Welcome to
the Chicago Corinthian Yacht Club at Montrose Harbor, the
one-design center of Chicago, Illinois. Here is a summary of some
local conditions.
General
Lake
Michigan is the world’s fifth largest lake with fetch of 300 miles
north-to-south. Be prepared to deal with larger waves for a
given wind speed than you’re used to back home. It also
has a large effect on the wind due to differing temperature from
that of the shore. The racing area is clear of hidden obstacles
and far enough out into the lake to minimize shore effects, making
for excellent racing conditions.
Transit To
the Racing Area
The distance
from the dinghy dock to the center of the course is about 2
nautical miles. We normally allow one hour to get there.
As you exit the harbor entrance, turn left and steer toward the
Wilson Ave. water intake crib (about 085º) for 1.5 NM to the
center of the course. You may encounter some major shore effects
on the way. There is a line of high-rise buildings west of Lake
Shore Drive that acts like a giant snow fence. It brings down
upper level gusts in westerlies and impedes easterly lake breeze
development until you get out near the race course. Conditions are
often quite different near shore than out on the lake. These
differences mean the TV forecast is not a good predictor of
lake conditions.
Restricted
Area
The Wilson
Ave. Crib is surrounded by eight white buoys in a circle of 100
yard radius denoting a restricted area. Coast Guard security
restrictions bar you from entering this circle at any time under
penalty of criminal prosecution.
Do not enter this circle of
buoys!
Water &
Current
The Chicago
lakefront east of Lake Shore Drive is man made fill held by steel
sheet pilings with sand beaches sustained by storm driven
northerly currents. The depth off the walls is generally quite
deep and presents no navigational hazards. In the racing area,
depths are 25-30 feet over a flat hard clay bottom. There can be
wind driven currents, but they tend to be even across the whole
racing area and do not provide an advantage to one side over the
other. There is a phenomenon known as the seiche, which is a macro
level sloshing of the lake water that can act like a tide with a
period of about 15 minutes. Its principal effects are felt as a
current right at the harbor mouth. It does not affect the racing.
The Racing
Area
CCYC has
established an Olympic circle of eight fixed marks of .75 NM
radius centered around the orange center mark. This denotes the
racing area. We frequently set courses with inflatable marks
within the confines of this area. The west mark is off Montrose
Point and far enough out that coastwise traffic passes between it
and the point. The result is very little powerboat traffic through
the race course.
There does tend to be more wave action close to the point caused
by waves reflecting off the sheet steel pilings.
Lake Breeze
A common
summer wind is the lake breeze, which starts filling in out on the
lake in the late morning hours. The snow fence effect can create a
dead zone until you get out near the west mark. The breeze
tends to be stronger the further out you go, so a rule of thumb
is, when in doubt, go out into the lake. Average speeds
are 5-12 knots and direction about 120-130º. It tends to be fairly
steady with minor oscillations. You can anticipate the onset of
the lake breeeze by the formation of a line of small cumulus
clouds a mile inland on a north-south axis.
Northerlies
High
pressure systems create a flow of cold Canadian air down the lake.
These winds tend to be steady, but they create our outsized waves.
Going right, out into the lake can be advantageous, primarily
because the waves are less confused by shore reflections.
Downwind, you’ll get quite a push to initiate surfing. North winds
can be the most fun or the most dangerous due to the wave action.
Be prepared for
waves!
Southwesterlies
Southwesterly flow is common with decreasing pressure and rising
humidity. These warm flows have a tendency to rise over the colder
pool of air over the cold waters. As the summer progresses and the
water warms, the southwesterlies penetrate deeper into the
maritime layer and average wind speeds increase. These winds tend
to be shifty with higher level winds gusting through periodically.
Often there is a starboard tack lift out at the layline, but being
in the gusts keeps average boatspeed high.
Play the shifts while sailing
toward approaching gusts.
A common
occurrence is the creation of a convergence zone between a weather
system southwesterly and the lake breeze. Average wind direction
is southerly, but there will he holes and shifts.
Look for wind strength and sail
into it. Try to stay out of the holes by going either left or
right, but stay out of the holes up the middle.
Westerlies
Westerlies
blow off the shore through the snow fence. There is substantial
mixing of veered upper level gusts into the average wind.
Strategy is similar to southwesterlies. You might get some
benefits by heading toward Montrose Point. If you’re lucky you get
a major starboard tack lift.
Shore
Observation
If you’ve
brought your own cheering section, the races can be observed from
Montrose Point. Re-construction of the break wall currently
restricts direct access, but you can get there along Montrose
Beach on the north side of the point. You can also visit the
"Magic Hedge" which is a wooded area known for its birdwatching.
This wooded area plus the water of the harbor limit the point’s
effects on the creation of temperature difference based winds,
creating a natural granstand without harming the racing. After the
races, the kids can go swimming or fishing.
Enjoy your visit to Chicago!
