Chicago to St Louis run 5/4-5/5 Great Loop Run

[robert843]

I started working on the great loop this year and have decided to break it up into sections with @Andy S to try and get it knocked out over the next few years. We have completed all of GA and SC this year and plan to tackle several sections next year. One being part of the Great lakes section this being Chicago to St Louis.

We plan to do this stretch with @swatski who has been kind enough to let us ride with him. The trip plan begins with a launch at Burnham Marina in Chicago it has easy access from I-55 and is only two miles from the Chicago Canal. We will depart on Saturday 5/4/18 at 8am and run through the Chicago Canal at mile marker 330 though downtown Chicago and down the river to Starved Rock Marina at mile marker 233. We will refuel at Starved Rock Marina and grab lunch at Captains Cove. We plan to continue down the river ending at mile marker 164 at the Peoria Marina for the night. Hotels in Peoria will be at each individuals preference. We will plan to depart Peoria Marina at 8am we will travel 40 mile to Tall Timbers Marina at mile marker 120 and refuel. This is the last fuel till Grafton Harbor which is at mile marker 0 which mean 120 miles no fuel all boats will need to bring extra fuel just incase. I would estimate 15 gallons would be safe for 210/240 boats and 190 boats will need probably 30 gallons extra. There are a few stops that could be made along the way in an emergency situation for fuel but would require carrying fuel cans off the water to a gas station these will not be planned but if needed made. We will plan to stop and grab lunch at mile marker 20 at the Illinois River Dock Restaurant there is a fuel station not far from there in an emergency situation but please plan to carry enough fuel to make the 120 mile trek. We plan to refuel at Grafton Harbor and continue on to @swatski marina for us but from this point I would recommend the ending point for others be Alton Marina which is 15 miles from Grafton they have a beautiful secured facility for us to leave vehicles over night if needed. This is a one way trip you will be responsible for getting between St Louis and Chicago as we are starting in one spot and ending in another. I will likely be flying into Chicago for the Start and probably be flying out of Chicago so I maybe able to assist in getting some people from the St louis Area back to Chicago or possible help getting trucks and trailers to St Louis on Friday prior. If you have any questions feel free to reach out. I will tag a few below who showed interest from another thread if interested in doing let us know so we can keep track.

@robert843 @Andy S @bronze_10
@swatski @Bruce @Wesley D
@Amar Nanduri @OperationROL
@BigAbe75 @Ramblin Wreck @Shannon
@ACrews @1948Isaac @Cwigg951
@Speedling @veedubtek
@Mainah @DieselCamel
@zipper @Wisefam22
@2kwik4u @Seadeals
@Wisefam22 @JeffVans
@Betik @NC_Mid_Atlantic@NC_New_Bern_to_Beaufort
[USERGROUP=15]@Shelbyville[/USERGROUP]
Committed
@robert843
@swatski
@Andy S
@Amar Nanduri
@Mainah

Possible
@ACrews
@Omg8 @Mark Brannon

 

[Amar Nanduri]

Thanks for the detailed info @robert843 I stand committed.

 

[Amar Nanduri]

Gentlemen I will also plan to fly into Chicago that Friday the 3rd. I am completely at your disposal for assisting with your trailers and trucks.

On an other note I can keep my boat and calendar open in May for anyone interested in doing the Virginia loop. @Betik has already shown interest in this regard. I guess if enough people show interest we can create a different thread on this.

 

[robert843]

Gentlemen I will also plan to fly into Chicago that Friday the 3rd. I am completely at your disposal for assisting with your trailers and trucks.

On an other note I can keep my boat and calendar open in May for anyone interested in doing the Virginia loop. @Betik has already shown interest in this regard. I guess if enough people show interest we can create a different thread on this.

I plan to cut up NC in March or April on a nice weekend and will Gladly trade you. You can join me for the NC part if you want to run the VA part. @Andy S and I live close enough we can do NC and VA both on short notice just by picking a nice weekend we are free.

 

[Amar Nanduri]

@robert843 Sounds good. I am in. April is the start of the boating season here in VA as March tends to get a little cold.

 

[Mainah]

I started working on the great loop this year and have decided to break it up into sections with @Andy S to try and get it knocked out over the next few years. We have completed all of GA and SC this year and plan to tackle several sections next year. One being part of the Great lakes section this being Chicago to St Louis.

We plan to do this stretch with @swatski who has been kind enough to let us ride with him. The trip plan begins with a launch at Burnham Marina in Chicago it has easy access from I-55 and is only two miles from the Chicago Canal. We will depart on Saturday 5/4/18 at 8am and run through the Chicago Canal at mile marker 330 though downtown Chicago and down the river to Starved Rock Marina at mile marker 233. We will refuel at Starved Rock Marina and grab lunch at Captains Cove. We plan to continue down the river ending at mile marker 164 at the Peoria Marina for the night. Hotels in Peoria will be at each individuals preference. We will plan to depart Peoria Marina at 8am we will travel 40 mile to Tall Timbers Marina at mile marker 120 and refuel. This is the last fuel till Grafton Harbor which is at mile marker 0 which mean 120 miles no fuel all boats will need to bring extra fuel just incase. I would estimate 15 gallons would be safe for 210/240 boats and 190 boats will need probably 30 gallons extra. There are a few stops that could be made along the way in an emergency situation for fuel but would require carrying fuel cans off the water to a gas station these will not be planned but if needed made. We will plan to stop and grab lunch at mile marker 20 at the Illinois River Dock Restaurant there is a fuel station not far from there in an emergency situation but please plan to carry enough fuel to make the 120 mile trek. We plan to refuel at Grafton Harbor and continue on to @swatski marina for us but from this point I would recommend the ending point for others be Alton Marina which is 15 miles from Grafton they have a beautiful secured facility for us to leave vehicles over night if needed. This is a one way trip you will be responsible for getting between St Louis and Chicago as we are starting in one spot and ending in another. I will likely be flying into Chicago for the Start and probably be flying out of Chicago so I maybe able to assist in getting some people from the St louis Area back to Chicago or possible help getting trucks and trailers to St Louis on Friday prior. If you have any questions feel free to reach out. I will tag a few below who showed interest from another thread if interested in doing let us know so we can keep track.

@robert843 @Andy S @bronze_10
@swatski @Bruce @Wesley D
@Amar Nanduri @OperationROL
@BigAbe75 @Ramblin Wreck @Shannon
@ACrews @1948Isaac @Cwigg951
@Speedling @veedubtek
@Mainah @DieselCamel
@zipper @Wisefam22
@2kwik4u @Seadeals
@Wisefam22 @JeffVans
@Betik @NC_Mid_Atlantic@NC_New_Bern_to_Beaufort

Committed
@robert843
@swatski
@Andy S
@Amar Nanduri

Possible
@ACrews

I am in if @swatski will have me too.

 

[Mainah]

I plan to cut up NC in March or April on a nice weekend and will Gladly trade you. You can join me for the NC part if you want to run the VA part. @Andy S and I live close enough we can do NC and VA both on short notice just by picking a nice weekend we are free.

I would love to get in on both NC and VA if possible.

 

[swatski]

I am in if @swatski will have me too.

Hell yeah!

EDIT: But... I'm not installing a kegarator in my boat, lol. We will have to survive with coolers.

--

 

[robert843]

I would love to get in on both NC and VA if possible.

I will keep you posted. The NC section is so close for me that it probably will not be well planned out it will likely just be me waiting for the first nice weekend I’m free in the spring to run in.

 

[Bruce]

How does this compare to what @Betik is planning?

https://jetboaters.net/threads/the-...ip-chicago-ish-to-st-luis-ish-date-tbd.20151/

 

[swatski]

How does this compare to what @Betik is planning?

https://jetboaters.net/threads/the-...ip-chicago-ish-to-st-luis-ish-date-tbd.20151/

I wouldn’t know...
see, I am joining the trip as a 2nd mate in that boat, with captains @Andy S and @robert843 at the helm, need to ask those two. Come to think of it, with @Mainah on board, I’ll likely be relegated to cleaning the head compartment, and sitting in the bow. Which is fine by me, btw, lolol. I’m bringing cigars!

—

 

[Betik]

How does this compare to what @Betik is planning?

https://jetboaters.net/threads/the-...ip-chicago-ish-to-st-luis-ish-date-tbd.20151/

I am sorry Bruce, I am running a behind schedule today. I am going to delete my thread. I PMed with Robert and we decided that he is going to handle organizing the May trip. Hence he started a new thread. I will take my weekend one off so people are not confused.

PS. I will maintain the Jule week long trip thread though ( unless some one else wants to volunteer for that)

 

[Mainah]

I wouldn’t know...
see, I am joining the trip as a 2nd mate in that boat, with captains @Andy S and @robert843 at the helm, need to ask those two. Come to think of it, with @Mainah on board, I’ll likely be relegated to cleaning the head compartment, and sitting in the bow. Which is fine by me, btw, lolol. I’m bringing cigars!

—

In that case I will bring a maid costume for @swatski to wear.

 

[Betik]

In that case I will bring a maid costume for @swatski to wear.

now I see why @robert843 want this to be guys only trip.

 

[robert843]

now I see why @robert843 want this to be guys only trip.

My wife is actually coming she saw the pics of the downtown stretch and decided she wants to see it.

 

[Betik]

hey @swatski at least you will not be the only maid.

 

[Betik]

Anyone thinking to join, but is hesitant about being a "maid" on board the "ORP Sodoma i Gomora", there is hope. As time gets closer we will get more and more boats on the trip.

 

[swatski]

Hmm... I'm thinking we are gonna need a middle finger emoji, lol.

--

 

[robert843]

As time gets closer we will get more and more boats on the trip.

I'm still waiting for @Andy S to call me and tell me his bride and him have picked up a pair of skis since they have sold the Triton and we are all towing the skis up and running it.

 

[ACrews]

I'm kinda thinking of taking our boat. I'll keep watching & see how things are going. We have so much going on right now, gonna wait till after first of yr to start the conversation with Meg much more than I already have.