C.O.P.S. Run to watch the APBA in Milwaukee
 

Saturday August 9th and Sunday August 10th the first race starts at 1:00p.m. and the second is to start at 2:30p.m. We are planning to run up from Northpoint to watch the races both days. Saturday night is also the night of Northpoint's marina appreciation party. So there will be activities!!!!
If you have never ran on Lake Michigan or are a bit nervous about the size of your boat here is your chance. We have boats ranging in size from 26 foot on up. It WILL be a great time and a great way to see the races.

Lets here from those planning on attending so that we can start a count.

You dammmmmm well better be!!!:p :p

We plan on going. Bob, any arrangements for reserving slips at Northpoint?

Rick

Chicago Offshore Powerboats (COPS) – APBA Races in Milwaukee August 8, 9 and 10.

COPS will be organizing a series of fun runs from Winthrop Harbor IL, Northpoint Marina to the Milwaukee APBA Races August 9-10. (Maybe even August 8 if enough people are interested) Anyone is welcome to join!

Proposed Schedule:

Friday Afternoon – Boats arriving!

Saturday:
Boats arriving!
10:30 AM – Quick driver’s meeting
11AM – Depart for Milwaukee (approximately 30 miles). Anchor and raft inside the seawall to watch the races! (Race boats will run both inside and outside seawall)
1 PM – First Race
2:30 PM – Second Race
Option to go into Milwaukee to look at (drool on) race boats, hardware, etc.
Approximately 5 PM – return to Northpoint for dining and drinks at Tropics Restaurant (at Marina) and Venetian Night Party.

Sunday:
Breakfast available at Tropics or other restaurants in town depending on your waking hour.
10:30 AM – Quick driver’s meeting
11AM – Depart for Milwaukee (approximately 30 miles)
1 PM – First Race
2:30 PM – Second Race
Approximately 4 PM depart for Northpoint

Parking and launching are free, courtesy of the IL taxpayers. The ramps are currently being extended with an additional 20 feet of concrete! Most boaters didn’t have a problem before; this should ensure that even the largest boats get in and out trouble free. It is difficult to say how many ramps will be complete by August 8. They are starting on the North and working their way South.

There is a shuttle bus that runs for free from the marina into the town of Winthrop Harbor on the weekends for those that are boating in and wish to go into town for any errands.

Skipper Bud’s sells 93 Octane at the marina for about 10 to 15 cents more than you would pay at a land gas station (good deal by boating standards).

Motel Accomodations:
Many of us will stay on our boats. For those that wish to sleep in a bed on dry land there are a number of Motels very close to the marina. These are not 5 star establishments, but they are very close to the Marina (1 – 2 miles).
La Villa Motel – Largest in area
1401 Sheridan Road, Winthrop Harbor, IL 60096
847-746-2800

Abode Motel
1128 Sheridan Road, Winthrop Harbor, IL 60096
847-872-3476

Harbor Motel
1004 Sheridan Road, Winthrop Harbor, IL 60096
847-872-5400

RSVP to me at [email protected]
Send your name, boat name, boat make, length, approximate number of people and if you are interested in one or both days.

If the weather turns against us and the races are still on we will make alternate arrangements as a group and view the race from land.

Final slip arrangements are still being determined. I will post further information on Wednesday or Thursday.

I look forward to seeing you all!

Steve

Looks like a great time.

Chicago Team
 

Hey Guys...

If you get a chance to come into the Pits, come say hi.

Tony Buffomante
Owner / Throttle
F1-44
Team BRE
Streamwood, IL

Can I Tag Along?
 

Though I'm not running the monster boats that some of you guys are, I think my little 24' Pantera is up to the task! I look forward to meeting many of you and will see you either Sat or Sunday, maybe both!!

Good Luck Tony!!

Kirk

Are we going to raft up for the races? Tracy and i will already be in Milwaukee. We have slip reservations at McKinnly. So hopefully we can hook up with all of you when you get up to Milwaukee.

Todd

F1-44 - We will cheer for the local team!

Pantera 24 - Everyone is welcome. With 650 HP you may be passing some of us if it is calm!

Todd - Yes, we will be anchoring and rafting inside the seawall to watch the races. See you there!

Cashbrain - We have never had any problems with the police. However, they may check your boat over. Make sure you have lifejackets and valid flares etc. If you give them a hard time, they will give you a really hard time back. One boater started *****ing and whining before they even looked at his boat and they gave him the rubber glove treatment.
IF YOUR BOAT IS SAFE AND YOU ARE COURTEOUS YOU SHOULD BE FINE.

Steve

Bob & Steve,
I'm trailering up early Saturday morning. Not sure how many guests I have going yet. I want to go both days. Thanks for taking the time to get this organized. I know we will have a blast.
Dan

I will be there with Foul in tow. Literally. :rolleyes:
262-243-9663

Now, Tommy had said that the dnr wasn't going to be ticketing, but you guys should know that they have been extremely aggressive this year.

Sounds like fun to me...except for the new noise patrol.

I'll be coming down from port washington friday, saturday, and sunday!!

Launched at Winthrop a couple weeks ago and I believe it was IL DNR stopping every performance boat as they left the launch. He stopped us, asked if we had ever been noise tested (no), and then said "well you probably would pass, but there is one at the launch right now that isn't going to be so happy". He waved us on and we considered ourselves lucky (no mufflers, 502, supercharger).

Jack, If you can do anything or know anyone I hope you can pull some strings. I imagine the noise police on the IL side may be in full force that weekend.

Tim

Jack,
If you have any connections to get them to back off please do so. I believe it was the sheriff's not the conservation police.

I was at Northpoint both Saturday and Sunday and they were stopping almost every performance boat. 3 people in our shed alone got ticketed and not very many of us were out. One had silent choice on and was at 92db and was written up.

I talked with one of the guys that got nailed that he got out of the sheriff that people with big cruisers (big $ people) where complaining to the head of the police down state. The big boss asked what he was doing about it. Now you can see he is!

It does seem like they are picking on us. If they aren't why did he pull a guy over that is only 2db over the limit. I would think it would be hard to tell the difference with your ear as a boat goes by 100 feet away if he is over the limit. Then when you test him it is only 2db. Maybe he has real good ears!

Rick

We will be there Sat. Will tow up in the morning. How many slips does cops have? Should be 4 people.

Russ

Well, It looks like the situation has changed over the last few weeks. It appears to be the Lake County Sheriff. I spoke with the general Manager of Skipper Buds and he is aware of the problem and fighting for us. It is bad for his business. He encouraged all of us to make as many phone calls as possible.

Don't forget to RSVP for the run!
Your real name, boat make and size, number of people, when you plan to arrive etc.

Steve

Is there a number for us to call and if so to whom do we speak?

Please see below. Also, I have never had anything but praise for the Lake County Sheriff.

Elliot,
Was there any response from them on this?

Rick

Rick, the DNR opened up a formal investigation on my "complaint".

Glad to hear that your Sonic/525EFI's passed;)
I hear that Danny was told to return to the DNR pier for testing and failed.:(
I bet I don't pass....:o
All that work for 2 years and still can't use it.

Back4More,

I will gladly offer to trade motors with you! You will pass, but the boat will definately be slower!

Steve

Contact Information:

Lake County Sheriff - Gary Del Ray - 847-377-4000
Lake County Sheriff Marine Unit - Lt Bruce Scottberg - 847-587-4470

IL DNR - Conservation and Law Enforcement - 847-608-3100

Probably gonna bring the trailer Friday and just get our boat out of there. Dont need the hassle from the fishcops...fkem

cya

By the way Illinois law provides that you can use a muffler system to comply with the law. Illinois does not seem to outlaw switchable muffler systems.

I spoke with Lt. Bruce Scottberg for a few minutes and he claims that they are always listening, and that no additional enforcement is underway.
He did say that they would be happy to proactively test a boat if someone asked, if the sound meter was on board. It seems that they do not always carry the sound meter with them, and potentially rotate it around their boats. Maybe they only gave out tickets this week because it was their turn to have the meter?
He also reinforced that they are not out there to give people a hard time. They only pull over boats that are REALLY loud and obnoxious. He said any boat with a muffler or quiet choice system should pass without a problem.
He also stated that IF his officers were giving out unwarranted violations he usually receives a number of complaints from people who actually received the violations. He claims to have received none at this time.

Steve

Elliot,
You put together a very diplomatic response. I would have been slightly upset.:hothead: I can't wait to hear the results of there investigation.

Steve,
I'm still coming up. I think my boat will pass.:confused: We will see! I'll will email you the info.

Jack,
I believe talking with the local authorities is a good idea but could have it's consequences. It may bring stricter enforcement of the noise ordnances. Having the local Marina contact the Majors office and explaining the negative impact it is having on his business might help. Boaters that currently use the facility should get a petition and present it to the Marina manager. That way he has pr-off that his business will be effected.

Dean,
What happened???

Mark,
It's boating. Break Out Another Thousand for mufflers!!!!!:hothead:

Dan

For those that are thinking of staying at Northpoint Friday and/or Saturday but are concerned about the cops and noise issue, you maybe ok. This is no guarantee of you slipping by BUT the dock that the cop sits at is further in the harbor on the right side of the channel that you go down to the main harbor where we will be docking.
In fact I don't think the cop will even see you before you make the turn down the channel.

Here is a map of the harbor.
http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt..._PO/NPOINT.HTM

The cop is at the end of the first small group of docks that are on the right when you enter the harbor(lower right corner of map).

Rick

I'm possibly going to come up by myself. Linda has another thing to go to on Saturday. I'm still not sure about her joining my for saturday night and Sunday.

Anyone wanting a ride from Northpoint up to the races on Saturday?

So there is no place to watch the races from the boat....

That sucks, so where do we raft off and get to land?

Rick

We can't watch from our boats? That sucks.:(

I know it would really depend on the lake conditions, but how about watching from on on the Lake?

Jack are you leaving your boat at NP and driving to the race? I didn't understand your post.
I'm thinking of trailering to NP. It would be a long run back to Portage if the Lake gets nasty.

Northpoint slip information:

Contact Cindy Holland at Northpoint Marina
847-746-2845
Tell her you are with Chicago Offshore Powerboats
$15 per night for any length boat

They will try and keep everyone together in large slips, but the downside is that low voltage power will not be available. It will probably be 50A 240 V which requires an adapter that can be purchased at West Marine or other retailers.

If you need low voltage power it may be available but the chances are slim. All of the smaller slips with low voltage power are sold for the season and it is doubtful that many people will be leaving during the biggest party of the year. You may be able to get it but you will probably be away from the group.

Please contact me if you have any questions

[email protected]

Steve

Payton,

There is a big seawall between the lake and the race course. (similar to Navy Pier)
If we anchor in the lake it would probably be hard to see the boats.

Steve

Payton,
Did you make reservations at Northpoint yet? Are you going to make it Friday night or Saturday?

It sounds like Candyman will be there.
I am curious of how many we will have in our group at Northpoint for Friday night and how many on Saturday night. Should be a good time. Hopefully we can get together on the same dock.

Rick

Steve,
We ordered our adapter, should have it early next week.

Steve(42sonic) will also be joining us.

For those that wonder which adapter here is a link.
http://www.boatfix.com/bymfg.ASP?make=MARINCO

The model number is 121A. This hooks 250V, 50A to 125V, 30A (typical shore power cord). However, depending on your shore power cord you may require a different adapter. Make sure you know what you have.

Rick

I just got off the phone with NP Marina. I'm all set for saturday night. That's the only night I'm staying. They said they are trying to put us all together.

Rick,
My plan was to launch Saturday morning at NP. I have a slip reserved for Saturday evening. I hate to say it but I think we may be better off going by land to see the races. I was shocked to see the course totally in the harbor. I'm not sure what we are going to do now. I don't want to blow off a day of boating. Any suggestions????

Dan

:eureka: Dan

Since you are going to drive, do you think about 30 of us could pile in your pickup for a ride up to the race?:rolleyes:

And by the way SHOTGUN!!!:D :crazy:

"I think we may be better off going by land to see the races. "

Watch out Candyman - I think people have been shot for saying a lot less.