marimate

We will be spending a few days on Lake Michigan Aug 9-15th.
1st timers,,, looking for info. We have a 28 ft eliminator V. Any ideas? Places to try or see?? Any info would be great.
Thanks...

KSFLYER1

What harbor will you be leaving out of? I'm sure we can help you out! keith

candyman35

Ditto.

marimate

Winthrop harbor, North port marina. Sure that means something to you all?? We just picked a name out of a hat. Whats the water like? Guess like all places if the minds up its a little ruff. We boat at LOTO, sometimes its like 7 foot sea'ssss.. 28 footer ok for your area?

SmilingBob

Marimate, I have a 26 Donzi ZX that I go out of Winthrop with, if you pick the right days it is not bad, usually anything less then 3's would be fine. If it gets bigger than that you'll be thrown around pretty good. Also watch out for winds out of the North to East, anything in that range can kick up this conner of the lake pretty quick.

marimate

Bob,
Great,,, Any places you know folks go to hang out? Neat sights?

MILD THUNDER

iTrader: (3)

Lots of boats hang out in the "playpen", which is just north of navy pier in downtown Chicago. Ive also heard of some cool beaches down in indiana, probably 40 minutes from downtown chicago. There's a couple of places to eat on the Chicago river also downtown.

Wally

iTrader: (1)

Any reason you guys are goingout of North Point? It would be cheaperjust to drive to Diversey and launch almost right in Chicago....your only like a 5min ride to where all the actions at over at Navy Pier and the entrance to the river (The Locks) are right there as well. I know the headache of trailering it down and then the city streets and traffic can be a bear at times but it not bad depending on what time of day you go down there. And if you were thinking of staying downtown Diversey has a nice secure parking area right next to the marina.
As for things to do in the city....sadly i have to say that Cicago is not very boater friendly. Navy Pier wont let anyone dock on either side. You can go into the river and go over to North Pier just on the other side of Lake Shore drive/Wacker but they want like $20/half hour for docking......minimum 1 hour! Although the one time i did dock there they only charged me $40 even though i was there for like 3 hours So maybe i'm hoping its a $40 one time fee......
Theres also another bar/grill on the river on the north branch called Slow Down....or Lifes too Short....or what ever they call it....but last i heard their docks were not open.....i have no idea about this year.

On the South branch of the river theres the south branch marina...and they have a small food hut and boat dockage. Good food and a neat little place to hang out at

Going through the heart of the city by boat i think cant be beat! Just wish they would get the heads out of their a$$'s and see how much revenue is being lost from boaters

Oh and once an hour at the first....or maybe the last 10 min theres a cool fountain that shoots across the river just west of Lake Shore Drive

MILD THUNDER

iTrader: (3)

I agree with what wally said. you can lauch at burnham harbor, diversey, and I think Belmont. Burnham is a nice spot. There is the old meigs field right there that is now a park that has concerts. check out westrec.com for rates. Maybe a transient slip at burnham, and you could cab it around town if you wish, cuz youll be in the heart on the city.

Ms PatriYacht

Where are you from, Like Wally said Chicago is a not easy to boat in especialy if you want to get off the boat for a few hours or pull up to a dock and have dinner or drinks that ain't gonna happen, it is not like LOTO. It is also not like the MI side of the lake where you have a choice of cute harbor towns. What you have are a few nice marinas at the IN & IL border like Hammond, but aside from the Casino not much to do in that area and it is not a nice town. Then you have Chicago, the marinas are all run by the city and hard to get a transient slip in, technically you need to make a reservation through the central system, I think it is called Westeck. Some people on the board might be able to help you with that. I am not sure if you said this, are you keeping your boat in the water or going in and out daily basis. I ask you this because I am trying to figure out your objective, are you in town that whole time and just plan on taking the boats out a day here or there or are you trying to be in the water the whole time. If you tell us more about how much time you want to spend on the water maybe we can help you better. Each people's needs are differnt so I am sure we can help point you in the right direction