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Anyone taking a yacht up to the Great Lakes this season; plans? route?

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by Capt J, May 4, 2020.

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  1. Maxwell

    Maxwell Senior Member

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    Fuel in Hammond is always $1+ cheaper per gal than anything around Chicago... as long as you stay out of the casino that's attached to the marina.
  2. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    I know, but right now all fuel docks in Illinois don't have fuel (as far as I know) because of the covid shutdown and we wouldn't have enough fuel to do the 340 miles from St. Charles, MO to Hammond. So drums it is.

    Funny thing is the owner is very mechanical and has a broad mechanical background.....worked in a machine shop, small engine mechanic as a kid etc. When I told him we needed drums to go from Cape G to Alton (then realized Alton didn't have fuel) now St. Charles, he was kind of freaked out about doing the trip. I told him that they're plastic drums and I use them all of the time, then when he saw how easy it was when transfering fuel and we didn't spill a drop......now he's talking about buying a 100 gallon bladder for the bow when he does long trips across lake Michigan.....LOLOLOL......
  3. cleanslate

    cleanslate Senior Member

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    I was just going to ask you how you do the fuel drum thing ...
    I see . I envisioned steel drums! Duh.
  4. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    The need for drums for cruisers in the area is quite common so marinas like Green Turtle Bay and Dog River have regular suppliers and are quite prepared to provide them. Plastic drums have the best of both worlds, of steel drums and of bladders.
  5. GhostriderIII

    GhostriderIII Senior Member

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    Would that be the Beau Blessey?
  6. echo charlie

    echo charlie Member

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    Where do you place the drums on deck they are pretty heavy? How many? And one more stupid question ,how do you actually transfer the fuel ,manuel/electric pump?
  7. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    Monday would be the 25th. Army Corps forecast says Illinois River will be cresting as follows:

    Hardin 5/26 PM
    Valley City 5/26 PM
    Meredosia 5/26 AM
    Beardstown 5/25 AM
    Peoria 5/22 PM

    So it would seem highly unlikely the upper Illinois would open by the 25th when it's not cresting until a day later. I would think the 28th would be the earliest possible and more likely the 29th or 30th so late in the week. No reason to proceed until all locks are open and then it's going to be a mess with all the tows stacked up waiting and then all the recreational boats. I would have no interest in being there until at least the 2nd day open.
  8. Freebird

    Freebird Member

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    Beardstown and Peoria are wicket dams. You bypass the locks in high water. Starved Rock is predicted to open on Wednesday. I’m driving back Sunday, and we’re heading out Monday morning. Worst case scenario is waiting a day or two at Peoria.

    When it comes right down to it, it’s all an educated guessing game.
  9. Freebird

    Freebird Member

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    Nope. I’m not sure he would want me saying, but that’s not his.
  10. Freebird

    Freebird Member

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    Yep. I may end up leaving this one in Hammond and running up to Cheboygan to pick up that 53 I’m bringing back down. Looks like I may be taking it all the way to Biloxi vs leaving it at GTB.

    The owner of the 60’ has to be in Detroit around the end of next week, but he’s capable of getting it from there to Racine without yours truly when he gets back.
  11. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    Yes it is, but I'd double check Peoria to see if there is any space in the Inn....marina that is. There's going to be a lot of traffic waiting with the delay. Quite a few tows have cleared Lagrange lock and stopped before hitting another. I could see Starved Rock opening as early as Wednesday, but doesn't help a lot if nothing beyond it is opened.
  12. Freebird

    Freebird Member

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    Gotta love these fluid situations. :D

    New plan. I’m heading back in the morning. Then it’ll be a run to Polestar for fuel and an overnight. Reservations at the Do Barge Inn (Logsdon) at Beardstown for Sunday night, and reservations at at Hamm in Peoria for Monday. From there we wait and see.

    Are we having fun yet? :D
  13. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Generally I place them on the aft deck in the outbound corners. We got 4-35 gallon and 2-55 gallon drums. This particular boat is a bit stern heavy when running so we put 2-35's on the bow and the remaining 4 on the aft deck and ratchet strapped them, even though it's calm water and probably could've gotten away without securing them. The amount of drums depends on the boat and it's range.

    I use a 12v Rule slim line electric pump, either the 280 or 500 GPH version, I throw away the hose that comes with it and use clear red tracer hose, and 30' of 12/2 wire to extend the wires on the pump and wire a cole hersee push pull switch inline where the pump wires connect to the 12/2 AWG wires.......connect the wiring to 1 battery in the 24 volt bank to get 12 volts. I then take the pump/hose/wires and ziptie it to a dowel/pool cue/old vhf antannae/fishing rod that's 1' foot taller than the drums to make it one assembly that you can easily pull the entire assembly out of the drum and stick it into a 5 gallon bucket after I drain the hose.....coil the hose into the 5 gallon bucket as well, coil the wiring and leave it outside of the bucket.
  14. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Ugggghhhh this season has definately had LOTS of challenges. This delivery was very challenging with all of the COVID restrictions, fueling restrictions and going upriver, and we only made it to Polestar instead of lake michigan. You'll see the Manhattan there when you go under one of the covered floating docks.....you can't miss it......it's the nicest boat there by far. LOL......

    Keep in mind, I know of another yacht that stopped at Hamm's on the illinois river and they have no shorepower until the flooding goes down because all of the marina's transformers are under water.
  15. Freebird

    Freebird Member

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    The fluidity continues. Got an update from my tow buddy. Peoria is officially a no wake zone. Moving 100K lbs. into a current WILL make a wake. Made the final call to leave Polestar on Monday. Hopefully things will be better by then.
  16. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    I would take the one boat to polestar and leave it or leave it where it is, go get the 53' in Cheboygan and run it to Polestar or wherever the other boat is, then jump on the origional boat at Polestar (or alton) and get it to Hammond.........then continue on in the Polestar boat going South. That way it gives the illinois river some time to lower.

    It's definately a mess, and the commercial tows are already stacked up on the Mississippi waiting to go through the Illinois river. It's going to take a day or two for them to get through......we left our boat at Polestar and will wait until it looks good to go and fly in and go.
  17. Freebird

    Freebird Member

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    I actually considered that, but the logistics would be a nightmare. Hopefully Starved Rock won’t be suffering from extensive towjam by the time we get there.

    It’s possible I may singlehand the 60 to Racine so Dave can meet other obligations. Won’t be the first time I’ve done that on that route.
  18. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    I'd definately pick up a deckhand for the locks and everything.
  19. f3504x4ps

    f3504x4ps Member

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    Wow wish I was not working, I'd love to help out. Best of luck freebird
  20. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    +1. I'm no stranger to transporting solo when necessary, but in the middle of the ocean or bay I can stop for a few minutes if I have to leave the helm. From what I hear of the currents you're hitting I can't imagine leaving the helm unmanned for a minute. Then there's the matter of controlling your bow and stern while secured in the locks. Hard to do solo on 60'. I hope you get a mate.