1) All
launch options I listed are in Chicago and up the Chicago river. This
means you need to complete a small river trip (1 hour max) through
the center of Chicago (which is quite an incredible sight if you have
never done Chicago's Architectural Boat Tour) and go under maybe 20
- 30 road and rail bridges. While these bridges do open, the opening
schedule is somewhat scarce at that time of the year (as most of the
sailboats have already "run the river") so I would recommend
you do the river trip "mast down" (as I do every year) and
then step your mast at either Columbia Yacht Club (my yacht club)
or Burnham Harbor Yacht Club.
2) I
have highlighted what I believe to be the most cost effective and
most convenient launching, stepping and mooring option. Namely to
launch at Chicago Yacht Yard (2550 S. Ashland Ave., Chicago, IL 60608)
do the river
trip mast down and then step and moor your boat at Columbia Yacht
Club (which has excellent facilities and I can vouch for as a member
as a really friendly club).
3) Prices
as of 2002.
If you or any other traveling Soverels
are going to join us in Chicago for the NOODs or Verve Cup I would
be happy to see that either I or one of my crew joins you on your
river trip (so you have somebody who knows the ropes on board). -
Sam SansomeAssassin
US25199 - (m) 312-735-1249