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

[robert843]

You've got to be kidding...

Say it ain't snow: Winter storm to pound 4 million people across 1,200 miles of Midwest this weekend

A potent late-April snowstorm is forecast to dump up to 9 inches of snow across a 1,200-mile stripe of the Midwest and Great Lakes states over the weekend.

www.usatoday.com

The constant rain here for the last few weeks has been depressing, driving me crazy. But... this is... (not sure what to call it) ...exciting? lol

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Lol I saw this yesterday that's crazy. The forecast for next weekend didn't look terrible though its a little chilly but we should be good.

 

[swatski]

Lol I saw this yesterday that's crazy. The forecast for next weekend didn't look terrible though its a little chilly but we should be good.

Yeah, forecast means nothing at this point. There was no snow forecast for Chicago from last week... lol. Just want this rain stop so I can start packing the boat.

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[swatski]

I did some final "on the water" checks after oil, filter and spark plugs change today. No surprises, thank god, all looks okay (knock on wood). Also, my latest intakes/pumps porting/sealing job seems to have worked really well! I may pull the pumps tomorrow to double check one last time but the pumps run excellent, zero cavitation and super nice, smooth ride. Lets hope it stays that way for the whole trip!

Also tested the new Cobra fins, the Ridesteady firmware upgrade, and the VHF radio - stationary and hand held backup, all fine. SO are the bilge pump and the secondary.

The only thing I'll miss are the stereo/electric upgrades. I just will not be able to complete all the new mods I've been planning for this Spring for this trip, like upgrading the helm electric panel and speaker upgrades in the bow, unfortunately the work is just killing me.
I guess I'm gonna have to keep @Mainah from looking at my unfinished panel behind the helm!

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[Nickp98]

I would love to be prepping but this is my current situation..... Got to love Chicago!

 

[swatski]

I would love to be prepping but this is my current situation..... Got to love Chicago!View attachment 92767View attachment 92768

F@&*^% unreal...

EDIT: If the lake locks freeze, we are SCREWED!!! lolol.

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[robert843]

Man and I was complaining about my boat ride in 71 degree weather today. It's supposed to be 82 here tomorrow trying to decide if I should go back out. I'm busting out my ski jacket and stuff for next weekends adventure.

 

[Betik]

Should I bring chains for the truck ?

 

[Mainah]

I did some final "on the water" checks after oil, filter and spark plugs change today. No surprises, thank god, all looks okay (knock on wood). Also, my latest intakes/pumps porting/sealing job seems to have worked really well! I may pull the pumps tomorrow to double check one last time but the pumps run excellent, zero cavitation and super nice, smooth ride. Lets hope it stays that way for the whole trip!

Also tested the new Cobra fins, the Ridesteady firmware upgrade, and the VHF radio - stationary and hand held backup, all fine. SO are the bilge pump and the secondary.

The only thing I'll miss are the stereo/electric upgrades. I just will not be able to complete all the new mods I've been planning for this Spring for this trip, like upgrading the helm electric panel and speaker upgrades in the bow, unfortunately the work is just killing me.
I guess I'm gonna have to keep @Mainah from looking at my unfinished panel behind the helm!

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Sounds like it may be so cold that I may want to ride in the helm and perhaps finish the job. I think I will be pack ski pants instead of shorts.

 

[zipper]

Sounds like it may be so cold that I may want to ride in the helm and perhaps finish the job. I think I will be pack ski pants instead of shorts.

I'd be wearing a 6mm full farmer john wet suit as long underwear for that journey.

 

[Mainah]

I'd be wearing a 6mm full farmer john wet suit as long underwear for that journey.

Hmm perhaps my tree stand suit or lined carhart overalls will do

 

[swatski]

Ski outfit is a good idea for sure.
A spring season variety.
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[Wisefam22]

Who has been voted to jump in water to clean out the ports... or is that straw pulling happening on the river?

Plan to fail or fail to plan.. might give that guy an extra shot

 

[Betik]

Good point, let me dig out the scuba gear with the dry suit

 

[zipper]

That is why I mentioned the full farmer john wet suit. I have used it on several homemade white water raft races. The type with a big water balloon slingshot, a big funnel and surgical tubing, to hit the people dropping water balloons on you from overhead bridges. I dont think you will need to worry about dodging water balloons, but the suit comes in handy when the raft breaks up in the rapids. And I would not expect your "raft" to break up.

 

[swatski]

I got out today - probably the last short test ride before the trip.

My river is flood stage with several smaller bridges too low to pass under, so there is no way we can go all the way, will need to end the trip in Grafton or Alton which is fine.


And just to warn you, there is a LOT of debris floating, from flooded woods. Not necessarily dangerous but it can be unpleasant.
I was out for about 30min and hit something twice... (just saying). Most likely a submerged log/branch? nothing major.

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[Nickp98]

F@&*^% unreal...

EDIT: If the lake locks freeze, we are SCREWED!!! lolol.

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I got out today - probably the last short test ride before the trip.

My river is flood stage with several smaller bridges too low to pass under, so there is no way we can go all the way, will need to end the trip in Grafton or Alton which is fine.
View attachment 92861

And just to warn you, there is a LOT of debris floating, from flooded woods. Not necessarily dangerous but it can be unpleasant.
I was out for about 30min and hit something twice... (just saying). Most likely a submerged log/branch? nothing major.

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So you think the original marina you mentioned is a good place to pull out?

 

[swatski]

So you think the original marina you mentioned is a good place to pull out?

Alton is in flood stage, the ramp is kind of operational but... it would be a wet retrival. Totally doable, this was shot last week, next weekend maybe another 1-2ft more water.



Grafton may be a better bet, there is one ramp which is fairly long and should be fully operational, but I have not personally inspected it.

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[robert843]

@swatski @Betik @Mainah i would say at this point we don’t even push it as much as I would like to end in Alton or further south I can come back later with a ski or my boat to go further south I say let’s end at the the Illinois River Dock restaurant where we can still pull the boat out.

 

[Omg8]

mississippi is still VERY flooded. im gonna be out on this trip.

 

[Mainah]

I got out today - probably the last short test ride before the trip.

My river is flood stage with several smaller bridges too low to pass under, so there is no way we can go all the way, will need to end the trip in Grafton or Alton which is fine.
View attachment 92861

And just to warn you, there is a LOT of debris floating, from flooded woods. Not necessarily dangerous but it can be unpleasant.
I was out for about 30min and hit something twice... (just saying). Most likely a submerged log/branch? nothing major.

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That submerged stuff is what makes me nervous. High water is something we can deal with. Hitting a submerged mature oak that broke away from the shore at 30 mph is a whole different story. I am in but the submerged stuff may make me more nervous than coming back up underneath a raft in 11,000 cfs narrow gorge class 5 rapids after getting thrown in the air by a hole named Maytag that has claimed lives. What I can’t see under the water does scare me a bit but with less excitement than jumping out of a plane blindfolded.