Which Charter?

[juls64]

Who is good to use out to the wreck "the Straits of Mackinac"? (The wreck out of Chicago) We always went with Bob Schak but he is out of commission this year. Any suggestions for who else is running out there? Also a plus if they are close to Great Lakes Naval Base.

Thanks,

Julie

[MgicTwnger]

Juls,

I dove the "Straits" with Enterprise out of Waukegan. It was an all-day trip: the Lady Elgin, then south for two dives on the Straits, and back for one more on the Elgin (winds were kicking up and Capt. Dale wanted to do the last dive close to port). I've got a group going all day on Oct. 8th and morning of the 9th, if you're interested. One or two seats should still be open.

Ken

[juls64]

Actually, I have 5 people interested. I will contact them. They would be pretty convenient.

Ken-
Do they have a compressor on board, or do you take 4 tanks?

Juls

[MgicTwnger]

Juls,

No compressor, you'll need 4 tanks.
I'll try and find out how many seats are still open today.

Ken

[reefraff]

Closest (time and distance) is Hank Fiene's Chicago Dive Charters out of Burnham Harbor, just south of downtown Chicago. He's got a good sized catamaran that is well appointed for divers and he goes out to the SOM regularly. (312) 842-1480.

[nitroxbabe]

I'd vote with Reefraff's choice.

Used Captain Bob once, probably wouldn't be willing to pay for the experience again (might not even consider taking it for free either).

Steve, weren't you on that trip with me, cooking in our drysuits while Bob swam a search pattern for the Wells Burt? Yikes... :)

[MgicTwnger]

Juls,

Looks like some people might bail, I think there will be space for all five of you.

Carla, was that the first SP get togeather when we dove on the LenDer Saturday and from Chi on Sunday? All I remember is the black fly attack going to the Wells Burt and the engine trouble coming in. And how sucky it was getting to Burnham harbor.

[nitroxbabe]

Juls,

Looks like some people might bail, I think there will be space for all five of you.

Carla, was that the first SP get togeather when we dove on the LenDer Saturday and from Chi on Sunday? All I remember is the black fly attack going to the Wells Burt and the engine trouble coming in. And how sucky it was
getting to Burnham harbor.

Yep, you are so right. But we still had fun, did we not?

BTW, I like your new mascot. Isn't the the official "World's Ugliest Dog"? Pretty frickin' scary. :eek:

[MgicTwnger]

Yep, you are so right. But we still had fun, did we not?

BTW, I like your new mascot. Isn't the the official "World's Ugliest Dog"? Pretty frickin' scary. :eek:

We did have fun, and some lasting friendships came out of that weekend. Can't complain.
And no, that's my widdle doggie "W". Isn't he just sweetums? :D

[reefraff]

If the all day trip on Dale's boat fits the bill, I wouldn't hesitate to take those seats. It's a long, slow, leisurely day with some nice diving. I would talk to Dale about swapping one of the Lady Elgin dives for a plunge on the St. Mary, probably my favorite wreck in Chicago.

Yes, the original SB Chicago trip included an afternoon aboard Cap't. Bob's Schak Attack. Talk about long, slow, leisurely days...

As I recall, access to Burnham Harbor was a problem back then due to the construction going on in and around Soldier Field. That's history now and getting in and out is easier. If you don't want to pay to park in the close lot, the gear drop-off can be a little bit of a dance, but most folks pay the vig for convenience.

[MgicTwnger]

but most folks pay the vig for convenience.
"Vig"? Just what kind of business are you in, Steven?:D
And that was good advice about Enterprise: it's a long boat ride, but a plesant one.

[reefraff]

"Vig"? Just what kind of business are you in, Steven?:D
Heh.

Let's just say it affords me the opportunity to swim with the fishes...

[nitroxbabe]

Heh.

Let's just say it affords me the opportunity to swim with the fishes...

LOL

I thought that only happened if you pissed people off!!!! :D



But seriously... what's a "vig"?

[Atlaua]

But seriously... what's a "vig"?

vigorish

1: an exorbitant or unlawful rate of interest (think loan shark)
2: a percentage (of winnings or loot or profit) taken by an operator or gangster

James

[reefraff]

But seriously... what's a "vig"?
Vigorish - (Also abbreviated Vig.)

NOUN: Slang
1a. A charge taken on bets, as by a bookie or gambling establishment.
b. The rate or amount of such a charge.
2. Interest, especially excessive interest, paid to a moneylender.

Also known as "juice", the vig is a commission charged by the bookie on each transaction. A strictly hypothetical example: If you bet $100 on the big game and lose, you will owe the bookie $110. If you win, you will get $100. That $10 is the vig, a little something that "you gotta pay to play" that goes in the bookies pocket.

Extrapolated out, any time you have to pay a fee to facilitate something or to grease the skids, that's juice money or a vig. Hence, parking fees at the harbor are the vig on a day of diving.

Whew.

[nitroxbabe]

Vigorish - (Also abbreviated Vig.)

NOUN: Slang
1a. A charge taken on bets, as by a bookie or gambling establishment.
b. The rate or amount of such a charge.
2. Interest, especially excessive interest, paid to a moneylender.

Also known as "juice", the vig is a commission charged by the bookie on each transaction. A strictly hypothetical example: If you bet $100 on the big game and lose, you will owe the bookie $110. If you win, you will get $100. That $10 is the vig, a little something that "you gotta pay to play" that goes in the bookies pocket.

Extrapolated out, any time you have to pay a fee to facilitate something or to grease the skids, that's juice money or a vig. Hence, parking fees at the harbor are the vig on a day of diving.

Whew.

Thanks.

After reading that, I don't know if I feel educated or dirty. ;)