jetboaters.net Chicago Friends & Family Boaters Cruise

[BryanW]

I'm out on the 12th need to be back in Carmel IN at a reasonable hour that evening, but interested in launching from Portage on the 11th if the lake plays nice. Who was thinking of being on the water on Saturday as well?

 

[scot71]

I'm out on the 12th need to be back in Carmel IN at a reasonable hour that evening, but interested in launching from Portage on the 11th if the lake plays nice. Who was thinking of being on the water on Saturday as well?

I'd like to do Portage on Saturday also. Just waiting to see what is decided. Calling you out @Speedling...lol!

 

[OperationROL]

We are still doing the Loop Cruise on Sunday. I believe @Speedling wants to do Portage on Saturday in addition. So, those that are doing the Sunday cruise, let's plan to be launched and on our way by 9 am. there is no fuel along the way, so ensure you have a full tank. For the first half of the trip down the Cal Sag canal there is no place to really stop. However, on the way back on the Chicago river, we have stopped a couple times at a little fast food fish and chips place to eat and use the facilities (it is farrrrrrr from fancy). Also, go over to the CLC page and take a look at the safety section to ensure you are properly equipped.

@GTBRMC - The DoubleTree Hotel, 708-371-7300 in Alsip is probably the closest hotel with a parking lot that can comfortably take boats.

 

[GTBRMC]

We are still doing the Loop Cruise on Sunday. I believe @Speedling wants to do Portage on Saturday in addition. So, those that are doing the Sunday cruise, let's plan to be launched and on our way by 9 am. there is no fuel along the way, so ensure you have a full tank. For the first half of the trip down the Cal Sag canal there is no place to really stop. However, on the way back on the Chicago river, we have stopped a couple times at a little fast food fish and chips place to eat and use the facilities (it is farrrrrrr from fancy). Also, go over to the CLC page and take a look at the safety section to ensure you are properly equipped.

@GTBRMC - The DoubleTree Hotel, 708-371-7300 in Alsip is probably the closest hotel with a parking lot that can comfortably take boats.

Excellent! Thanks.

 

[Speedling]

https://jetboaters.net/threads/quick-portage-meet-up-6-11-16.9597/

This is made so we don't derail this thread!!!

 

[OperationROL]

For your convenience, I have copied the following from the Vessel Safety Check site so you can know what they look for if you were to get boarded.


15 Reasons a Vessel Might Not Pass a Vessel Safety Check (VSC)

The following represents a sampling of 100650 Vessel Safety Checks.

74.873% Passed the VSC
25.127% Failed the VSC

Items that Failed: (Note: This is a percentage of ALL vessels examined and some had two or more items that failed so these numbers will not add up to 100%.)

Display of Numbers - 5.435% (Make sure your numbers are 3 inches or so tall and contrast from the hull color)
Registration / Documentation - 5.574% (Have your registration on board)
Personal Flotation Devices - 2.832% (Have life vests for everyone on board, never hurts to have extra)
Visual Distress Signals - 12.221% (Have 3 flares that are not expired)
Fire Extinguishers - 4.501% (Have a marine rated fire extinguisher)
Ventilation - 1.451% (Blower needs to work)
Backfire Flame Control - 1.639% (Impossible for them to see on our engines)
Sound Producing Devices / Bell - 5.156% (Have an air-horn)
Navigation Lights - 8.465% (Ensure your navigation and anchor lights work)
Pollution Placard - 2.375% (only needed on 26" or higher boats)
MARPOL Trash Placard - 2.802% (only needed on 26" or higher boats)
Marine Sanitation Device - 2.921% (only needed on 26" or higher boats)
Navigation Rules - 2.742% (know your basics, but I doubt they will ask you any)
State and/or Local Regulations - 10.432% (know your basics, but I doubt they will ask you any)
Overall Vessel Condition - 4.670% (Vessel should appear safe)

Recommended Items not Found: (Note: These items are not required to pass the VSC.)

Marine Radio - 33.433% (VHF handheld is what I use)
Dewatering Device & Backup - 14.347% (any of the pales, buckets or tubs you may have on board count)
Mounted Fire Extinguishers - 21.570% (Does not have to be mounted, but they like that)
Anchor & Line for Area - 11.257% (Should always have enough line to anchor boat where likely and safe)
First Aid and PIW Kits - 27.928% (Carry a first aid kit - doesn't have to be an entire medicine cabinet)
Inland Visual Distress Signals - 24.252% (Flashlight)
Capacity / Cert. of Compliance - 28.246% (Placard that shows capacity)

Discussion Items - 14.704%
a. Accident Reporting / Owner Responsibility
b. Offshore Operations
c. Nautical Charts / Navigation Aids
d. Survival Tips / First Aid
e. Fueling / Fuel Management
f. Float Plan / Weather & Sea Conditions
g. Insurance Considerations
h. Boating Check List
i. Safe Boating Classes

 

[Speedling]

Marpol trash placard and marine sanitation? We may have an issue then!
And what do they mean by navigation rules? A test or a sheet?

 

[GTBRMC]

Marpol trash placard and marine sanitation? We may have an issue then!
And what do they mean by navigation rules? A test or a sheet?

I believe that only applies to vessels 26 ft and up.

 

[OperationROL]

Marpol trash placard and marine sanitation? We may have an issue then!
And what do they mean by navigation rules? A test or a sheet?

@Speedling - I added notes in red above to explain each required and each recommended item.

 

[Speedling]

@Speedling - I added notes in red above to explain each required and each recommended item.

You rock

 

[Speedling]

Lake Michigan may be rough!
If it's bad we just runnin the river?

 

[GTBRMC]

What time do we expect to be back at Worth pulling boats out of water?

 

[Speedling]

What time do we expect to be back at Worth pulling boats out of water?

Depends on if we run through the locks and down the lake or not. The locks can be slow sometimes but going down the lake and back in actually can save time as well.
Early afternoon unless you want to sit somewhere for lunch a while.
Do people want to bring food or hit that one "fine establishment"?

 

[OperationROL]

I am keeping an eye on the forecast for Lake Michigan. It has changed several times in the last week. Currently it says 2 - 4 foot waves, diminishing to 1 - 2. If it gets any worse than that, we can do the half loop, going down the Chicago River and back. We can also make the decision to lock out once downtown. However, if the forecast is decent, we will go down the Cal Sag to Lake Michigan, run up to Navy Pier and then up the Chicago River to head back. I have been in contact with the Harbor Patrol and US Coast Guard to ensure we will be fine with the America's Cup. They said the waterway is completely open until noon and after that, there will be a lane to the lock by hugging the Monroe Harbor seawall. The full loop will probably take us 5 hours or so. It all depends on how fast we go and if we stop. I am thinking of stopping at that fast foor, seafood dive place.

 

[OperationROL]

The launch is right next to Water's Edge Golf Club. I plug that into my GPS to get there. We are planning to be there around 8 - 815.

 

[GTBRMC]

Arrived at hotel. Tired. Geeked for tomorrow!

Small craft advisory 4-6 ft, occasional 8 footers (!)

Half loop?

 

[OperationROL]

Looks like it.

 

[Speedling]

Yeah, @shane hric and i were thinking to launch in Hammond... but i think not.
See you all in the morning!

 

[1SHOT DB]

What time does this start today? Sorry to jump in late, I met a couple members on Cedar Lake yesterday and they told me about the gathering.

 

[buckbuck]

Welcome @1SHOT DB . Glad to have you join the forum. @OperationROL is probable in route right now. I'll give him a call and see if he can respond.