Don't feel too bad, Mike!
I have to admit, I'm just a tad jealous of those guys in the Pac NW with their year round sailing, year round skiing, fir lined coasts and snow capped peaks. But, Chicago's skyline and summer atmosphere can't be beat either (it'd be even better if the Cubs could do what the BoSox did)! Freshwater is nice, too, even if it's a bit cold! I used to sail from Montrose Harbor, where are you?My slip will cost from $1,600 to $2,000 depending on which of 2 places we choose for next year. There is no service provided and the finger slips are about 5' short for our 27' boat. A 30' slip at a full service marina (security, power, water) goes for $4,600 but fagetaboutit, the waiting list never moves. Anyway, I think your locale beats mine by a long shot, at least in July and August & maybe September. The other months are too damn cold!Oh yeah, from November to April, our boat is on land. The wind has been non-stop for the last 2 months, but at 40 degrees (that's Farenheit, eh?), I'm not enthused. Right now, the ice-fishermen are getting excited. If it doesn't snow too much, there are a lot of ice boats out here, too. The ice is looking pretty glassy so far but still too thin. We lost a snowmobiler last January, and he wasn't found until April ... NOT very pretty.I'm with Fred ... I went to Florida once ... it's too damn flat, and I like summer only in the summer (ok, I like summer in the spring, too- unless I'm in the mountains - then I like snow). But I'm sure Florida has a good side, too, just like (almost) everything else.Ok ... that's more than enough information ... Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and All That Jazz!Scott