Do you ever stop to think about how incredibly amazing it is to have a volunteer sailing club at your fingertips here in Chicago where you can learn to sail, become a skipper, meet great people, and get out on the water whenever you want? Well I do and after a 20 year hiatus I woke one day and thought “gee, what is my problem?” In addition, the policy change to Rule 4.13 for new skippers makes getting out on the water after checkout easier than ever! Having recently finished Skipper Prep class with my cohorts shown below (John, Paul, Sam, with Instructor James McLaughlin) I’m excited to take advantage of the new rule change and continue my lifelong learning as a sailor.
— Meighan Depke, Editor
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New Skipper Policy Change
The Sail Chicago board has passed a new policy change to Rule 4.13 stating: A new Skipper shall be accompanied by another Sail Chicago Skipper for their first three private rentals (i.e., as the skipper of record) after which they shall be granted permission to reserve a boat for a private rental in accordance with existing Sail Chicago policies.
Prior to the change, Rule 4.13 required a first-year Skipper to be accompanied by another skipper with at least 12 months experience.
The change requires new skippers to take three private sails with another Sail Chicago skipper before they can reserve boats with friends or non skippers. Why private sails? Because when you book a private sail, you are responsible for the safe conduct of the boat as the “skipper of record”. This means new skippers can partner up and sail a total of six times — three as “first mate” and three as “skipper” to increase their time on the water to learn, practice and have fun!
Sail Chicago’s goal is to encourage skill development by getting every new skipper out on the water as quickly possible. New skippers are told to continue learning by sailing and agree the following statement, I understand that receiving a Keelboat Skipper card does not make me a great sailor – it indicates that I am trusted to continue learning while sailing the Colgate 26. Now new skippers can sail together to build their skills. If you have any questions about this new policy reach out to any board member or your Skipper Prep instructor.
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At the beginning of the season a group of our top instructors went out on the water to review key teaching strategies and discuss policy changes for the 2023 season.
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 Upcoming Social Events
The 2023 Friends and Family Picnic at Belmont Harbor on Saturday, August 12 is right around the corner! Please purchase tickets by August 10 if you would like to participate in this catered picnic.
We will meet on the grassy area across from Dock E where Priorities is docked. The BBQ picnic (served around 12pm) will include rib tips, chicken, hot dogs, and sides along with water and soft drinks (no alcohol allowed). Gluten-free, vegan, and children's options will be available. You are also free to bring your own lunch. This year we will have a tent with tables and chairs. Feel free to bring your own chairs, snacks, and games. We will have the Sail Chicago bags game.
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On the day of the picnic, free short sails on Calypso, Priorities, Recess and Poco are available for members and their friends/family. Registion for time slot is required. There are still some spots available.
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September Happy Hour: Date and location TBD. Watch for notices in SLACK and the September newsletter.
2023 End of Season Dinner: October 12, 2023 Columbia Yacht Club, 6:30pm-9:30pm
New Skippers Social: Thursday, October 5th, location TBD
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Volunteers Still Needed
It’s starting to feel like the end of sailing season is just around the corner. Remember, when the season ends on October 31, our volunteering season ends as well. Do you need to meet your 2023 service time requirement? Below are some end-of-season opportunities to help out.
Students are eager to practice! For skippers with two years experience, consider hosting tiller times in August and September. If you are a skipper with one year experience, you can volunteer to host Member Cruise Outings. Let's keep everyone sailing through the end of the season!
Help unstep Colgate masts and transport boats to the boatyard in October. Unstepping the masts takes several hours on a Saturday or Sunday and many hands are needed but no experience is required. Come see how we lower a mast! After lowering the masts, the Colgates are taken down river to the Canal Street boatyard. Crews are needed to make the two-hour trip on weekday mornings.
Social Committee volunteers needed to help with upcoming events. Extra hands are needed to help with the Friends & Family picnic on Saturday, August 12 and the end-of-season dinner on Thursday, October 12.
To sign up for any of these opportunities, complete the Volunteer Signup Form or contact the Volunteer Team at volunteer@sailchicago.org.
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Motors ON in the Harbor
Please remember that the motors on our Rhodes and Colgate boats must be IN the water, ON, and READY to be used whenever the boat is between the mooring can and the mouth of the harbor. This rule applies to both leaving and returning to the mooring, and there are no exceptions. Failure to do so is a violation of the rules and can result in disciplinary action.
Sailing onto and off the mooring can is a skill all skippers should master and it’s a satisfying accomplishment to do so. However, it is just as satisfying to do with the motor running and gives a fallback option should conditions suddenly change.
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New Online US Sailing Basic Keelboat Certification
This is exciting news for sailors who have recently graduated to Skipper-level — you now have the option to obtain your official US Sailing Basic Keelboat Certification all online!
This highly recommended certification provides multiple benefits including a one-year membership to U.S. Sailing, an official logbook to track sails, and an official US Sailing-sponsored Certification emblem. Another amazing benefit is certification recognition at sailing clubs across the country. If you happen to leave Chicago and Sail Chicago, this US Sailing Basic Keelboat Certification is nationally recognized at many sailing clubs.
Although highly recommend for all new Skippers, obtaining the certification is optional. For those interested, we have established an online-only exam to complete. Skippers need at least a 75% to pass and receive certification.
Once the exam is passed, Sail Chicago’s Certification Administrator will provide you with an official logbook affixed with the Certification emblem. For additional details on the Keelboat Certification process, please visit the Sail Chicago Slack Channel #certprocess or email certificationadmin@sailchicago.org with any questions. Happy Sailing!
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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Needs Volunteer Skippers
We are excited to host DEI Sails for a second season, but we need your help! Similar to a traditional Member Cruise Outing, these sails are focused on under-represented groups in Sail Chicago (and sailing in general). Last year we started with Women's and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, & people of color) cruises, and this year we will be adding LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) cruises! These cruises provide opportunities for our minority members to meet, connect, and sail in a safe and supportive environment. If you identify as a woman, BIPOC, or LGBTQ+, have been a skipper for at least a year, and are interested in hosting DEI Sails, please contact Rebecca Sheehy at rebeccajsheehy@gmail.com.
Hosting DEI Sails counts toward volunteer hours just like hosting MCOs. The cruises will be available on the normal reservation page (please make sure to only sign up for cruises if you identify as a member of the target audience).
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Single-Handed Instruction
Interested in learning to single hand the Ideal 18’s? Single-handing a boat can be an exhilarating experience and highly satisfying encounter between the skipper, boat, and elements. There are, however, inherent dangers when sailing solo. The single-handed sailor cannot depend on another sailor’s opinion or tactical judgement, and they cannot rely on crew for equipment, weather, or health emergencies. For these reasons, the process provided during the instruction program should be carefully followed, and extra care and caution should be put into preparation and planning. The Sail Chicago wind guidelines and single-handing distance parameters must be followed. Finally, share a float plan with a trusted person on land and be sure and notify that person when you return. Check out the reservation page of my.sailchicago.org to sign up for our Single-Handed Class on the Ideals.
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… “no man will be a sailor who has contrivance enough to get himself into a jail; for being in a ship is being in a jail with a chance of being drowned”…
– David Grann, The Wager
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