As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, our mission is to offer quality instruction in sailing and boating safety, and to provide affordable sailing opportunities to its members and others in the Chicago area. A benefit of membership in our organization is that members can reserve boats for private use after they have completed the requirements to become a Skipper.

We welcome experienced sailors, but each member must go through the Skipper qualification process which involves taking our Skipper Prep class. This ensures that all of our Skippers are well-acquainted with our boats and our procedures and become properly oriented to Monroe Harbor. Successful completion of the Skipper Prep course and course tests will qualify you as a Sail Chicago Skipper, and enable you to reserve Sail Chicago boats for private use. It also makes you eligible to obtain the U.S. Sailing Basic Keelboat certification.

NOTE: Private boat use is granted based on a Sail Chicago instructor's evaluation of your sailing and boat rigging skills and your knowledge of Sail Chicago's rules & regulations. For 12 months following earning your Skipper certification, you will be required to sail with another Sail Chicago skipper on board.