How about a Chicago Lake Michigan Whaler Rendezvous?

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Author Topic:   How about a Chicago Lake Michigan Whaler Rendezvous?

ChiTown Cetacean posted 02-20-2009 12:12 AM ET (US)
For the past couple of years or so, I've been jealously watching the posts in this section never seeing one for Chicago-area CW'ers. I'm willing to help organize a Chicago - Lake Michigan rendezvous, if there are any others interested.
K Albus posted 02-20-2009 08:57 AM ET (US)
I'm in the Detroit area, but I would be interested in a Chicago area rendezvous.
AtoZ posted 02-20-2009 03:51 PM ET (US)
Count me in from kalamazoo
dfmcintyre posted 02-20-2009 05:52 PM ET (US)
LHG and I have discussed this a few times, with a cruise up the river down and out into Lake Michigan then back.
Gail and I could be up for it.
Larry...thoughts?
Don
ChiTown Cetacean posted 02-20-2009 10:32 PM ET (US)
Good to see some interest. Don's itinerary sounds good. Don, do you know of a boat launch on the Chicago River?
I usually launch directly to Lake Michigan out of Winnetka or Waukegan, and I have never taken my boat up the river. The architectural views from the river are breathtaking (so long as the Dave Matthews Band bus is not driving over a bridge and emptying its bathroom resevoir as you pass underneath).
There are launches in some of the other Chicago Lake Michigan harbors, too.
Anyone got ideas as for a date?
Tony

ChiTown Cetacean posted 02-20-2009 10:59 PM ET (US)
Oh, and by the way, there is no reason we couldn't work a little Lake Michigan salmon fishing into the plans...
ChiTown Cetacean posted 03-03-2009 12:41 AM ET (US)
Hello out there. Must be some more Chicago-area CW'ers looking for a Rendezvous on Lake Michigan. I'd like to start planning a date. LHG are you interested?
Wiscbw posted 03-03-2009 08:38 PM ET (US)
If the timing works I would be interested. I am in Madison and half the fun is driving the trailer through Chicago.
CMander posted 03-04-2009 09:47 PM ET (US)
I'd be interested. I'm from South Bend and spend alot of time in Chicago for work. I have always heard about the city view from the river and would definitely be up for it.
K Albus posted 03-04-2009 10:12 PM ET (US)
I think it's interesting that other than ChiTown Cetacean, nobody from Chicago has responded to this thread. So far there are three Michigan people, one Wisconsin person, and one Indiana person.
L H G posted 03-05-2009 01:45 AM ET (US)
There are very few Whaler owners in Chicago, or Illinois for that matter. No Dealers, and Chicago is stern drive and sailboat territory. For a city of this size and wealth, it has a fleet of some of the worst and ugliest power pleasure boats you have ever seen.
I have a busy summer season planned, but may be able to make such an event. The all public thirty miles of waterfront does not make for many Rendezvous-friendly places, with no dockside restaurants, etc. Best launching ramp location is in Burnham Harbor at $20 launch fee. Diversy Harbor is a trailering nightmare location.
But, it is some of the most exciting and interesting big city blue water boating you will find anywhere in the country, and that includes New York and San Francisco. Great fishing too.
ChiTown Cetacean posted 03-05-2009 10:01 PM ET (US)
Thanks for your reply, Larry. When CW'ers think Chicago, they think L H G. Your absence from the post, by itself, may have reduced the responses.
Anyhow, a few thoughts come to mind, and I'll put them in the form of questions, and your thoughts "yea" or "nay" as well as any other suggestions are appreciated.
1. Two day event?
2. Evening cruise down Chicago River?
3. Day time cruise down Chicago River?
4. Cruise along the coastline up from Chicago to Waukegan?
5. Group dinner in Chicago?
6. Salmon fishing?
7. Group evening at Navy Pier?
There are certain weekends where boat traffic in and around Chicago is simply too hectic to consider trying to do any group cruises, etc., during events like the 4th of July and Taste of Chicago, the Chicago Air and Water Show and Venetian Night. I will try to check on the dates of these and other such events to narrow down the suitable dates for the rendezvous.
I will also check into some type of group rates in the Chicago downtown hotels. I'm thinking something middle of the road like the Marriott.
If salmon fishing is on the agenda, then I would suggest that be the start of the day, and the earlier the better. Dawn and shortly thereafter tend to be the hot bite times. However, I routinely catch fish at other times of the day, too.
By the way, while L H G is correct about the relatively low number of Whalers around Chicago, there does seem to be a fairly signficant number in and around the North Shore of Lake Michigan. I launch out of Winnetka for the most part and there are usually some other Whalers in the neighborhood.
Tony

David1877 posted 03-11-2009 08:06 PM ET (US)
I might be game if the dates are right. I'm in Kenosha.
Hoosier posted 03-12-2009 09:41 AM ET (US)
Sounds like this could be coordinated/combined with Kalbus's Lake Michigan Crossing adventure.
Kumiega posted 03-15-2009 09:07 PM ET (US)
I would launch out of Burnham harbor.
I would get a daily slip. You might be able to slide a couple of boats into a slip. From Burham in almost any weather you can round the point slip into the inner break wall and get to the river.
I would plan for July or August since the weather is the best but fishing is the worst. You could also anchor out by Navy Pier for the day. There are alot of boats that just hang out all day North of the Pier. I would avoid the big weekends in Chicago which you should be able to find at the Chicago Yacht club. These weekends all slips and ramps are packed.
If I am not sailing and have my boat in town the I would plan on going.
David1877 posted 03-19-2009 10:00 PM ET (US)
Any possible dates?
chuck130 posted 03-27-2009 01:58 PM ET (US)
Id be interested. Ive been launching out of Evanston with my little whaler, but am hopefully getting a slip in Monroe harbor next month.
Chuck
wjsherid posted 03-31-2009 02:26 PM ET (US)
Count me in as well, I live in the city and keep my Whaler in my garage, I'm 3 miles from teh Diversey Launch Ramp...
firecop9774 posted 04-10-2009 09:47 AM ET (US)
Hello Folks,
I've also posted this on Whaler Central, where there are some folks interested in this as well.
I've just bought my third Whaler - a 21' Conquest cuddy cabin, and was planning a week vacation in Chicago. I would put in at Michigan City, and reserve a transient slip at Burnham. It would be outstanding to incorporate my trip with a BW rendezvous! Can anyone please advise the dates? I'll need to reserve my slip on May 15th at 8 AM, and would welcome any suggestions to help ensure I can get a transient slip reserved. I'm sure they are in short supply. Many thanks.
Tim Murray
Arcadia, IN
PeteB88 posted 04-14-2009 07:38 PM ET (US)
We're interested - Outrage 17
David1877 posted 04-22-2009 10:52 PM ET (US)
What are the dates?
firecop9774 posted 05-06-2009 05:08 PM ET (US)
Hi Folks,
Other Whaler owners on the WhalerCentral site are suggesting Saturday, June 20. Three (including myself) have indicated their intentions to be there. Posts are below:
Anyone interested in a Chicago Rendezvous - I'll throw a date of Saturday, June 20th out there. Meeting at one of the South end empty Belmont stardocks (16 slips). We could boat towards the city and then go up the Chicago River.
I'm at at Belmont Stardock "L"....1999 Outrage 21.
Moguls...great 1991 17 OR at Belmont. Looks like it's in mint condition.

I am in all day and twice on Sunday...I dont have a permanent mooring, but live in the city and keep my Montauk in the garage. I have it on my calendar, looking forward to the outing, I have yet to take my boat up the Chicago River. I just got the boat early last summer, but some engine trouble left me dry till early August.
Bill

Count me in for the 20th of June - We'll be slipped at Burnham (if I can get a reservation). I'm also going to post this date on the CW site.

Tim
Arcadia, IN
21' Conquest

ChiTown Cetacean posted 05-08-2009 11:56 PM ET (US)
Glad to see that others have picked the ball from where I dropped it. I am also "in" for June 20th. Any additional suggestions for an itinerary?
Tony
Whaler19 posted 06-07-2009 10:35 AM ET (US)
*** Chicago Rendezvous Saturday, June 20th ***
Still planning on a Chicago Rendezvous. We'll meet at Belmont Harbor Stardock "M", which is the Southernmost Stardock. Right now 14 of the 16 slips are empty, so we can all dock there.
We can meet at 12:00 and go up the Chicago river...about a 2 hour trip in total.
I'll bring beverages, a grill and some food for the dock.
K Albus posted 06-08-2009 02:21 PM ET (US)
Count me out.
PeteB88 posted 06-09-2009 02:08 AM ET (US)
Booked on the 20th - client job and heading to Mackinaw Island the next day for a few days. Considering taking the Outrage up there. Not sure yet.
Have a great time

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Author	Topic: How about a Chicago Lake Michigan Whaler Rendezvous?
ChiTown Cetacean	posted 02-20-2009 12:12 AM ET (US) For the past couple of years or so, I've been jealously watching the posts in this section never seeing one for Chicago-area CW'ers. I'm willing to help organize a Chicago - Lake Michigan rendezvous, if there are any others interested.
K Albus	posted 02-20-2009 08:57 AM ET (US) I'm in the Detroit area, but I would be interested in a Chicago area rendezvous.
AtoZ	posted 02-20-2009 03:51 PM ET (US) Count me in from kalamazoo
dfmcintyre	posted 02-20-2009 05:52 PM ET (US) LHG and I have discussed this a few times, with a cruise up the river down and out into Lake Michigan then back. Gail and I could be up for it. Larry...thoughts? Don
ChiTown Cetacean	posted 02-20-2009 10:32 PM ET (US) Good to see some interest. Don's itinerary sounds good. Don, do you know of a boat launch on the Chicago River? I usually launch directly to Lake Michigan out of Winnetka or Waukegan, and I have never taken my boat up the river. The architectural views from the river are breathtaking (so long as the Dave Matthews Band bus is not driving over a bridge and emptying its bathroom resevoir as you pass underneath). There are launches in some of the other Chicago Lake Michigan harbors, too. Anyone got ideas as for a date? Tony
ChiTown Cetacean	posted 02-20-2009 10:59 PM ET (US) Oh, and by the way, there is no reason we couldn't work a little Lake Michigan salmon fishing into the plans...
ChiTown Cetacean	posted 03-03-2009 12:41 AM ET (US) Hello out there. Must be some more Chicago-area CW'ers looking for a Rendezvous on Lake Michigan. I'd like to start planning a date. LHG are you interested?
Wiscbw	posted 03-03-2009 08:38 PM ET (US) If the timing works I would be interested. I am in Madison and half the fun is driving the trailer through Chicago.
CMander	posted 03-04-2009 09:47 PM ET (US) I'd be interested. I'm from South Bend and spend alot of time in Chicago for work. I have always heard about the city view from the river and would definitely be up for it.
K Albus	posted 03-04-2009 10:12 PM ET (US) I think it's interesting that other than ChiTown Cetacean, nobody from Chicago has responded to this thread. So far there are three Michigan people, one Wisconsin person, and one Indiana person.
L H G	posted 03-05-2009 01:45 AM ET (US) There are very few Whaler owners in Chicago, or Illinois for that matter. No Dealers, and Chicago is stern drive and sailboat territory. For a city of this size and wealth, it has a fleet of some of the worst and ugliest power pleasure boats you have ever seen. I have a busy summer season planned, but may be able to make such an event. The all public thirty miles of waterfront does not make for many Rendezvous-friendly places, with no dockside restaurants, etc. Best launching ramp location is in Burnham Harbor at $20 launch fee. Diversy Harbor is a trailering nightmare location. But, it is some of the most exciting and interesting big city blue water boating you will find anywhere in the country, and that includes New York and San Francisco. Great fishing too.
ChiTown Cetacean	posted 03-05-2009 10:01 PM ET (US) Thanks for your reply, Larry. When CW'ers think Chicago, they think L H G. Your absence from the post, by itself, may have reduced the responses. Anyhow, a few thoughts come to mind, and I'll put them in the form of questions, and your thoughts "yea" or "nay" as well as any other suggestions are appreciated. 1. Two day event? 2. Evening cruise down Chicago River? 3. Day time cruise down Chicago River? 4. Cruise along the coastline up from Chicago to Waukegan? 5. Group dinner in Chicago? 6. Salmon fishing? 7. Group evening at Navy Pier? There are certain weekends where boat traffic in and around Chicago is simply too hectic to consider trying to do any group cruises, etc., during events like the 4th of July and Taste of Chicago, the Chicago Air and Water Show and Venetian Night. I will try to check on the dates of these and other such events to narrow down the suitable dates for the rendezvous. I will also check into some type of group rates in the Chicago downtown hotels. I'm thinking something middle of the road like the Marriott. If salmon fishing is on the agenda, then I would suggest that be the start of the day, and the earlier the better. Dawn and shortly thereafter tend to be the hot bite times. However, I routinely catch fish at other times of the day, too. By the way, while L H G is correct about the relatively low number of Whalers around Chicago, there does seem to be a fairly signficant number in and around the North Shore of Lake Michigan. I launch out of Winnetka for the most part and there are usually some other Whalers in the neighborhood. Tony
David1877	posted 03-11-2009 08:06 PM ET (US) I might be game if the dates are right. I'm in Kenosha.
Hoosier	posted 03-12-2009 09:41 AM ET (US) Sounds like this could be coordinated/combined with Kalbus's Lake Michigan Crossing adventure.
Kumiega	posted 03-15-2009 09:07 PM ET (US) I would launch out of Burnham harbor. I would get a daily slip. You might be able to slide a couple of boats into a slip. From Burham in almost any weather you can round the point slip into the inner break wall and get to the river. I would plan for July or August since the weather is the best but fishing is the worst. You could also anchor out by Navy Pier for the day. There are alot of boats that just hang out all day North of the Pier. I would avoid the big weekends in Chicago which you should be able to find at the Chicago Yacht club. These weekends all slips and ramps are packed. If I am not sailing and have my boat in town the I would plan on going.
David1877	posted 03-19-2009 10:00 PM ET (US) Any possible dates?
chuck130	posted 03-27-2009 01:58 PM ET (US) Id be interested. Ive been launching out of Evanston with my little whaler, but am hopefully getting a slip in Monroe harbor next month. Chuck
wjsherid	posted 03-31-2009 02:26 PM ET (US) Count me in as well, I live in the city and keep my Whaler in my garage, I'm 3 miles from teh Diversey Launch Ramp...
firecop9774	posted 04-10-2009 09:47 AM ET (US) Hello Folks, I've also posted this on Whaler Central, where there are some folks interested in this as well. I've just bought my third Whaler - a 21' Conquest cuddy cabin, and was planning a week vacation in Chicago. I would put in at Michigan City, and reserve a transient slip at Burnham. It would be outstanding to incorporate my trip with a BW rendezvous! Can anyone please advise the dates? I'll need to reserve my slip on May 15th at 8 AM, and would welcome any suggestions to help ensure I can get a transient slip reserved. I'm sure they are in short supply. Many thanks. Tim Murray Arcadia, IN
PeteB88	posted 04-14-2009 07:38 PM ET (US) We're interested - Outrage 17
David1877	posted 04-22-2009 10:52 PM ET (US) What are the dates?
firecop9774	posted 05-06-2009 05:08 PM ET (US) Hi Folks, Other Whaler owners on the WhalerCentral site are suggesting Saturday, June 20. Three (including myself) have indicated their intentions to be there. Posts are below: Anyone interested in a Chicago Rendezvous - I'll throw a date of Saturday, June 20th out there. Meeting at one of the South end empty Belmont stardocks (16 slips). We could boat towards the city and then go up the Chicago River. I'm at at Belmont Stardock "L"....1999 Outrage 21. Moguls...great 1991 17 OR at Belmont. Looks like it's in mint condition. I am in all day and twice on Sunday...I dont have a permanent mooring, but live in the city and keep my Montauk in the garage. I have it on my calendar, looking forward to the outing, I have yet to take my boat up the Chicago River. I just got the boat early last summer, but some engine trouble left me dry till early August. Bill Count me in for the 20th of June - We'll be slipped at Burnham (if I can get a reservation). I'm also going to post this date on the CW site. Tim Arcadia, IN 21' Conquest
ChiTown Cetacean	posted 05-08-2009 11:56 PM ET (US) Glad to see that others have picked the ball from where I dropped it. I am also "in" for June 20th. Any additional suggestions for an itinerary? Tony
Whaler19	posted 06-07-2009 10:35 AM ET (US) * Chicago Rendezvous Saturday, June 20th * Still planning on a Chicago Rendezvous. We'll meet at Belmont Harbor Stardock "M", which is the Southernmost Stardock. Right now 14 of the 16 slips are empty, so we can all dock there. We can meet at 12:00 and go up the Chicago river...about a 2 hour trip in total. I'll bring beverages, a grill and some food for the dock.
K Albus	posted 06-08-2009 02:21 PM ET (US) Count me out.
PeteB88	posted 06-09-2009 02:08 AM ET (US) Booked on the 20th - client job and heading to Mackinaw Island the next day for a few days. Considering taking the Outrage up there. Not sure yet. Have a great time