Scott Stevenson of Westrec Marinas, which operates the Chicago Park District Harbors, says they hope to have the eight city marinas open by May 1–two weeks early.
Our very mild winter has allowed Phase II of the harbor renovation to be completed ahead of schedule, Stevenson said.
With the installation of new 25-foot slips and landscaping, work on the 59th Street Harbor is finished, Stevenson said. At Burnham Harbor work on 400 new slips to accommodate 35- to 60-foot craft is being completed at the south end of the harbor.
A new promenade around Diversey Harbor is complete, all the old steel docks have been replaced with new docks along with upgrades to electric utilities, Stevenson said. In the next month, the parking lot also will be repaved.
At Montrose Harbor, an additional 100 new slips have been installed and a new sanitary pumpout station added. The promenade around the harbor also has been replaced, with a curb taking the place of a fence. It will be much like the bike path at other locations along the lake.
Next fall renovations get under way at Belmont Harbor and Jackson Park Inner and Outer Harbors.
“Some people were skeptical whether we could make use of the new space when we began the renovations,” Stevenson said. “Well demand has outstripped the supply and right now we have 600 people on our waiting list.”
But don’t let a waiting list scare you. Chances are if you have a boat the Chicago Harbor system can find a place for you. It will likely be at a mooring in Monroe Harbor for the first year or two.
To see what is available and what the fees are call Westrec at 312-747-0737.
– Whitbread watch. Paul Cayard and his crew of 11 on EF Language continue to dazzle the competition in the Whitbread Round the World Race.
In the fifth leg of the race–the most difficult one that takes racers from Auckland, New Zealand, around Cape Horn to Sao Sebastiao, Brazil–Cayard arrived 500 miles ahead of his closest competitor.
Facing icebergs and gale-force winds, Silk Cut lost its rig (mast) in the Southern Pacific Ocean and so did the women’s team on EF Education. Both motored their way to Brazil.
Cayard now has placed first in three of the five completed legs, giving him a commanding lead over the remaining six boats. Leg six, from Brazil to Ft. Lauderdale, got under way Saturday.
Cayard, who is widely viewed as the classiest of the World Class sailors, is proving his skills as an offshore racer in the Whitbread. He also heads San Francisco’s St. Francis Yacht Club’s challenge for the America’s Cup in 2000.
Cayard posts regular reports from the Whitbread on his web page, www.americaone.org, that are fascinating reading for old salts and landlubbers alike.
– Crew-zing. Want to get into sailing? Take a look at the Chicago Corinthian Yacht Club’s crew development program. It starts at 7 p.m. April 22 at the yacht club at Montrose Harbor. The program, five sessions that meet two hours each week, teaches how to help as a crew member rather than to skipper a boat. For information or to enroll, call 847-251-5718.
– Mackinac Race anniversary. This year is the 100th anniversary of the Chicago Yacht Club’s first Race to Mackinac and club members are gearing up for a big celebration.
They are looking for historic photographs, memorabilia and accounts of early races. Contact Don Glassel and the Chicago Yacht Club, 312-861-7777.
– Spring opener. The Chicago Area Sea Scouts will honor Helmut Jahn at its annual fundraiser, a dinner-dance March 27 at the Union League Club. Tickets cost $100 per person.
In addition to being a renowned Chicago architect, Jahn has become the city’s top sailor with his victory last year in the Admiral’s Cup and in February in the Southern Ocean Racing Circuit, at Miami. Call Scouts at 312-421-8430, ext. 250.
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Do you have an announcement or question? E-mail boatnews @aol.com or write William Recktenwald, City Room, Chicago Tribune, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60611-4041.
