Cost: Storing 50ft boat on the hard near Chicago?

[generein]

Hello:
Can anybody give me an idea of what it costs for to store a 50ft monohull on the hard for a winter near Chicago? Possibly include cost of takeout/put back in water?

Any yard suggestions where I can work on it would be appreciated too.

[SV Siren]

Chances are you will have to look into marinas in Wisconsin for something more "affordable". Check out Port Washington Marina, or Harbor Center Marina(Sheboygan)..A friend of mine has used both, for his HC 43, and did work on his last summer, well every year, it's a boat.

In Chicago: https://crowleys.com

[valhalla360]

We only had a 34ft and it was further north but winter storage was around $1500 including haul & launch.

Near Chicago for a much larger boat would be at a minimum double that and I wouldn't be surprised if it's north of $5000. If you want indoor storage, shrinkwrap or other work done, keep adding thousands.

Best bet is to surf some marina websites. They usually have winter storage rates.

[generein]

Thanks for the quick replies. Very helpful!
Cheers

[Greg Diver]

Chicago will be expensive and as others have said going north or south will be much more affordable. That said going north Waukegan is the first point you will find storage. My Catalina 42 was around $2600 with no services at Larsens. Bay Marine was about the same.
If you go to Racine it is about half of that.

[pschleck]

I just renewed my storage for 2020 at 2019 rates at Larsen Marine, 30 miles north of Chicago in Waukegan IL. Rates are $10.55 per sq. ft. (L.O.A x Beam) for inside heated, $7.45 per sq. ft. for inside unheated, $4.50 per sq. ft. for outside. Contact Kathy Sivia (KSivia@LarsenMarine.com) by 4/15 to lock in 2019 rates.

[Sailshabby]

Cubs fan or White Sox? Could make a difference.

[CFS Klopas]

All of the yards post their winter storage rates in their websites. The Chicago yards are Skyway, Crowley's, Chicago Yacht Works and Canal Street. There is also Forestview and a couple places on the Little Calumet that are powerboat/mast down options.

Hammond is closer than Waukegan and roughly half of the cost of Chicago, but there are no professional services or indoor storage.

[AndyEss]

Deep dish or thin crust?

[StoneCrab]

If you follow the Coast of Lake Michigan counter clockwise from Chicago there are many options. The size of your boat will eliminate some of the Marina's.

The ones in and around Chicago are all on the rivers requiring either mast stepping or prolonged river trips waiting for the bridges to open.

Generally the farther up river that you go the cheaper the rate, so it depends what you are looking for; best service, convenience, lowest cost. Another factor is whether you plan on having or doing work on your boat while it is on the hard. Yard policies and capabilities vary widely.

Hammond is very close to Chicago. The boats are stored just off the Marina with little to no services. It is very exposed to wind and weather blowing off the Lake.

A lot of Chicago boaters store their boats in the off season in Michigan. There are harbors and yards about every ten miles along the coast. You trade the bridge/river time for a sail across the lake. Costs are lower the farther you are from Chicago.

It is worth mentioning that there are trains which run along the coast so you can get back to Chicago via public transportation if needed from almost all of these yards.

[StoneCrab]

If you follow the Coast of Lake Michigan counter clockwise from Chicago there are many options. The size of your boat will eliminate some of the Marina's.

The ones in and around Chicago are all on the rivers requiring either mast stepping or prolonged river trips waiting for the bridges to open.

Generally the farther up river that you go the cheaper the rate, so it depends what you are looking for; best service, convenience, lowest cost. Another factor is wether you plan on having or doing work on your boat while it is on the hard. Yard policies and capabilities vary widely.

A lot of Chicago boaters store their boats in the off season in Michigan. There are harbors and yards about every ten miles along the coast. You trade the bridge/river time for a sail across the lake. Costs are lower the farther you are from Chicago.

It is worth mentioning that there are trains which run along the coast so you can get back to Chicago via public transportation if needed from almost all of these yards.