Diversey Harbor Local Knowledge Please....

[Sum Escape]

Called harbor, current clearance is 13'6". My waterline to top of radar is just under 13'. The question I have right now for someone with local knowledge is: Is it always calm in the harbor or must one calculate in the potential for waves/surge into the harbor? The breakwater appears to provide good protection but....what do the locals say? Can always do Belmont instead, but Diversey is closer to daughter. Thanks for the help and advice.

 

[Carver370]

I wouldn't be going through there with only 6" to spare. There is always quite a bit of rocking and movement in the harbor entrance.

With that said, I know somebody who has a 510 DA in the harbor there but they have nothing on their hardtop but a very low profile folding garmin radar dome.

 

[Sum Escape]

Carver370,
Thanks for the input, you confirmed my hunch. Sounds like Belmont is the answer...just a short bike ride back to Diversey anyway....thanks.

 

[330DA]

I'll confirm what Ray wrote. I grew up at Diversey when there was no breakwall. My Dad was very calm the day I forgot to take the antenna down before we passed under the Lake Shore Drive Bridge. It snapped like a toothpick.

 

[Sum Escape]

Scott, that's another good point. Being in the SW corner of the "bath tub" the seiche impact can be pretty great. Would not have wanted to be there in 1954....
http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/1129.html
http://www.isgs.illinois.edu/sections/engin-coast/lakemich-coastal-seiches.shtml
We'll be going to Belmont (if the reservations come through). Thanks to all for the local input.

 

[FastMarkA]

FWIW, I had my 450DA in there last weekend -- there was about a foot between the top of my GPS receiver (which is higher than the open array) and the bridge. Antenna, of course, needed to be dropped.

There were plenty of 1991-1998 vintage 500DAs in there, and I also saw some 2005-2008 420/440DAs as well.