Guys,
I am going to the Air & Water Show in Chicago. I was wondering if anybody knew where to launch at. The last time I launched at Diversey Harbor, but I had a hard time getting there and it was pretty narrow. I have a 38' Scarab. Any suggestions?

I am also looking for a few restaurants I can get to by boat. I know Dick's Last Resort is closed. The only other I know of is the Bridge House Tavern. It doesn't have to be on the river, but I don't know of anything on the lake in Chicago.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Diversey Harbor redid their ramps last year, If I remember right there are only two ramps now but they are alot wider and they got rid of the high walk ways for floating ones. I was there while it was still under construction so you may want to call and double check that.

31st street harbor has excellent ramps, you would have no problem there but I would suggest you get there early because they have limited truck and trailer parking. They overflow into the McCormick place lots which is kind of a pain. Very nice harbor I launch there all of the time.

Dick's last resort has reopened on the Chicago river in the Marina Towers building, they do have parking on the river but unsure of the fees. You also have Smith & Wollensky's right next door but not sure if they would let you dock in marina city or not for that.

You live in gurnee... Launch at north point or Waukegan and cruise down there it's a nice ride as long as it's under 4 footers. If your worried about goin alone you can tag along with my group of two fountains and a cig

Downtown is a mad house that day ..I`d go with the above option

What time and day are you leaving NP?

Thanks for the information guys. I have a slip at 31st for the weekend. So I am planning on launching there on Friday morning.

Hilgy 88, It would be nice to hook up with you guys that day if you feel like company, give me a call or PM me your phone number.

If you or anyone else is interesting in tying up together, give me a call. I have a 38' Scarab and will be there early on Saturday.

John 224-610-6677

Hey John. If I am around that weekend, I'll give ya a ring. 31st is a nice harbor. I dont recommend rafting up during the air show. Just about every year for the past 10 years I been going, its usually too rough to raft up. Whether it be from boat wakes, or wind chop.

If your coming down from up north on friday, I'd try to head down this way around 10am. Any earlier will be $hitty traffic on 94, and same goes for later. I live a few minutes from 31st harbor, even if I dont bring the boat out, maybe I'll swing down for a beer at the dock and check out the scarab.

Restaurant wise, other than the river options, you're kinda limited. What would be a cooler option all together, would be towing an extra 20-25 minutes to hammond marina. Excellent launch there, a casino on site with a good steak house, and a nice group of go fast boats on "T" dock. They are a great crew, and always a fun time with them. To run up to the air show, prob about 15-18 miles. Their slip rentals are half the cost of 31st too, and trailer parking for the weekend isnt a problem, and its fully secure there.

Ya, I wanted to stay in Chicago. But the Casino sounds like fun. Maybe I will head down there Friday afternoon. Do they have docks at the casino or can I rent a dock for a few hours to go gamble?
If everything goes well I plan to launch at about 11:00 Friday at 31st ST.By all means give me a call. I always enjoy talking to other offshore guys!! I'll have some cold ones waiting!!

There are plenty of slips available for the night in Hammond, and also a "courtesy dock" right up by the launch ramp if you want to hang for a couple hours at the casino. Make the walk up to the ship store/marina office if you park there, though...they WILL ticket you if you don't pony up like $20 or something...

What he means is you will come out and there will be a chain from your boat to the dock !!!!