Moving to Chesterfield, MO. Where do I take a 34' Cruiser that isnt 3 hours away?

[The W.A.V.E.]

So I have been going through an internal interview process for a promotion the past 6 weeks. I have my 5th and final interview with the Senior VP this Friday. Things look pretty good.....Im a bit optomistic maybe. Anyway, it would require I relocate to the St. Louis office.

I dont really know the area at all so any help the Missouri folks could give me on best boating within a reasonable drive would be appreciated. I cant trailer my boat so I have to pick a spot and stay at least for the season. I have seen youtube videos on Lake Ozark......holy crap, its busy with traffic there. Im used to Lake Michigan where I can go out and may not see but one or two boats out if its a weekday. Im not sure thats the boating style for me. The girls do look good although my wife may not appreciate the landscape. My 7, 9 and 11 year old really doesnt need to see it either.

Any suggestions or guidance would be appreciated. I would really prefer a non-muddy water environment. If Im unrealistic with that requirement please tell me. Thanks all!

 

[Bottom Line]

Congrats on the promotion! There are several on the site that boat on the river in St. Louis, so they can give you more info on that. We boat on Table Rock, which is in southwest Missouri, close to Branson. We have several people on our dock from the St. Louis area. It is probably a 4 hour drive from St. Louis. Table Rock is a fairly clear, and beautiful lake. It is regulated by the Army Corp of Engineers, so there is not a lot on development on the water. Let me know if you have more specific questions.

 

[WDCboater]

Congrats on the move. You'll like Chesterfield, or as locals refer to it West County.
Im not sure if there are boats on Lake St Louis, but that's only an hour west of town.

I grew up in Town and Country, went to high school in Chesterfield. Everyone I knew growing up, who had a boat, kept it at Lake of the Ozarks. I don't know of any recreational boating on the Missouri or Mississippi River in St Louis.

By the way... Go Cards!

 

[skolbe]

I have a boat at the confluence of the Illinois and Mississippi River, happy to show you around on my 320 when you are in town. If it works for you great if not, check out LOZ or Table Rock. My email is scott@kolbeco.net send me an email.

 

[Knot It]

I too am in St. Louis. I live just 10 minutes west of Chesterfield. We boat on the Mississippi River just upstream from the confluence with the Illinois River in the same waters as Skolbe. Our harbor is Yacht Club of St. Louis which is located in St. Charles. There are several nice harbors in that area to choose from and it would be a 20-25 minute ride from Chesterfield to your boat. The water is a bit muddy, but actually cleaner than Lake Ozarks water...no e-coli outbreaks. It is really a nice place to boat an lots of places to anchor out by yourself. You just need to learn where the rock dikes are located and all is good. There are also lots of family friendly sand bars to spend a day or even camp out on with the kids. Send me an PM if you want more info or are going to be in the area and I'll help you anyway I can. BTW, Lake St. Louis is a very small lake and the city rules say you cant put a boat over 20 ft or so on it. Its just for ski boats, run abouts and pontoons.

 

[pgeiser]

Although I have a Chaparral Signature cruiser and not a Sea Ray, I also keep my boat on a hoist at Yacht Club of St. Louis. I have been boating the river since 1973 and would not consider keeping it any other place. I have a sister with 2 condos at lake of the Ozarks, even for their 29' Cobalt it is just too crowded and dangerous in my opinion. Once you learn the river you will love it, so ,any places to go. I highly recommend the Yacht Club, my kids and grandkids love it. They use the pool all the time. Feel free to email me with any questions.

 

[skolbe]

Spent 10 years at the Yacht Club and moved to Grafton Harbor for a change of pace. Either is nice. Grafton is an hour from Chesterfield.

 

[Jim K.]

I lived in St. Louis/St. Charles for many, many years. I have had my boat at Yacht Club of St. Louis, Woodland Marina, and Lake Center Marina. There are many harbors less than an hour from Chesterfield. It's river boating, not lake boating. I would suggest getting a good set of river charts and make friends with the people around you in the harbor, they can tell you about good places to go, as well as the other shifting hazards.