Big Basin area?

[OUT NUMBERED]

Just checking if any members are located in the Big Basin area Channahon Illinois?

[bat32]

I live close to the Basin but boat one lock west.  In the Morris to Marseilles area.

[frodo13056]

I live in Channahon, about 10 minutes from Big Basin and used to put in there all the time. I spent 22 years boating on the Illinois and Kankakee rivers so I know them pretty well.
The last 3 seasons I kept my 320 in a Chicago harbor but decided to keep it on the river this season - mainly due to all the controversy around the Chicago Shipping Canal possibly being shutdown due to Asian Carp getting in the Great Lakes via the canal. Five or six states and Canada have filed Federal lawsuits to shut down the waterway.
I store the boat over at Three Rivers Marina (next marina down river from the Basin) and will be at Heritage Harbor in Ottawa this season.
Drop me a note if you need any info about the Basin or the river – it gets a bit tricky if you head north towards the Empress casinos – you really have to pay attention to the zig-zags of the river. If you get out of the channel 10 feet, you’ll run aground pretty easily.
Boating on the Kankakee is similar – you need to learn that river as well as there as some pretty shallow spots.
Are you renting a slip at the Basin?

[DaleM]

I know a few people in Heritage.  I'll have to blast down sometime for a few coldies with you all.

[bat32]

Heritage looks nice.  I'm at the The Hidden Cove in Seneca.  I plan on taking the trip to Peoria this year with a lay over in Henry and hangout for the day in the Starved Rock area..  Maybe we can have a few cold ones this summer.   

[frodo13056]

Let me know if you guys get down towards Ottawa and we'll have a few frosty beverages! 

I've done the Peoria trip 5 or 6 times and the Henry Harbor trip at least 15 times over the years. It's a great trip down to Peoria but I suppose it's changed a bit due to all the jumping carp. I had a couple of friends do the Peoria trip last year and they mentioned that there were quite a lot of the carp down by Peoria.

We are also kicking around the possibility of going down to the Mississippi River (Alton) and then to St. Louis. I did that trip in 2003 in my 272 - talk about a fun time!

[bat32]

Sounds likea blast. I will have hit you up before I make the trip though; Give me the ins and out of the area.  Never done it before but heard it is fun.  It's always a little nerve racking sailing into unknown territory.

[DaleM]

Was just down near Harborside and Three Rivers yesterday.  Met Ron at Harborside and looked over his place and the Harbor Cottages he's now selling.  Pretty sweet!!  We trailer down to Henry every Labor Day for a big get together with many of our boating friends.  We book the entire Henry Harbor Inn.
 

[bat32]

Was just down near Harborside and Three Rivers yesterday.  Met Ron at Harborside and looked over his place and the Harbor Cottages he's now selling.  Pretty sweet!!  We trailer down to Henry every Labor Day for a big get together with many of our boating friends.  We book the entire Henry Harbor Inn.
 

I heard those cottages are pretty nice.  I haven't got over to check them out myself yet.