www.iFourWinns.com

Looks like I have a factory tour pretty much lined up for Friday... (should get confirmation today hopefully).

Can't guarantee anything in particular - but if anyone has any photo requests, let me know. I'll try to sweet talk them into letting me snag some photos.

My goal is to definitely tour the cruiser plant... maybe the big-boy boat plant (408/458)... and if time allows, whatever else I can see!

If there are any special requests, post them here.


As for Chicago - any recommendations on good restaurants downtown? We'll be at the Sheraton right off of Michigan Ave. Weather looks to be pretty good - any great tours/sites to see?

I've been to Chicago before and done the Wrigley/nightlife/partying thing in my mid 20's days. The wife will want to see some cool sites and have some good food.

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2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA

Pics pics pics pics pics pics pics pics or I wont believe you!

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Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4

Take some pics of the layup on the Wellcraft line.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Cougar: What's your food preference? There are tons of great establishments from cheap and classic (original Billy Goat where the house dark beer is best) to elegant and pricey (Chop House for Steak)

Any particular taste?

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2000 Four Winns 248 Vista (Nice toys, no Air)
2001 Highly Modified Yamaha GP1200R (75+MPH)

And for sights... Take a walk along the new Millennium Park... And see the lake front! I also recommend the River boat Architectural tour. The weather looks to be nice this weekend... (I will be enjoying it from my office window at the foot of Grant Park)

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2000 Four Winns 248 Vista (Nice toys, no Air)
2001 Highly Modified Yamaha GP1200R (75+MPH)

Chop House for steak.............Man that's good. There is a ESPN club in the same area.

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2000 268 Vista
Flying Dutchman
"Howl with me boys"

You like steak & lobster? One of my favorite resaurants, The Palm is nearby at 323 E Wacker.

Of course, as your with the wife, and likely doing the tourist thing, I'd suggest going on one of the dinner boats and seeing the night lights from the water - the spirit of chicago is a good one , it's based at Navy Pier which can also be a fun place to walk around.

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2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP

Thanks for the advice guys...

Nothin' like a good steak/seafood restaurant. We aren't checking bags - so we're definitely not getting all dressed up. If they can't handle nice jeans and a polo shirt, we probably won't make it there.

I like the idea of spending some time on the waterfront....

Any feelings on the 'ride the ducks' type of tours or double decker bus tours? Worthy or no?

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2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA

Steak and Seafood.. I'd recommend Gibsons and Hugo's Frog Bar... You can go to Hugo's and get a Gibson's steak (next door, same owners). Also, close by is Smith and Wollensky for steak.. (By House of Blues.. 10 Pin Bowl) If you are looking for the ultimate in carnivorous dining... Fogo de Chao is the way to go...

The bus tours are ok, but the boat tours are better. You can even hit up Navy Pier for some sights, a nice dinner cruise, or a speedboat ride.

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2000 Four Winns 248 Vista (Nice toys, no Air)
2001 Highly Modified Yamaha GP1200R (75+MPH)

The Spirit of Chicago Dinner boat, and the Chicago River Architectural Tour both have web sites you can check out. Google Spirit of Chicago, or goto http://www.wendella.com for the architectural tour.

I've seen the double decker buses, but never been on one. The brewery tour (on Sunday's) at Goose Island Clybourn is more to my preferences as far as 'tours' go.

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2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP

Cougar,
Myself and Woggy are headed up to Chicago this Friday night with our boats. What are you doing Saturday AM? I've got room on board for two more for the Chicago Loop Cruise....

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

Wow - thats a hell of an invite!

_________________
Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4

I forgot to add things to do.

If your up for Chicago Style Pizza, head up to "The Silo" in Lake Bluff, it's about a 45 minute drive north of where your staying. And well worth it. I took my wife up to Chicago for our honeymoon, and stayed at The Drake. Part of that weekend we went up where I grew up, about five minutes from The Silo in Lake Forest. Every time we go near there we HAVE to go there...its that good.

The Spirit of Chicago dinner cruise is great, we did it on our honeymoon and our one year anniversary. Walk around Navy Pier, down the Magnificient mile, and you can't go wrong. Definatly head up to the top of the Sears or John Hancock also...

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

In Chicago, if you want pizza, there is Lou Malnetti's, Gino's East, and the original Pizzerria Uno. Ed Debevic's is a fun old style diner where the waitresses are rude to you, as long as you know that's their deal, it can be a lot of fun. Of course there are tons of other great places as already mentioned.

In Cadillac, there is a great bistro downtown on Bus 131 (Mitchell St). There are a bunch of fast food joints on the north end of town near Meijer's, Walmart, etc (close to the factory) on Boon Rd (E 34 Rd). The factory is off of 13th St just west of Mitchell St. It's an industrial area, but not hard to see all the boats. If I recall, there are 3 or 4 different buildings. I can't see why they couldn't take you through all of them. I think Cadillac is 4-4.5 hours from Chicago, so it will be a long day if you're going there and back to Chicago in 1 day.

Shoot me a pm if you need any info/help on Cadillac. I only live <1 hour from there. Sounds like a great trip...Have fun

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'99 Horizon 200

Gino's ....hands down!

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Rob

Present: 1999 Formula 280SS
Past: 1989 180 Horizon

http://www.robcamerondesign.com