Bob

Perhaps someone else will chime in, but I don't think there is anywhere to
leave a dinghy in the Playpen.  Nor frankly would I feel secure in doing so.
Even at Monroe Harbor with all of its mooring balls, boaters who wish to use
dinghies to shore buy a second dinghy which is hard and which they can row
to shore, thus avoiding damage and loss of the motor.

You might consider again renting a mooring ball for the night at Monroe
Harbor where there is shuttle service.  It has been nine years since I had a
ball there and don't recall the time of night the shuttle stops.

Marty Campanella

Bay Pelican KK4278

My home port is Chicago and I can confirm the absence of a dingy dock at
the Playpen.  In any case, it would be ill advised to leave any vessel
unattended at anchor in the Playpen.

If you are looking to get ashore in the immediate downtown area, you can
get a transient slip at Dusable or a can at Monroe and hail the water
taxi on 68.

There are plenty of spots where you can do a "hot drop" if somebody is
staying with the boat, otherwise transient dockage is your best bet.

Chicago Yacht Club offers reciprocity and it is recommended to call
ahead for availability.

Chicago is not particularly friendly to transient boaters, and not cheap
either.

Another possible option a little further north (but not nearly as far as
Milwaukee) would be Waukegan Harbor.  A transient slip there would be
less money ($1.50/ft) and you can catch the Metra train across the
street and go right into downdown.

If you have any other questions, feel free to e-mail me off list.

-Ryan

On 9/5/2013 7:30 AM, Marty Campanella wrote:

Perhaps someone else will chime in, but I don't think there is anywhere to
leave a dinghy in the Playpen.  Nor frankly would I feel secure in doing so.
Even at Monroe Harbor with all of its mooring balls, boaters who wish to use
dinghies to shore buy a second dinghy which is hard and which they can row
to shore, thus avoiding damage and loss of the motor.