Winding down

We have gotten a few calls recently inquiring about boat rentals this month. The short answer is yes, we are still open!

To elaborate: Our boats will start departing Dock B next week. Two of the Hunters are going up to Racine, where Bumblebee already is. The T-10 will also be leaving shortly. At some point during the week of the 19th, our remaining Hunters and the J/30 will travel to their winter home at Great Lakes Naval Base.

Our J/22's and J/24's are waiting until the end of October. Chicago Sailing is in the midst of a very big step forward - that we look forward to announcing shortly. On October 31st, if you are downtown along the river, you might get to spot the houseboat make her way to Canal Street Marina.

To take any of our boats out for one last sail this season, just call the office! We are operating with a small staff, but can accommodate most requests with advanced notice.

As always safety is our top priority. Make sure to wear proper clothing when sailing this month. It is significantly colder on the water and rain gear is highly recommended.

Our four-legged companions even practice water safety on the houseboat.


Thank you to everyone who joined us last Sunday for Oktoberfest! The food was delicious and the weather divine.



See you soon!

Oktoberfest!

All season long we have worked with our preferred caterer, AEL Catering to execute flawless corporate events.

This season saw numerous team building events, including two 65 person team building events that utilized every J/22 and J/24 in our fleet! Aboard Bumblebee, AEL Catering provided the food for many a cruise along Chicago's lake front. Chicago Sailing took care of three of the five senses for our guests with the sight of Lake Michigan and Chicago's skyline, the sound of a sail catching the wind and the feel of a rope or tiller in their hands. AEL Catering supplied the remainder with the smell and taste of exquisite food. In our minds - the perfect pairing for a day on the water.

As we near the end of Chicago's second summer, it is time to celebrate a season spent on the water enjoying the adventure! Coincidentally it is also Oktoberfest. So we put our thinking caps on and decided it was time to start a new tradition!

Sunday, October 4th join the staff of Chicago Sailing and AEL Catering as we celebrate the 2009 Season and hopefully store up enough memories of a sailing season to hold us through the gray Chicago winter. Rent a boat, go Club Sailing or just stop by in your best German-garb*!



*German-garb is encouraged, but not required. We just want to see you on B-Dock.

Chicago Match Race

This weekend is a busy weekend on our dock, for Chicago Sailing and Chicago Match Race. As Sail-World reported earlier this week, this weekend is the start of two weekends of Match Race competition just outside of Belmont Harbor.

In its first season, Chicago Match Race has kept their portion of B Dock busy! Earlier this season they hosted an international Grade 2 regatta in August. We've enjoyed getting to know everyone involved in the program. Having their headquarters docked behind our Hunters has made for a few tense docking moments though!

This morning we watched as they pulled their headquarters out to watch the action.





On the dock you can see that it's looking a little empty at the end. We have had some renters down visiting us today, taking advantage of our end of season special - 3rd hour free!



As we waited for some of our renters to arrive, we practiced our knots in the office. Kyle showed off his rescue bowline skills.

The fog came in again!

Our nemesis, the fog, rolled back in this morning just after our 9 am rentals left the dock. We quickly called the boats back in and I was armed with an actual camera, as opposed to my phone, to take some pictures.





These were snapped from the dock. I went for a wander and headed up to the breakwall to check out the visibility on the water.





Can you spot the sailboat in the fog?? In the next picture it had disappeared and was behind the fog as a motor boat went on by.

The fog rolls in

This morning as I walked into the harbor, it appeared a little hazy. Just a half-hour later that was a serious understatement! With visibility of only a few docks away from the house boat, we held our morning rentals on the dock and touched-base with the staff members out on the water.

While we waited for the fog to pass, we spotted a flock of geese who have returned to the harbor. We didn't see quite as many in July and August, but they've returned.



As the fog sat over us, you could follow our posts on Twitter for weather updates @chisail. Our staff made their way back to the harbor using the onboard compass to find their way.

After what seemed like most of the day (really just a few hours), the fog finally moved through. Sunny sky's returned! And our boats hit the water.

Air & Water Show Recap

Air & Water show weekend was a crazy time on Dock B. Leading up to the weekend itself, we had a number of events keeping us busy.

Tuesday night was Taco Night! (Greek night is tomorrow.) In total, 8 boats went out on Club Sail. In the food department, all 12 pounds of meat was consumed as folks hung out and got to know each other after sailing.



The following day we had a second 65 person Team Building event! Then it was quickly into Air & Water Show weekend. Saturday's weather was beautiful, with many boats off the dock all day long. Sunday proved a problematic day with gusts above 30 knots, storms and waves.



Many of our J-1 students from Ireland are finishing up their time with us this season. Before we let Hetty leave us, she took a turn on the work boat for a regatta with Jack and Ruadhiri's assistance. Charlie kept the dock in order all weekend long, managing a smoothly operating fleet during our busiest day of the year.

Spotting the planes from the house boat was the best part! What a wonderful weekend on B Dock!

Taco Night!

With smooth sailing ahead in the month of August and an anticipated Indian Summer this fall, we've decided it's time to shake up the Tuesday night BBQ's.

Tomorrow kicks off the new schedule with chicken and steak tacos and all the fixing.

Tuesday, August 25th: Greek Night!

Tuesday, September 8th: Shish Kabobs

Tuesday, September 22nd: Jamaican Jerk Chicken

This Tuesday, instructor Chris Lovas serves as the grill master. We'll let you know who is grilling in coming weeks!