I had a great time on the Abacos trip. So much fun and what a fantastic group of good humans that I got to spend the week with! Thank you 3rd coast and Capt Russell for planning and executing a great catamaran trip. Until next time!! read more

Captain Jim is great! He was very helpful in getting my family scheduled for a charter, and then later in the season, sailing lessons for my friend & I! The others in the sailing lesson were great people, and we had a wonderful time on both excursions. read more

I have been a member of 3rdCC since 2019. That's 5 years now! And it has been an incredible journey of fun and continuous learning. From the time I set my foot on the boat -- yes, there's a proper way to do it -- I still learn something new everytime. I've also met lots of amazing people through the club, some of whom have become really good friends even off the boats and outside the sailing season. This includes friends who have moved out of Chicago, bought boats and are running charters now in the beautiful USVIs for a living and they started and learned to sail with 3rd Coast Cruising! The club is the next best thing to owning your own boat, because you will make friends with people who can and know how to skipper a boat, and if something breaks, you learn how to fix it with guidance from more senior members. All you have to do is sign up for a sail in the Mind Body app. Yup, it's the same app used to book yoga, workout classes, manis/pedis, therapy, botox appts, etc. Plus, Capt. Jim who owns the business lives and breathes sailing is an incredible teacher who is always excited to share his wealth of knowledge and really, is just a great person on and off the boat. As an MD, this club has allowed me to destress from my daily grind after a full day of work in the hospitals or clinic. And I have to mention that we have a bunch of us docs here! Not to mention pilots, engineers, and all those cool nerds and professionals looking to decompress our overworked brains. Really, few things can beat how therapeutic it is to be on a boat and enjoy the water, waves and winds of Lake Michigan on those beautiful spring, summer and fall evenings. Plus, is there a better way of admiring the Chicago skyline than from on the Lake? I think not. read more

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Waited a long time to write this. I've been a 3rd Coast member for a few years now. It's a fraternal club where folks learn to sail and to teach it (cascade instruction). You can test the waters with a couple sails, you can pace yourself à la carte, or you can go all the way with one of the membership levels. Paths to SLC certification are available; the multi-year captain's program attracts the ambitious. Participant demographics and goals vary in every imaginable way -- the best motley crew you'll find on the Chicago waterfront. Participants are generally zealous to gain experience. Although it's fine to commit only casually, it's most rewarding to venture out a couple days a week during a season. For most members, a priority is building a sailing resume. Some members network on the waterfront and crew for racing boats. Other members buy boats and make them available for club sails. A few go on to crew for charter boats. Others end up on fishing boats in Alaska, or hosting guests on catamarans in the Caribbean. It's amazing to watch how the club is a hub of life change for many. Socially, this is a very positive club. Newcomers face a steep curve on day one, but members are without exception encouraging. Everyone wants the new folks to succeed and love it. Crews often hang out after a sail, or join other club boats dockside for social time. The club offers two or three international sails a year (most recently in Croatia and Mexico); these are not covered by membership cost. Boatyard work during the off-season is also an excellent way to learn. This is valuable especially if you're interested in getting your own sailboat. At the least, it's working alongside friends you've come to know during the season, improving the boats you'll be sailing in the coming year. I could go on, but won't. Come aboard and hear from other voices. There'll be sea stories too. ;-) Full disclosure: The above opinions are those of a paying customer. There are no incentives for posting positive reviews. I just think Cap'n Jim has built a heckuva praiseworthy thing on the Chicago waterfront. read more

3rd Coast Cruising - Sailing Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I did a Groupon in 2021 and after then decided to purchase one of the full membership packages to get out on the water more. Before joining the club, I was already ASA 101, 103, 104, and 114 certified - but honestly, didn't realize how much I didn't actually know until getting out on the water and sailing, repeatedly with Jim and the other skippers. Nothing beats sea time, and I enjoy the approach of sailing and learning by doing, rather than learning by discussing a book. Captain Jim also ensures we really learn, which sometimes means we are allowed to make (safe) mistakes as a learning opportunity and I appreciate that . I'd say if you're looking for a sailing club, this is a great one in the area, at a great price point. I also like the location of the boats, in Monroe Harbor, as it has been super easy for me to get to each time. read more

I was extremely nervous before my sailboat lesson as I'm a non-swimmer whose never taken sailing lessons before !! In stark contrast, this turned out to be such a wonderful experience where I got to even control the wheel for a fair bit . Coming back to the lesson itself , it's a 90 minute lesson where you have two professionals who help the group sail an actual boat. Our instructors were patient and extremely helpful while explaining the importance of every piece of equipment on the boat .. Each of us got to don different hats for the duration of the course and it was refreshing to see so much control being given to the group Highly recommend this to any group looking to have a chill time on the river read more

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This is the short, not colorful version. It's worse than I can present here due to legal concerns. Once this guy got my money and some labor he stopped responding to my messages, removed me from the group chat, never approved my sails (even though on facebook he'd be promoting open spots.) After having spent 0 time on the water and learning 0 things from him, he refuses to refund my money or pay me for my labor (work I had done to get more sailing time). I also often saw him takes shots of liquor throughout the day. The earliest I saw was 10 am, shortly after I got there. I was left with the distinct impression that he didn't respect or want to work with women, even if they were paying customers and/or had some degree of knowledge (I'm a former E-5 ESWS sailor who lived on ships for 3 years and did 3 deployments) The boats are all old (I think only one is under 20 years), so if you're wanting to get a boat with newer equipment, this isn't the place. I've literally heard him making fun of other customers. read more

Some girlfriends and I chartered a boat with 3rd Coast Cruising this past July and we had a really great experience. I used Request A Quote through Yelp and Captain Jim got back to me almost right away! There were 8 of us total, and they offered a 3-hour cruise for $75 per person, which is a pretty good deal. We asked if we could go for 4 hours for $100 per person, and Captain Jim made it happen for us! When we arrived the day of the charter, Captain Mike and his first mate Francisco met us in the turnaround where we got dropped off and they helped us haul our coolers and bags. From the second they introduced themselves, they were nothing but polite and helpful! We cruised straight to the Playpen, took a lap, and found a good spot. While anchored, Captain Mike and Francesco served us drinks, kept weird dudes away from the boat, and were all around awesome. They put up with our woo girl shenanigans throughout the charter, so bonus points for that. I would highly recommend 3rd Coast Cruising, and will certainly be renting from them again next time I'm back in Chicago! read more

3rd Coast Cruising - Captain Mike patiently acted as photographer for multiple photo shoots throughout the charter - Sailing Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Tried to get in touch with them multiple times to discuss a refund issues. They just stoped replying to my emails. Horrible customer service. read more

I was debating on leaving a yelp review because I feel like the best kept secret in all of Chicago is going to be out but because I love Captain Jim and his crew so much, I'm doing it anyways. Unlike the others reviewers here, we actually had a boat charted for a concert at the northerly islands/fireworks and not the lessons. Here's the deal: you bring your own food and drinks, your finest sailing gear, and 5 of your most awesome friends, and captain jim and co. will take you out for an insanely good time. You'll go out to the northerly island, listen to the jams, watch the sunset, see fireworks at navy pier, and sail back with a view of the skyline that's unreal. Now, this sounds great but what you're really thinking is how much is this going to set me back? I mean, this sounds like something rich people do, right? Not the case. You can do all this for probably less than the price of the concert ticket. And did I mean how awesome Jim and his mates are? They seriously made the experience and were so much fun. Want proof? See picture of Jim grilling asparagus like a boss. Need I say more? The only problem I have now is knowing I can't do this every weekend. It's a ridiculous fun time - you won't regret booking this! read more

3rd Coast Cruising - Like a boss. - Sailing Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

While looking for a way to get out on the water, to enjoy the Chicago Air and Water show 2 years ago, I ran into 3rd coast ...and I am glad I did! Just about everything is better, when you are doing it on the water. I brought out my family and friends, and we had a fantastic time. We chartered a boat, and crew. When they took us out, we could relax, get goofy or learn how to sail ...the choice was ours. We chose all three. We first did a short cruise out to show center to enjoy all of the wonders that the Chicago air and water show provides. We swam, wondered at screaming jets flying overhead and ate and drank to our hearts content. After the show, we sailed up and down the coast ...taking in all of Chicago's skyline beauty. The crew was awesome, the boat was great and the experience was unforgettable. Since then I have met other sailors through 3rd coast, been out with a group for last years air and water show and I just returned from an Antiguan sailing excursion with the group, that I am still reeling over. A few of which, I might dare to call a friend. I am looking forward to sailing with 3rd coast to become a better sailor, and hang out with a great bunch of new friends! read more

3rd Coast Cruising - Sailing (and learning) in Antigua! - Sailing Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I ran into Captain Jim a year ago at the Strictly Sail Boat Show at Navy Pier looking for a good sailing school to learn how to sail on much bigger boats than i had been used too. I originally started with the month unlimited pack, and spent most of that month every night being out on the water learning more and more how to sail. The club has numerous great instructors that rotate around, and you could sail with somebody different each night of the week. I think this is great because everybody has a different teaching style and you will always learn something new or in a new way. Being a student now for the last year, I've been able to meet a lot of people and have made some good friends, sailing around the shores, grilling off the back of the boat and enjoying a beverage or two. One thing I've learned is there really isn't a right way to do something, as long as you don't hit anything and nothing breaks, you are in the clear. "Learn one, do one, teach one" One of the benefits of the school is they teach the students how to do something, let them practice it, and then have them help out other students to really make sure they understand what they are doing. Makes learning it that much simpler. Getting back to the review though, you can't learn sailing overnight. it's one of those things where you are always learning something new every time you go out. Being a student of the school now for about a year, still learning things. Whether I'm going out for a cruising lesson, racing, crossing the lake, or even going on one of their great winter Caribbean trips, something always comes up and is a great learning opportunity. I'm signed up for another year with Captain Jim and can't wait for the boats to be in the water. read more

3rd Coast Cruising - Sailing Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

My experience with 3rd Coast is beyond explanation. Meeting Captain Jim and the members of this group is something I will treasure. Captain Jim is not only knowledgeable, but he understands how to teach different types of individuals, and personifies his lessons to their best reward. It is very apparent that the other members and skippers of 3rd Coast have absorbed these traits, and also provide positive support and hands on lessons. I recommend 3rd Coast to sailors of any level. Thank you Captain Jim and Team! read more

For full disclosure this is my first Yelp review. My wife and I signed up for the 3-hour semi-private lessons. It was definitely worth it. Everyone on the boat was helpful and friendly. Captain Jim was great. There wasn't too much wind but we were still able to sail. We learned so much. Since we were complete beginners, they started us out tying different types of knots and progressed from there. We were pulling sheets (ropes), raising sails, took turns at the helm, practiced tacking, and were pretty much involved with every aspect of sailing the boat. It was really cool because we kind of thought we'd be watching more since we were complete beginners, but we were right in there with all the more experienced sailors. There were people of varying degrees of skill and experience and I believe each person learned something new. We will definitely be taking another lesson! read more

How can I express just how much 3rd Coast has meant to me over the years? In 2017, I came to 3rd Coast with a far-fetched dream of someday seeing the world by sailboat. I had no idea how I was going to make that happen, but I knew the first step was to learn how to sail! I didn't quite know it at the time, but my life was forever changed. Not only did I have the most fun summer EVER sailing nearly every day with 3rd Coast, but I also met the love of my life, who shared my dream of living and working on boats. Through 3rd Coast Cruising's Captain's Apprenticeship program, we learned about diesel engine maintenance, navigation, and the necessary seamanship skills that helped us jumpstart our careers as professional yacht crew. Nearly 3 years later, Michael and I can proudly say that we have worked on world class private yachts and have sailed to parts of the world we never even dreamed of seeing. Cuba, Malta, Gibraltar, Tunisia, and all along the US East Coast. Now, we've set our course towards are next adventure... running a Charter Catamaran in the beautiful Virgin Islands. We know this dream of ours may have never come to fruition without 3rd Coast Cruising and all that Captain Jim has taught us. Captain Jim is a wealth of nautical knowledge, an exceptional teacher, and hands down one of the best people we know. -Fair Winds! read more

Huge fan of 3rd Coast. Being going this summer for sailing lessons and simply love it! Captain Jim and the other guys are fantastic teachers and make learning a fun experience. read more

3-Hour Sailing Lessons... I just have to say it was a great telling my fam and friends that I sailed on one of the Great Lakes! What a wonderful experience! :) read more

While I appreciate someone at 3rd Coast addressing my complaints (albeit a bit late), I stand by my original review. My intent is not to ruin the reputation of a business, but merely to share my experience. I specifically state that I sailed with 3rd Coast once (for a 3-hour sail) and readers can take my review for what it's worth--one experience with your business. This one experience was disappointing as a result of the lack of knowledge and people skills of your instructors. I'm glad to hear that you have since changed your standards for hiring instructors. I'm also glad to hear that you've improved your booking process. To address the other issues--I know you don't have control over the weather, I just thought it might have been useful info for you to impart to first-time customers that they should dress warmly and in layers, I don't think people realize just how cold it gets out on the water. I was initially taken aback by your "beer in lieu of tip" comment because it sounded "obligatory" and to be given to the crew or captain, rather than shared in a friendly BYOB gathering. And lastly, I did not expect to learn how to sail in 3 hours, I just wanted to learn one or two things about sailing--which I did not, which is why I was so disappointed. The instructors on that night were bad at teaching and there was no effort made to actually teach, I did not know what it was that I was supposed to be doing. The atmosphere on the boat was chaotic and I felt like I was in the way rather than actually doing my part in helping to sail the boat. Thank you for reaching out and making improvements as a result of my review. read more

Last year after getting divorced I decided at 58 to learn how to sail...Jim Miranda and the other club members took me in and treated me like family. I learned quickly and had an amazing summer. Then in Feb. sailed with them to Cuba.. I totally fell in love.. In life you never know where and when. but, sailing has become the new love of my life. I have met some amazing people and made so many friends. I am hoping to sail around in Bermuda for the America's Cup in June 2017. I would be sitting at home watching dancing with the stars if it weren't for this club...My favorite captains of course Jim,Stevan, Clancy, Russell, Brian,Ulysses, thank you!!! read more

I've been sailing with 3rd Coast for the past year and a half and have fallen in love with the sport and the amazing community fostered by the school and the "club" atmosphere it has generated. While each sail is unique, the sport also provides a great venue to learn with and meet new people while honing your skills and enjoying an unmatched view of our amazing city. I didn't know I could love it any more than I already do until last night - when my company went out for a two-boat regatta led by Captain Jim and his crew. Such an amazing time led by some fantastic hosts! The experience is definitely dominating the watercooler and email convos today. To quote a team member, "Last night was so fun, and what a great team building activity encouraging communication, trust, submitting to direction, learning to trust your own intuition, learning about your colleagues and all the incredible variables that surround the act of riding the wind. I had such a great time." I highly recommend the sailing lessons and special events alike! My colleagues (and I) can't wait to get out there again soon! read more

My wife got me a pair of lessons from 3CC on LivingSocial for my birthday last July. I lucked out with a great class and a perfect summer day. The instructor was great - very knowledgeable but also really engaging and fun ("Why do we have special names for things on a boat?" "So others know exactly what you mean?" "No. To sound snobby.") By the end of the day I'd had at least one turn at every station on the boat, and started to get the hang of things. By the second lesson I had a new hobby and ended up coming out twice a week for the rest of the summer. You can learn as much as you want as fast as you can handle it. All the instructors I've been out with are very qualified and like to see students take on as much responsibility as they are comfortable with. But because it's not a formal teaching setting and everyone likes to have fun out on the lake, you can make it as casual or serious as you want - and there's always people looking to hang around and talk over a beer afterwards. I can't speak for the 2010 reviews, but since 2012 you can't go wrong with this place - this is one of the best things I've done since coming to Chicago! read more

I have always wanted to learn how to sail, and there is no better program to be a part of than 3rd Coast. I signed up with a friend, and was immediately welcomed into this amazing community of passionate sailors. Captain Jim, Skipper Michael, and the team are all there to support you through your journey. I am continuously impressed by the amount that I learn every time we are out on the water. Not only did they provide me with resources, support, and LOTS of hands on training- they made the process more fun than I ever imagined. I am looking forward to the many many sails to come, and I highly recommend their unlimited membership! read more

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Living in Chicago for the past 7 years, I had always longed to join the folks riding the waves of Lake Michigan. I kept saying to myself, "If only I knew someone with a boat!" Then last summer, Groupon offered a deal on a 3 hour sailing lesson with 3rd Coast Cruising, so I signed up with a few friends. I'd been on all kinds of boats in my life, but never a sail boat, and Michelle, our instructor, made the whole experience comfortable, fun, and educational. We spent a lot of time before setting sail going over safety, and some basics, so that all of us novices could participate immediately. Once on the water we each took turns at the helm, and performing other tasks, so we got to experience a little of everything. I was hooked from the start, and soon after this first lesson, signed up for unlimited sailing for the rest of 2010 and all of 2011. Since then I've been out about 6-8 times, during the day and at night, in calm and challenging weather, with many different instructors and mates...each time I learn something new, and can't wait for the next sail. 3rd Coast is a community of people who are passionate about sailing and about sharing that passion with others. As a student you participate as much or as little as you want, but it's set up to encourage and challenge you to learn as much as possible. You do have to take responsibility for your experience though, no one is going to coddle you or hold your hand, but if you show interest and curiosity you will be welcomed into the community with warmth and enthusiasm. If you want to learn to sail with a diverse group of fun, knowledgable, passionate people, I recommend 3rd Coast! I can't wait for the new season to start! read more

I initially signed up for 3rd Coast Cruising through a 'Living Social' promotion. I've always wanted to learn how to sail and this particular deal came up at the perfect time. In my typical fashion I waited until the very last minute to actually book my lessons so I had to pack both of them into one weekend. After a good amount of waiting my first lesson was eventually cancelled, BUT only because of some inclement weather that had rolled in that day. I have to say that Russell, our instructor, definitely made the best of a bad situation. I learned an insane amount of terminology and knots during the hour or so that we waited for the storm to pass. In the end we had to call it because there was a lot of lightning. However, the owner of the school was kind enough to offer a credit for the session - a testament to how fair and understanding these guys are. The next day (Sunday) was amazing. The weather was clear and the wind was super strong. We were out on six foot swells and pulling eight knots but I was comfortable the whole time under the Captain's direction. It seriously ROCKED! The other student and I were taking turns on the sails and then the helm. The whole experience was really hectic but very exciting at the same time. I will definitely NEVER forget my first time behind the helm of a sail boat. I enjoyed my two lessons so much that I chartered a boat the following week. My employer and his brother were in from the UK so we took some mutual friends out on a sunset cruise. Our experience was perfect in my eyes. The two person crew was amazing. The captain was kind enough to let my girlfriend steer the boat for most of the trip and she got a serious kick out of the whole experience. In fact, she went from poking fun of me for taking sailing lessons to wondering when we were going out on the boat again! '3rd Coast' is completely made up of people with a passion to sail and their enthusiasm is contagious. Be prepared for a life changing experience and that is seriously no exaggeration. They will make you feel right at home and that is exactly what I needed in this situation. read more

This is my first summer sailing with 3rd Coast, and I've been out on the water with them almost a dozen times. I have had an absolute blast! I've completely fallen in love with the sport. And there is no better place in the city to view the skyline, the sunset, or the Wed/Fri fireworks than from a sailboat. I've learned a surprising amount very quickly and seemingly without effort. And, most importantly, I have made great friends. The instructors are all very friendly, down-to-earth and laid back, while demonstrating a high level of skill and professionalism. Captain Jim (owner) has formidable people skills, and five minutes talking to him is enough to see his great passion for sailing and for making it available to his customers. I have invited many of my friends to sail with 3rd Coast and will continue to do so without hesitation. read more

Only reason they're getting 4 instead of 5 is because I have no basis of comparison. I've been thinking about learning to sail for a while, so when a friend asked if I wanted to purchase the 2 lesson Living Social deal, I jumped at the chance. Yesterday was the first lesson, and here is what I learned: Holy crap is there a lot to learn. You learn knots, knots, more knots, then the windy type of knots (a bit), a ton of terminology, and safety. Afterwards you go sailing. Our instructor, Kevin, was great. He was confident and encouraging, allowing everyone to take turns doing everything so that we all got a feel for the various positions and responsibilities, including taking the helm. I will definitely be signing up for more lessons. read more

My wife and I joined 3rd Coast Cruising for a fun day at the Chicago Boat Show last year. It was a lot of fun. Jim and his team are very laid back and allow inexperienced sailors to really learn how to do things the right way, while having fun. We live in Cincinnati but anytime we head to Chicago - I always reach out to Jim and his team when we want to get out on the water. If you are just wanting to get into sailing, as an novice sailor - I would highly suggest working with Third Coast Cruising to learn the finer points of sailing and of course have fun along the way. read more

I met Jim and 3rd Coast Cruising at Strictly Sail Chicago in January 2012 when I was looking for a sailing expedition for my 40th later that year. I was so impressed on their program especially the part where they don't let you progress until you can teach someone what you've learned. The whole premise of you know something when you can teach it has been a premise I go by in my work as well. They have some great packages for depending on how much you want (or I should say can) sail throughout the season. Since I was planning a lengthy spring trip that year, I opted to try them out with a two lesson plan instead of one of their unlimited monthly or season packages. My first sail was with Captain Jim and there were all levels of students on board. Some that were teaching us newer ones. My second sail was late in the season and afforded some great night sailing. Their teaching methods are fantastic. Before we set sail they ask what you want to learn that evening. The learning begins as you prepare to leave dock and they tell you what needs to be done. If you're unsure what they are asking you to do, they'll provide additional details. It's a great way for them to see your level of sailing knowledge. Other times they'll tell you what they are doing and then later ask you to do the same to test how well you've learned. They explain the reason why they are doing something which is great because it brings it full circle and provided a better basis for understanding. The whole time flies by because it's a blast and you don't even realize that you're learning. At the end of both of my sessions, I hung around the dock and made friends with some of my fellow sailors. It was a great time and I learned a lot. I can't for the day when I can sign up for a full season or even a monthly plan with them! read more

We had a party of four for the Air & Water show. The Captain was very attentive. We had a perfect view of the show. Every one in our party really enjoyed it. read more

Excellent communication. Went out of their way to try and help me out on short notice. Overall very good customer service. Can easily recommend them as a good company to do business with. read more

They have a passion for sailing! I've had the pleasure of going out on many sails with them over the course of 4 years. I've enjoyed sailing on their 30'+ boats and hanging out after class on the boat with the other students. I've also bareboated last year one of their DuFour yachts for the summer, they were well maintained and easy to sail. To me, its more than just a sailing school or boat charter company - they care about their customers and offer one of the best values in Chicago. read more

If you want to learn to sail, this is the company to call. I signed up with 3rd Coast late last year, and are back again for a full season this year. Before 3rd Coast, I knew nothing about sailing. Now, I can sail with confidence, talk intelligently about the workings of the boat, and more importantly, enjoy/respect being out on the water. 3rd Coast teaches you by do doing; my preferred way of learning. read more

I purchased a Swoop last year for 1 sailing class but due to weather cancellations, I was unable to use. However, 3rd Coast said they would honor it for this year. So, about 3 weeks ago I went out for a sail. In my twenties, a friend had a friend with a sail boat that we would cruise around on, so I was familiar with sail boats. However, I did not know how to do much. The Sunday that I went out was amazing weather. I got the helm the boat for the first time ever. It was so much fun. I learn how to tie a couple of knots, how to raise a sail, how to tack, etc. It was a great day and the group from 3rd Coast was great. Since that first Sunday, I have signed up for more classes. All the leads that I have sailed with, Jim, Gene, Russell and Rick, make the classes fun, safe and challenging. Everyone I have met so far has been friendly and make you feel at home. If you are interested in learning to sail, or just want to give it a try, I highly recommend going out with 3rd Coast. read more

I made the mistake of taking classes at another north side school last year and was absolutely disappointed. My wife bought me a couple of gift certificates for 3rd Coast classes last Christmas and I was amazed at the difference this Spring. These people are really serious about making sure that you actually know how to sail. Not the usual Gold Coast cheese, cracker, and chardonnay boat ride nonsense. They really are very gifted teachers. You're not going out on 19 foot dinks with teachers who are only interested in hearing the sound of their own voices, and selling you a large block of lessons. There's a real sense of sailing culture in what these people do. The continuity. The Brotherhood. The biggest thing that I was worried about before was what would happen if I was out on my own when Lake Michigan got really rough. Anyone born in this town has seen it go from dead calm to ten footers in the space of half an hour. Jim Miranda and his staff do an excellent job of teaching you, safely I might add, how to deal with Mother Nature when she doesn't want to cooperate. They instill confidence by consistently teaching you what needs to be done in difficult situations. Sailing is a lifestyle. A calling. Something that chooses you. Not the other way around. If this is indeed something that you feel in your bones, then give 3rd Coast a call. You won't find better. You will be prepared. If you're ready to begin, adventure awaits... read more

I wish I could remember the names of my instructors, they were pretty fantastic. Both clearly had a lot of sailing experience, and they were great teachers. I used a groupon for my lesson, which lasted three hours and included two instructors for just me and my girlfriend. Brought a six pack for us to drink while we were out there, so that went over well. I'll definitely go back next summer. Mahsa T. is right, the website leaves something to be desired, but I wasn't looking for a great booking experience, I was a little more concerned with the quality of instruction, which was great. read more

I have lived in Chicago for over 8 years, and our cruise with Captain Jim and his crew is my favorite memory to date. My bridesmaids planned the trip with 3rd Coast as a surprise for my bachelorette party! I couldn't have asked for anything more perfect - Boat, friends, and lots of beer. We took two boats out with Captain Jim and had the time of our lives while they manned the boats. The guys were super fun and friendly, and we had an absolute blast. Thank you so much Captain Jim - you'll definitely have us out there with you again! read more

3rd Coast only gets better. When you show a real interest in sailing, they teach as rapidly as YOU can learn. When you show an aptitude, they expose you to situations and give you responsibility/opportunity that you just can't get anywhere else. They're fine for the casual interest sailor too, don't get me wrong, but if you want to become a hardcore, self reliant, infinitely capable sailor, this is THE PLACE to do it. read more

Paid $800 for 10-three hour sails. Spent the first half hour of most lessons learning/practicing knots. Sailed with different skippers- most were good teachers, some were not. Lessons take place in either day or evening conditions and you will be with people of varying experience during your lessons. This can be good or bad- good because the more salty students can assist in teaching, bad because the skipper will be devoting attention to the more advanced students in tasks like docking or advanced sail trim. You will get a great view of the city skyline no matter when you go. Along with a skipper, most lessons have at least five other people packed into the cockpit of the boat. The boats owned by 3rd coast cruising are all 25+ years old and have varying degrees of equipment issues at any given time-nothing I perceived as a life-threat though. The life vests owned by 3rd coast appear to have never been cleaned. I bought my own after the first lesson. I've witnessed some skippers, including the owner of the company, make fun of students who opt to wear life vests during sailing lessons. I don't know what was up with that? In my experience, if you opt for the 10-lesson plan (or less) through 3rd coast; you will meet new people, learn to tie basic knots, basic sailing/nautical terms, crew-level tasks, and get a great view of the skyline. You will not learn to become a skipper in this time-frame, go to a US Sailing or ASA Basic Keel Boat class (for roughly the same cost) if that's what you want. read more

I can't say enough good things about the fun and confidence I am getting from sailing with 3rd Coast. The knowledge it takes to sail a 36 footer may seem overwhelming at first, but these guys never talk down to you or make you feel like you can't do it. It's quite the opposite, their enthusiasm is infectious and makes me want to learn. And I am. I became 3rd mate certified in a month and will be 1st mate by end of summer. That means I can sail with confidence anywhere in the world. Oh yeah baby! read more

I am stunned by the negative comment from the one individual. I am in my 2nd year with 3rd Coast and I love it. I love the teaching style and the members. You're right, you can't learn to sail in three hours and I am positive no one at 3rd Coast told you you would. As to the weather, welcome to Chicago. Surely you don't hold 3rd Coast accountable for that. Sounds like someone showed up with a bad attitude. I have learned tons from each and every teacher and have been promoted to 2nd Mate. I went on the Grenadine trip and not only learned even more from my fabulous skipper, but I had a fabulous time as well and am looking forward to the 2012 trips. In my 1st year with 3rd Coast I did the lake crossing. We had every kind of weather imaginable and I learned a lot. The Captain made us all feel perfectly safe and made sure we had fun too. I have been given every opportunity to learn various skills on my own with an instructor at the ready to step in if there is a problem. Too bad you won't give this fantastic group another chance. I have made many friends besides the skills I have picked up! read more