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

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.

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

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.

Would that be the Beau Blessey?

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?

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Gotta love these fluid situations.

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?

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.

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.

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

+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.