Hello all. I am moving to the Chicago area in the next year and was looking for recommendations on mooring/dry sail storage for my boat, and of course trailer. I've seen some of the harbor fees IN Chicago, but was wonderring about other locations. Thanks
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Bob W.
Forget Chicago
"Tim--" Forget about Chicago! I had a C25 in the harbor on a star dock and had to dingy out to it. The city will wack you on $$$$. It's a zoo trying to park as well as on the water. If it turns foggy or rains the power boats will nearly kill you with the "Me First" attitude. I highly suggest Racine, Wisc. PUGH'S Marina has expanded and can offer dry storage. You can dry sail off the trailer. There are restaurants nearby and down right friendly boaters. I lived in the northern suburbs and it took an hour door to boat which turned out to be the same as going to Chicago. Another option is Kenosha, Wisc. and if trailering, you can easily get to Lake Geneva, Wisc. You'll like sailing on Michigan. Good Luck
"Tim--" Forget about Chicago! I had a C25 in the harbor on a star dock and had to dingy out to it. The city will wack you on $$$$. It's a zoo trying to park as well as on the water. If it turns foggy or rains the power boats will nearly kill you with the "Me First" attitude. I highly suggest Racine, Wisc. PUGH'S Marina has expanded and can offer dry storage. You can dry sail off the trailer. There are restaurants nearby and down right friendly boaters. I lived in the northern suburbs and it took an hour door to boat which turned out to be the same as going to Chicago. Another option is Kenosha, Wisc. and if trailering, you can easily get to Lake Geneva, Wisc. You'll like sailing on Michigan. Good Luck
I live in Racine, WI
I live in Racine, WI and have for 14 years. The sailing is great. Lots to do..a beautifual harbor! Lots of choices. Depends on what you want/need. Racine Harbor: The main harbor. Closest to the lake, lots of docks. good showers, great to watch Racine's outstanding fireworks on the 4th, BUT it's pricey (you DO pay for convenience). Pugh's Marina. Smaller marina across from Racine's main harbor. Winter storage is good. Not as pricey as Racine's Main harbor. Belle Harbor and Riverside Marine: Both are across the river from each other. You need to go under the Main St Bridge to access the lake. Bridge opens every 20 minutes. Racine YC, 5th St YC, Harborside YC: RYC is almost all sailboats. the other 2 are exclusively powerboats. Last is Azarian Marina (where I dock): Up the river a bit, under 2 bridges (1 on demand, the other is the MainSt Bridge. Leave your dock at 10 minutes before the bridges and your good to go). Your hidden out of the wind, walk about 100' from your car to your boat. A mix of Sail & power boat. We get along GREAT! Showers, restrooms...best of all..least expensive of all and they have lots of winter storage, mast upor mast down. Hope this helps!
I live in Racine, WI and have for 14 years. The sailing is great. Lots to do..a beautifual harbor! Lots of choices. Depends on what you want/need. Racine Harbor: The main harbor. Closest to the lake, lots of docks. good showers, great to watch Racine's outstanding fireworks on the 4th, BUT it's pricey (you DO pay for convenience). Pugh's Marina. Smaller marina across from Racine's main harbor. Winter storage is good. Not as pricey as Racine's Main harbor. Belle Harbor and Riverside Marine: Both are across the river from each other. You need to go under the Main St Bridge to access the lake. Bridge opens every 20 minutes. Racine YC, 5th St YC, Harborside YC: RYC is almost all sailboats. the other 2 are exclusively powerboats. Last is Azarian Marina (where I dock): Up the river a bit, under 2 bridges (1 on demand, the other is the MainSt Bridge. Leave your dock at 10 minutes before the bridges and your good to go). Your hidden out of the wind, walk about 100' from your car to your boat. A mix of Sail & power boat. We get along GREAT! Showers, restrooms...best of all..least expensive of all and they have lots of winter storage, mast upor mast down. Hope this helps!
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Dave
Don't Forget Chicago
This year I moved my Catalina 30 to Montrose Harbor in Chicago from Waukegan, where I had kept it for two years. First, you should consider Waukegan if you are looking for a non-Chicago option. It's a big, friendly marina with good services and it's much closer to most of the Chicago area than Racine. One consideration if you plan to keep your boat in a slip: Waukegan's docks are fixed, so the current low water levels make for some dicey docking conditions. As for Chicago, I've had a totally different experience than Bob. Parking is only a problem at Montrose on July 4; otherwise there is always room in a reserved lot directly across from my slip. It takes about 5 minutes to dingy out to the stardock and 1 minute to motor over to the touch & go to pick up passengers, etc. For me, coming from Evanston, that saves 30 minutes travel time over going up to Waukegan. Then I go out to sail past one of the most beautiful skylines in the world. Sure there is more traffic than in Waukegan (or Racine), but you can get away from most of it by going out a few miles, especially if you are leaving from one of the northern or southern marinas rather than a downtown location. Two other things: I paid $500 more for a slip in Waukegan, and they hit you for the extras too, like a ladder to deal with the afore-mentioned low water. Also, contrary to everything I was told to expect, I got a slip in Montrose, my first choice harbor, the first year I applied. I think it's all a matter of how you feel about the city. If you sail to get away from the madness, you'll probably prefer Waukegan or Racine. But if you're here for what the city offers, you'll probably enjoy sailing in it too.
This year I moved my Catalina 30 to Montrose Harbor in Chicago from Waukegan, where I had kept it for two years. First, you should consider Waukegan if you are looking for a non-Chicago option. It's a big, friendly marina with good services and it's much closer to most of the Chicago area than Racine. One consideration if you plan to keep your boat in a slip: Waukegan's docks are fixed, so the current low water levels make for some dicey docking conditions. As for Chicago, I've had a totally different experience than Bob. Parking is only a problem at Montrose on July 4; otherwise there is always room in a reserved lot directly across from my slip. It takes about 5 minutes to dingy out to the stardock and 1 minute to motor over to the touch & go to pick up passengers, etc. For me, coming from Evanston, that saves 30 minutes travel time over going up to Waukegan. Then I go out to sail past one of the most beautiful skylines in the world. Sure there is more traffic than in Waukegan (or Racine), but you can get away from most of it by going out a few miles, especially if you are leaving from one of the northern or southern marinas rather than a downtown location. Two other things: I paid $500 more for a slip in Waukegan, and they hit you for the extras too, like a ladder to deal with the afore-mentioned low water. Also, contrary to everything I was told to expect, I got a slip in Montrose, my first choice harbor, the first year I applied. I think it's all a matter of how you feel about the city. If you sail to get away from the madness, you'll probably prefer Waukegan or Racine. But if you're here for what the city offers, you'll probably enjoy sailing in it too.
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Geoff Kloster
Racine
I was in Racine, Gaslight Point Marina, one year. Will go back when (?if) the boat refit is done. Quiet, on the boardwalk, (cement really) and 10 minutes walk from a neat down town. The marina has no services but Pughs across the river very helpful and cooperative. Had not heard of Azarian but it sounds good. I live in western Wisconsin so time to boat is not a factor; it's a major trip. Geoff
I was in Racine, Gaslight Point Marina, one year. Will go back when (?if) the boat refit is done. Quiet, on the boardwalk, (cement really) and 10 minutes walk from a neat down town. The marina has no services but Pughs across the river very helpful and cooperative. Had not heard of Azarian but it sounds good. I live in western Wisconsin so time to boat is not a factor; it's a major trip. Geoff
North Point Marina
North Point Marina (in Winthrop Harbor) is on the Il/Wis state line. I've only been there to look at boats, but it seemed like a nice marina. People were very friendly and we were obviously visitors. Not sure if there is a waiting list. Here's the link
North Point Marina (in Winthrop Harbor) is on the Il/Wis state line. I've only been there to look at boats, but it seemed like a nice marina. People were very friendly and we were obviously visitors. Not sure if there is a waiting list. Here's the link
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higgs
I second: Forget Chicgo
If you live in Chicago, then a mooring there makes sense. There a lot of issues to deal with if mooring in the city. Winthrop harbor is a good marina. Kensha has a lot ot offer. Racine is a great place to put a boat for many reasons. There are 6 destinations within 8 hours or less Across the lake are 6 destinations within 12+ hours. Multiple facilities in Racine
If you live in Chicago, then a mooring there makes sense. There a lot of issues to deal with if mooring in the city. Winthrop harbor is a good marina. Kensha has a lot ot offer. Racine is a great place to put a boat for many reasons. There are 6 destinations within 8 hours or less Across the lake are 6 destinations within 12+ hours. Multiple facilities in Racine
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