Saturday, August 19th. Historically we've launched at Burnham Harbor because of it's proximity to the event. We had a 26 ft. single engine cat and didn't want to deal with rough water conditions. Now we have a Powerquest 34 Vyper and feel a little more confident on handling rough water conditions. I'm leaning towards Hammond and driving the boat over. I think it's about a 10 mile boat ride. That sounds fun! Where do the powerboats launch for this event?

We always launched at the East Chicago Marina. It’s less busy than Hammond, cheaper, easier to get to, and has 5 launching lanes.

Good to know, I've never been there. I'll check it out, thanks!

East Chicago all the way. Easy peasey. And you can stay at the Casino hotel. The hotel would comp us on rooms when I was a rated player.

East Chicago, I'll be heading out of there Friday for practice. Also 340 vyper, the one on trailer when you pull in. Probably Sun. also, have to drive son back to college Sat.

Sounds like East Chicago is the place to launch. I'll have my two sons with me on Saturday. It's the last time I'm sure we'll be able to do this as one of them is a senior in high school. We'll have to launch there another day so the PQs can take a run together. I just got the boat but really like it.

Absolutely, surprisingly 4-5 other powerquest consistently run out of there. Nice having those teenage boys,I have 3 and they take care of everything, I just drive boat. FYI East Chicago marina fuel dock is a mystery, barley ever open. Hammond right around the corner, is on your way and always open. Enjoy be safe.

Absolutely, surprisingly 4-5 other powerquest consistently run out of there. Nice having those teenage boys,I have 3 and they take care of everything, I just drive boat. FYI East Chicago marina fuel dock is a mystery, barley ever open. Hammond right around the corner, is on your way and always open. Enjoy be safe. This is me .
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...a579ce2c9e.jpg

Just be aware if you want to launch in the city and be close to the action then plan to get there EARLY! ive only launched at Burnham during the week when its now where near as busy as the weekends, but Diversey Harbor we launched once for the Air/Water show....got there at 7:30AM and we were the last ones to be allowed in!!! It was packed solid...wasn't expecting it to be that busy so early but then again you are right on the boundary zone so the planes fly right over your head during the show :D
Most times we launched at Winthrop Harbor in Zion and just cruised on down...

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...cc981cc33.jpeg
This is our ride, don’t have a pic of everyone on it yet.

Yeah I’d prefer to stay out of the city. Finally have a boat big enough to drive on Lake Michigan a few miles without fear of sinking. Maybe that opinion will change this weekend:grinser010:

Northpoint marina in Winthrop Harbor is a good option if the lake isn’t ****ty. Can be a long ride if it kicks up a bit, but a nice ride if weather/lake stays decent. Also, waukegan marina is a bit closer, but it’s not as nice of a launch, and isn’t in the best neighborhood. Kind of rough.

Good to know but we’re coming from South of the city so NW Indiana is much easier to get to. I’ve driven from Winthrop to Burnham on a customer’s boat during Memorial Day weekend. That was some ride!

You haven't lived until you launch your 30' boat at 6pm....leave Diversey Harbor to dead flat water....head into the locks go down the river and party with some friends at a bar..then come back out around midnight only to see white caps coming over the break wall!! Nasty 6-8' waves if not bigger.....longest and wettest ride ive had just to go about 2 miles to the harbor! :D

Good job Secondwind, you did your home work and bought the correct vyper hull.

I like Hammond,
It`s closer to Aurora and they have 93.
gated parking lot vs. east $hitcago , they have been break ins there .
9 miles back incase the lake gets ugy like this weekend.

Great event!
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...cf2acf4cc.jpeg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...eb9be0ddb.jpeg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...4624e06b0.jpeg

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...153836442.jpeg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...1fc343107.jpeg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...910b68a91.jpeg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...dd8a336ee.jpeg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...7f4fa14ab.jpeg
Ended up launching from Burnham with a few people i work with. The crew working the parking lot were awesome!!!

Fly by!

Nice, lake looks calm. Was rolling pretty good on Friday. Yup F18 star of the show. That thing digging into them turns is bad ass ****. Bring the F22, F35, Stealth bomber and keep those boring thunderbird at home. Prop guys were impressive. Just my opinion. Maybe next year. Off to the shoot out next.