Chicago air show

[R00st]

Looking like 10-20 mph winds as of right now. Has anyone been on Lake Michigan in 15-20 mph winds? I am thinking those are some pretty good sized rollers, especially for a jet boat. Hopefully the wind forecast decreases, otherwise we may have to reconsider our plans.

 

[shane hric]

There is a small water craft advisory for this evening and Saturday, with showers and thunderstorms. Waves vary from 2-5 ft depending on various locations around the lake. That cancels my plans for boating tomorrow and unfortunately I can't make Sunday due to prior plans.

 

[Speedling]

3-6 footers with occasional 8 footer. Sorry guys but boating is not going to be good this weekend. Huge bummer. Be safe and don't try it.

 

[Speedling]

I saw some of the planes as i was stuck in traffic on 94 on my way home Saturday.
Waves still saying 4-6 with occasional 8.

 

[R00st]

Well, we tried it ! My buddy found a map that showed wave levels on the lake itself and it showed 1-2 feet on the south eastern shore line. We decided to risk it knowing we could always just enjoy the river and canal if conditions on the lake were bad.

The cal sag going in was a bit choppy but that was mostly due to the large number of Baja's that felt the need to do 50mph.... the weather warmed up around 11 and we casually made our way to the lock. Made it through and saw some moderate waves (2-4 footers) beyond the breaker wall. We tried to park in the play pen, inside the breaker wall but Chicago pd wasn't having it, so we had to move.

We ventured out into the lake and I kept it fairly slow. I knew being out there In a 24 footer was risky enough but was shocked to see quite a few 19 footers. We only went about 1/2 mile before I notoced the shoreline wasnt much calmer so we turned back. A rogue wave came up over the bow and fried my girlfriend's iPhone...it had to be an 8 footer. I was never so happy to return to calm waters. How those maniacs on 19 footers survived I don't know!

The river was gorgeous as always but I had my fill of cruising just off idle for two hours! I'm lookimg forward to the Peoria run In the coming months.

 

[shane hric]

Well Damn...good on you for trying...ha ha ha! Well @Speedling and I are monitoring the waves for the weekend and right now it looks like 0-2 ft. waves in the Portage area. We are talking about doing some boating if your interested?

 

[R00st]

I live in Oregon il (southwest of Rockford) so the big lake is a pretty long hike for me two weekends in a row. Im not a huge fan of city traffic either. I am following the Peoria run, so hopefully can meet some of you then (if not sooner)!

 

[Speedling]

Thunderstorms all across the area but waves are going to be low and wind out of the south. We are hoping it clears up a bit by the morning and we can go out of portage.