Have been here in BayView for about 2-3 years, have a 26ft boat out of SSYC (North mooring field). This is our third season on the water.

Looking for a group of folks to get feedback from - to learn from your experience about ports, cruising in the area, etc.

Am not a big racer (raced dinghies at UW Madison - Hoofers), this our first keelboat. Figure I'll start racing once I get bored of just cruising . . . but haven't become bored of it yet.

My first question - who has done a cruise to Chicago, which ports were good (what was your itinerary), how was the trip? Other multi-day itineraries you'd recommend?

Thanks

Welcome to the board. I have a slip at SSYC, cruise locally and race crew in another boat.

Have done weekend trips to Racine & Port Washington. Will try to take four or five days to Chicago via Kenosha in September.

I haven't made the trip down to Chicago. I know Racine's facilities are excellent. I've sailed around in Belmont harbor down in Chicago and also Monroe harbor which is the main one downtown. Monroe is huge with a gigantic mooring field. There are not a lot of transient slips at Monroe that I'm aware of. I was only at one yacht club though and didn't get further south in the harbor. Belmont may be a better bet for transient accommodations. Others may have more reliable advice as I just sailed around on other people's boats in those harbors and didn't have to secure a slip or other amenities.

Thanks much! Very much appreciate the input.

We're going to do Kenosha, Racine & back this weekend (taking Friday off). Winds look good in that direction & back.

I'll have to remember to tie the halyard away from the mast this time ; )