Kenosha
Great-Lakes-Sailing.com
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Kenosha, WI Lat: 42° 34.962 Long: 87° 48.605 |
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DESCRIPTION The area around where the Pike River empties into Lake Michigan had been an important settlement for indigenous people for over 1,000 years. They called the area kenozia or "place of the pike" (trout) The Pike River was a major spawing river for trout from Lake Michigan. The area was opened to settlers in the 1830's and grew to become a major manufacturing centre. Initially, it was known as Pike Creek. This name was changed to Southport, a name that lives on in the south of the city until finally Kenosha. For much of the 20th century, it manufactured millions of automobiles with such brands as Rambler, Nash, Hudsom and American Motors Corporation (AMC). In fact, in 1902, Nash produced the first automobile that used a steering wheel instead of the usual tiller steering arrangement. In time, the once-great auto manufacturing industry contracted and Kenosha was not immune to its impact. It remains however, the world headquarters for Snap-On Tools Inc and Jockey International. Because of its location mid-way between Chicago and Milwaukee, it has become more of a bedroom community although economically, it has diversified into medical and technical fields. |
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APPROACHES The approaches to Kenosha are clear from all directions. Kenosha has 3 harbors - the main harbor in downtown Kenosha, Simmons Island Marina a short distance beyond the main harbor and Southport Marina located a short distance to the south. There are two harbor entrances. The main entrance provides access to the main harbor and, beyond that, to Simmons Island Harbor. South of the main entrance is the entrance to Southport Marina. Both of these entrances are straightforward. MAIN ENTRANCE The main entrance to Kenosha Harbor is well marked. It is protected to the northeast by a 610 ft / 185 m outer breakwater that runs on a northwest - southeast line. This breakwater is marked at its southern end with the Kenosha Breakwater Light. The entrance to Kenosha main harbor is through the main channel between two breakwaters. The pier head of each breakwater is marked with a lighted aid. FROM THE NORTH Make your course so that you pass to the east of the outer breakwater. It is marked with the Kenosha Breakwater Light - Fl RED visible approximately 5.23 nm.Once you have cleared this light, alter course to 270oand proceed into the channel. The north channel breakwater is marked with an ISO WHITE light visible 4 nm. The south channel breakwater is marked by a Fl GREEN light visible 6.8 nm. Be careful that you clear the Kenosha Breakwater Light, leaving it on your starboard. You may pick up the Kenosha Harbor Light (ISO WHITE) first and it lays behind the outer breakwater. FROM THE SOUTH Keep offshore, passing the entrance into Southport Marina which is a Q WHITE on the south side of the entrance and Fl RED on the north side. Turning west into the main channel after rounding the South Pier Light Fl GREEN. Proceed up the channel to the end and make the 90° turn. Kenosha Yacht Club will be on your starboard. SIMMONS ISLAND MARINA Continue past Kenosha Yacht Club until you reach a fixed bridge at the end of the main harbor. This bridge has a charted 16 ft/4.9 m clearance. The marina services only power vessels. Once under the bridge, Simmons Island Marina will be on your starboard. SOUTHPORT MARINA Southport Marina is a major marina located immediately south of the main harbor entrance. It has its own separate entrance. FROM THE NORTH and EAST Keep offshore, leaving the to your starboard. Continue approximately .5 nm south on a heading of approximately 200°T until you see the Southport Marina entrance light – Fl RED visible about 7 nm. That light stands on the pier head of the south breakwater. Keep in mind that you will also see the Fl GREEN light that stands on the north breakwater of the marina entrance. This can appear confusing. Disregard the Fl GREEN light and continue south until you are south of the Fl RED light and abeam the Q WHITE light that is situated on shore. Once you see the Q WHITE light which is visible about 6.8 nm, turn west and begin to make your entrance. Bend your course to the starboard, keeping the Fl RED light on your beam. Once you are well inside the entrance channel, the position of the RED and GREEN lights will resolve themselves and you can proceed to enter the marina. FROM THE SOUTH Sail north until the Q WHITE light located on shore is on your port beam. It is visible about 6.8 nm. You will also see the Fl RED light situated on the pier head of the south breakwater of the entrance. Beyond it, you will see the Fl GREEN light marking the north side of the marina entrance. Disregard the Fl GREEN light until you are inside the marina entrance. Once abeam the Q WHITE light, turn to port and begin your entry. Bend your course to the starboard, keeping the Fl RED light on your starboard beam. Once you are well inside the entrance channel, the position of the RED and GREEN lights will resolve themselves and you can proceed to enter the marina. |
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MARINAS, YACHT CLUBS, MOORINGS, ANCHORAGES Kenosha Yacht Club (262) 652-2320) Kenosha Yacht Club has about a half dozen slips available for transient sailors. There is no fuel dock. There is no pumpout facility. Water and power are available. The club has a well-equiped clubhouse with restrooms and showers. There is a restaurant and bar which is also open to the public. Simmons Island Marina (262) 653-4080) Simmons Island Marina has 142 slips with several set aside for transients. There is no fuel dock. There is a pumpout station. Water and power are available. Other facilities include washroom and showers, on-site mechanical services and a convenience store. Southport Marina (262) 657-5565) VHF 16 Southport Marina is a large, publicly owned 440 slip marina. There are a number of transient slips available. There is a fuel dock and pumpout facility. This is a full-service marina capable of carrying out repairs and maintenance to engine, mechanical and electrical systems as well as fibreglass work and sail rigging. There are restrooms, showers and laundry facilites. Other amenities include a pool, hot tub, ship's store and free internet access. |
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REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE, PROVISIONING, BANKS/ATM's Southport Marina (See above) Great Lakes Yacht Sales (262-654-0207) is located in the northeast corner of the main harbor to the north of the yacht club. They are a full-service marina. They are capable of carrying out a wide range of engine, mechanical, electrical, fibreglass and canvas repairs. Pick 'n Save is the nearest full-service grocery store, about 4.5 mi/7.25 km. They will deliver groceries for an added fee. BMO Harris Bank is located about .5 mi/.8 km from Sothport Marina. |
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MEDICAL SERVICES Kenosha Medical Center provides comprehensive medical services. It is located about 1 mi/1.6 km south of Southport Marina. Modern Apothecary is located about 1 mi/1.6 km north of Southport Marina. |
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PLACES TO EAT There are a number of restaurants within walking distance of both the Kenosha Yacht Club and Southport Marina. The yacht club itself has a restaurant open to transients and the public. Waling up to and crossing the 50th Street bridge, brings you in reach of Marina Garden, a Greek-American family restaurant, Captain Mike's, a well-known pub and Villa D'Carlo, an Italian restaurant. Near the Southport Marina, you can find Ashling on the Lough. a classic, Irish-style pub, Frank's Diner, a rail-car style diner and the Wine Knot a wine bar and bistro. |
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THINGS TO DO/SEE/VISIT There is no shortage of fun things to do in Kenosha. For sailors, a first stop would naturally be the Southport Light Station Museum. The lighthouse and maritime museum, inside the keeper's house, documents Kenosha's lighthouse keepers, shipping and fishing history. Also climb the 1866 Southport Lighthouse. The tower stands 55 feet above the lighthouse grounds. See Kenosha, Lake Michigan and into Illinois and Racine County. There is a neat electric streecar that you can ride. These beautifully restored electric streetcars travel a 2-mile loop, providing a scenic tour of the Lake Michigan shoreline, HarborPark, two historic districts and downtown business district taking you by shops, restaurants and museums. The Kenosha Public Museum is a natural sciences and fine and decorative arts museum. Established in 1933, the Museum’s collections have grown to over 80,000, including 1,200 works in the fine arts collection. Exhibit programming includes mammoths, world cultures, Native Americans, zoology, geology, fossils, and fine and decorative arts. |
