Your Home on the Water Founded in 1875, Chicago Yacht Club is one of the oldest and most respected yacht clubs in the world. Home to a winning America's Cup skipper, Olympic medalists, and outstanding boaters of all types, the Club welcomes members of all ages who share a passion for being on the water. When you join, you’re invited to connect with fellow power and sail boaters, take lessons at our nationally recognized Sailing School for adults and juniors, volunteer on a committee, and enjoy vibrant social activities on and off the water.
MONROE STATION
BELMONT STATION
No Boat? No Problem! At Chicago Yacht Club, owning a boat is not a requirement. Nearly 40% of our members don’t own boats, but that doesn’t stop them f rom experiencing all the Club has to offer. Our fleet of over 150 boats, including kayaks and paddle boards, is available for members to rent, ensuring easy access to the waterf ront. Whether you’re paddling, sailing, or just enjoying the view, Chicago Yacht Club makes it simple to embrace life on the water.
WELCOME We are very excited to introduce you to Chicago Yacht Club. Founded in 1875, our Club is one of the oldest and most respected yacht clubs in the world. For 150 years, our members have cultivated a vibrant community of individuals and families brought together by a shared love of the water, boating traditions, and the beauty of Chicago’s skyline and Lake Michigan. Chicago Yacht Club is more than a destination on the water. It is a tradition, a community, and a home. We invite you to experience it for yourself and become part of our story.
LAURA SIGMOND COMMODORE
MEMBER BENEFITS On the Water ■
Enjoy docking privileges at Belmont and Monroe Stations
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The Season Recreational Pass grants unlimited member access to Sonar sailboats, paddle boards and kayaks
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Exclusive early registration and discounts for on-the-water programs
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Cruises around the Great Lakes hosted by our Power Fleet and Cruising Sail Fleet
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Casual racing, match racing and women's sailing
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Youth and adult boating programs with opportunities to earn U.S. Sailing certif ications
Beyond the Water ■
Exceptional indoor and outdoor dining with lakef ront views at both stations
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Reciprocity with 700+ yacht clubs worldwide
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Social events for all ages year-round
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Complimentary and convenient member-only parking at both stations
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Meeting and banquet facilities available for member rental and sponsored guests
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Watch the Navy Pier Fireworks while enjoying dinner or a drink on the Monroe Station patio
Purpose & Passion ■
More than 40 committees to get involved with
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Expand your boating safety knowledge through our annual Nautical Education Series
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Community service opportunities through charity cruises and Sea Scouts
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Give back through the CYC Foundation
OUR COMMUNITY
The CYC Community has afforded us so many
I fell in love with CYC f rom the moment I
wonderful opportunities to engage in on and
stepped foot on the beautiful Monroe patio.
off the water activities. We are fortunate to
There's no other outdoor space like it in the
have a power boat in Belmont Harbor where
city. It's the perfect place to enjoy Chicago
we can enjoy a relaxed club atmosphere
summers. The staff are very personable and
for dining and sailing classes. We regularly
Members are diverse and successful in their
cruise down to Monroe in the summertime
professions, making the Club a great place to
to enjoy dining on our beautiful patio. We
network. There's also a full slate of social events
encourage everyone to take advantage of all
if you're just looking to unwind and make
the Club has to offer.
new f riends. Joining has been one of the best
Clyde & Meg Ainley Members since 2015
decisions I've made since moving to Chicago.
Patrick Colucci Member since 2021
Joining the Chicago Yacht Club has been
Being part of this community has enriched
an incredibly meaningful experience for
both my sailing life and my personal life in
us. When we joined the club we were
ways I never expected. The f irst time I set
beginning sailors looking for advice and
foot in CYC, I met my now wife. Our boat
what we found was so much more. What
is in Belmont Harbor, so that clubhouse
we quickly learned is the yacht club is a
becomes our home on the water for the
community in every sense of the word.
summer, while Monroe keeps us connected
Through the numerous events both on
with f riends all winter through events,
and off the water we have made lifelong
dining, and involvement in various club
f riendships that make the Chicago Yacht
committees.
Club our home away f rom home!
Jeff & Rose Mills Members since 2014
Erik Hillenmeyer Member since 2009
COMMITTEES Chicago Yacht Club is driven by member volunteers. With almost 40 committees, there is a committee for almost any interest or skill. Joining a committee is a great way to get involved and meet new people. Here is a snapshot of our committees:
ADMISSIONS
FINANCE
OFFSHORE FLEET
ASSOCIATES
HISTORY
POWER FLEET
COMMUNICATIONS
JUNIOR ACTIVITIES
RACE
CRUISING SAIL FLEET
MEMBERSHIP
RACING YACHT FLEET
FAMILY ACTIVITIES
NAUTICAL EDUCATION
WOMEN'S
AFFINITY GROUPS Football Fans
Family Activities
Get together with fellow members who share a
The Club offers family-focused activities
love of football. Enjoy Sunday afternoon watch
designed with younger members in mind.
parties at Belmont Station or Bears Brunches
Enjoy kid-f riendly spaces and special events
and food and drink specials at Monroe Station
throughout the year that make the Club a
before kickoffs.
welcoming place for families to gather and play.
Wine
Cigar
Indulge your palate with our Wine Club’s
Unwind and connect at our monthly Cigar Club
curated tastings and dinners. Connect with
gatherings, where members enjoy premium
others who share your love for f ine wines
cigars and camaraderie. Whether you’re a
while exploring different vintages and
connoisseur or simply curious, this group offers
pairings in a relaxed setting.
a warm and inviting space to relax.
The Water Is Calling Some of the best views of Chicago’s skyline are f rom the water, and Chicago Yacht Club offers countless ways to enjoy them. Our fleet of sailboats, powerboats, kayaks, and paddle boards makes it easy for members to explore Lake Michigan and connect with the city’s stunning waterf ront. Members can get involved with our Club Fleets to connect with other members who share your same boating interests.
Nationally Recognized We are a leader in sailing education, with one of the largest junior sailing programs in the nation. Each year, about 300 young boaters train at our Belmont Station, which also hosts our adult sailing programs. Our On-theWater Team offers opportunities for all ages to learn the parts of a boat, sailing terminology, and crew positions, helping everyone feel conf ident on the water.
CLUB FLEETS Power Fleet
Offshore Fleet
The Power Fleet consists of everything f rom
The Offshore Fleet comprises larger keelboats
small cruisers to brand new mega yachts. The
and is focused on the excitement of racing
fleet is active with charity events, long-distance
several miles offshore in different formats, f rom
cruises and cruises closer to home, Cruiser
multi-day regattas, buoy and 30+ mile distance
Navigation Rallies, and more.
races, to Wednesday night Skyline racing.
Racing Fleet
Cruising Fleet
Chicago Yacht Club’s Racing Yacht Fleets race
The Cruising Sail Fleet is a fleet of cruising
out of Belmont Harbor most Saturdays during
sailors that stays active all year on and off the
the season. The Racing Yacht Fleet is composed
water with events such as: weekend cruises,
of One-Design classes and offers some of the
educational seminars, dock parties, navigational
best, and most fun, racing in the Midwest.
races and off-season social events.
SAILING PROGRAMS Women on the Water
Learn to Sail
Women on the Water (WOW) consists of
Our On-the-Water Team has opportunities for
six weeks of casual, social sailing on Friday
all experience levels. We teach students the
evenings. Led by the On-the-Water staff, you will
different parts of a boat, sailing terminology,
get time on the water and an evening back at
and offer the opportunity to try out the different
Belmont Station for socializing and fun!
crew positions on one of our easy-to-sail Sonars.
Youth Sailing
Crew U
For more than 90 years, the Chicago Yacht Club
Crew U transforms novices into able members
Sailing School has been a leader in teaching
of the racing community. This seven-week class
children of all skill levels how to sail. Our wide
f rom May to June is led by CYC Members who
range of courses provide young sailors with the
offer their boats and wisdom to help you get the
skills and conf idence to enjoy sailing.
skills you need to crew on a boat.
ANNUAL REGATTAS J U N E | 3 DAYS
JULY | 333 M ILES
1 5 0 + BOATS
300 + BOATS
14 O N E - D ES I GN CL AS S E S
36 + HO URS TO FIN I S H
AU G U ST | 2 WE E KE NDS
AUGUST | 3 DAYS
16 0 + BOATS
WORLD M ATCH RACING TOU R
3 0 + YEARS RU NNI NG
GLOBA L PRO SA ILOR S
RENTALS Belmont Station KAYAKS PADDLE BOARDS GAS POWERBOAT SAILBOATS / SONARS
Monroe Station KAYAKS PADDLE BOARDS GAS POWERBOAT
Dining at its Best Located on the city's shoreline, Monroe Station and Belmont Station offer a la carte indoor and outdoor dining with unrivaled views of Lake Michigan. Our chefs at Monroe and Belmont Stations have curated delicious menus featuring f resh, local ingredients.
For the Whole Family Come to Monroe Station for upscale dining perfect for business lunches or specialty dinners. Head into the Mackinac Bar for a quick lunch or dinner with f riends and catch a game on the TV. Visit Belmont Station for a family-f riendly meal or enjoy the famous Belmont Buffets.
NAUTICAL EDUCATION SERIES
PINK PONY PARTY
JANUARY - MAY
JANUARY
FLEET REVIEW
LAKESIDE LEBLANC
JUNE
JUNE
THANKSGIVING
KID'S HOLIDAY PARTY
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
SIGNATURE EVENTS
ST. PATRICKS'S DAY
LADIES LUNCHEON
MARCH
MAY
MAC WEEK
BIG SMOKE
JULY
SEPTEMBER
COMMODORE'S OPEN HOUSE
NEW YEAR'S EVE
DECEMBER
DECEMBER
MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR membership@chicagoyachtclub.org
MONROE STATION 400 East Monroe Street Chicago, IL 60603 BELMONT STATION 300 West Belmont Avenue Chicago, IL 60657
chicagoyachtclub.org (312) 861-7777