Another boater joining from Illinois

[Justin G.]

Hi all,
Bought our SX240 in the spring and put 60 hours on it over the season. Not bad for the weekend warrior. Family and I absolutely love it. We do most of our boating on the Mississippi river and some on Lake Michigan. Hoping to meet up with some fellow jet boaters on the river after the long hard winter. Thank for putting on an excellent forum!

 

[Scottintexas]

glad to have you on board, be sure to check out the member tips/faq at https://jetboaters.net/threads/faq-reference-thread-for-forum-content-check-here-for-your-answer-first.81/ and think about attending the Shelbyville, IL jet boaters annual gathering in Late july (you can find the thread in the "gatherings" forum.

 

[Jim Robeson]

Happy Thanksgiving and welcome to the best jetboating forum on the web!!!

 

[OperationROL]

Hi all,
Bought our SX240 in the spring and put 60 hours on it over the season. Not bad for the weekend warrior. Family and I absolutely love it. We do most of our boating on the Mississippi river and some on Lake Michigan. Hoping to meet up with some fellow jet boaters on the river after the long hard winter. Thank for putting on an excellent forum!

Welcome Aboard. There are plenty folks in this area that like to meet up o the water. The first event is the Chicago Loop Cruise (last weekend of April). Http://www.chicagoloopcruise.com

 

[Julian]

@Justin G. Welcome to the forum and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

 

[itsdgm]

Welcome @Justin G. glad you found us. That's awesome that you love your new ride. This site is the best place to commiserate a long off season. But be warned, there's a lot of modifications listed on this "free" web site that could end up costing you a lot of $.

 

[sysinu]

welcome!

 

[MikeyL]

Heyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy @Justin G. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Glad ya found us. Make yourself @! home here, have a cold beverage on us, Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, Happy New year ..........

and oh Yeah ! ......................... almost forgot ! ...............

 

[dan144k]

Welcome to the forum
Where on lake Michigan and where on the Mississippi do you go?

We usually go watch the Chicago air and water show, Launch up in Waukegan and ride the lake downtown.

 

[Bruce]

Welcome Aboard. You can use the Member Map to find members near you https://jetboaters.net/usermap/

 

[Justin G.]

There are two places we launch at on the Mississippi. Either in Clinton, IA or Savanna, IL. Both other 25-30 miles of cruising before going through any locks. We have never run into any trouble getting through the locks which is awesome. Many a times we are the only boat passing through and the lock master run them anyway. Both spots have sandy beaches for the kids and there is a nice party cove south of Clinton. Let me know if you are interested in going. We are usually out there every other weekend.
As far as Lake Michigan, we usually launch in Alsip on the Cal-Sag canal and do the Chicago loop. Take the Chicago river into the city, follow the lake down to Calumet Harbor, and take the Cal-Sag back to the launch. Great trip for a different perspective of the city.

 

[buckbuck]

Welcome Justin. My brother lives in Clinton but we usually put in at Princeton, just north of there. There is a nice cove just north of the nuke on the IL side that you may want to try. We hope to meet up with you when the warmth returns.

 

[Bilmon]

Welcome aboard! If you get around Breezy beach below Savanna keep a eye out for a old fat guy in a old Sugarsand and say hi. Good COE launch behind Breezy on IL side if you're not aware of it,only 3.00 to launch

 

[Justin G.]

buckbuck,
I know the cove well. That is where the picture of son was taken trying to drive the boat. Great spot to find a sand bar and throw anchor.

 

[Justin G.]

Welcome aboard! If you get around Breezy beach below Savanna keep a eye out for a old fat guy in a old Sugarsand and say hi. Good COE launch behind Breezy on IL side if you're not aware of it,only 3.00 to launch

Is the launch ramp called Miller's Landing? I have always been hesitant to motor back there because it gets pretty shallow, although that was with my last boat which had an I/O. $3 definitely beats $9 at Savanna Marina.

 

[Bilmon]

Is the launch ramp called Miller's Landing? I have always been hesitant to motor back there because it gets pretty shallow, although that was with my last boat which had an I/O. $3 definitely beats $9 at Savanna Marina.

No, this ramp is downstream from Savanna off 84 on Four Mile Rd between Savanna and Thompson. Millers was a good launch[free] years ago but it has filled in to the point even a jet can't use it unless the water is high plus it gets over grown with lily pads by mid summer ,be great if they would dredge it.Santa Fe, another nice beach is just out and up from there.Not the best place for little ones though, it's right on the channel and drops off fast.
Bill

 

[Justin G.]

Thanks to google earth I know where you are talking about. Thank you for the insight. No problems getting in and out of there?

 

[Bilmon]

No problem, just watch where others are coming in and out and have correct change. they use an envelope system and they watch it like a hawk, gotta get them bucks.
Bill

 

[buckbuck]

Justin, we have been going to that cove since it was 1/3 the size and they were still mining the sand and gravel. Many a fond memory there.

 

[buckbuck]

Correction Justin, my brother lives in La Claire, IA. Just don't want you to look for a nuke north of Clinton.