Chicago

Cableguy Greg

Are there any places that have transient slips in the Windy City? Might pull my boat to Indiana and boat over to Chicago one weekend this summer. Where would you all recommend? 

Michael T

@bry1429 could help you with that if you pm him.

Liberty44140

I believe they either just re opened all of the water front marinas or they are opening them this week. 

skennelly

Every harbor has transient slips available.  There's an android app called dockwa where you can make reservations.

skennelly

@Cableguy Greg - Burnham harbor is great though it will be pretty quiet with covid.  Usually there's concerts every weekend.  But great views of the skyline nonetheless

TonyG13

I'm in Burnham. We are fully open with no Covid restrictions - and have plenty of transient slips available. If you are looking to be within walking distance of restaurants, shopping, etc. I would not recommend Burnham unless you like walking. Burnham has great views, but is not close to dining/shopping. It is close to the museums.

I would recommend DuSable. We were in DuSable for a couple of years. DuSable is closer to Navy Pier, Michigan Ave, and the River Walk. More walk-able to more touristy things than Burnham.

There should be plenty of transient slips this season due to the Covid mess. Lots of people opted out for the season.

You can use Dockwa, but I would call the harbor directly. They are generally nice, and I think you may get a better rate, but not sure. They also might redirect to Dockwa. It's fairly new to our harbor system. 

Also, go through the locks and down the Chicago River. Definitely a must-do.

If you have any other questions or need any local info, let me know.

skennelly

Good advice from @TonyG13

TonyG13

@Cableguy Greg - Also check out the water intake cribs while you're here. We swung around this one today. It's about 3 miles off of DuSable harbor. Built in 1891 to supply fresh water. It's now abandoned and taken over by wildlife...

Handymans342

Where do you not go in Chicago?? 

skennelly

is that a serious question @Handymans342?

If you are a boater and are just going to be venturing out of the harbors to see the city just be aware of your surroundings and you will be fine.

Unfortunately violence is appearing everywhere.

TonyG13

Yes, Chicago gets the bad rap on pure numbers, but on a per capita basis, the most true statistical indicator, Chicago isn't even in the top ten of cities for violent crime.

You are more likely to be a victim of violent crime in places like Indianapolis, Kansas City, or Nashville. We've had the rep ever since Al Capone, but as @skennelly said if you just practice common sense - anywhere you go - you lessen your chances of becoming a victim.

Willhound

Love Chicago. The whole river area and waterfront are spectacular. Navy Pier a little Coney Island "ish" but fun. Billy Goat Tavern. Pequod's Pizza, viewing from the John Hancock Center. The Riverwalk. (Yes, I'm a tourist) and countless other bars I can't remember the names of. Hopefully some of that is open when you're there.
Did I mention the bars? 

skennelly

@Willhound - Absolutely...it's an awesome place to be especially in the summer.

Black_Diamond

++. Dockwa

also, be aware there are marinas in the Chicago area that have fixed bridges to get under. Make sure yours fits. lol. I had to cancel reservations last year due to that. Water level that high. 

TonyG13

Black_Diamond said:

++. Dockwa

also, be aware there are marinas in the Chicago area that have fixed bridges to get under. Make sure yours fits. lol. I had to cancel reservations last year due to that. Water level that high. 

Good point. Those would be Diversey Harbor and Jackson Park Inner Harbor.

Also, looks like effective May 1 Dockwa is the "official" reservation system for Chicago harbors. I'd still call a harbor directly first just to see.

Cableguy Greg

Thank you all. I am considering putting in at Portage, IN at one of the marinas along the river. It's a 26 mile run to the Navy Pier area. I would lock thru for sure so we could boat along the river downtown. That lock isn't much of a lock though, more of a PITA. 

TonyG13

@Cableguy Greg - Are you thinking about staying at Marina Shores? If so, let us know how you like it. We were thinking of shooting over there later this year for an overnight.

Cableguy Greg

TonyG13 said:

@Cableguy Greg - Are you thinking about staying at Marina Shores? If so, let us know how you like it. We were thinking of shooting over there later this year for an overnight.

I was going to launch there, but they don't have a ramp. It looks like a beautiful marina. There is a public launch at Sammie L. Maletta, but was unsure as to how safe it would be to park my truck and trailer there for a weekend. I am also considering Doyne's marina. It's $9 to launch and their site says that I can leave my rig there for the weekend. 

skennelly

@Cableguy Greg

"That lock isn't much of a lock though, more of a PITA."

What do you mean?  It's like a 5' foot water adjustment between lake and river levels.  Agreed it is a pain especially when there's a lot of traffic.  Life jackets required by all passengers including animals.

Cableguy Greg

skennelly said:

@Cableguy Greg

"That lock isn't much of a lock though, more of a PITA."

What do you mean?  It's like a 5' foot water adjustment between lake and river levels.  Agreed it is a pain especially when there's a lot of traffic.  Life jackets required by all passengers including animals.

We are used to 25 foot rise or fall when we go through a lock. We have to have our own 100' lock lines on board to give to the lock master. We also are required to wear life jackets. Any lock is a pain. The one time I went trough the lock in Chicago, it was only a 3 foot rise and there were lines every 10 feet or so provided by the lock. That could have changed in the last 5 years. Wasn't meant to be a slam on Chi town or the lock. 

skennelly

@Cableguy Greg - 25 foot ha ha you got me there.  No slam taken.

Cableguy Greg

This is normal for us. 

Ian

Same here but no tossing lines, use the cables or ropes hanging down to hold onto. Only vest rule is per NY State law - under 12 required, need to have enough for those onboard.

Cableguy Greg

I am looking to go to Chicago in August. I have many questions with few answers right now. I am looking for a place to launch and retrieve the boat, and the lot be safe to leave the truck and trailer for the weekend. It looks like Burnham and 31st Street have launches on the South Side. Burnham seems to have more parking for truck and trailer. The other curve ball is the admiral wants to drive separately so she can go and visit family for the rest of the week after our Chicago adventure. Are these lots safe for a weekend? Any advice would be great!!!

TonyG13

I would recommend Burnham over 31st. As an added bonus to the usual security, Burnham has had a Chicago police vehicle parked in the lot 24/7 since the Police Memorial is on the property, so they're there to keep any potential protesters at bay. (None to date.)

Whichever you choose, make sure the ramp will be open (call the harbormaster directly before coming down). For some weird reason, which I still don't know, they shut down the launches last weekend without notice. Quite a few upset folks standing around.

skennelly

Yes what @TonyG13 said.  Also Cook county covid numbers are rising.  Governor said yesterday we are dangerously close to going backwards and the mayor of Chicago said the same.  I wouldn't have your plans set in stone....I wouldn't put it past the mayor to shut things down for the season.

skennelly

@TonyG13 - my guess is they shut things down because of the Chicago boat party to prevent people from doing it anyways.  Just my guess

Cableguy Greg

Good information. I might have to convince the admiral to wait until next year. 

TonyG13

Cableguy Greg said:

Good information. I might have to convince the admiral to wait until next year. 

As much as it pains me to say, I think that's probably what you should do. Barely any restaurants, entertainment/museums, beaches, etc., are open in any normal capacity, so not sure you'd get your money's worth out of the trip.

About the only good thing would be the river. I hate going through during a regular season. Always have to fight water taxis, tour boats, and kayakers. This year - hardly any traffic. Makes that part nice at least, but that's only about 3 hours of your day.

TonyG13

skennelly said:

@TonyG13 - my guess is they shut things down because of the Chicago boat party to prevent people from doing it anyways.  Just my guess

Good point. I just felt sorry for all the bass boat guys who you know are just out for the fishing.

skennelly

They trailer...can fish in any of the lakes around.  Don't feel too sorry for them.