Chicago Area Restoration

[Peter H]

Anyone have any suggestions regarding a place to keep a large boat for several years in north suburban Chicago while undergoing major repairs? The local yards are too expensive. Suggestions on locating unused warehouse space, etc? How to transport from marina to work space?

[True Love]

What part of Chicagoland? Are you willing to drive a bit? Would you consider an enclosed machine shed used for farm equipment storage? Up around Waukegan you could probably find something. Lots of farms just north and west - out towards Baxter Pharmaceuticals in Long Lake. How about Mich City or Hammond if south & east works better for you?

I would imagine you could find lots of warehouse sp in the city - I don't expect it'd be cheap, though.

What kind of boat? How long and weighs how much?

[Ed Harrow]

Peter, take a look at the cover I built. Something like that may be adequate for your needs. If so, then you merely need land, not a building. (Tho a facility like Pete's Barn would be really nice.) You can use the search feature to locate that thread.

[True Love]

Peter H -

Just saw your "truly huge project" post - you're looking for a place to work on a 68 footer, huh? Why don't you try Great Lakes Naval Base in North Chicago. They have a bunch of empty space out there - who knows, maybe the govt would help you out? (68'sheesh, that's a whoppin' big boat. Maybe if you tell them how much you pay in taxes each year, you can work a deal - i keep climbing ever higher brackets w/o seeing much gain - so tell 'em you're "owed" some help - seems the victimization angle is well received by our govt.)

[Peter H]

Ed, Kathy,
Thanks for the suggestions. I'm still trying to wrap my mind around a wood boat project. I don't think I could handle a 1 hour "commute" just to get to the boat work-place. I should probably start out with something 'reasonable' before I dedicate my life to a 68 footer, regardless of how beautiful it is. I may drag a 25 footer into my back yard. Or perhaps, I'll volunteer on other project boats around town, to get experience.

Know of any ongoing projects in the North Chicago area? I live in Wilmette.

Thanks again.