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Chicago Lake Michigan Trip
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Author:  jnizi [ Tue Jul 28, 2009 10:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Chicago Lake Michigan Trip
First of all, sorry for the long post but I felt I needed to share.
Well, we had a perfect 5 day trip down the Illinois River to Montrose Harbor and back.
Started with a foggy morning at Heritage Harbor
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5 Locks between our Marina and Lake Michigan including running 12 miles of Barge Alley.
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We finally make it down the Chicago River through downtown Chicago at sunset. Breathtaking!!
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Spent the next 3 days running the lake as far north as Winthrop Harbor. The lake was unbelievable.
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On Sunday, caught up with the Grand Sport Four Winns Fun Run. Nice to see so many FW in one place.
We all locked through and the rest of the group headed south on the lake.
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Montrose Harbor was incredible as well and we had the privilege to board the "Robert Allen" for an evening ride.
What great people at the Marina and at CCYC. We hope we can stay there again.
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Finally for the ride home. Has anyone ever seen the lake like this?
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We had a great ride to the Cal Sag on a perfectly calm Lake Michigan as the sun was rising over the city.
Does it get any better than that?

It was 5 days, almost 300 miles and great memories with wonderful friends. Can't wait to do it again.
Author:  ardy [ Wed Jul 29, 2009 2:18 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Chicago Lake Michigan Trip
WOW!!!! sounds like you had a great time, thanks for sharing
Author:  MichaelB [ Wed Jul 29, 2009 7:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Chicago Lake Michigan Trip
that lake looks like a sheet of glass! I've come to find I get giddy when I see water like that and I'm on my boat! Great pics, thanks for sharing!!
Author:  firecadet613 [ Wed Jul 29, 2009 8:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Chicago Lake Michigan Trip
Lake sure looks a lot better than during the Chicago Loop Cruise when Woggy718 and I made that trek over 2-4 ft waves....
Author:  aguyindallas [ Thu Jul 30, 2009 8:51 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Chicago Lake Michigan Trip
I have a question...with all the miles you logged on this trip....how many hours did that amount to on your boat and how much total fuel did you burn?

Thanks for the pics.....looks like an AWESOME cruise!
Author:  jnizi [ Thu Jul 30, 2009 11:32 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Chicago Lake Michigan Trip
I have those numbers at home and will post that tonight. We did find that gas varied from $2.95 a gallon at Winthrop to $4.11 on the Cal Sag.
Author:  1NiceHarley [ Thu Jul 30, 2009 11:58 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Chicago Lake Michigan Trip
Wow, looks like an awesome trip! I too would like to see the gallons and hours. 300 miles on a beautiful boat, that would be great.
Author:  jnizi [ Fri Jul 31, 2009 7:34 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Chicago Lake Michigan Trip
We left with full tanks (200 gallons). The first gas stop was after 12.5 hours and used 140.2 gallons. The second gas stop was at 12.4 and we used 145.4 gallons. Our average burn per hour was 11.5 gallons per hour. Total trip distance was 296.00 miles. Average speed 11.8 MPH but that is very skewed. Hours of idle speed through barge alley and 35 MPH on the lake.

Average gas mileage 1.03 MPG. According to the published specs, 1.1 - 1.2 MPG should be the best the boat will do so I am very happy with these numbers.
Author:  ChicagoTC [ Fri Jul 31, 2009 10:46 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Chicago Lake Michigan Trip
Great trip jnizi, though I wouldn't call Montrose or any harbor in the Chicago system great. Unless by great you mean antiquated, dirty, and few to no amenities. I'm very jealous of nice places like your home harbor and Winthrop. If I didn't live 10 minutes from Belmont Harbor, I'd move my boat in a second.
Author:  zelena [ Fri Jul 31, 2009 10:57 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Chicago Lake Michigan Trip
JNIZI:

Thanks for the info. My 248 only has 70 gallons so I was curious about the river stretch. We are in River City in Chicago (you passed us by) and were thinking of going down to starved rock. How fast were you going on the river portion? Just trying to figure put logistics for trying to go to Starved Rock. Thanks and great shots.
Author:  jnizi [ Fri Jul 31, 2009 2:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Chicago Lake Michigan Trip
As far as Montrose or Belmont, yes the docks are a bit old but the view is fantastic and the people were very friendly. I think that the people make the dock. Yes there are nicer facilities but waking up to the lakefront view does make up for a lot.

From River City to Starved Rock is not bad and you should make it in one tank. You can run at planing speeds up the south branch once you are outside of chinatown until you get close to the merge near Lemont. The hard side walls of the river west of summit does make it challenging if you are not the first boat. Beyond that its 12 miles of no wake through barge alley to the lockport lock. The only other area with no wake is through Joliet. It would be less than 90 miles for you with 4 locks. There is gas west of Joliet if you need it.

If you come our way, let me know. We are in the Ottawa pool at Heritage Harbor. A fall boat trip to see the color change is a treat.
Author:  ChicagoTC [ Fri Jul 31, 2009 2:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Chicago Lake Michigan Trip
The grass is always greener I suppose. I cringe every February when I get my bill. For the amount of money I pay downtown, I'd expect clean showers and bathrooms. I really wonder what Westec does with all the money they get.

You are right about the people, my dock neighbors have all become good friends. Every time I want to upgrade not wanting to move slips is one motivating factor to keep my 298.
Author:  jnizi [ Fri Jul 31, 2009 2:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Chicago Lake Michigan Trip
I would think your 298 is a great boat for your area. Even if its a bit choppy, you should do fine. I was surprised how many people just dock sit and never go out.

Just imagine what you slip will be worth if Chicago gets the Olympics.
Author:  ChicagoTC [ Fri Jul 31, 2009 3:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Chicago Lake Michigan Trip
I'm one of those people for the most part. When I do go out, it's a river tour for people who haven't been, a mile south to the playpen, or 8 miles north to a nice beachy area around Wilmette. I'm still on my original tanks of gas this year.

If they build the new marinas they are discussing I expect a mad rush for the newer/nicer facilities. I only hope a part of that plan is upgrades to existing harbors.

I did just buy a tow harness and a tube :) I expect my fuel burn to increase dramatically.
Author:  jnizi [ Fri Jul 31, 2009 3:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Chicago Lake Michigan Trip
My kids (19 & 21) bought me a harness as well. Maybe we can try tubing behind the 338 this weekend. :D :D :D

Enjoy your weekend
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