Learning in Chicago?

[oceanmaui]

Hope the boards are still active! :O)

I''m interested in sailing schools and such in the Chicago area, if anyone has any recomendations.

I''ve been reading (and will continue to read) all I can on sailing over the "off season" here...but am really excited to start some actual "on the water" experience for myself and my wife.

If anyone has any suggested schools, or has had any experience with schools in Chicago, please clue me in.

Thanks!

[Irwin32]

90 minutes north by car is Racine and the yacht club there offers a sailing class each spring for under $100. This covers 4 classroom sessions and 4 on the water sessions that will last at least 2 hrs each. You can''t find a 2 hr sailboat charter for less than $100, much less 4 sails. The website of RYC is:
http://www.racineyachtclub.org/

[oceanmaui]

Thanks for the info!
I will have to check that one out.
:O)

[locrian13]

Please do. My husband and I have coached that class for the last several years. My brother took the class last season. I believe the quality of the classroom instruction to be quite good, and you can''t beat actually sailing as part of the learning experience.

[tommyt]

I don''t think you are going to beat the Racine deal in very many places. One other option, although certainly more expensive and a different experience, is ASA classes. Search American Sailing Association and you should find many places in the Midwest. This can be a live aboard 4 day weekend, a close to home class, or the later classes can be a week on the boat. I believe that there are a couple places in Chicago and Waukegan as well as Wisconsin and Michigan Lake Michigan experiences or Apostle Islands experiences.

Good Luck,

Tom

[sailortjk1]

I realize that this is a late response to the original posting.

In Chicago try 3rd Coast Cruising, they operate out of Monroe Harbor. You will find them at www.3rdcoastcruising.com