the yacht club chicago

Chicago Yacht Club

Review Highlights

“ I cannot be happier with our choice of having the reception here, except for a small snafu. ” in 4 reviews

“ The view of the dock where all the boats are located is very nice and the appetizers they serve are very tasty, especially the beef wellington. ” in 2 reviews

“ Went with my cousin who is a member, and enjoyed the buffet a lot. ” in 2 reviews

Location & Hours

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400 E Monroe St

Chicago, IL 60603

Harbor Dr & United States Highway 41

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Amenities and More

About the business.

Chicago Yacht Club is a private club founded in 1875 with the goal of advancing the community's knowledge, enjoyment and participation in boating and the nautical arts. Chicago Yacht Club has two clubouse locations in Monroe Harbor and Belmont Harbor and is a preeminent organizer and host of regattas, races and predicted log contests in the United States. Chicago Yacht Club has an award winning sailing school that offers classes for children from age 5 up to adults. The club also offers an array of spectacular off-the-water amenities such as fine dining and full-service catering at both clubhouses -- Monroe Station and Belmont Station. …

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Overall rating

I do not own a boat, but a friend sent me a link for free admission to a TECH and BOAT Show, where vendors would sell, among other things, boats and accessories. Light snacks and 1 drink ticket were available. Across the hall the food for Members was available (fruit, dessert, carving station). Luckily I saved myself embarrassment and avoided those areas. The area was so nice, right on the water of course. A live band and outdoor seating (member seating separate) on a warm early evening made for a great atmosphere. There were vendors inside and outside, from car companies, boat accessories, and private plane sales. The dock allowed for boats to be visited, but none were going out at the time. My favorite accessory was the 'Seakeeper', a heavy object that keeps boats from rocking. Good idea! The area and service were great but I can't speak to the members.

See all photos from Jacqueline B. for Chicago Yacht Club

Well I don't own a Yacht/Boat neither my friends do.+1 for a annual member ship event and this is a great place to be.Similar to lake shore walk but just a place where you can Dine In makes this place different. Can't comment on the food as this is "Members only Club". Pros: Amazing View of the Lake. Great spot to host events/weddings Pretty Good staff

See all photos from Harish V. for Chicago Yacht Club

I attended a friends wedding here who got married later in life - I'll never forget his 90 year old Dad saying he didn't think he would live long enough to see his boy get married! The food at the reception was really good, servers refilled often and you had exceptional views of the lake - what's not to love?!

I am not a member of Chicago Yacht Club but I have attending many events at both Monroe and Belmont locations for years. The Monroe locations is well decorated and has a beautiful view of the lake and city. It's great for lunch during the summer and there is parking on site. I obviously can't speak regarding member benefits or services but overall the staff is friendly and helpful. I attended a recent event here for an awards ceremony & dinner. The food was fantastic with a wide range of options from a carving station, sushi, salads, ribs, mac & cheese, soup and more. Everything I tried was delicious but it was a little difficult to eat as it was a standing dinner and there were not a lot of counter space to put your place on. The bar selection was extensive and you received two drink tickets with your ticket. There was a heated tent set up outside for dancing after the ceremony. The awards ceremony itself was very rushed. There was only a notice given a couples minutes prior that it was going to start and there were few seats available for those who needed them. I would have appreciated a 20 and 10 minute heads up for the awards presentation as it was taking place at one end of the building and people were spread out along multiple rooms. I know they were limited to the number of people who could attend based on the space of their facility but it was for an event that hundreds of people participated and the event was sold out rather quickly and it was a little cramped. Regardless, everyone in my party had a fantastic time but we all agreed that some things could have been improved.

This place is very nice and fancy plain and simple. My cousin had his wedding and reception here. Everything from the ambiance, the atmosphere, the décor, the service and the food all scream elegant. The view of the dock where all the boats are located is very nice and the appetizers they serve are very tasty, especially the beef wellington. If you're looking to host some type of event here be ready to shell out some serious paper because this place is far from cheap. However you get what you pay for and here you pay for top notch service with delicious food and appetizers with a great view of the ocean. I'm not a member of the Chicago Yacht Club but if a friend or family member ever has an event here; I will definitely attend.

Roasted chicken with herbs, spinach ravioli with a cream sauce and green beans with toasted almonds. The flower is a nice touch as well.

Amazing outside view of the boats and the ocean from the patio. Very serene.

I have receptacle privileges here and took advantage of it for lunch. The afternoon was a perfect Chicago day We sat outside with the best view in Chicago. The atmosphere was amazing and the staff could not have been friendlier. You couldn't tell i was not a full member. We ended up having salads and two bottles of wine. They were a light Sauvignon blanc, but the day was so nice we didn't want to leave. So we sat for a couple of hours. Just an amazing experience.....if i owned a boat, i would truly consider a membership Highly recommend

My boss is a super-regular member of a certain age (old school is putting it mildly.) And, while I have no prior experience with yacht clubs because I'm a mere working class peon (with nary a yacht in my possession...,) I can only speak to my experience at my company's private event there (at the insistence of aforementioned boss.) First, it truly feels old school. Very masculine and likely quite fashionable a few decades back (that's not saying it's a bad place, just not very modern-feeling.) The room in which we held our event was quite nice, open and airy with high ceilings and floor to ceiling windows overlooking the harbor. Can't beat that view! The staff was very pleasant. It was incredibly easy to work with the event coordinator and the bartenders and servers were lovely when we had to make a few last-minute adjustments during the event. All in all, a lovely place to hold a private event!

A rich 143 year history along a breathtaking view of Chicago's skyline and lakefront. I was impressed with the service as well as the food. I dined on the stuffed Pork Chop as it was succulent and well seasoned. I finished the evening with a warm Peach Cobbler with ice cream that was not too sweet and hit the spot.

Really cool establishment, retro old school feel. Well maintained & very clean. The food was phenomenal. I had a lobster roll with homemade chips. Very tasty & nice presentation. The view is beautiful & despite a ton of people at millennium park, it was really quite quaint. Will definitely come again, or possibly even join. Loved it!

Seems like a nice enough place. But the GM...a jerk. I am a 53 year old well-educated upper-middle-class white female, and was dressed the part yesterday evening. Was waiting for my friend to valet the car. General manager came out and asked me why I was there, who I was with and why I was standing in his parking lot. Not an impressive way to greet a first-time guest. I told him whose boat I was going out on and he continued to indicate to me that I could not park in the lot. Since I was standing outside the car and was clearly not the car's driver, I'm not sure what effect he thought I could have on the parking situation. But I do hate the way he treated me and the way he accused me of not belonging. It definitely made me hesitant to return. What a jerk. Wondering how he treats people of different races or different socioeconomic statuses. Charming.

5 other reviews that are not currently recommended

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Something for everyone

• Exceptional indoor and outdoor dining at Monroe and Belmont Station overlooking Lake Michigan
• Reciprocity with Union League Club of Chicago and more than 700 yacht clubs worldwide
• Year-round social events
• No food or beverage minimum or capital fees
• Networking opportunities with world-class sailors, CEOs and entrepreneurs
• Meeting and banquet facilities for member rental and sponsored guests
• Convenient and complimentary members-only parking
• Shower, locker, and storage at both facilities

On the water

• Transient docking at both Belmont and Monroe Harbors (up to 5 hours at no charge)
• Exclusive boat charter and rental opportunities  
• Sonar sailboats, paddle boards and kayaks available for member rental
• Team racing, match racing and women’s sailing series
• Host to dozens of annual regattas, including the Race to Mackinac, Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series, and Verve
• Exclusive member pricing on educational programs
• Racing series on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays spring - fall at Belmont & Monroe Stations
• Year-round events tailored to women and families
• 40+ volunteer committees--from event planning to communications--to family activities
• Community service opportunities through charity cruises and the Sea Scouts
• Host of the Chicago Regatta and Silent Auction which in 2018 donated more than $90,000 to Chicago area charities
• Active powerboat and cruising sail boat fleets planning a variety of annual cruises throughout the Great Lakes
• Opportunities to give back with Chicago Yacht Club Foundation and charity events

The Chicago Yacht Club hosts more than 200 exclusive events on and off the water each year, offering members ways to get involved and share their passion for the water.

Learn more about our events.

• Member Benefits

Welcome Aboard!

We welcome you and your family to ‘your home on the water’.

The Chicago Yacht Club was founded in 1875 to encourage and promote the sport of yachting, yacht building and to conduct world-class sailing competitions and yachting activities. Members are invited to take part in more than 125 racing events each year. Platinum Clubs of America consistently ranks the Club as one of the top five yacht clubs in the United States. Walk around Monroe Station, and you’ll see trophies, awards and our own “Wall of Fame” of racing sailors. As you wander into the Board Room, you’ll find a library filled with books about nautical life. You can craft your own story as a member. Maybe you’ll even contribute to our publication, “The Blinker.”

The Club is home to nearly 1,400 members, including a winning America’s Cup skipper, Olympic medalists and hopefuls, and outstanding boaters, from ages four to 100. The Club offers year-round activities at two locations, Monroe and Belmont Stations. We are recognized as a leader in programming for powerboating and sailing education, with one of the largest junior sailing programs in the United States.

Get Connected

Follow us on Social Media

Download the Chicago Yacht Club App

Meet the Flag Officers

The Commodore is the Chief Executive Officer of the Club.

Commodore Anderson has been a boater since he was seven years old and shares that passion with his family.

Charles Anderson

Laura sigmond.

Vice Commodore

The Vice Commodore chairs the Stations Committee and is responsible for the properties and operations of the Club.

Martin Sandoval

The Treasurer is the chair of the Finance Committee and is responsible for the administration of budgets. The Treasurer is also the chair of the Sponsorship Committee.

Rear Commodore

The Rear Commodore coordinates the work of all committees responsible for racing, cruising and regattas.

Matthew Gallagher

John Leahey

The Secretary keeps the minutes of the meetings of the Club and Board of Directors and coordinates the work of the Membership and Admissions Committees.

Past Commodore

Past Commodore Lisa saw the Club through 2023 and continued work on our new Belmont campus. She is now serving on the Board for two years as well as on the Nominating Committee

Past Commodore Lisa commands her own 52’ boat and is known for sleeping on her boat in the summer.

Lisa Curcio Gaston

Start Learning the Ropes

Two Stations

Monroe Station: 400 E. Monroe St.

Belmont Station 300 W. Belmont Ave.

Clubhouse Hours & Wi-Fi

Hours change frequently throughout the year. Check the website for the most up-to-date hours: chicagoyachtclub.org

When you’re here, you’re welcome to use the Club’s Wi-Fi.

Login: CYC-Members

Password: Cyc@1875

Complimentary parking is available at both stations. Visit Monroe Station to get your Monroe Parking Sticker. During special events at Monroe Station, we offer discounted parking at the Millennium Park Parking Garage.

At Belmont, you need a key card to get into our lot. Our Membership Department is handling distribution. Email [email protected] to work out details.

Monroe and Belmont docks are staffed from May through October. The Club’s docks are available to all members with a valid boat sticker. You can stay for up to five hours at no charge. Beyond that, please check with the Dockmaster for current rates: [email protected]

The Club’s docks are closed to members during major regattas.

Radio Channel: VHF 73

You choose between monthly and annual payments. Statements are sent out the last day of the month. You can sign up for autopay through chicagoyachtclub.org .

Monroe Station: You may spend the day on your boat and want to enjoy lunch on the Monroe Station patio or at the Mac Bar, so sailing clothes are fine. When in the Main Dining Room, we request you leave your jeans at home. Jackets are not required.

Belmont Station: Casual attire is always allowed, but please keep your wet gear out of the Dining Room.

Make a Dining Reservation

Our staff encourages members to make dining reservations. You can make a dining reservation here . You may also use our app to make a reservation.

Contact the Front Desk at (312) 861-7777 for assistance.

Guests should be accompanied by a member at all times, unless prior approval is given by management.

Reciprocity

One of the benefits of being a member of the Chicago Yacht Club is reciprocal privileges with many other yacht clubs around the world.

Check the Reciprocal Clubs Page for the full list and for more information on how to visit reciprocal clubs.

Club Calendar

All Club Events are listed on the Club Calendar. It’s your best resource for staying in the know.

Check it out: Club Calendar

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find out about club events?

The website is filled with resources. Explore chicagoyachtclub.org and click on Club Calendar for everything from meetings to special events. On Tuesdays, the Club emails the newsletter, Dock Lines to members. The email highlights Club happenings at both stations.

If I don't make a reservation, can I still dine at the Club?

Yes. Sometimes we make last minute decisions. However, you may have to wait for a table. Special occasions at the Club tend to fill up fast, so reservations then are a must.

How do I pay my tab?

Please provide your member number to the staff. You can review your tab and sign it upon leaving the Club. The bill will be included in your monthly membership statement.

Can I tip the staff?

The staff does not accept tips, but at the end of the year there is a collection taken for all service employees.

When is the Belmont Tender available?

It operates seasonally.

Wednesday-Friday 2 - 10 p.m.

Saturday 8 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Sunday 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.

You can call (312) 617-6997 to reach them.

How do I get into the Belmont Parking Lot?

CYC has a parking lot, but you need a key card to enter. Contact [email protected] for details.

How do I get access to the Belmont Clubhouse?

To keep Belmont Station secure, we use the Openpath app to unlock all entrances. Download it, make sure your Bluetooth is on and enabled, and staff members will show you how to use it.

Can guests park in CYC lots?

CYC does not offer free parking for guests. Members can buy discounted parking passes for garages near Monroe Station. There is no discounted parking near Belmont Station.

Can I park in the lot when the Club is closed?

Members have access to parking at both Monroe and Belmont Stations. The exception is when the Club is hosting an event. In that case, the Front Desk has discounted parking passes for garages near Monroe Station. There is no discounted parking near Belmont Station.

How does reciprocity work?

Start with CYC’s website. Here’s a link . Clubs with reciprocity are listed on our website. Request a Letter of Introduction from [email protected] . Then present the letter at the club you choose to visit.

We are the proud host of the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac — the longest annual freshwater sailing race in the world!

What’s next.

Chicago Yacht Club invites you to

The 32nd Annual Verve Cup Regatta

One of the largest course-racing regattas in North America, the Verve Cup is an annual world-class sailing event attracting many national and international competitors. Both the Offshore Regatta and, later, the Inshore Regatta host well over 100 yachts to our beautiful Chicago lakefront and skyline.

Annually, the Chicago Yacht Club hosts the Verve Cup Regatta in August. This event typically features an Offshore Regatta with a separate one-day Distance Race at the beginning of August and an Inshore Regatta with a separate Radio Controlled sailboat series later in the month.

Verve Cup Offshore Regatta:

For the Offshore Regatta, participating yachts range in size from 25 to 80 feet, and carry crews from 4 to 20 racers. During the regatta, we, the Chicago Yacht Club, welcome over 2,000 racers, family members, and friends to our award-winning lakefront Monroe Station clubhouse. Each participant is treated to top-notch racing, scenic views, and outstanding organization. The spectacular daily racing is all followed up by exceptional food (indoor dining or al fresco), entertainment, and camaraderie. Competitors participate in daily multiple windward-leeward races. Boats sail either in a rating handicap section, so boats of different sizes and characters may compete against each other, or in a One-Design section. Typically there are 18 racing sections dispersed among three racing circles. Brag flags and prizes are awarded to the top finishers in each section and one offshore boat, the winner in what is determined by formula to be the most competitive section, “The Elite Fleet,” is awarded the perpetual Verve Cup Trophy. The Verve Cup Trophy dates back to 1893 and is the Chicago Yacht Club’s oldest trophy. Likewise, for the one-day Saturday Distance race, brag flags and prizes are awarded to the top finishers in each of the four handicap sections. The first-place winner by handicap is awarded the CYC's 8 Mile Buoy Trophy. Merchandise, clothing, equipment, and souvenirs are available for sale to all the racers, their families, and friends. Race sponsors set up kiosks and displays during the race week for everyone to enjoy. Food, beverage, and music are provided during each evening’s festivities. The Verve Swerve Party is held on the Saturday of this fantastic racing weekend where music, free pours, and a specialty regatta menu fill the race village.

Verve Cup Inshore Regatta:

The Verve Cup Inshore Regatta is a spectacular sailing event for smaller trailer-able One-Design racing boats. Hosted each August by the Chicago Yacht Club at its scenic and conveniently located Belmont Station, the Verve Cup Inshore is the most popular inshore regatta in Chicagoland. Identical boats in One-Design Fleets compete for two days (Saturday and Sunday) to determine which boat has the best skipper, crew, and preparation. Fleets only need five boats to register to participate, so mobilize your class and sign up for some great racing at CYC's Belmont Station held each August! Etchells, Vipers, Star, Sonars, Shields, Colgate 26, Luders 16, Rhodes 19, Solings, J/70s, and J/24s were all part of the competition in past years.

Each year the Verve Cup Inshore seems to get bigger and better, and the Chicago Yacht Club is working feverishly to assure that this year’s Verve Cup Inshore again will have the best One-Design sailing around. Our venue features optimal late summer breezes, competitive racing, and the best race committee on the water. The Verve Cup Inshore delivers outstanding racing with parties held at the conclusion of each day's racing. Big-name sponsors providing premium swag and generous free pours turn the evening party into a real blast. Get on board for the Verve Cup Inshore, arguably the best One-Design Sailing event in the Midwest!  

Offshore Verve Cup

Friday - Sunday August 9 - 11, 2024

Inshore Verve Cup

Friday - Sunday August 24 - 25, 2024

As part of the Inshore Verve, there will be a DF65 regatta.

The Chicago Yacht Club

Founded in 1875, located on beautiful Lake Michigan

The Chicago Yacht Club hosts over 125 races per year.

The Chicago Yacht Club Race Committee consists of over 100 dedicated volunteers, both CYC members and non-members. The Club is proud to have over 25 U.S. Sailing certified race officers in its ranks, and most other volunteers have participated in race management seminars and training programs.

The Chicago Yacht Club Race Committee facilitates a fair, quality, and competitive racing program. Race Committee volunteers love being on the water and are interested in learning more about race management.

The Chicago Yacht Club hosts over 125 races during our season, including the Race to Mackinac, Sailing World’s Chicago NOOD Regatta, the Chicago Yacht Club’s Verve Cup Regattas, and the Chicago Regatta. Other events include the NACC for Disabled Sailors, One-Design Seasonal Championship Racing (Nationals or otherwise), the Commodore’s Cup, Sheldon Clark, Wednesday Night Racing at both Monroe and Belmont Stations, and "Frostbiting" in the spring and fall.

We are always looking for new and enthusiastic volunteers to join Race Committee . If you are interested in getting involved, contact our Regatta Manager, Patrick Burks at  (312) 861-7777 or Email him at  [email protected] .

The Verve Cup Regatta

Official Sponsors

The Chicago Yacht Club recognizes that the strength of a regatta can be determined by the quality of the partnerships developed with the event sponsors. 

We would like to take this opportunity to thank our sponsors who have helped make The Verve Cup Regatta a success year after year. Thank you for your kindness, support and generosity.

For over 30 years, Mount Gay has been a sponsor of competitive sailing, playing host to over 150 regattas around the globe each year. Today, Mount Gay is a highly-regarded figure in the sailing world.

We thank Mount Gay for their support of The Verve Cup Regatta.

To learn more and stay up to date with Mount Gay Rum’s regatta events, please visit their  Sailing Spoken Here  Facebook page.

Your Home On the Water - Chicago Yacht Club

IN THE NATION by Platinum Clubs of America

BELMONT STATION

Welcome to the Water

No Boat, No Problem

Founded in 1875, Chicago Yacht Club is one of the oldest and most respected yacht clubs in the world. The Club is home to a winning America's Cup skipper, Olympic medalists and hopefuls, and outstanding boaters of all types

Chicago Yacht Club members have a passion for getting out on the water, but almost 40% do not own a boat. Chicago Yacht Club owns a fleet of 150+ boats and kayaks and paddle boards for members to rent making the waterf ront more

f rom ages 4 - 100.

accessible than ever.

The Water is Calling When you become a member you are invited to meet and learn f rom fellow power and sail boaters; take lessons at our nationally recognized Sailing School for adults and juniors, volunteer on a committee and socialize with f riends and family on land or water.

MONROE STATION

WELCOME We are very excited to introduce you to Chicago Yacht Club. Founded in 1875, Chicago Yacht Club is one of the oldest and most respected yacht clubs in the world. Our membership is a community of individuals and families who are connected by a passion for the boating life. Now more than ever, we value connection, a sense of community, and a safe place to enjoy our love for the water. Our members want to share this community with others who love the water. We invite you to experience Chicago Yacht Club.

CHARLES E. ANDERSON COMMODORE

AMENITIES ON THE WATER ■ Docking at Belmont and Monroe harbors ■ Sonar sailboat, paddle boards and kayaks available for member rental ■ Host to dozens of annual regattas including Race to Mackinac and Verve Cup ■ Weekly casual racing at Belmont and Monroe Stations ■ Team racing, match racing and women's sailing

COMMUNITY ■ More than 40 committees to get involved with ■ Cruises around the Great Lakes hosted by our Power Fleet and Cruising Sail Fleet ■ Community service opportunities through charity cruises and Sea Scouts ■ Host of Chicago Regatta that raised over $160,000 in 2022 for Chicago-area charities ■ Give back through the CYC Foundation

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE ■ Exceptional indoor and outdoor dining with lakef ront views at both Stations ■ Reciprocity with 900+ yacht clubs worldwide ■ Social events for every age and gender all year ■ Complimentary and convenient member-only parking at both stations ■ Meeting and banquet facilities available for member rental and sponsored guests

OUR COMMUNITY

CYC’s WOW program has allowed me to build f riendships with other liked minded professional women as I continue to improve my sailing skills. Learning to sail and race as a middle-aged woman is not easy. WOW is for women, taught by women, and a gift to the city of Chicago. Denise Ashurst Member since 2018

Everyone at the club is well read, successful in their careers, and very well cultured; the humility of the members is a very welcome change f rom any thoughts I had when I initially wanted to become a member. At the end of the day, we’re all there because of our shared passion, and I am very glad to recognize everyone at the club is treated equally, regardless of any demographical differences. Barkin Kurumoglu Member since 2021

My favorite thing about being a Club Member is having a "home away f rom home" on the lakef ront. With a boat in Belmont Harbor, we practically move over to the Club's Belmont Station every summer. It's so nice to have a place to shower and change, escape the heat, enjoy food and drinks, and socialize! Diane Foote Member since 2013

Through CYC I was able to build wonderful f riendships, meet my wife, Whitney, while I was racing, and we were married at Monroe Station. The Club has been an intricate part of my life, and we have enjoyed all the Club has to offer: racing, sonar and paddle board rentals, waterf ront dining, camaraderie among fellow sailors, excellent year-round events and lifelong f riendships. Ted Towey Member since 2007

Nationally Recognized We are recognized as a leader in sailing education, with one of the largest junior sailing programs in the nation. About 300 young boaters take part in our sailing school. Our one-design sailing headquarters, Belmont Station, is home to our junior and adult sailing programs.

Learn How to Sail

Rentals & Charters

Our On the Water Team has opportunities for all ages and experience levels. Learn the different parts of a boat and sailing terminology; try out the different crew positions on one of our sonars or power boats so you can feel comfortable in any spot of the boat.

Chicago is def ined by its skyline and some of the best views of the city are on the water. Chicago Yacht Club is privileged to provide our members with opportunities to get out on the water. The fleet includes sailboats, power boats, kayaks, and paddle boards.

ANNUAL REGATTAS H O S T - H E L LY H A N S E N S A I L I N G W O R L D R E G A T T A S E R I E S

150+ B OATS

14 O NE-D ESIGN CL AS S ES

C H I CAG O YAC H T C LU B R AC E TO M AC K I N AC

333 STATUTE MI LE S

300+ BOATS 36+ H RS TO F I NI S H

C H I CAG O R EG AT TA

2 WE EKE NDS

4 D IFFEREN T RACE S

30+ YE AR S R U NNI NG

RA ISED IN 2022 FO R CHICAGO CH A RIT IES

CLUB FLEETS POWER FLEET The Power Fleet consists of everything f rom small cruisers to brand new mega yachts. The fleet is active with charity events, long-distance cruises and cruises closer to home, Cruiser Navigation Rallies, and more.

CRUISING FLEET The Cruising Sail Fleet is a fleet of cruising sailors that stays active all year on and off the water with events such as: weekend cruises, educational seminars, dock parties, navigational races and off-season social events.

RACING FLEET Chicago Yacht Club’s Racing Yacht Fleets race out of Belmont Harbor most Saturdays during the season. The Racing Yacht Fleet is composed of One-Design classes and offers some of the best, and most fun, racing in the Midwest.

OFFSHORE FLEET The Offshore Fleet comprises larger keelboats and is focused on the excitement of racing several miles offshore in different formats, f rom multiday regattas, buoy and 30+ mile distance races, to Wednesday night Skyline racing.

RENTALS AT MONROE KAYAKS PADDLE BOARDS GAS POWERBOAT

AT BELMONT KAYAKS PADDLE BOARDS GAS POWERBOAT SAILBOATS / SONARS

PROGRAMS WOMEN ON THE WATER The WOW Committee hosts educational programs, networking events and monthly happy hours that encourage the women of the Club to get onto the water. WOW offers fun and professional instruction for women, by women.

LEARN TO SAIL Our On the Water team has opportunities for all experience levels. We teach students the different parts of a boat and sailing terminology, as well as offer the opportunity to try out the different crew positions on one of our easy to sail Sonars.

YOUTH SAILING For more than 90 years, the Chicago Yacht Club Sailing School has been a leader in teaching children of all skill levels how to sail. Our wide range of courses provide young sailors with the skills and conf idence to enjoy sailing.

CREW U Crew U transforms novices into able members of the racing community. This seven-week class f rom May to June is led by Chicago Yacht Club Members who offer their boats and wisdom to help you get the skills you need to crew on a boat.

Dining at its Best

For the Whole Family

Located on the city's shoreline, Monroe Station and Belmont Station offer a la carte indoor and outdoor dining with unrivaled views of Lake Michigan. Chef Larry, Monroe, and Chef Junior, Belmont, have curated delicious menus

Come to Monroe Station for upscale dining perfect for business lunches or specialty dinners. Head into the Mackinac Bar for a quick lunch or dinner with f riends and catch a game on TV. Visit Belmont Station for a family-f riendly meal or enjoy the famous Belmont Buffets.

featuring f resh, local ingredients.

Host Your Own Event With 10,000 square feet of meeting space, Chicago Yacht Club is perfectly suited to host a range of events f rom social parties to off ice gatherings. The Club offers not just an excellent meeting place, but a tranquil retreat with unsurpassed hospitality for you and your guests.

MELISSA CZYZ Membership Director [email protected]

MONROE STATION 400 East Monroe Street Chicago, IL 60603 BELMONT STATION 300 West Belmont Avenue Chicago, IL 60657

chicagoyachtclub.org (312) 861-7777

Articles inside

CLUB FLEETS

RANKED IN THE NATION

• Yacht Clubs

Chicago Yacht Club

chicagoyachtclub.org

400 East Monroe Street

Chicago , IL 60603

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Organized in 1875 in the City of Chicago as an association of 37 yachtsmen, the Chicago Yacht Club is one of the oldest clubs in the United States. Known for their commitment to promoting the sport of sailing, the club is host to the venerable Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac. CYC is also a leader in teaching children and adults to sail, having provided sailing lessons for over 85 years.

From the Commodore:

“The Chicago Yacht Club membership is proud to become a founding member of the National Sailing Hall of Fame. Since 1875 our Club has embraced an aggressive racing program, which today includes an average of 100 regattas annually. From our very active junior sailing program to our signature regatta – the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac – our focus is on supporting and growing the sport of sailing. We could not be more pleased to support the Hall of Fame in its effort to honor the achievements of American sailors.”

Joseph S. Haas, Commodore

In 1898 the club hosted the first Chicago-Mackinac Race as an informal contest between five boats. William Cameron’s 64′ fin-keel sloop Vanenna one the race with a time of 51 hours. The 289.4 nautical mile race is now one of the oldest annual freshwater distance races in the world, with more than 355 boats entered and approximately 3,500 crew participating.

Racers who compete in 25 Mackinac Races are invited to join the exclusive “Island Goats Sailing Society,” originally named for the sailors’ appearance, aroma and behavior upon reaching Mackinac Island.

1882 On January 9, 1882, the Club was issued its Certificate of Incorporation under the laws of Illinois. As the Certificate stated, the formation of Chicago Yacht Club was to encourage and promote the sport of yacht sailing and building.

1900 In 1900 with membership numbering 125 and a fleet of 28 yachts, the club obtained the Argo Clubhouse, a 35 x 55 foot boathouse located at the end of the Illinois Central pier #3 at the foot of Randolph Street. It had been the former home of a group of yachtsmen called the Argonauts- a small group of socially oriented yachtsmen. Their yacht, the Argo, had been used in 1893 to carry their guests to the World’s Columbian Exposition held where Jackson Park harbor is today.

1902 A new clubhouse, initiated by Commodore George Warrington, at the foot of Monroe Street, on pilings in the lake, was formally opened on June 28, 1902.

1911 Commodore Baum’s Amorita establishes elapsed time record for the Mackinac race which stood for 76 years.

1920 Chicago Yacht Club and the Lincoln Park Yacht Club combined.

1923 In 1923, the barge and clubhouse at Belmont Harbor replaces the lumber schooner Carrier that had served as the Lincoln Park Yacht Club clubhouse since 1915. Carrier, a 177-ton canaler, was built in Michigan in 1865. In 1923, she sank off Evanston while being towed to Waukegan. Her large wheel has been preserved at the Belmont Station and a mural shows Carrier when she was our Club ship. Our race committee crafts have all been named Carrier in her honor.

1925 Monroe St. Clubhouse moved to the present site to make room for the outer drive’s construction.

1930 The depression of the 1930’s put an end to the elaborate plans for the $3,000,000 eight story clubhouse at Chicago Harbor.

1935 The second Chicago Harbor Clubhouse, which had been a display called “The House of Tomorrow” at the Century of Progress Exhibition, was moved to the site in 1935 as a temporary building.

1955 Construction of the first section of the present Monroe St. Clubhouse

1975 1975 marked the celebration of the Club’s 100 year Anniversary and a new high in activity for the Club. Countless hours of effort by hundreds of loyal members went into the celebration. Recognition flowed from many sources including Illinois Governor Walker, Chicago Mayor Daley and President Gerald Ford. The latter two even enjoyed dinner at the Chicago Yacht Club.

1985 Chicago Yacht Club participates in sponsorship of Heart of America of America’s Cup.

1992 Chicago Yacht Club Foundation was founded by then-Commodore Joseph Wright, Jr., Kurt Stocker, and Dick Wharton. A member can now give something back to the community while supporting the Club’s nautical educational activities.

1998 CYC celebrates the 100th Anniversary of the first Race to Mackinac. The multihull record in the Race to Mackinac is established at 18 hours 50 minutes and 32 seconds by Steve Fossett on Stars and Stripes; the catamaran previously sailed by Dennis Conner in the Americas Cup.

2004 Belmont Station barge is relocated to the south east end of the Belmont Harbor.

2005 Chicago Yacht Club adds new Sailing Activities Center barge adjacent to Belmont Station.

2008 2008 marked the 100th running of the “Mac Race,” with a record entry of 460 boats and 100% of the fleet was tracked by GPS transponder.

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The Race to Mackinac: WBEZ’s guide to the world’s longest freshwater sailing competition

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This weekend, 245 boats carrying 2,000 sailors set sail from the Chicago Lighthouse in the annual event’s 114th running.

The Race to Mackinac, the longest and oldest freshwater annual sailing competition in the world, is here. On Friday and Saturday, roughly 245 boats carrying more than 2,000 crew members will sail for Mackinac Island, the resort destination off the northern tip of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.

Here’s your primer.

Race basics

For 333 miles — or 289.4 nautical miles — 245 entrants, give or take last-minute dropouts, will traverse the route from Navy Pier to Mackinac Island in this year’s event, according to Sam Veilleux, chairman of the 2023 race committee. The first Mackinac race took place in 1898, with just five boats, and the second was in 1904. With the exception of several years during World War I and 2020 during the pandemic, the race, organized by the Chicago Yacht Club, has happened every year, marking its 114th running this year. Competitors may enter the race, classified as an amateur event, by invitation only.

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The majority of entrants travel to the race start via water — meaning they’re coming from harbors in or near Chicago or traveling from cities along connected lakes, mostly Michigan and Huron.

“Every year, we do have a few out-of-town boats that come from the coast, but it is quite an endeavor,” Veilleux said, noting that delivering a large yacht on a truck involves reassembling the boat in Chicago after shipment. Past races have included crews and boats from Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong.

As described by Veilleux, the route starts at the Chicago Lighthouse, near Navy Pier, and runs the entire length of Lake Michigan, passes through Grays Reef, enters Lake Huron through the Straits of Mackinac, ducks under the Mackinac Bridge and finishes at Mackinac Island.

How a crew wins and what they get

First to the island wins, right? Not quite.

The Chicago Yacht Club describes the Race to Mackinac as “a unique race, where the boat equivalent of ‘family sedans’ compete against ‘Formula One cars.’ ” What this means in practical terms is that boats, which range widely in technical capability, must be assessed in advance in order to be properly grouped by similar ratings. An algorithm takes boat measurements — including weight, size, sizes of the sails and more — to produce the standardized ratings.

The entrants compete in two divisions: cruising and racing. Boats in the cruising division are, according to Veilleux, “generally more comfortable” equipped with cabins, galleys and full accommodations.

“Boats that you’d go on, for example, a family cruise around the Great Lakes or around the Caribbean,” he said. There are three sections within this division, each based on speed.

Yachts in the racing division are built for speed — lightweight carbon-fiber hulls, sparse interiors — and compete in two section types: one in which the boats have identical specs, and another in which boats are handicapped, as in golf, based on relative performance characteristics.

Roughly split in half into “faster” and “slower” groups, the racing division is then further divided into similarly rated sections — this year there are 18, each with around 12-15 boats. The winner is determined by calculating time against a boat’s rating.

Sailors compete for three main honors: the Mac Trophy and the Mac Cup for the racing division, and, new this year, the Whitehawk Trophy for the overall winner in the cruising division. Each year, the two groups in the racing division — one faster, one slower — alternate between competing for the Trophy and the Cup so crews could possibly have their names engraved on both if they raced in consecutive years. The first three places in every section also receive a brag flag to display on their boat.

To be invited to the exclusive Island Goats Sailing Society, racers must have competed in at least 25 Chicago-to-Mackinac races, for a total of about 8,325 miles. Founded in 1959 by Hobart “Red” Olson, the society was named after sailors’ “appearance, aroma and behavior upon reaching Mackinac Island,” according to the Chicago Yacht Club website.

When can we expect results?

Most of the fleet takes from 40 to 60 hours to finish the race. Cannons will fire to release the cruising sections at 3 p.m. Friday, and the rest of the sections start from 11 a.m. Saturday every 10 minutes until 3 p.m.

To race around the clock, the crews sail in shifts. The multihull record was set in 1998 at under 19 hours, and the monohull record was set in 2002 at under 24 hours. Ideally, racers finish on or before Monday so they have time to rest before the awards ceremony Tuesday. While there’s no publicly available record of the longest time a boat has taken to finish the race, Veilleux said the club has a system for sailors to submit their final times even after the finish line is taken down on Wednesday.

During last year’s race, Veilleux said wild storms battered the fleet for about 12 hours on Lake Michigan, causing 29 boats to drop out. Veilleux competed last year in the cruising division and, although only sailing on the edge of the storm, experienced wind in excess of 55 knots.

“That’s like sticking your head out of a car window at highway speed,” he said.

Chuck Nevel, the club’s on-the-water director, stays on the island to direct boats as they complete the race. Once the boats start streaming in, they don’t stop. Neither do their supporters.

“If it’s 2 a.m. or if it’s 10 a.m., there are people out there cheering their family members on, their friends on, especially if it’s their first Mac,” he said.

“Everyone stinks, hasn’t taken a shower, sweating in their weather gear,” Nevel notes of the state of the crews as they disembark. But he concedes the members of the race committee, who work through the day and night to make sure everyone arrives safely into port, aren’t the freshest smelling bunch either.

One word for the atmosphere of the awards ceremony? “Jubilation.”

How to watch the race

From 2:30-3:30 p.m. on Friday, the start of the race for the cruising division will be livestreamed on CBS .

On Saturday, you can watch the parade of boats in the racing division off the end of Navy Pier from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. An announcer will provide details of the vessels as they sail toward the start. Viewers should also be able to see the rigs from anywhere along the lakefront north of Navy Pier.

Race updates will be available on the Chicago Yacht Club’s Facebook , Instagram and Twitter feeds. But perhaps the best way to follow the race is to view each boat’s progress through the event’s race tracker website or via mobile app, which will become available on Thursday of race week. Download the YB Tracking app and “buy” the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac (it’s free).

Finally, why is it spelled “Mackinac” but pronounced “Mackinaw?”

Originally named Michinnimakinong by the Ojibwa tribe, the indigenous translation refers to the large crevice in the island: “mish” meaning great, “inni” meaning connecting sound, “maki” meaning fault and “nong” meaning land or place. The name was shortened to Mackinac by the French, and the British transcribed it phonetically as Mackinaw. Edgar Conkling, founder of Mackinaw City in 1857, was the one to spell it with a “w.”

Either way, the pronunciation is “ MACK-in-awe .”

Ysa Quiballo is the digital news intern at WBEZ. Courtney Kueppers contributed.

Should You Join One of Chicago’s Most Sought-After Members-Only Clubs?

Thinking of joining one of Chicago’s many exclusive members-only clubs? Whether for business or pleasure, most offer a plethora of benefits. For help deciding which elite club is right for you, we’ve highlighted some of our favorites.

Soho House Chicago

Maybe you’re not an artist per se, but if you appreciate cool and trendy spaces, luxurious lounges to hang out in with friends and Instagram-worthy craft cocktails, this club tailored toward creative types may be up your alley. The swanky brick warehouse-like building houses multiple intimate spaces that are perfect for networking, socializing, and relaxing. The Rooftop, which overlooks the West Loop, has a swimming pool, comfy seating, outdoor fireplaces, and a bar; the Club Bar on the fifth floor is a posh space with a baby grand piano, ambient lighting, and multiple nooks for intimate conversations; lively events happen each month in the Music Room; and there are versatile spaces for watching movies, working out, and getting work done. Accommodations of various sizes are available for rent, with discounts given to members. Enjoy food offerings at The Club, The Allis Bar, Cecconi’s Roof Bar, and Fox Bar. The Cowshed Spa has a full list of offerings as well. Three different memberships are available: Soho House, granting access to everything at all houses around the world; Cities without Houses; and Soho Friends, with limited access to amenities. For the classic membership, Soho House, members under 27 years-old will pay $1,225 per year; members over 27 pay $2,450 annually.

The Cliff Dwellers

If you’re an art aficionado or a professional in the art space, this artists’ haven might be the club for you. The lakefront facilities, located on the 22nd floor penthouse at Michigan Avenue and Adams Street, overlook Millennium Park and, aptly, the Art Institute of Chicago . This private, nonprofit club provides opportunities for art enthusiasts, art supporters and artists to convene and engage in a social environment. The Cliff Dwellers are also involved in many amazing philanthropic endeavors including an arts foundation that donates grants to art-forward organizations, individuals, and events like concerts, films, and performances. The club has an Artist-in-Residence program to assist young local artists and performers in a one-year program that allows, among other benefits, free membership. Membership is granted to anyone over age 25, however, new members require a sponsor and co-sponsor. For $250, members can enjoy privileges for a three-month trial.

East Bank Club

Ideal for fitness buffs, the East Bank Club in Chicago’s River North neighborhood has it all: pro shop, spa, children’s activity center, salon, business center, dry cleaners, rehearsal space, physical therapy and even a car wash. In addition to a full state-of-the-art workout facility with racquet sports and four indoor and outdoor pools, the East Bank Club also organizes social events including live music, a summer deck party and wine-tasting events. Members can network at the onsite restaurant or bar as well. Initiation membership dues are between $300 and $700 and monthly dues range from $190–$390.

Entrepreneur’s Organization (EO)

If you’re an entrepreneur with an eye on business growth, individual development and community engagement, this large and ever-growing global peer-to-peer system of more than 12,000 business owners in 54 different countries may be the association for you. To be granted membership, applicants must be an owner, founder or majority stakeholder of a company that earned at least $1 million in the most recent fiscal year. EO Chicago annual fees are $4,500, with a one-time new member initiation fee of $3,500.

The Chicago Club

A business/social hybrid with a strict dress code, The Chicago Club offers membership by invitation only, but once granted, members receive access to space for private board meetings, a superb rooftop terrace, fitness center and a luxurious venue for private events. The stunning club has a full-service, full-time catering staff to customize events.

University Club of Chicago

This exclusive club requires a university or college degree from a four-year institution, a nomination form completed by an existing member and three letters of recommendation from existing members for admission. However, upon admittance, members are given the chance to join special-interest societies that offer activities focused on everything from photography to sailing to beer. In addition to access to top-of-the-line facilities, members of the UCC also gain entrance to the club’s nationally renowned squash program. The club has also expanded their offerings to include two modern dining venues, the Living Room and the Parliament.

Union League Club of Chicago

Housed in a 23-story clubhouse on Jackson Boulevard, this organization boasts an impressive membership largely made up of investors, financiers, attorneys, physicians, insurers and politicians. Perfect for those who want to socialize and network, this club offers access to a variety of activities and facilities, including nearly 800 works of art on view, three dining options, multiple event spaces, 180 guestroom accommodations, and athletic facilities with a swimming pool and yoga and Pilates studios. It also provides a number of family-friendly events, such as a family halloween party, a children’s holiday party, a Saturday family program, a father-daughter dance, a children’s summer camp, and so much more. Membership details are offered upon request.

The Arts Club of Chicago

Another option for those who are in the art field or who have a deep appreciation for the arts is The Arts Club of Chicago. The organization offers six different classes of membership: Visual, Performing & Literary Artist, Curator & Academic, Arts Professional, Architect, Designer & Applied Artist and Patron. In addition to the opportunity to network and socialize with art lovers, the club also offers exclusive events such as gallery exhibitions, live critiques and panel discussions. Dues and initiation fees vary by class of membership, and applications require one letter of recommendation and three signatures from members of the club in good standing.

Commercial Club of Chicago

375 active civic-minded business leaders are part of the Commercial Club, a private membership organization that represents business, education, cultural, and philanthropic endeavors in the Chicago region. Members can network and get involved at nine annual lunches, which unite business, government, and civic leaders, working with Civic Committee , Civic Consulting Alliance , Kids First Chicago , and P33-affiliated organizations.

The Economic Club of Chicago

With a history that dates back to 1927, the Economic Club of Chicago’s 2,400 civic-minded members learn and grow through events that feature top global thought leaders with diverse perspectives. Past events included keynote speakers like Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber; Gwynne Shotwell, president and COO of SpaceX; Martin Scorsese ; J ø rgen Vig Knudstorp, executive chairman of LEGO Brand Group; Former President Barack Obama; Bill Gates ; and Bono. Membership requirements include the sponsorship of two current members, with letters of recommendation, in addition to Club Meeting attendance, an application review, and a methodical selection process.

The Chicago Network

With the core mission of empowering women of diverse backgrounds to lead, The Chicago Network has 500 members in over 50 different industries who connect, mentor, and partner with each other to advance women in their fields. Local universities host leadership events; Ask Me Anything sessions are held for young leaders to learn from seasoned professionals; and an annual Women in STEM series engages young women involved in science, technology, engineering, and math. The Executive Women’s Mentorship Initiative partners with the Executives’ Club of Chicago to link mentors with mentees. Listen to member stories on the popular HerStories podcast and attend the annual Women in the Forefront Luncheon. Membership, limited to top female leaders, is invite-only and candidates must be nominated by a current member and supported by two other members before accepted into the club.

Woman’s Athletic Club

Well located along the Magnificent Mile, the exclusive Woman’s Athletic Club—the first athletic club for women in the U.S. and a historic landmark—is a private members-only club established in 1898 (operating in the current location since 1929). There’s a large and elegant ballroom as well as multiple intimate spaces for mid-sized and smaller groups, a large gym and workout studios, a swimming pool, and a spa. Guests are invited to enjoy the spaces with sponsoring members.

The Metropolitan 

This modern social and business networking club, located in Willis Tower, is for diverse professionals and leaders who want to connect with others in similar industries over co-working spaces, a meal, cocktails, a round of indoor golf, or special club events. Connect, host, work, and play are the general aims here. Schedule a tour and explore membership options onsite to get a feel for the space and overall professional-yet-fresh vibe.

For something a little different from all the other social and networking private clubs in Chicago, BIÂN has a spa-like wholistic care atmosphere with distinct amenities like a vinyl listening room; life coaching; a private nap room; a gym, steam room, and cold plunge pool; a well-designed social lounge; a spa; strength, yoga, Pilates, and meditation classes; and an on-site restaurant. Health and fitness classes, social and educational programming, and the locker rooms with steam room and cold plunge pool are all included in membership. Annual membership is $4,000, with a one-time initiation fee of $1,000. This private club allures the health and wellness crowd in spades.

The Executives’ Club of Chicago

The Executives’ Club of Chicago is the nexus of Chicago’s business community where passionate leaders come together to connect, learn and grow. For over a century, they have worked to transform Chicago into the global economic center it is today, while challenging the next generation of leaders to redefine the business world of tomorrow. Some notable past speakers include Bill Gates Chairman (CEO of Microsoft Corporation ), Kenneth C. Frazier (Executive Chairman, Merck & Co. ) and Rosalind Brewer (CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance ). With over 2,400 members the Exec Club brings together well-known thought leaders, provides a platform to foster relationships with other business leaders, and offer expert-led leadership development programming. With more than 100+ programs and events each season, it has become a huge community of business leaders seeking to connect, educate themselves and advance the business world. It is where conversation leads to significant change and world of innovation. This is where the future meets.

Chicago Yacht Club

The organizing authority for the annual Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac , this club is intended for those who love on-water activities, social events, and youth programming. Founded in 1875, the CYC is one of the longest-running yacht clubs on the planet. Enjoy more than 125 racing events each year and connect with more than 1,400 active members. The Monroe Station includes a dining room, bar, and seasonal patio. Members have access to docking slips at Monroe Station as well. The northside clubhouse, Belmont Station, has a Sailing Activities Center and meeting and private event spaces. Regular, Associate, and Junior memberships are available; however, prospective members need a sponsor from a current member, seconded by an additional member.

Saddle & Cycle Club

Members and sponsored guests may enjoy the facilities at the Saddle & Cycle Club, a country club on the north side of Chicago in the Edgewater neighborhood. Amenities include an event space (numerous weddings are held here annually), golf course, dining options, athletic facilities, and a skating rink—with instruction—for recreational skating, figure skating, or hockey.

Woman’s Club of Evanston

For over 125 years, the Woman’s Club of Evanston, located on Chicago Avenue, has been giving back to the community through philanthropy and volunteering. Open to all women, members can take part in community events like the Holiday Bazaar and the Spring Benefit. This social club includes 250 members where friends meet up to catch a movie, test their skills at trivia, and attend a theme-based party or summer porch crawl. Annual dues are relatively affordable at $200, which helps maintain the historic building, supports membership programs, and compensates staff.

Birch Road Cellar

For “a new kind of social club,” check out Birch Road Cellar, where everything is BYOB and members can store wine and spirits in a climate-controlled wine cellar and locker. Chicago locations include Roscoe Village and Lincoln Park. Book a tour, meet with a club manager, and join to meet new friends and neighbors. Dues are $125 per month, with no annual commitment, and members have private admittance to the shared spaces from 8:00 a.m.—1:00 a.m. Take advantage of the co-working space with free Wi-Fi, join a mixer or special event, and utilize the private meeting room for your work or social needs.

Other clubs that are tops for networking:

Chicago is home to numerous other elite business clubs that provide excellent networking opportunities and access to industry events. Some are very selective and cost a pretty penny — membership at the American Club Association  in Elk Grove Village, for example, is by invitation only and subject to approval by all existing members. Once in, though, members have access to training, advising, education, marketing and social benefits.

Other business clubs that aren’t as difficult to get in to include The Chicago Council on Global Affairs , the Chicago Loop Alliance  and the City Club of Chicago , which are open to all.

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113th Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac registration now open

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Countdown to the 114th Race to Mackinac - July 22, 2023

July 13, 2024

Registration for the 115th chicago yacht club race to mackinac opens february 1st.

At noon (12:00 p.m. CST) on Thursday, February 1, automatic invitations for the 115th CYC Race to Mackinac presented by Wintrust will be sent out and invited competitors will be able to register their entry. Remember that your docking preference for Mackinac Island, St. Ignace, or Straits State Harbor are honored as best as possible according to entry and payment order, so enter soon!

What’s New in 2024?

As we look forward to warmer temperatures and this year’s race, we plan to begin sharing a series of updates regarding changes to the competition we think you’d like to hear about. If you are new to the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac, and interested in learning more about how to enter the race, please visit our new FAQ page.  

Read on for recent updates to the 2024 race and remember that official race changes will be made when the new NOR and CMSR documents are available on February 1, 2024, when registration opens at noon (12:00 pm CT). 

That’s a wrap! 114th Race to Mackinac is in the books

CHICAGO and MACKINAC ISLAND, Mich., July 25, 2023 – Another successful Race to Mackinac is in the books, with today’s award ceremony taking place on the great lawn of Mission Point Resort. The race known as ‘America’s Offshore Challenge,’ delivered a spectacular race yet again with its mix of squalls, calms and most of all, new memories for the 240 teams competing.

For the Mackinac Cup, awarded this year to the large racing boats overall winner, first-timer Final Final won Section 2 and the Cup. Owner Jon Desmond of Cohasset, Mass., admitted they had more than a few moments of angst when early on in the race they made a tactical decision to split from the fleet. 

“We had this moment where it was like, ‘you realize we have just separated from the teams that have how many Macs under their belt’?” he said. The decision paid off, and the East-coast based Mills 41 is already planning its return to defend the victory. 

Light-air woes stall the fleet

CHICAGO and MACKINAC ISLAND, Mich., July 24, 2023 – The dreaded “light and variable” wind forecast has descended upon the boats still racing in the 114th Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac presented by Wintrust, stalling the fleet in northern Lake Michigan. 

As of 3 pm EDT, there are 155 of 240 boats still on the race course, reporting boat speeds of 0.00 to five knots according to the YB Tracker. Just two of the 103 boats in the Chicago-Mackinac Trophy section (boats under 40 feet) have been able to finish, and with a bleak forecast for the afternoon, this year’s edition is quickly turning into a test of patience, and potential food and water rationing. 

Race Starts July 12, 2024

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Yachtapalooza Sets Sail This Weekend, Aiming To Get South Siders Excited About Boating

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EAST SIDE — A day-long open house for local boaters of all experience levels this weekend in East Side aims to be an accessible, fun draw for newbies to the nautical world, organizers said.

Yachtapalooza takes place 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at Crowley’s Yacht Yard , 3434 E. 95th St.

The free, indoor event celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. It features free seminars and demonstrations, a pig roast, live music, a flea market Friday and Saturday and a three-day sale on nautical items from Boater’s Closet Friday-Sunday.

Organizers hope to draw 1,000 current and future mariners out to this year’s event, said Nick Fugate, sales manager at Crowley’s Yacht Yard.

Yachtapalooza will also include a boat showcase by Nautical Donations , Crowley’s charitable arm, featuring several rehabbed, budget-friendly boats for sale.

Proceeds from the boat sales will support nonprofits like the Chicago Maritime Society and the Judd Goldman Adaptive Sailing Foundation, Fugate said.

The Chicago Boat Show dropped its sailing portion in recent years and is planning a move to the suburbs next year , so this weekend “is probably the closest thing to a sailboat show that we’ve got in Chicago,” said Charles Szymanski, a Yachtapalooza organizer and president of the nonprofit Rainbow Races .

With a few dozen vendors and free seminars on topics like marine pumps and toilets, splicing line and rope, and applying epoxy and varnish, Yachtapalooza offers “anything you would need” to maintain a boat, Fugate said.

The seminars give attendees “the chance to use the products, put their hands on them and feel them, and learn a little more than watching a powerpoint on a screen,” he said.

The event is “the perfect opportunity for anyone looking to get into sailing, [with] questions about sailing or [wanting] to check out a sailboat for the first time,” Szymanski said.

Rainbow Races is one of Yachtapalooza’s featured vendors, and its members will host one of the day’s seminars. The group aims to erase barriers marginalized groups may face in getting into sailing, Szymanski said.

It’s the only U.S. Sailing-sanctioned, LGBTQ+ sailing school in the country, and the only LGBTQ+ sailing organization in the Midwest, he said.

Rainbow Races’ first day of sailing school begins May 18. The group is offering a $50 early-bird discount on sailing classes through the end of April with the discount code “hydra50.” To register, click here .

The sailing world struggles with homophobia, misogyny, elitism and other forms of discrimination prevalent in other sports, Szymanski said. Rainbow Races creates a safe community around the sport which tries to counter those problems, he said.

Despite its issues, due to the collaborative nature of sailing, it’s also “probably the most friendly sports arena I’ve experienced,” Szymanski said.

“Sailing is a true team sport,” he said. “You have to trust your crewmates with your life, and you also have to support each other.

“Sailors are aware if we don’t evolve, we die … If the wind changes, you have to change with it.”

Chicago’s sailing community is robust, particularly with groups like the Park District, local yacht clubs and Rainbow Races encouraging new people to explore the sport, Fugate said.

But with a massive lake as Chicago’s backyard and “a very strong maritime history” in the city, the community could definitely stand to grow, Szymanski said.

Yachtapalooza is a free “casual meeting of the minds” that can help spread the joy of sailing and boating and change a misperception that the community is only for the ultra-rich, Szymanski said.

Million-dollar yachts “are great to look at and to dream about, but when you get down to it, Chicago is a blue-collar city,” Szymanski said. “A lot of the folks trying to buy boats are probably younger and more [budget-conscious]. It makes this a really unique opportunity to bring people in, in a very casual, unencumbered way.”

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Maxwell Evans

Twitter @afrodip More by Maxwell Evans

• March 20, 2024
• Inland and Coastal , News

Chicago Propeller Club is back in action again

Chicago Propeller Club president-elect Chris Carr: “Chicago has an awesome maritime heritage with many businesses based here and we need to promote that better.”

Vowing to ramp up awareness of Chicago’s “underestimated” maritime status, the Chicago Propeller Club is rechartering this month after a 15 year hiatus. The club staged its first sold-out event of 2024 at the city’s University Club with club leaders emphasizing Chicago’s maritime pedigree as the principle interior trade route to the Great Lakes, Atlantic, Mississippi River, and Gulf of Mexico.

The Chicago Propeller Club was first established in 1933 and is a chapter of the International Propeller Club of the United States. It aims to encourage more networking within the diverse Chicago and Great Lakes maritime community of inland marine, deep ocean and leisure marine sectors.

Club president-elect Chris Carr, managing partner of the SBSB Eastham law firm, said Chicago needed to raise its profile nationally and internationally as a natural destination for maritime companies. He pointed out the city is already home to many of the biggest shipping lines in the world including CMA and MSC as well as a massive intermodal transport industry.

“Chicago has an awesome maritime heritage with many businesses based here and we need to promote that better,” he said. “The Propeller Club can play a big role in this by bringing the Great Lakes and Mid West maritime community together from manufacturers to shipping lines and barge operators to professional services and Government. We’re already seeing business being done and more than 200 people have attended our three events since November.”

More than 70 guests gathered at the University Club’s Gallery Room for the initial 2024 event, including representatives of Spliethoff, BP Shipping, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation , American Equity Underwriters, QSL stevedores, Gallagher Insurance, Travelers and Tunley Environmental.

Speakers at the event included Ryan McCoy from Ports of Indiana, Jeff Zuercher from the U.S .Army Corps of Engineers and Grant Crowley, owner of Crowley Yacht Yard, speaking on behalf of seafarer charity Stella Maris.

Carr told the audience that the club has now opened a bank account and members can sign up for $150 via the club website .

“By the interest received over our three events, we are extremely confident that we can have an initial membership roll of close to 100 and we have already collected a number of sponsors enabling us to host four very high-quality events in 2024,” he said.

BOARD MEMBERS ELECT NAMED

A board of volunteer officials has been established. Its members include Erik Varela executive director of Illinois International Port District, Ian Hirt of Benchmark Marine and the Ports of Indiana, Ben Pinnington managing partner of Polaris Media and Tara Pappalardo of RLI Marine.

DATES FOR THE DIARY

Club vice president elect Ben Pinnington said the club is aiming to add value to members staging receptions on May 22,, Maritime Day and August 7 at the American Great Lakes Ports Association conference. He also pointed to events being staged by the International Propeller Club including its Salute to Congress in June and the Annual Convention in October.

The event was sponsored by Armada Risk Partners 5R Enterprises, Polaris Media America LLC, SBSB Eastham and Sonihull Ultrasonic Antifouling.

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PGA Tour commissioner has ‘constructive’ meeting with Saudi leader of LIV Golf

In a memo late Monday night to players, Monahan said the player directors on the PGA Tour Enterprises board met with Yasir Al-Rumayyan, governor of the Public Investment Fund that provides the money behind rival LIV Golf.

PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan said he met with Yasir Al-Rumayyan, governor of the Public Investment Fund that provides the money behind rival LIV Golf.

Lynne Sladky/AP

PALM HARBOR, Fla. — The PGA Tour took a first step in sparking negotiations with Saudi Arabia's national wealth fund with a meeting in the Bahamas that Commissioner Jay Monahan described as "constructive" without offering many more details.

It was the first time player directors, including Tiger Woods, met with Al-Rumayyan. Woods played nine holes with him at Albany Golf Club, according to a person informed of the meeting who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because of the private nature of the day.

The other player directors are Patrick Cantlay, Adam Scott, Jordan Spieth, Webb Simpson and Peter Malnati. Golfweek first reported the meeting was likely to take place Monday in Ponte Vedra Beach. It shifted to the Bahamas, where Woods often keeps his yacht.

"The conversation throughout was constructive and represents an important part of our due diligence process in selecting potential investors for PGA Tour Enterprises," Monahan said in the memo. "This mirrors the approach we employed earlier this year as we evaluated an investment offer from the Strategic Sports Group."

The PGA Tour, European tour and PIF reached an agreement announced June 6 to form a commercial partnership. The deal was to be finalized by the end of 2023. But amid government inquiries, and interest from private equity groups, the deal wasn't done.

The PGA Tour selected SSG, a consortium of U.S. sports owners, in December. A month later, SSG pledged an initial $1.5 billion investment, which could increase to $3 billion. The next step is getting PIF as a minority investor or risk more players defecting to LIV Golf.

As the tour was negotiating with U.S. private equity, LIV Golf lured Masters champion Jon Rahm, along with Tyrrell Hatton, in a move that took more big names away from the PGA Tour and further splintered the golf landscape.

"During the session, Yasir had the chance to introduce himself to our player directors and talk through his vision, priorities and motivations for investing in professional golf," Monahan said.

He told players he would keep them updated as much as possible, "but please understand that we need to maintain our position of not conducting negotiations in public."

Malnati had said over the weekend there was "massive resistance" to Saudi involvement because of the surprise June 6 announcement — Monahan, board members Ed Herlihy and Jimmy Dunne were the only ones involved.

"As I've learned more, I think I understand better and I'm very open-minded to learning what involvement they want, what they want out of this and how they think they can help," Malnati said. "On the surface, I think there are players who have resistance to that relationship, for sure. So that's why I do think it's important that maybe our next step is to meet at some point."

Cantlay said without PIF investing in PGA Tour Enterprises, he could see golf going down a path of two rival leagues whose top players meet only four times a year at the majors.

Rory McIlroy is no longer on the board, giving up his seat in November and since being replaced by Spieth. He is among those who have met with Al-Rumayyan. McIlroy had said on a British soccer podcast at the start of the year that he returned from his visit and encouraged the tour to meet with the Saudi leader behind LIV Golf.

"I don't think this is an overnight solution," McIlroy said. "But if we can get the investment in, then at least we can start working towards a compromise where we're not going to make everyone happy, but at least make everyone understand why we're doing what we're doing."

Golf | PGA Tour’s Jay Monahan describes…

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Golf | 2024 illinois primary day election results, golf | pga tour’s jay monahan describes ‘constructive’ meeting with saudi leader of liv golf.

PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan speaks during the second round of The Players Championship golf tournament Friday, March 15, 2024, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

FILE -Tiger Woods, left, watches his son Charlie, right, putt ball during the final round of the PNC Championship golf tournament Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023, in Orlando, Fla. Charlie Woods, 15, will be playing a pre-qualifier on Thursday in Hobe Sound, Fla., the first step before a full qualifier for the Cognizant Classic on the PGA Tour. (AP Photo/Kevin Kolczynski, File)

Viktor Hovland, of Norway, left, and Jordan Spieth wait to putt on the 14th green during the first round of The Players Championship golf tournament Thursday, March 14, 2024, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Adam Scott, of Australia, hits from the rough on the fifth hole during a practice round at The Players Championship golf tournament, Wednesday, March 13, 2024, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

PALM HARBOR, Fla. — The PGA Tour took a first step in sparking negotiations with Saudi Arabia’s national wealth fund with a meeting in the Bahamas that Commissioner Jay Monahan described as “constructive” without offering many more details.

In a memo late Monday night to players, Monahan said the player directors on the PGA Tour Enterprises board met with Yasir Al-Rumayyan, governor of the Public Investment Fund that provides the money behind rival LIV Golf.

It was the first time player directors, including Tiger Woods, met with Al-Rumayyan. Woods played nine holes with him at Albany Golf Club, according to a person informed of the meeting who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because of the private nature of the day.

The other player directors are Patrick Cantlay, Adam Scott, Jordan Spieth, Webb Simpson and Peter Malnati. Golfweek first reported the meeting was likely to take place Monday in Ponte Vedra Beach. It shifted to the Bahamas, where Woods often keeps his yacht.

“The conversation throughout was constructive and represents an important part of our due diligence process in selecting potential investors for PGA Tour Enterprises,” Monahan said in the memo. “This mirrors the approach we employed earlier this year as we evaluated an investment offer from the Strategic Sports Group.”

The PGA Tour, European tour and PIF reached an agreement announced June 6 to form a commercial partnership. The deal was to be finalized by the end of 2023. But amid government inquiries, and interest from private equity groups, the deal wasn’t done.

The PGA Tour selected SSG, a consortium of U.S. sports owners, in December. A month later, SSG pledged an initial $1.5 billion investment, which could increase to $3 billion. The next step is getting PIF as a minority investor or risk more players defecting to LIV Golf.

As the tour was negotiating with U.S. private equity, LIV Golf lured Masters champion Jon Rahm, along with Tyrrell Hatton, in a move that took more big names away from the PGA Tour and further splintered the golf landscape.

“During the session, Yasir had the chance to introduce himself to our player directors and talk through his vision, priorities and motivations for investing in professional golf,” Monahan said.

He told players he would keep them updated as much as possible, “but please understand that we need to maintain our position of not conducting negotiations in public.”

Malnati had said over the weekend there was “massive resistance” to Saudi involvement because of the surprise June 6 announcement — Monahan, board members Ed Herlihy and Jimmy Dunne were the only ones involved.

“As I’ve learned more, I think I understand better and I’m very open-minded to learning what involvement they want, what they want out of this and how they think they can help,” Malnati said. “On the surface, I think there are players who have resistance to that relationship, for sure. So that’s why I do think it’s important that maybe our next step is to meet at some point.”

Cantlay said without PIF investing in PGA Tour Enterprises, he could see golf going down a path of two rival leagues whose top players meet only four times a year at the majors.

Rory McIlroy is no longer on the board, giving up his seat in November and since being replaced by Spieth. He is among those who have met with Al-Rumayyan. McIlroy had said on a British soccer podcast at the start of the year that he returned from his visit and encouraged the tour to meet with the Saudi leader behind LIV Golf.

“I don’t think this is an overnight solution,” McIlroy said. “But if we can get the investment in, then at least we can start working towards a compromise where we’re not going to make everyone happy, but at least make everyone understand why we’re doing what we’re doing.”

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