MEMBERSHIP

In case you haven’t noticed, our members love to sail and they love to hang out with people who love to sail. As a member of Sail Chicago you have the opportunity immerse yourself in a vibrant, fun-loving sailing community, improve your sailing skills, feel the adrenaline rush of racing, and take advantage of the biggest and best natural resource that Chicago has, Lake Michigan. Join us!

$225/year

Joint Memberships

Sail Chicago offers joint memberships at a reduced price for two individuals living in the same household. You can find more information about how to obtain at joint membership on our FAQ, here.

Member Cruise Outings (MCO)

MCOs are a great opportunity for Sail Chicago members to meet other Sail Chicago members as they enjoy recreational sails aboard one of the boats in our Sail Chicago fleet.  Although no sailing experience is required, participation is encouraged because participation is what makes the sailing experience so memorable. 

Your experienced Skipper and First Mate invite you to join in and lend a hand as you take in the sights and sounds which are unique to sailing in Chicago.

Member cost: Free

Tiller Time

Tiller Time provides current and previous year’s Sail Chicago students the opportunity to practice skills and maneuvers they learn in class, and gain confidence at the helm under the supervision of a Sail Chicago Tiller Time Skipper.  

Student cost: Free 

Annual Service

Sail Chicago has been an all volunteer organization since the beginning. It is very similar to a co-op where the members are the owners and share in the roles and responsibilities of the organization Here at Sail Chicago our members exercise their “owner’s responsibility” via an annual service requirement.

All new (first time) members are exempt from Member Service Requirements during their first summer of membership only. Returning members must sign up for a volunteer job. For jobs that are completed during the sailing season, members must sign up by the beginning of the sailing season. For jobs that are completed in the off-season, members must sign up and complete the job during the preceding off-season. Returning members can opt out of the service requirement by paying a fee of $400/season.

For example, a member who joins for the first time in summer 2022 does not have to complete a volunteer job during summer 2022. In order to be a member in good standing in summer 2023, however, the member should either (a) sign up before the start of summer 2023 for a job to be completed during summer 2023 or (b) complete an off-season job before the beginning of summer 2023.

Contact volunteer@sailchicago.org for more information on available jobs. 

Affordable private sailboat use

When the boats in our Sail Chicago fleet are not being used for program activities, Sail Chicago members who are qualified skippers can use the boats for private sails. Skippers may invite other Sail Chicago members or non Sail Chicago guests to crew for them on the boat.

For boats moored at Monroe Harbor, fees include one parking pass to the Monroe Street Garage and free transportation for skipper and crew to and from the boat on the Monroe Harbor tender.

Boats may NOT be used for commercial purposes.

Rates are for the full period, not hourly.

Questions? See our FAQ page. 

Still have questions? Contact support@sailchicago.org for more information.