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    3rd Coast Cruising

    4.5 (69 reviews)
    Open 9:00 am - 10:30 pm

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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.

    Sandeep R.

    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

    Captain Mike patiently acted as photographer for multiple photo shoots throughout the charter
    Hannah C. R.

    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!

    Like a boss.
    Kristin M.

    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!

    Sailing (and learning)  in Antigua!
    Brian S.

    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!

    Jon V.

    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.

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - 3rd Coast Cruising

    Review Highlights - 3rd Coast Cruising

    Captain Jim and his crew at 3rd Coast Charters are knowledgeable, friendly and made it a fantastic night!

    Mentioned in 22 reviews

    Read more highlights

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