Chicago boaters?

We just bought ours and had it shipped to Portage. We have a slip in Burnham, hoping for good weather either middle of this week or next Thursday/Friday so we can take it over.
 
Our boat is in, heading there today as assuming all is well on a shakedown cruise will be heading over to Chicago this afternoon. Going to be a chilly ride but with 70s this week it’ll be nice to have the boat close to home!

Did ya make it? How was the run? I checked a webcam yesterday and the east side of the lake looked a bit choppy...
 
Did ya make it? How was the run? I checked a webcam yesterday and the east side of the lake looked a bit choppy...

Sure did. Thanks to everyone on the thread for the tips, I was a bit nervous going in, not gonna lie. Did a shakedown cruise on the Indiana side, then pulled back in to check fluids, inspect everything and make sure nothing looked odd. All checked out so we shoved off from B&E marine about 1pm and got to Diversey harbor before 3. It was choppier on the Indiana side for sure, but overall wasn't bad. Definitely not what I would consider a "comfortable" ride, but the boat handled it well, and didn't have any issues whatsoever. There was more rust on me, having not driven the boat in months than there was on the boat.

Coolest part of the trip (this was my first lake crossing) was that it was clear enough to see Chicago from across the lake. Seeing the city start small and grow before your eyes on the horizon due to the curvature of the earth is an amazing thing to see. Goes from just seeing the tip 1/3rd of maybe 6-10 buildings to then seeing the whole skyline. Definitely a cool experience.

Kept it at around 22 knots the whole way due to the chop/swell. Saw a few fairly large fishing charter boats near mid-lake but outside of that didn't see another boat crossing either direction. Probably a smart call, it was pretty cold out there.

John
 
Sure did. Thanks to everyone on the thread for the tips, I was a bit nervous going in, not gonna lie. Did a shakedown cruise on the Indiana side, then pulled back in to check fluids, inspect everything and make sure nothing looked odd. All checked out so we shoved off from B&E marine about 1pm and got to Diversey harbor before 3. It was choppier on the Indiana side for sure, but overall wasn't bad. Definitely not what I would consider a "comfortable" ride, but the boat handled it well, and didn't have any issues whatsoever. There was more rust on me, having not driven the boat in months than there was on the boat.

Coolest part of the trip (this was my first lake crossing) was that it was clear enough to see Chicago from across the lake. Seeing the city start small and grow before your eyes on the horizon due to the curvature of the earth is an amazing thing to see. Goes from just seeing the tip 1/3rd of maybe 6-10 buildings to then seeing the whole skyline. Definitely a cool experience.

Kept it at around 22 knots the whole way due to the chop/swell. Saw a few fairly large fishing charter boats near mid-lake but outside of that didn't see another boat crossing either direction. Probably a smart call, it was pretty cold out there.

John

Very cool. Sounds like a fantastic first trip of the year. Nothing like cruising in 40 degree water to get the blood flowing!
 
Went down to Burnham today, a few boats in there. Thought I would pick up my parking pass, forgot they were closed on Tuesdays!! Water sure looked nice!
 
Went down to Burnham today, a few boats in there. Thought I would pick up my parking pass, forgot they were closed on Tuesdays!! Water sure looked nice!

Aside from the breeze it was fantastic last night! we didn't leave Diversey, just hung out on the boat and had dinner and met some of the new neighbors. Looked pretty smooth out there though. I run through Burnham at lunch time a lot, I'll keep an eye out for your boat!
 
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Got the boat in on Monday...most everything worked, Raystar took some coaxing, but I got it working yesterday. Batteries might need to be replaced though....
 
Aside from the breeze it was fantastic last night! we didn't leave Diversey, just hung out on the boat and had dinner and met some of the new neighbors. Looked pretty smooth out there though. I run through Burnham at lunch time a lot, I'll keep an eye out for your boat!

I went out there today to get our parking passes. It was a bit windy! This will be my first year in Chicago and first year with a boat longer than 30'. Going to have to get used to docking for sure!
 
Question - anyone in the Chicago area use a refuel service, or have a gas dock with better prices they prefer? In Michigan we used to have a fuel transport service that would come to our dock and it was almost always .40 - .80c cheaper than what the marinas were charging.
 
Question - anyone in the Chicago area use a refuel service, or have a gas dock with better prices they prefer? In Michigan we used to have a fuel transport service that would come to our dock and it was almost always .40 - .80c cheaper than what the marinas were charging.

I believe that fuel delivery is prohibited by Chicago Harbor rules unfortunately
 
Finally got her in the water yesterday and over to her summer home in Burnham!
 

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I am finally in. It was a long trip on Saturday and a little stressful (as it always is) going through the locks, and the seas were choppy once on the lake, but I safely got to the harbor.
 
I am finally in. It was a long trip on Saturday and a little stressful (as it always is) going through the locks, and the seas were choppy once on the lake, but I safely got to the harbor.

Congrats on getting it done! Saturday definitely wasn't ideal, but at least it's done. What harbor are you in?

John
 
Congrats on getting it done! Saturday definitely wasn't ideal, but at least it's done. What harbor are you in?

John

Thanks! I'm in Belmont, on D-Dock. Was on S-Dock last year... kind of a funky location. A short fairway - easy for coming and going and very near the harbor mouth - but not near any boaters I know. This is much better! Where are you at?
 
Thanks! I'm in Belmont, on D-Dock. Was on S-Dock last year... kind of a funky location. A short fairway - easy for coming and going and very near the harbor mouth - but not near any boaters I know. This is much better! Where are you at?

We are on A-Dock at Diversey on the south side. It's our first season here and while our neighbors all are fantastic so far, the bridge clearance, silly traffic light and 93 octane fuel dock are all reasons that we may put a Belmont transfer request in eventually. Going to see how the first half of the season goes then make a more informed decision. You like Belmont so far?
 
Thanks! I'm in Belmont, on D-Dock. Was on S-Dock last year... kind of a funky location. A short fairway - easy for coming and going and very near the harbor mouth - but not near any boaters I know. This is much better! Where are you at?

Were you on the west side of S-Dock last season, facing lake shore drive if you were docked stern in? If so I think I've seen your boat, I Sail in the CYC beer can races Wednesday nights with a friend who docks on the east side of S-dock.
 
We are on A-Dock at Diversey on the south side. It's our first season here and while our neighbors all are fantastic so far, the bridge clearance, silly traffic light and 93 octane fuel dock are all reasons that we may put a Belmont transfer request in eventually. Going to see how the first half of the season goes then make a more informed decision. You like Belmont so far?

I do enjoy Belmont quite a bit. Diversey is nice because you can go to the restaurant for dinner and walk back to your boat, but I really like being able to come and go without the light. Harbor Master and all the workers at Belmont are great too.

Were you on the west side of S-Dock last season, facing lake shore drive if you were docked stern in? If so I think I've seen your boat, I Sail in the CYC beer can races Wednesday nights with a friend who docks on the east side of S-dock.

Yes, that was me! Boat looks a little different this year, now running with full canvas and a proper detail :). Still stern in.
 

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