www.iFourWinns.com

New V248 owner -- first boat. Just took the Coast Guard Auxillary course and have done some reading, but thought it made sense to go out at least once with an expert to help get a good feel for the boat. Anyone know potential sources in Chicago? Thanks.

First of all, welcome, second of all, Just be patient and try not to get into any potential sticky situations. Slower is better, be cautious of the wind, Lake Michigan can change in a hurry.

That's all you need to know. Just kiddin.

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"Where Da Go"
2002 248 Vista
Lafayette, IN
http://blueoceanlife.worldventures.biz

Thanks Woggy -- I plan on taking slow. I'll be out there to relax, not break any speed records! Looks like we have the same boat, although mine is a 2001.

Where to you plan on launching or slipping? I would suggest you either stay on the Cal Sag or inside the break waters to get a feel for the boat. Just a suggestion.

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Jnizi

2007 Vista 338 "Better Yet"
Previously:
2007 Vista 258 " Just Right"
2005 Horizon 230

JNIZI:

Glad to hear that advise. We have a slip in River City, which is very close to my work (5 minute walk) and on the River. We plan on going through the lock and out on the lake, but initially thought that we could go on the river and get a better feel for it. Thanks.

Be aware of your surroundings at all times! Do not feel a false sense of security on the river. As a river boater I can tell you there are dangers afoot no matter where you are!

I can not speak for your river, but rivers typically have varying bottoms, current, logs and trees, shoals, Wing Dams, Dams, Locks, etc etc. It's always good to speak with the locals (at a marina) ask them about the river, find your local chapter of the Army Corps of Engineers and print off the free charts they probably offer, use google earth and follow the path of the river, just generally get acquainted with your surroundings and drive slow the first time out!

Do all of that and with your current level of classes, and I think you will be very safe and very well informed!

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Brett DiMichele

Brett is correct. If you head south, it will get industrial past chinatown and rather choppy. You are in the pretty part right now. If you go through the lock to the lake, stay inside the break water around Navy Pier. Make sure you have a Marine radio and listen to the local water conditions.

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Jnizi

2007 Vista 338 "Better Yet"
Previously:
2007 Vista 258 " Just Right"
2005 Horizon 230

Thanks Brett and Jnizi:

Brett, I have the charts for the River (long-term goal is to be able to go to Starved Rock, but that won't happen my first season in the boat I don't think). Jnizi it is always good to know where it gets choppy. I'll stay away from going to far South for now. Also, thanks for the advise re going out on the Lake. I will try to make sure that I monitor the weather so that I can avoid a windy day. This forum has been great. Just getting me more excited to get out there already!

Zelena,

I've sold my Four WInns but I also moor on the river. I'm at Marina City and spend lots of time up and down the river. In terms of very comfortable and safe transit the river really can't be beat. It's a great place to get used to your boat and gain a little confidence. You can head all the way north to about Irving Park pretty safely in your boat without any worries about clearance or depth. If you do head north be sure to stay to the west side of Goose Island. There's a fork right past 600 W. Chicago (the old Montgomery Wards building) that has a little dockage in it but isn't deep enough to navigate past the docks. The only downside to the river is that it is so calm that you'll really never get too much of a feel for handling the boat in anything but dead calm conditions on the river. Especially with the vast majority of the being no wake. I wouldn't be nearly as down on the south branch as some of the others are. It does become more industrial and there are big stretches without wake restrictions but I certainly wouldn't call it too choppy.

The lake is a much less controlled environment and likely to expose you to a wide range of conditions. The first thing the lake will expose you to is going through the locks. The locks aren't too hard but they have a few rules you'll need to know and they call on you to exercise your maneuvering skills crisply and somewhat quickly. The first thing to know with the locks is to proceed only when you see a green light. The order of entry is government, then commercial passenger, then commercial cargo, then recreation. The commercial and government vessels will likely proceed into the locks on the yellow and you'll follow on the green. Everyone on your boat must have a PFD on when you enter the locks. You'll want to make sure you have adequate fenders to keep your boat off the fairly rough concrete walls of the locks. There are lines hanging along the walls of the locks. When you're on the wall you'll need to grab and HOLD those lines. Do not secure them to your boat. If you do on the way down you will become basically stuck to the wall when the lines go taught. Once the lock has completed it's cycle they will sound a horn letting you know you can leave. Coming back in is the same thing but you'll go down instead of up this time.

Pay attention to weather reports on the lake. Anything greater than about 1-3 foot forecasts isn't going to be too comfortable. Even behind the breakwalls on big water days can be pretty rough. Keep in mind the lake doesn't have the benefit of tides keeping the water moving in an organized fashion. The best way to describe our water is confused with waves coming from all directions. On a calm night there's not a better place in the world to watch the sunset. In the midst of rough waters you can think you're on an episode of the deadliest catch. Watch NOAA's forecasts pretty closely. If they say it's gonna be rough, chances are really good it's gonna be rough and you'll have a much better time hanging out on the river. For me that's one of the biggest advantages of mooring on the river, even when the lake sucks you've got a place to hang out.

Enjoy your new boat
Ben

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2001 Cruisers 4450
Volvo TAMD-74P 480hp Diesels

We would love for you to make it down to Starved Rock. That's the pool we are in. If you trailer your boat, you can be by us in a hour. Otherwise, figure it as a weekend trip.

Best wishes

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Jnizi

2007 Vista 338 "Better Yet"
Previously:
2007 Vista 258 " Just Right"
2005 Horizon 230

Ben:

Hope to see you while I slowly put along on the River this summer. Thanks for the info re the North Branch. Do you keep your boat at Marina Tower all year round? My splash date is May 2. I have heard that the lock isn't too bad, but I am a bit worried since I have to go through it on Day one because there is not a ramp at River City so it gets dropped off at Burnham and then I need to drive it home (I am trying to get a guy from my mechanic's shop to help me out). So, that should be interesting!

Jnizi -- No trailering planned this year. We could "cheat" and drive to Starved Rock, but the goal is, once we get much more comfortable, it to take the weekend trip. No need to trailer it when it is just a 5 minute walk from my office.

Once again, thanks for the info guys.

Zelena,

Yeah, I'm in the water year round at Marina City. I have a 2001 Cruisers 4450, named Have A Day. If you need a hand getting through the locks I can probably help you out. Drop me a PM if you need a hand.

As far as making it to Starved Rock it's really not too bad of a trip at all. It's a fair amount of running but none of it is very challenging. I don't think you'd be overly agressive to think that if you can find the time you would be able to make it this season.

One other thing you'll probably become more aware of as you moor on the river is the meaning of a no wake zone. I'll warn you that those of us who moor on the river become extremely annoyed by those who think that no wake means not on plane. No wake means that when you look at the back of your boat you're not pushing a wake. The commercials on the river are among the worst (especially the shoreline water taxis). So just watch your wake. I'd hate to find out it was you I was yelling at like a grumpy old man...

I hope you enjoy your new boat. I was a very happy Four Winns owner, we just wanted a bigger boat in a style Four Winns didn't make.

If you ever need a hand with anything just let me know. I'm out on the boat most weekends and a couple nights a week during the week.

Have a great season
Ben

_________________
2001 Cruisers 4450
Volvo TAMD-74P 480hp Diesels

Ben:

Did you make it out on the water today, it was our first really nice day. I was a little skeptical of keeping it in the water during the winter so my splash date is May 2. The name of my boat is Na Zdrave --- I know both my call name and boat name are odd. I taught at a law school in Bulgaria ten years ago and "Na Zdrave" is cheers in Bulgarian. I will keep a look out for you and might just take you up on getting tips for going through the locks. Also, good news re Starved Rock -- sounds like it is a doable and fun trip. Thanks.

Yep, we did make it out. It was a beautiful evening. A little cool but we've got bridge heat which makes a big difference on the marginal days.

I've just finished my second winter in the water and have had very few issues. Even when it was super cold this winter the only thing that I got was about 1/2" of surface ice. No problem at all. Plus it gives me the flexibility to head out whenever the weather is nice. Our first time out was back in late march when we got that early little taste of spring. I also run a couple of heaters in the cabin and one in the engine room to keep things from getting too chilly. One of the guys in the marina doesn't winterize and just keeps things heated enough that he doesn't have any problems. I'm not willing to be that much on electrical power always being available.

I'll look for you. I'd be happy to hook up sometime and just let me know if you need a hand with getting the boat through.

Ben

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2001 Cruisers 4450
Volvo TAMD-74P 480hp Diesels

Ben, glad you already got on the water. I think if I like having the slip on the winter I'll keep in the water year-round, but as a novice I was leary of the bubbler process. Glad to hear it works for you. I will shoot you a message when I get settled in and start to make trips through the lock. Thanks and take care.