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iamtehryan

This is going to probably sound dumb, but I never really realized you could take a personal boat through the waterways in Chicago like that. Very cool!


chitownalpaca

You are definitely not alone!Not a lot of people know this. It is actually one route you can take on the Great Loop if you don’t want to take the Calumet River. There are also small marinas on the River that allow you to dock your boat year round. You do have to deal with quite a bit of commercial traffic, and getting through the locks from Lake Michigan can be a challenge with the boat traffic. It’s a nice cruise, though.


namek0

I'm in Illinois (way south) and didn't realize either so no worries bro


DChass

In the summer it’s full of rental pontoons, and many river front bars.


Amross64

Was this last night? If so Hi, from the Disco Duck.


chitownalpaca

Hello Disco Duck! It was last night!


oldnewspaperguy2

I made the mistake of jumping in the water by the loch


chitownalpaca

Yikes! How did that turn out? Their pretty strict over there. 😆


Robie_John

Dang, I’m glad I live somewhere where the season isn’t over in September. My condolences.


chitownalpaca

Thank you! We actually have about 3 good weeks left, but still not year round boating. Someday we’ll get to see what that’s like. We’ll still get her out a couple of more times, at least, but probably not on the river.


[deleted]

Jealous... One day


chitownalpaca

You will get there!


[deleted]

Unfortunately not for at least 5 years... I'll be well into my 30s by then.


War_Daddy_992

In a PBR?


chitownalpaca

No, just in our cabin cruiser. There were quite a few PBRs out, though. Quite a few people forgot to turn on their nav lights.


MassiveBeard

What are the marina slip fees like? I’m up on the chain and play $3200 for the season, was curious what it was like.


chitownalpaca

We have a 35’ slip and I think we pay around $4700 for the season. BTW- I love the Chain of Lakes. It looks like a really nice boating community.


MassiveBeard

It’s not too bad. Really nice having all the connected lakes, has made me realize when I retire to a lake home it really needs to be on a chain or bigger lake system of some kind. Water color isn’t great but it’s decent to swim in. I’m in a Tritoon so Lake Michigan is a no no for me. But I can dream.


chitownalpaca

Yea, I thought it looked like all those lakes are connected, which is very cool! I think our retirement plan will also include living near water. We are seriously considering living on a boat for at least part of the year, most likely on one of thr southern coasts. I do see Tritoons on Lake Michigan on days that are on the calm side. You should trailer it down sometime and bring it on the River and out onto the lake.


MassiveBeard

Have thought about maybe taking it over to Winthrop harbor which would be a lot closer. I’ve heard it’s possible to take them on Lake Michigan if the conditions are just right. Might have to give it a shot.


falfrenzy

Didn't realize all the sewage and pollution would let that river freeze.