harbor yacht club chicago

Chicago Yacht Club

Stories from the Chicago Yacht Club

400 East Monroe Street Chicago, IL 60603-6403 (312) 861-7777

Website: www.chicagoyachtclub.org

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 committment 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.

CHICAGO YACHT CLUB  BECOMES NSHOF FOUNDING MEMBER

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.

A dynamic web version of this timeline is available by clicking here.

1875 The Chicago Yacht Club was organized at the Sherman House in the City of Chicago on the evening of August 7, 1875 as an association with a membership of 37 men. The first officers were John Prindiville (pictured),Commodore; T.M. Bradley, Vice Commodore; William F. Higgie, Rear Commodore; C.E. Kremer, Secretary; and F.W.S. Brawley, Treasurer. The first year book for the season of 1875-76 lists the names of the fifty charter members. The initiation fee was $5 and the annual dues $4, payable semi-annually.

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.

BACK TO YACHT CLUB STORIES PAGE

• Yacht Clubs

Chicago Yacht Club

chicagoyachtclub.org

400 East Monroe Street

Chicago , IL 60603

(312) 861-7177

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.

Quick Links

Getting Here

The Sailing Museum & Hall of Fame

365 Thames Street

Newport, RI 02840

401.324.5761

[email protected]

On-Site Seaweed Art Workshop

Wednesday, may 15, 10:00am - 12:30pm.

Come press and preserve seaweed specimens

 to make your own beautiful works of art.

Click here to learn more and register.

Hurry, space is limited!

Chicago Harbors main office will be closed on Monday, February 19, 2024 in observance of Presidents' Day.

Chicago Harbors

• 31st Street
• 59th Street
• Jackson Park Inner
• Jackson Park Outer

Monroe Harbor is located in the heart of downtown Chicago and its 392 mooring cans combine to create the central panorama of the Chicago skyline.  Iconic to the Chicago Harbors, Monroe has a strong community of long-time boaters many of whom love the nostalgia and history of this harbor at the foot of the city.  Home to the Chicago Yacht Club and Columbia Yacht Club, the harbor is a central focal point of the lakefront.

A frequent and convenient tender service is available; please hail on channel 68 for pick-up.  There are accommodations for boats 25’-50’ in length.  Transient mooring is also available; you can submit reservation requests through the Dockwa app or website beginning May 1st. Additionally, there is waste pump-out equipment at the northern end of the harbor that is provided on a no-charge basis.  The harbor monitors channels 9 and 16 and the switch to/working channel is 68.

Hours of Operation

Monroe harbor office, may 1st to october 31st.

Monday — Thursday. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Friday — Sunday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  9:00 am to 6:00 pm

Monroe Harbor Tender Service

May 1st to may 22nd.

Monday — Friday. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . 9:00 am to 10:00 pm

Saturday — Sunday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  8:00 am to 10:00 pm

May 23rd to September 3rd

Monday – Sunday 8:00 am- 12:00 am

September 4th to October 31st

Monday- Sunday 8:00am- 10:00 pm

Amenities at Monroe

• 392 mooring cans
• Accommodations for boats 25′-80′
• Tender service available
• Boater bathrooms
• Complimentary pump-out stations
• Transient dockage

Monroe Contact Info

Foot of Monroe Street Chicago, IL 60603

Get Directions

1 (312) 448-7067

Monroe Tender:

1 (312) 442-0695

[email protected]

Harbor Manager:

Harbor entrance:.

Lat 41° 52.556 N Lon 87° 36.614 W

Yacht Club:

Chicago Yacht Club

WELCOME ABOARD

We welcome you and your family to the Jackson Park Yacht Club. Founded in 1896, shortly after the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, the Jackson Park Yacht Club is one of the oldest yacht clubs in Chicago. The club is located in the Jackson Park outer harbor, across from the old U.S. Coast Guard Station, along the southern shores of Lake Michigan in the South Shore neighborhood of Chicago. Our members are sailors, racers, power boaters, cruisers, stewards of the sea and people who enjoy fun on the water, at the dock, or in our Clubhouse. We make fun happen.

JPYC offers Safety at Sea Seminar

Our U.S. Sailing Sanctioned Safety At Sea Seminar is scheduled for April 20th – 21st, 2024 Both Days In person classroom & Hands-on course Day One In person classroom course on Sat. 4/20 Day Two Hands-on Practical Course on Sun. 4/21 Refresher Modified Hands-on Course on Sun. 4/21 If your certification has lapsed in the…

JPYC Expands to 31st Harbor

The Jackson Park Yacht Club is expanding its footprint to include 31st Harbor and officially raised the JPYC flag at 31st Harbor on Saturday, August 26th. JPYC will be integrating 31st Harbor residents into annual summer and off-season events & programming, which includes sailboat racing, adult & youth sailing lessons, boater education/safety, and social activities.…

Great Britain SailGP Team Visits JPYC

That’s right SailGP’s Great Britain Team is coming again to visit the JPYC Foundation on Wednesday June 14th at 5:30 pm.  Driven by Ben Ainslie, the most successful Olympic sailor of all time, the Great Britain SailGP Team comprises of some of the country’s top sporting talent with Olympic medals across multiple sports.  As part of its…

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Chicago Corinthian Yacht Club

Summer at ccyc.

2601 N. Cannon Drive Chicago IL 60614

Diversey yacht club.

Chicago’s Friendliest Casual Yacht Club

About Diversey Yacht Club

Founded in 1935, the Diversey Yacht Club has been known as one of the friendliest clubs in the Chicago harbor system.

Whether you’re interested in cruising and travel, fishing, scuba diving, racing or simply socializing with other boaters, the DYC has something to offer you and your family. We eagerly welcome new members and also welcome visitors from reciprocal yacht clubs, so stop by for a visit! Our members and our dedicated, friendly staff will make you feel at home.

The Diversey Yacht Club is a member of the Lake Michigan Yachting Association, Chicago Yachting Association, Yachting Club of America and BoatU.S., and is represented in the Friends of the Marine Community, the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, Boaters PAC and the Chicago Power Squadron.

Upcoming Events

Kentucky derby & welcome back party.

Saturday, May 4th at 3:00 PM 2601 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago, IL

Come join us for our annual Kentucky Derby party to kick off the season! Food & Drink Specials by our new Gallery Operator: Almost Home Tavern & Grill.

Gallery Tour

The Wilmette Harbor Club, located north of Chicago on Lake Michigan, includes a clubhouse with both indoor and outdoor dining, a gas dock, and mooring for several hundred boats. Since 1929 the Wilmette harbor's Sheridan Shore Yacht Club has hosted sailboat fleet racing during the summer months. Wilmette harbor is also home to the Sheridan Shore Sailing School for both adults and children.

Wilmette Harbor Club News

Arthur b. hanson rescue award recipients.

On Saturday, March 23rd, US Sailing's Arthur B. Hanson Rescue Medal  was presented to Wilmette Harbor Club members . . .

Arthur B. Hanson Rescue Award

You are invited to attend the presentation of the  Arthur B. Hanson Rescue Medal,  yachting's highest honor for . . .

New Floating Dock for 2024 and 2023 Accomplishments

New "C Line" floating dock for mooring holders on the 'waler wall' will now enjoy a newly built floating dock in the summer of 2024!

2024 Wilmette Harbor Association Annual Meeting

Wilmette Harbor Association, Inc. 2024 Annual Meeting Sunday, February 11, 2024 at 12:00pm

2024 Summer Sailing Programs

Are you ready to embark on an unforgettable sailing adventure this summer? Sheridan Shore Sailing School offers a variety of one-of-a-kind sailing and power programs for youth, adults, and families.

31st Street Harbor

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• 3100 S. Lake Shore Dr,  Chicago,  IL 60616
• 312-225-6464
• http://chicagoharbors.info

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