Where to Launch in Peoria, IL?

[Johnnygreenboat]

Hi, I'm going to visit family down in Peoria, IL this weekend and would like to bring my boat. Just wondering if someone can give some general information on the nicest boat launches in the area and any advice in general. My family lives a little northwest of Peoria. I looked at a launch last year and it was way to shallow to launch an 18ft boat, that kind of concerned me.

thanks

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Where to Launch in Peoria, IL?

Detweiler Marina in Peoria (best of the three choices here)
East Port Marina in East Peoria
Carl Spindler Marina in East Peoria (shallowest "channel" to the river channel)

Water is plenty deep.

 

[Johnnygreenboat]

Re: Where to Launch in Peoria, IL?

Is there anything north of the city off of 29? My brother-in-law (who just moved there) thinks there may be one in Chillicothe. This is closer to his house.

Thanks for the info!

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Where to Launch in Peoria, IL?

Yes, there is a public boat ramp in "downtown" Chillicothe.

Hamm's Holiday Harbor is south of Chili, but it is private and I don't know what facilities he has.

National Marine is south of the Rt6/Rt29 junction, and also private, but they may allow you launch there, I am not sure. Same with Seaway (which I believe is owned by National Marine).

 

[Johnnygreenboat]

Re: Where to Launch in Peoria, IL?

Great...thanks so much for the info. I hope to get out there this weekend

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Where to Launch in Peoria, IL?

The only "problem" with launching in Chillicothe, is that you are a pretty long way away from downtown Peoria, if that's where you truly want to be. On the plus side, it makes for a nice boat ride down there. And you are also not too far south of Henry, IL (Best Town by a Dam Site) and the restaurant/bar located at the old stone lock and dam. Worth checking out, in my opinion, especially for the Sunday breakfast/brunch buffet.

Be careful if you are out on the Fourth to watch the fireworks. It gets a little ridiculously crazy as soon as they end. My best advice is to raft up with a big group, and stay put when they end, let all the crazies get gone, before you head back. But if you put in at Chilli, that's a long ride home in the Dark.

 

[Johnnygreenboat]

Re: Where to Launch in Peoria, IL?

That does sound like a nice boat ride (from Chillicothe to Peoria and back). I would be doing this during the daylight. With that in mind, is it pretty safe trip? Is the channel marked? any hazards, areas to stay away from, etc.?

The very first day, in my brand new boat back in 2003, I ran aground in Ottawa, IL on the Illinois river. Afterwards, everyone I talked to knew exactly where it happened.....they called it the "Million Dollar Wall" because so many people lose their outdrive there. I could of used that information before I took that trip, but oh well. Now before I go to a new area, I like to find out as much as possible....so thanks for all the info

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Where to Launch in Peoria, IL?

Safe yes, channel is marked. But in a few places, the river gets wide and the markers get pretty far apart. If you pass one and head at the wrong angle, you'll be in less than 5' of water very quickly. My two main navigating devices during the day are my eyes and my depth gauge! There is also a bit of debris left over from the high water we have had. Most of it is outside the channel, but keep a look out. Also, the water is still up a couple of feet, so even if you are outside the channel, you'll be in 5' of water instead of the usual 2 to 3' of water. The bottom is very sandy, so an impact is not the worst thing.
The Illinois River after the bend south at Spring Valley is nothing like the first part of the Illinois River near Ottawa and all that. Different terrain, wider, slower, almost not like you are on the same river at all. The most obvious sign of that is that the dams are about 10 miles apart up there, yet it's 72 miles from Starved Rock Lock & Dam to Peoria Lock & Dam. And just about another 70 to the next (and final) dam after that!
Have a good time.

When/if you dock downtown, don't believe the signs, the docks are free. You can tell who the out of towners are, they are the ones trying to put money in the machine!