Chicago's learn-to-sail club · Monroe Harbor
Lake Michigan is your classroom.
Learn to sail with USCG-licensed captains, earn an internationally recognized certification, or take your crew out for a private cruise. Three‑hour sails, seven days a week, May through October.
Ways to get on the water
Pick your first sail.
No experience required. Start with a single lesson, settle into a season membership, or book the boat for your own people.
Start here
Learn to sail
Three‑hour group lessons from $75, with a Trial Membership that turns one paid sail into four. Monohulls and catamarans, seven days a week.
Explore lessons
Up to 6 guests
Private cruises
Your boat, your crew, your playlist. Bring snacks and drinks; we have the grill, cooler, and skyline.
See rates
Sail all season
Club membership
Season-long club events, priority scheduling, bareboat hours, and a crew that keeps coming back.
Compare memberships
7–36 people
Groups & teams
Bachelorette parties, company regattas, and multi-boat flotillas that turn a meeting into a memory.
Plan a group
Why 3rd Coast
A school, a club, and a crew.
Some sailing schools teach you the parts of a boat. We teach you to handle one — in real wind, on a real lake, with people who sail every week.
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Learn by sailing
Real seatime on Lake Michigan, not a classroom. Most sailors are at the helm in their first lesson.
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One school, many boats
Train on monohulls and our 38' Lagoon catamaran so you can handle whatever you charter later.
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Credentials that travel
Our SLC program is recognized in Croatia, Italy, Spain, Greece, and charter grounds worldwide.
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A club, not a class
Members sail seven days a week, join events, and keep training through the off-season.
Certification
A license that travels.
3rd Coast is the only sailing school in the Midwest offering the NauticEd Sailing License and Credentials (SLC) — the credential charter companies recognize in Italy, Spain, Croatia, Greece, and beyond.
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Build real seatime
200 documented hours, 100 as master of a 28'+ vessel. Previous seatime may count.
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Theory that sticks
40 hours of NauticEd coursework plus the independent 100-question SLC exam.
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Practical assessment
We sign off on your on-the-water competence to international bareboat standards.
Membership
Sail all season.
Start with the Trial Membership, then choose a package that matches how often you want to be on the water. Every membership includes scheduling priority and access to club events.
Trial Membership
The best first step
One 3‑hour sail, plus three free
- Four 3‑hour sails total
- No long-term commitment
- All seatime counts toward certification
- Couple's package available
Lighthouse Package
Five sails, two-year window
Flexible, no weekly limit
- Five 3‑hour sails
- Good for two years
- Weeknight and weekend availability
- Monohulls and catamaran
Club Membership
For the full season
Club events all season and rental hours
- Unlimited access to club events
- Priority online scheduling
- Monohull rental hours included
- Free off-season training
Prices reflect the packages published on the current 3rd Coast site. Trial offer and membership terms are set by 3rd Coast Cruising; confirm details at checkout.
Reviews
The crew says it better.
“I've been sailing with 3rd Coast for the past year and a half and have fallen in love with the sport and the amazing community.”Yelp review
“My bridesmaids planned the trip with 3rd Coast as a surprise for my bachelorette party. I couldn't have asked for anything more perfect.”Yelp review
“My company went out for a two-boat regatta led by Captain Jim and his crew. Such an amazing time led by some fantastic hosts.”Yelp review
The season runs May–October
Your next sail is on the calendar.
Weeknights at 6:30 PM. Weekends at 10 AM, 1:30 PM, and 5 PM. Most sails leave from Monroe Harbor; your confirmation email has the exact boat and gate.
- Mon–Fri
- 6:30–9:30 PM
- Sat–Sun
- 10 AM · 1:30 · 5 PM
- Season
- May–October
- Home dock
- Monroe Harbor
Sail beyond Chicago
Bluewater adventures in the Balearics, Croatia, Greece, or Italy.
No previous experience necessary. Tell 3rd Coast Charters where you want to sail and they will build the trip around it.