Boat Ramps, Resturants, and Marianas with fuel on the Ilinois River?

Looking for some input on the boat ramps, restaurants, and marina's up and down the Illinois River.
I have launched out of three so far, just north of Peoria Dam, East Port Marina ($ ramp fee), and Chillicothe.

Looking for information about other ramps. Also looking for places to dock and get a bite to eat, and if need be places to stop and get boat gas on the river. Wife and I are planning on taking some sight-seeing trips up and down the river. I know there are a lot of River Rats in the area. Where are your favorite chow halls.

Evandys at Naples. but no fuel that I know of. they have a facebook page

Tim,
Living so close to Lacon we would launch there and head south to East Peoria stop at Burger Barge or go further south to Kuchie's in Creve Coeur. Both good food and nice docks, but no gas....
In Lacon the marina nice place to launch or tie up...but no gas...Mr Mikes across the parking lot to the east has without a doubt the best Italian beef or Italian sausage sandwiches. If you can't decide which one, get the combo. Good Chicago dogs too. Mainly a carryout place.
Pizza peel just 3 or 4 blocks up 5th street (which is Rt 17) has really good Pizza and sandwiches. Dine in or carryout available.
Henry Harbor marina has gas...docking hard to find sometimes. Restaurant there is so hit and miss I hate to recommend it. Nice bar crowd.
Unfortunately one of wife's and I favorite places in Hennepin, Rays has closed. Was always fun to take the boat up there and walk up hill for few drinks and a nice dinner.
Further North in Spring Valley the Spring Valley Boat club has a great dock facility with gas and really good food. We made it an all day trip in the Fall to go up there with trees changing eat then slow ride home.

Hope this helps.

Thanks Gentlemen. A trip both North and South of Peoria is in order. Other options? Other recommendations on scenic cruises? Second recommendation I had about a fall trip north of Henry.

I talked to a guy a work today and he also recommended both Kuchie's and the bar in Henry. Now that you mention it CatchnCrisco I have eaten at Kuchie's and the Burger Badge a couple of times each. Just never put two and two together before. Co-worker also mentioned the other chow halls in Peoria on the river. Joes Crab Shack, Hooters and Kelleher's (bit of a walk), and depending on how far your willing to walk the whole downtown area. Also been to Banana's in Chillicothe too. It would appear I have been eating off the water for a few decades now. Guess I'm just drawn to it. I haven't been north of Chillicothe to eat on the river except Starved Rock. I also haven't eaten any place south of Kuchie's in Pekin.

Thanks for the information guys. Please keep the recommendations coming. At some point we plan to cruise the Illinois River from Lake Michigan down to St. Louis where it meets the mighty Mississippi. Doubt it will be in one trip, but you just never know. Been looking at a site that talks about the Great Loop. Basically start in Chicago, travel down the Illinois, Mississippi, through the Gulf, around Florida, back up the Eastern Seaboard, and back through the Great Lakes ending in Chicago. They are recommending at least a 28' boat, preferable a trawler. Something like 5,400 miles round trip if you include all the tributaries. Sounds like an adventure to me, and might end up on the bucket list.

Got another question. Should I buy the LakeMaster chip for the Illinois River. I figure the conditions change over time, if not daily/weekly. I guess the channel will be marked by bouy's. But would the contour info on the chip be accurate if I compensated for river depth? What do you do for navigation on the river?

I just have to know what a Marianas is. Is that the girl from Gilligans Island or you in DDs spelling class?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by wilbur

I just have to know what a Marianas is. Is that the girl from Gilligans Island or you in DDs spelling class?

---

It's a river thing. Come on down and check it out. :cheers2

I managed to take a river ride today. Launched from East Port Marina and headed north. Turned around at Lacon. Had a great trip. Got to air the boat out. She gets up on plane, about 16-18mph, will hold it as slow as 14mph. Top speed 25-26mph. Once I process the video I'll post it portions of it. Sonar unit was reading depth at all speeds. Sometimes it would lose depth, but a little wiggle with the tiller and she would come back right away. Not a drop of water in the bilge area. Took the dogs with me, they aren't to keen on boat wake crossings. Took a few a little too fast, and hit pretty hard. Didn't have too much trouble with Asian Carp. Passed a toon out with a bunch of guys bow fishing for Carp. I think I burned somewhere between 5/8 - 3/4 a tank of fuel. Cruised at top speed (25mph) on the way to Lacon, and 20mph on the way back.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by catchncrisco

Tim,
Living so close to Lacon we would launch there and head south to East Peoria stop at Burger Barge or go further south to Kuchie's in Creve Coeur. Both good food and nice docks, but no gas....
In Lacon the marina nice place to launch or tie up...but no gas...Mr Mikes across the parking lot to the east has without a doubt the best Italian beef or Italian sausage sandwiches. If you can't decide which one, get the combo. Good Chicago dogs too. Mainly a carryout place.
Pizza peel just 3 or 4 blocks up 5th street (which is Rt 17) has really good Pizza and sandwiches. Dine in or carryout available.
Henry Harbor marina has gas...docking hard to find sometimes. Restaurant there is so hit and miss I hate to recommend it. Nice bar crowd.
Unfortunately one of wife's and I favorite places in Hennepin, Rays has closed. Was always fun to take the boat up there and walk up hill for few drinks and a nice dinner.
Further North in Spring Valley the Spring Valley Boat club has a great dock facility with gas and really good food. We made it an all day trip in the Fall to go up there with trees changing eat then slow ride home.

Hope this helps.

---

When do you find time to ride in the boat with all that eating. :biggrin

Eating is one of life's pleasures. . :)

If you met me, you would know that I love to eat.lol