mmills023
Member
we are new to boating in the area and looking for boat clubs around the Chicago or Michigan City area. I was surprised when I googled boat clubs and all I could find were boat timeshare clubs.
Boat/yacht clubs - Chicago or Indiana - Lake Michigan
- Thread starter mmills023
- Start date
Steve S
Well-Known Member
- Jun 5, 2007
- 3,123
- Boat Info
- 2000 400 Sedan Bridge with twin CAT 3116's
2000 340 Sundancer - SOLD!
210 Monaco 1987 - SOLD!
- Engines
- Twin Caterpillar 3116's 350 HP straight drives
Look up yacht clubs
Lot of yacht club options in Chicago, and I know that Michigan city has one at the municipal marina as well. In Chicago, the big ones are Chicago Yacht Club (CYC) and Columbia Yacht Club. Both of these have power squadrons, but I would say that they are more heavily focused on Sail rather than power. The small yacht clubs in Chicago are more harbor specific Corinthian-Montrose, Diversey Yacht Club - Diversey harbor (power boat focused), Jackson Park Yacht Club, etc. Outside of the actual physical locations (restaurant/bar/party rooms) they organize regular racing events like Wednesday evening beer can racing, race to Mackinac, class races, but again, these are all for Sail. In the end it all comes down to what you want out of a group or club, and what you're willing to pay to be a part of it. Lots of good options out there, just need to contact the respective clubs and get a tour/meet some members to find one that's right for you.
Gofirstclass
Well-Known Member
mmills, a couple of suggestions for you based on my experiences with yacht clubs. We belonged to one for several years whose membership was comprised mainly of engineers, scientists and business owners. Their standing rules and bylaws were about a inch thick in a 3 ring binder. Few people in that club were real boaters. Most were more interested in making sure everyone obeyed all the rules than boating.
While we were members of that club we found most of our boating was done with friends we made in another local club. Eventually we quit club #1 and joined #2 and have never had more fun boating. The people are fun, there are lots of boating trips and lots of fun parties and events.
So my suggestion would be this: Before you join a club take a look at the members. If they're into white shoes and pants and blue blazers and that's your style then go for it. But whatever club you join make sure they are a group of people who are like you. You will have a lot more fun on your boat.
While we were members of that club we found most of our boating was done with friends we made in another local club. Eventually we quit club #1 and joined #2 and have never had more fun boating. The people are fun, there are lots of boating trips and lots of fun parties and events.
So my suggestion would be this: Before you join a club take a look at the members. If they're into white shoes and pants and blue blazers and that's your style then go for it. But whatever club you join make sure they are a group of people who are like you. You will have a lot more fun on your boat.
