We did an overnight stay tied up to the ancient lock wall in 12’ of water. Storms were predicted for that night, and I did not trust the very open water anchorage at Upper Henry Island. This marina is best for a no frills, trusted overnight stay. You will be tying up to metal handholds drilled into the ancient lock stones. There was power available, but we just ran the generator. It is a very short walk up the hill to a cute Mexican / burger restaurant, and a Dairy Queen. Also a huge farm based True Value which is fully stocked. The new marina owners are available by a phone call to provide diesel and gas in a facility that has more than 3’ of water (which is rare from here to Peoria in normal summer pool). They will also give advice about the local town on top of the hill, as they are locals. This is not a glamorous transient marina. If you want/ need that, go back up the river to Ottawa. If you want a safe, secure, deep water overnight tie up with no amenities (no water, restrooms, etc), but with diesel and gas, no wakes from the river, in 12’ of water even at summer pool depths on the river, super helpful owners, and a cute town (Henry) up the hill, this stop is perfect.
31'st St Harbor Marina has excellent facilities and secure, gated docks and restrooms. We stayed there 6 days in August. Location is an easy Uber/ Lyft into the City. Marina office has ice and a few amenities. Marina does not have WiFi. Only real drawback is there is absolutely no enforcement of rowdy behavior- - - (1) Jet skis actively waking boats at their slips as the jet skis leave the harbor (our Russian friends on G Dock)- somewhat annoying. (2) Marina full time residents blasting music so loud it was shaking our boat with boozy parties from 4:30 pm till midnight. - Really annoying and really unacceptable. Last night there, we had to change slips at 9:30 pm on a Monday night, as the music and speaker base at the boat next store was so loud, we could not function on our boat. If you are looking for Party Central with very loud music and boozy parties till the wee hours, this is your marina. If you want a quiet tie up to go explore the city, look to the other Chicago marinas.
Larry was great to deal with. Perfectly protected harbor for safe passage up the ICW.