Playpen - Chicago

surfinjoe

surfinjoe

New Member
Feb 23, 2007
946
Michigan
Boat Info
220 Sundeck 2007
Engines
350 MAG w/Bravo III
Fellow CSR members, I am planning a trip to Chicago this summer and wanted to see if anyone has tips/info. for the Playpen. I have a 220 SD and will be trailering my boat there. What is the closest boat launch? Are there any waterfront places to eat with pull-up slips? In general, how is the crowd there? We boat on Lake St. Clair, so I doubt I will run across anything that we can't handle :)
 
If you are on the Chain during the weekend expect lots of boats - very crowded conditions. Going through the "no wake" zones will be ugly because you get the pontoon boats basically idling through there blocking everyone. Watch for the "Rent a Boaters" also - they will cut you off etc. Make sure you get a Fox Waterway agency sticker also. Going through the dam to enter the south part Fox River can take a while but I think the river is the nicest part of the chain... The northern part before the dam is like a "washing machine" because it is relatively narrow and both shores have steel breakwater shores and there is no speed limit there so the wakes can really cause it to get pretty ugly.

Lots of places to stop for a cold one though and Blarney's Island can be a blast also...
 
The playpen is a great place to visit to party, its not hard to make friends. It is a little hard if you don't know anybody because if don't want to be on your own you need to raft up to somebody, there is no sand bar and its about 30' deep where all the boats end up so its a lot different than hanging out at a sand bar. The big weekend to go there is the last weekend in July when the big boat party is going on. Any other weekend is still pretty full but you will find there are small groups spread apart.

This is last years, the vid was taken 2 boats over from mine and I just happen to stumble upon it. I was rafted with 3 of my friends boats and the one to my starboard side happened to know the guy from his harbor so we rafted there.

http://vimeo.com/46939980

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Sounds like fun. Since I am from Michigan, I will obviously be alone (with the Admarial of course). We are pretty friendly so I bet we can find someone to raft off with.
 
Carver370 said:
The playpen is a great place to visit to party, its not hard to make friends. It is a little hard if you don't know anybody because if don't want to be on your own you need to raft up to somebody, there is no sand bar and its about 30' deep where all the boats end up so its a lot different than hanging out at a sand bar. The big weekend to go there is the last weekend in July when the big boat party is going on. Any other weekend is still pretty full but you will find there are small groups spread apart.

This is last years, the vid was taken 2 boats over from mine and I just happen to stumble upon it. I was rafted with 3 of my friends boats and the one to my starboard side happened to know the guy from his harbor so we rafted there.

http://vimeo.com/46939980
Click to expand...

Ray- That video was crazy! Gets a guys head shaking! WOW!
 
Captain Ray, I want to tagalong this year. I am going to touch base with you in a month or so for some Lake advice. Hope you are having a good winter.
 
What weekend does this madness happen, 4th of July or something? Reminds me of the 4th on the Delta but on steroids!
 
Surfinjoe,
I think a CSR 2013 at the playpen sounds like a great idea!
 
Usually the last weekend in July. However it's pretty close to the same all the big holiday weekends too.
 
Let's plan on an outing at the Playpen. I am thinking one weekend in July (after the 4th weekend). Anyone else in?

Zracat said:
Surfinjoe,
I think a CSR 2013 at the playpen sounds like a great idea!
Click to expand...
 
After viewing many a video on the subject lol, I'm looking for a tow vehicle and trailer to get the 470 up there for the event...df
 
The playpen is usually pretty 'happening' -- but the big event is sponsored of sorts by Chicago scene mag.. http://www.chicagosceneboatparty.com/

Always a good time.... Maybe try the great lakes forums to get more local interest
 
Last edited:
surfinjoe said:
Any feedback on the Chain O' Lakes would be appreciated also!
Click to expand...

If you want more information this site has lot of people on it come the warmer months regarding the chain o'lakes

http://funonthefox.com/board/

If you are unfamiliar with the chain, it can get very busy on weekends, and there are some real shallow spots in certain areas. I would recommend keeping your bravo 3 drive in one piece, and probably would say stick to deeper water like lake michigan. Unless, you might find someone on the funonthefox board who wouldn't mind taking you out and letting you know where to go and not go on the chain.
 
Really? Are there a lot of rocks there? I boat on St. Clair and there are some super shallow spots there (but mostly sand). Maybe I will save the chain for another time? Just trying to get cool ideas for boating vacations this summer!

poormonkey said:
If you want more information this site has lot of people on it come the warmer months regarding the chain o'lakes

http://funonthefox.com/board/

If you are unfamiliar with the chain, it can get very busy on weekends, and there are some real shallow spots in certain areas. I would recommend keeping your bravo 3 drive in one piece, and probably would say stick to deeper water like lake michigan. Unless, you might find someone on the funonthefox board who wouldn't mind taking you out and letting you know where to go and not go on the chain.
Click to expand...
 
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