A Year of Photos

Wishing everyone a happy holiday and festive New Year. Before we close the books entirely on 2010, here's our year in review:

For the Sailing (Apple) Geek

Our minds have been on the holiday season recently, and we started thinking about what we would like to get in our stocking this year.

For those iPhone and iPad owners, how about an iTunes gift card? There's an incredible range of applications that are available to assist in your sailing adventures.

Some of our favorites:
Knot Guide: For $1.99, get access to step-to-step guides for 88 knots. Make the most of your time out on calm seas with this app and practice your knots! This will also make you a fascinating party guest.




Sailing Log: The great sailing log app hasn't been created yet, but in the meantime this app does a pretty good job. And removes the paper and pencil! For $4.99 we think it's worth it to never worry about leaving your log book at home.




Gone Boating: This app simplifies communicating your sailing plans to friends and loved ones. Create a float plan, add your crew member's contact info, and send all of that information off to those you are leaving onshore. In addition, you can automatically update them along the way as things change. Now your wives will know when you'll be getting home from sailing! For $1.99, it's a pretty cheap safety plan.


Ship Finder: We nerd out over this app! Pick a harbor and this app will use Google maps and ships AIS feeds to tell you what boats are around that area. You can even pull up specific ship's specs, destination and sometimes photos. Then, track those ships as they go around the world. There's a free version and a paid version for $4.99.


iNavx Marine Navigation: At $49.99, this is one expensive app. However, you get a lot and it's a must have for the cruising sailor. This app brings the official US waterways charts and CHS Canadian charts straight to your phone. Using your phone's GPS, you can plot your location in real-time. The app also supports waypoints and routes, track your log, and provide weather forecasts.


Weather Alert: This is the app our staff uses. It uses NOAA's weather data to create daily predictions, radar, and satellite information. You can also create weather alerts based on parameters you set, keeping you updated with severe weather ahead. For $2.99, it's a must-have.



Windfinder: Bonus, this app is free! We use windfinder.com in the office for wind predictions and real time information. Now you can access it on your phone directly through the app. And get wind alerts.





Droid Users
One of our staff members is making the switch shortly. What apps should she get?

Closing up for the Season

The end of October is always bittersweet for Chicago Sailing. This month has proven even more so, with the wonderful sun that we have had recently. Despite the sun and mild temperatures, winter is coming.

Next week's weather is a mixed bag of rain and heavy winds interspersed with a couple of dry days. On those dry days we will be hauling out the remainder of our J/22's and the J/24.

Tuesday morning our remaining two Hunters will depart for Racine, WI. If you want to join and learn a bit about long-distance cruising, sign up here.

On Wednesday, our office will move to our winter headquarters in Logan Square. The houseboat will remain on the dock until Friday or Saturday, when we make one final trip through the locks to Canal Street Marina.

All that sums up to this weekend being our last weekend for the season. Boats are available. Come say hi! We'll miss seeing you over the off-season.

Oktoberfest

It's back! This Saturday, October 2nd, will see B Dock a-buzz with sailors and German food. (Extra points for German garb.)

Last season's closing event was our Oktoberfest party. The weather has decided to behave for our Second Annual Oktoberfest party.

Join us on B Dock from 12 - 4 pm for sailing,* food and friends.

* Boats are available for rental throughout the afternoon. Call to make your reservation.

Changes in Parking

There have been some changes to parking in the harbor that we wanted to alert all of our customers to.

Last week the Park District appeared to be putting in an automatic parking tender to the parking gates at the entrance to the harbor. It can now accept credit cards (hooray) as well as bills and change. We were all surprised this morning to arrive and have the parking gate down. Apparently they have decided to charge for parking 7-days a week in the harbor area (boo).

The parking area in the harbor is the only area with changes.



The metered parking along Recreation Drive by the softball fields remains free Monday - Friday until 6 pm on Friday. It is $0.50 an hour from 6 pm on Friday - Sunday at 11 pm. Like the rest of Chicago's automated meters, you can use quarters or a credit card.

The parking lot accessed by the left turn just south of the tennis courts is paid parking 7-days a week. Parking is $1.00/hour from 9 am - 9 pm. From 9 pm - 11 pm and again from 7 am - 9 am it is $0.25/hour. This parking lot closes at 11 pm with the park and cars will be towed from the lot if left later than 11 pm. The machines in this lot accept bills, change and credit cards.

If we get any other information regarding changes to parking around the harbor, we will update everyone as soon as possible.

Vote for your favorite!

Our photo submissions are live. Check out all the photos sent in to us from sailing this season and vote for your favorite.

View the album.

If you have a facebook account, sign in to "Like" your favorite photo. If you don't have a facebook account, email us to let us know which photo you like best.

More Photos!

We've enjoyed the submissions we have received over the last week to our photo contest.

Here are some of our early favorites!


by Roger Huang


by Janet Gunn

Yesterday, we shot some photos of our own during the Tall Ships Parade. We didn't capture every boat, but the ones we shot are gorgeous.



What have you captured out on the water? Share your photos with us for the chance to win a free sail!