anchor overnight on the lakefront? (Chicago)
 

I have done some googling and looked at a few forums...

Are you allowed to anchor overnight along the Chicago lakefront?

Rules, regulations?

thanks

I dont know the answer but living by the lake my self, and seeing how fast it can turn, would make me a little nervous unless you were in protected waters. That lake can get big time ugly in a very short time. I would hate to be sacked out at 2 am while some heavy water blew in, in a matter of minutes.

check with the coast guard, they will let you know the local regs.

I would recommend you check with any of the different harbors along the lakefront. You can rent a transient slip for the night. Definitely do not want to anchor in the actual lake. The only place I think would be safe is near the curve on Lake shore drive near Navy pier. It is more commonly known as the playpen. If you google earth navy pier, it is inside the breakwater due north/northwest of the pier.

I believe you can anchor overnight in the playpen, however, you may want to let the local chicago police marine unit that you will be doing so. Otherwise you may get police boarding your boat at 3am to check if everthing is ok. I'd contact the chicago police marine unit by phone about it.

Also, you would be better of getting a transient slip at Burnham Harbor for the night in my opinion. You can leave the boat, catch a cab, and do dinner downtown, or whatever, and then return to the boat to sleep...

Ditto on what Mild said... nothing like getting boarded while doin' the nasty lol...

they would really just board a boat like that without any warning?

we have anchored at the playpen overnight more then once with no problems,no police,no boarding ...

They will do what they want, when they want how they want. That case more for safety because not really the norm for people to stay out there overnight anchored.

I dont think I would ever consider sleeping on the boat anchored somewhere. I quess I dont trust my anchor enough. Hate to have a wind switch and I find myself steering out in thin air with no shore in sight or woke up from the boat bouncing off the break wall.

Agreed, but forgot how the lake can blow up really quick and go from calm to nasty. Not to mention the chance of getting hit by some drunk on a late night boat ride