New Student General Registration Lottery Open

If you're looking to enroll in your first Sail Chicago class, be sure to sign up for our General Registration Lottery. Beginning April 15, everyone who has entered the lottery will be randomly assigned a start time for when they will be able to begin class registration. This is your best chance to get into a class. Signups for the lottery close at 11:59 pm on Wednesday, April 10 so don't delay!

Boatyard Open House Saturday

Don’t forget our open house at the Canal Street Marina on Saturday April 6, 10:00am–12pm. See our entire fleet dry docked and our maintenance teams at work while discovering the fun involved in getting ready for the coming season. There will be tours, games, food & drinks, and sailing knot demonstrations.

Become a Tiller Time Skipper

Are you a skipper and looking to meet your service time requirement this summer? Consider becoming a Tiller Time Skipper. Here's how!

1. Sail one of the Colgates as a private skipper of record for a total of eight (8) sails. This can include the three probationary sails you did as a new skipper.

2. Complete the US Sailing Safety at Sea Coastal online course and upload your certificate of completion. Sail Chicago will reimburse you for the cost of the course.

3. Schedule an on-the-water checkout led by the Tiller Time lead or their designate.

Remember, completion of five Tiller Times satisfies your service time requirements for Sail Chicago. This a great way to volunteer where you can make your own schedule, and you get to spend time out on the water helping new students to practice their skills.

Student Instruction Changes!

Beginning this year, all new students in Colgate classes will be able to register for their Basic Keelboat Course through boaterexam.com for free (a savings of $50). Additionally, all Skipper Prep students that complete their on-the-water course, checkout, and pass their Sail Chicago Rules and Regulations exam will now take the US Sailing Basic Keelboat Certification exam for free (save another $50!)

For those new to sailing, the Basic Keelboat Course through Boater Exam tests basic knowledge prior to the Crew Level class. The US Sailing Basic Keelboat Certification is a more thorough exam and is now required for all new Sail Chicago skippers. Students that pass their US Sailing Basic Keelboat Certification will also receive a one-year membership to US Sailing, valuable discounts on sailing gear, and connection to a national community of sailors and sailing organizations. And again, there's no additional charge for this benefit.

New students that register for a class will receive an e-mail course confirmation that includes a link to request access to the Basic Keelboat Course through Boater Exam. New students with proof of sailing experience will have an option to opt out pending approval.

From the start of your sailing journey to becoming a new skipper at Sail Chicago, we now connect you to US Sailing and a greater world of sailors.

Rhodes Deputy Managers Needed

The Rhodes Maintenance teams are looking for a few good Sail Chicago members to take on the role of Deputy Boat Manager. For our fleet of three Rhodes 19 keelboats, we have a Boat Manager and Deputy Boat Manager assigned to each. The Deputy Boat Manager's role is to work with the Boat Manager to coordinate the pre-season, in-season and post-season maintenance work for their assigned boat.

No experience is required—just a willingness to get involved. All three of our Rhodes 19 boat teams work together on all three boats, so you will have plenty of team support. Interested candidates should be a Skipper or be working towards becoming a Skipper since one of the Deputy Boat Manager's roles is to lead Maintenance Sails during the season.

If you have questions or would like to discuss further, please contact Tim Rice at ricetj@gmail.com or via Slack DM.

Scholarship Program Boating Buddies Needed

The Sail Chicago Scholarship Program is part of our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion initiative with the intent to provide access and encourage participation for those not traditionally well-represented within our organization. Now in its third year, we are selecting recipients for the 2024 season. We hope to offer the Sail Chicago Scholarship recipients the opportunity to be paired with 1 or 2 Sail Chicago “boating buddies” who can show them the ropes (no pun intended!), help them navigate the organization, and perhaps even take them sailing. This is a great way to help support new sailors and share your experience and love of sailing! If you are interested in being a “boating buddy,” please contact us at dei@sailchicago.org.

Social News

Our next event will be a casual midday meetup on the Riverwalk on Saturday, April 27 to watch the bridges raise for the masted sailboats. If you've never experienced this, it is a sight to see! We'll meet at Lizzie McNeill’s, outdoor patio, 400 North McClurg Ct., around 11am. The even includes one free drink plus appetizers for you and a guest. If you plan to attend, email social@sailchicago.org, and let us know if you will be bringing a guest.

Other 2024 Social Events

Kickoff party at ColYC:
Saturday, May 11, 3-6pm. Sign up open!

Kickoff Sign Up

Tall Ship Windy Educational Tour: Saturday, June 8, 11am

This 90-minute hands-on learning experience is a great way to enjoy physics, history and storytelling while taking an active part in sailing the vessel. Learn about maritime heritage on the Great Lakes as history comes alive with an exciting educational adventure for curious minds of all ages. Cost is $35 plus tax and fees. Children under 18 are $25.

Windy Sign Up

Friends and Family picnic: Saturday, July 20
Happy Hour events: Aug + Sept dates TBD
End of Season Dinner at ColYC: Thursday October 24

Changes to Wind Guidelines

At its February meeting, the Board of Directors made small changes to the Sail Chicago Rules and Regulations wind guidelines. These are as follows:

Up to 16 knots (Beaufort Scale 0-4), acceptable conditions for all boats.

17–21 knots (Beaufort Scale 5), proceed with caution for more experienced skippers and crew.

Greater than 21 knots, don’t go out. If winds build to greater than 21 knots while out, return to the harbor in a reasonably prompt manner.

No Sail Chicago boat can go out during the duration of a published Small Craft Advisory.

The guidelines were revised to bring our standards in line with the Beaufort Scale, a measure of wind speed based on observable conditions on both water and land. Skippers should always refer to current weather forecast information on my.sailchicago.org for purposes of determining compliance with these standards.

Have comments, feedback or ideas?
Email them to newsletter@sailchicago.org.

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