Anybody run in Chicago??

[Bennington]

Anybody ever run downtown?

I am looking for launch to dump in and one to pull out....IE.
not the same place.

Need locations....gonna run in two weeks.....

K.K.

[JW]

Hey K.K., keep your eye out for this guy. He bought my Pulsare/Promax a few years ago to run the river with his wife and kids. Haven't heard from him since. If he still runs the river, he'll know places to get on/off.

http://img235.imageshack.us/img235/7671/inwater3ss9pe.jpg

[triple dude]

Anybody ever run downtown?

I am looking for launch to dump in and one to pull out....IE.
not the same place.

Need locations....gonna run in two weeks.....

K.K.
I keep thinkin' of doing that myself. There's a couple marina's inland on the river that you might be able to launch from. There's also a place in Alsip and you can run the CalSag (I think) channel to Lake Michigan and hug the shoreline to the Chicago River. I've heard the channel can be kinda nasty--turds, rubbers, etc.:eek: There's also launches on Lake Michigan in downtown Chicago. My boat is pretty low profile and I'd have to hug the shoreline to the River. Did you see the recent Channel 11 River cruise. It does look awesome. If you do it, please post what you find out.

[Ron V]

I was thinking the exact same thing when I went to the car show.If there is a way to get on there and its deep enough. I'm defiantly in for that show. Imagine what 20 boats with 2.5s on them would sound like in the middle of all those buildings! It might make the news. Kurt

The best part would be that Daley hates boaters. It would be a little tiny sliver of justice for shipping the ghetto out to the suburbs.

[tdogcarter]

I know Bob (Red Alert on the board) used to run from Alsip to Chicago and back all the time in his Ally. He might know where there is to take out and put in along the way, or know some spots.
I remember him saying that there are not many places to get fuel except the marinas as you get closer to the lake or even right off the lake. And then also there being really high walls on each side as your running in towards the city.
Sounds like a good time to do something with a bunch of boats. That would be pretty cool doing a chicago river run, if I remember right there are no locks to the city after alsip, il?

Trey

[RED ALERT]

When you say in Chicago do you mean the downtown/loop area? Do you want to be on the lake or the river?
If you want to get downtown as quick as possible and have a craft big enough for the lake, Burnham Harbor or the 95th street launch are your best bets.
Like Trey mentioned, I launch out of Alsip.If you don't mind the extended travel time, the towns of Alsip and Worth both have public launches, but will take you an hour or so to reach the downtown area. They also don't open until April 1st. It's an interesting run through a variety of scenery and a good time buzzing the hookers/shore fishermen under the railroad/highway bridges at 90 mph :D
Let me know if you need further info.

JW, I have passed your former Checkmate on the river a few times(he launches in Alsip too). It is a sharp looking boat!
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a270/BP1/tn_misc11-03072.jpg

[Big Johnson V8]

I thought the river in the city was no wake ?

[RED ALERT]

It is, except for the tour boats that don't seem to have to comply. But there are miles of river between Alsip and downtown that are unlimited.
Like this:
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a270/BP1/tn_misc11-03073.jpg

[Bennington]

an address for the launch in Alsip....so I can mapquest it out....looking at an April 1st run:)

[RED ALERT]

It's minutes off of 294.

Here is a link with info and address:
http://www.alsip.org.il/Boat%20Launch.htm

[triple dude]

I think it's right off Cicero Avenue. Jeff made that run one time out to Lake Michigan. He said it was some NASTY water.

[RED ALERT]

It's off 127th. You exit 294 at the 127th/Cicero exit and turn right on 127th. Go three streets and make another right (there is a sign for the launch), follow around to the ramp. It's behind a trucking company off a frontage road that parallels 294.
Like any waterway in the Chicago area,yes it can get nasty at peak times and the lake itself is always a risky proposition. April 1st you won't encounter much boat traffic on the river, just an occasional barge.
It's about 40 miles one way, so figure fuel accordingly. Best to go with another boater, because you will be going through forrest preserve and industry.
I was adrift for several hours last Oct when my lower unit seized up.Eventually, I was able to flag some partiers down returning from the city at 1 a.m. and get a tow.

[triple dude]

There's a musclecar dealer right there also.

[JW]

JW, I have passed your former Checkmate on the river a few times(he launches in Alsip too). It is a sharp looking boat!

Cool! Did you see him last summer? I'm wondering if he still has it. He was a first time boater, buying a 21' boat with a 225 PM :D Boat is so rock steady at over 70 mph I didn't worry about selling it to him. Do me a favor? Next time you see him, tell him to get on S&F!! Or Checkmate-boats.com

Thanks for the update!!

[Ron V]

How much B.S. gets thrown around by the Coast Guard down there? I'd be interested in running sometime if that launch is in a halfway decent area. I thought Alsip was a little bit iffy but not real familiar with it. That has to be a different type of thrill screaming down the river with a 2.5 echoing off of the cement walls and dumpsters full of abandoned infants. Kind of like running the canal in New Orleans when I lived there (the one that flooded the 9th ward).

[WARLOCK]

Yea Ron, you gotta wonder how many hypodermic needles it takes to sink a boat or ruin a prop. I'm sure thereis some great scenery! Later, Dave

[Bennington]

about lockport?
Wouldn't that be quicker then Alsip?

[triple dude]

You should probably save yourself a lot of boat driving time along with gas spent going down a sh*t infested waterway. Just check out launches on the Chicago River (or tributary) at inland marina's. There's at least one just west of the Loop. Seems like I've also seen a launch just south of the Loop right off Lake Shore Drive.

[RED ALERT]

Cool! Did you see him last summer? I'm wondering if he still has it. He was a first time boater, buying a 21' boat with a 225 PM :D Boat is so rock steady at over 70 mph I didn't worry about selling it to him. Do me a favor? Next time you see him, tell him to get on S&F!! Or Checkmate-boats.com

Thanks for the update!!
JW It may have been the summer before last since I have seen him, but If I get the chance I will say hi for you.



about lockport?
Wouldn't that be quicker then Alsip?
Not aware of any launch in Lockport that will get you into the city.Not saying there isn't, but I don't think so.


Just check out launches on the Chicago River (or tributary) at inland marina's. There's at least one just west of the Loop. Seems like I've also seen a launch just south of the Loop right off Lake Shore Drive.
There are NO self launches on the Chicago River. There are some marinas outside the downtown area that offer "drop in and take out" service.
The launch you saw off LSD is Burham Harbor and may not be open for the season yet.I mentioned it in my first reply.Chicago harbors are run by Westrec Marine and they have a website w/further info.

[RED ALERT]

How much B.S. gets thrown around by the Coast Guard down there? I'd be interested in running sometime if that launch is in a halfway decent area. I thought Alsip was a little bit iffy but not real familiar with it. That has to be a different type of thrill screaming down the river with a 2.5 echoing off of the cement walls and dumpsters full of abandoned infants. Kind of like running the canal in New Orleans when I lived there (the one that flooded the 9th ward).

Having an Allison with a 2.5 and offshore mid guarantees a certain amount of attention from the Coast Guard/DNR.I wouldn't say they are any worse here than the other Illinois waterways.
The ramp is manned from sunup till sundown ( open 24 hours), three lanes wide,well lit,fenced and patrolled by the Alsip PD routinely. I am out there fishing, 1-2 times a week on average and have never encountered a problem.

[triple dude]

red alert, Thanks for the info on the inland marina. I went to one years ago with a buddy who was a sailboat guy. They had an open house one night and he dragged me down there. All I knew was that it was on a river by downtown. Looks like KK will be doing the Alsip thing??? Personally, I'd wait awhile. Gonna be a bit chilly out on Lake Michigan this time of year.

[Bennington]

2301 South Union Avenue, Chicago Ill. 60616

South Branch Marina.

Anybody Been There?

K.k.

[RED ALERT]

Been past it. It's the nicest of the marinas on that part of the river. It's an "In and out" place w/no provision for self launching (which you may already know).
Heres a link if you havent seen it:
http://www.sbmarina.com/index.php

[RED ALERT]

red alert, Thanks for the info on the inland marina. I went to one years ago with a buddy who was a sailboat guy. They had an open house one night and he dragged me down there. All I knew was that it was on a river by downtown. Looks like KK will be doing the Alsip thing??? Personally, I'd wait awhile. Gonna be a bit chilly out on Lake Michigan this time of year.

No prob 3 dude.
Got caught in run a of the tall ships one year.Was interesting to watch them raise all the bridges for the masted ships as they head inland to winter.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a270/BP1/tn_misc11-03065.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a270/BP1/tn_misc11-03067.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a270/BP1/tn_misc11-03050.jpg

[JW]

You should probably save yourself a lot of boat driving time along with gas spent going down a sh*t infested waterway. Just check out launches on the Chicago River (or tributary) at inland marina's. There's at least one just west of the Loop. Seems like I've also seen a launch just south of the Loop right off Lake Shore Drive.


The guy I sold the Pulsare to called me one time after he ran the river. Had to use a stick to pick a used rubber out of the water inlet holes....:eek: GAG!

[triple dude]

The guy I sold the Pulsare to called me one time after he ran the river. Had to use a stick to pick a used rubber out of the water inlet holes....:eek: GAG!
When racerx took a ride down the CalSag channel, he picked up a lot of 'em. He just rinsed (very gently) and hung on the clothesline. He said the only problem was they were too big so he had to wrap 'em around a couple times.:D

[WARLOCK]

That a REAL bad mental picture Clyde!! Later, Dave

[RED ALERT]

It's not for the squeamish after a heavy rain :eek:
I'll be out after April 1. If anyone would like to make the run downtown, just PM me. It would be best to do early season before the rec-raf gets crazy.

Bob

[tdogcarter]

Anybody planning on doing this?

[Big Johnson V8]

I will go, somebody set a date....

[RED ALERT]

I will be in Golconda (southern Illinois/Ohio river) next weekend. Aside from that I am open to anytime.
Trey is your boat rigged?

Bob

[tdogcarter]

Bob,

Engine is hung, and the final things are being finished on it.

Should be done by this weekend but still missing a key component. A prop.

I can go once I get a few hours on the engine.

Or if anyone wants to come down to Morris to cruise.

[WARLOCK]

Hey Trey, I'll get hold of KrazyKarl and see if he has any props for sale. I know he just sold a mid-section and lower unit. I'll let ya know. Oh crap...I forgot you don't need any High Perfomance stuff. J/k O.k. Trey, now say something about the pink on my boat since that all you come up with. Later, Dave

[tdogcarter]

Sounds good, fat shaft please
Hows the insurance coming along?

[WARLOCK]

So far, so good. I've been accepted with my State Farm agent. They have the numbers and pictures so I hope there is no problems. I'll see Karl this weekend...he's helping me move. Later, Dave