Well then . . .who's sailing in Northern Ill.?

[Divecoz]

Pickens seem to be slim here about's, but maybe some know of places I am over looking? Say within two hours of Chicago ?

[Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL]

Let's see, "within two hours of Chicago?" I guess that would be Gary, Indiana.
Oh yeah, I almost forgot. The Chicago and Sanitary Ship Canal.

[Divecoz]

Two Hours Trailer Time . Once I get a handle on this thing I will be taking a lot of 3 day weekends but for the first couple months I was looking for close by . I live 45 miles west of Chicago that puts anything within a hundred miles as do-able So where are folks sailing in Ill. and Wis and Ind. ??

[jda]

Lake Geneva in Wisconsin? I used to live in Crystal Lake, IL. Lake Geneva was a nice place. Do people sail on it? Just a thought.

John

[wayfarer]

Lake Michigan would seem like a logical destination.. isn't there somewhere to put in around Chicago?

I'd also be looking at Lake Winnebago, Green Bay, and a nice trip to the Apostle Islands in Lake Superior for one of those long vacations. Heath (the webmaster) has a log of his trip to the Apostle Islands on this site.

[mackatt68]

We keep Mack's Mac in a slip on the Illinois River in Peoria. It's wide enough for sailing, the bridges are high so that you can pass under them with the mast up and because Upper and lower Peoria lakes are the result of a dam, the current isn't much of an issue. Even when the water level is low, the centerboard allows sailing from bank to bank. We live 30 miles west of Aurora, it's 100 mile easy drive. No traffic and mostly interstate 80 and 39. Plus the slip is 1/3 of the Hammond marina price

[Divecoz]

Peoria sounds good...Lake Geneva is so loaded with power boats so as to make it unsafe on most weekends. Same goes with the Chain of Lakes IMHO but that may have to change. . . lots of good size lakes there but lots / 100's of 50 to 100 mph boats up there too, and a few thousand that are a lot. . . to a little slower than those speeds. Lake Michigan yea sure once I get the feel of it and I hope to . . get the feel of it by mid summer, I am just not all that sure I should be learning out there. Lake Superior and the Apostle island's about 7 + hours drive and yes I am heading there this summer as my best friend and Scuba Buddy lives outside of Two Harbors on the lake. Heck Cozumel and the East Coast of Mexico and Belize is going to be awesome but NOT this Year ....I will find someplace close by . . or I will find someplace and call it close by .
Still looking around.

[Mark Prouty]

Lake Mendota in Madison, WI is very nice. Madison is about 3 hours from Milwaukee. Lake Mendota is close to my house and I spend weekends on it. I anchor on it for two weeks while my son goes to sailing school. There is a very nice anchorage on the north side of Picnic Point. You can beach the boat there. The University supplies firewood at numerous locations on Picnic Point and you can have a nice fire or cookout.

The Lake


Picnic Point Beach


I bought an Anchor Buddy:


The Anchor Buddy works perfectly for getting off at a shallow cement wall near the UW Union. I then walk down State Street where there are quite a few nice restaurants and bars.

Watch taking 12 and 13 year old boys to the State bar.
They have good burgers but the waitresses wear low cut shirts.
There is seating close to the edge on the upper balcony.
Had to scold the kids for taking aim with their french fries.
(never saw those guys chuckle so much)

The Union has a good breakfast.

There are also several nice restaurants you can get to by pier.

(a nice bike path in the area)

[Divecoz]

THanks Mark: Madison doesn't seem to far either . I guess I could haul up there Friday night or Saturday morning and the wife would arrive Sat. Afternoon. Do they allow dogs? I would no doubt clean up after my little girl. I have already informed my boss I will be taking a lot of 3 day weekends till I retire I am soooo close to retirement it almost hurts
I will be on the look out for you your crew and your Mac too.

[Mark Prouty]

Do they allow dogs?

Heck ya,

Skip goes everywhere!



You have my email. If you want, let me know when you're coming up. I get most Fridays off.

[jda]

What about Green Lake, Wisconsin? I've been to conferences there but didn't pay attention to the boating activity. It's been a long time since I was there. But, from what I remember it was nice.

jda

[Mark Prouty]

Never been to Green Lake but it looks nice.

Our beautiful lake is the deepest natural inland lake in Wisconsin and has 33 miles of shoreline. Sport fishing, boating, swimming and sailing are popular summer activities, along with watching beautiful sunsets over the water. Three golf courses in the area add to the recreational opportunities, plus many enjoy driving our peaceful rural roads to view birds and wildlife in all seasons. In the winter, the lake is dotted with shanties as the ice fisherman come out in force. Ice boating, ice skating, and cross-country skiing are also popular!

We invite you to visit our area and see for yourself why Green Lake has been so attractive for over 140 years!

[jda]

That's a nice description of Green Lake. Going off a distant memory if you are a golfer there were some bunkers there that somebody said were as if they buried a railroad box-car and grew grass over it. They were steep! Also, there were rumours of Al Capone activity being in the immediate area. Possibly a hidden vault? There is a beautiful conference center there operated by the American Baptist? It's been about 15 years since I was there.

jda

[CaptEd]

I have been to Hammond Indiana and their launch ramp is pretty easy to use..I enjoyed motoring past the casino boat to get on the lake...you just have to exit at Calumet Ave off I-94.


Capt Ed(retired at 57)