Chicago skyline from Lake Michigan - Knot My Boat Charters

Est. 2019

Where It All Began

Chicago's Premier Yacht Charter Company

From a single boat in 2019 to a full-service marine hospitality group redefining luxury on Lake Michigan.

About Us

Built on Passion. Driven by Hospitality.

Knot My Boat Charters was founded in 2019 with a simple goal: make boating in Chicago more accessible.

At the time, booking a charter often meant outdated websites, delayed responses, unclear pricing, and inconsistent service. We believed there was a better way.

Drawing from backgrounds in aquatics, event planning, and logistics, we set out to modernize the industry from the ground up. By introducing transparent pricing, click-to-book online bookings, automation, and a hospitality-first approach to customer service, we elevated the charter experience and made getting on the water easier than ever before.

Today, Knot My Boat Charters welcomes more than 40,000 guests each season across a fleet of 22 vessels operating from three marinas in Chicago. While the company has grown significantly, our mission remains unchanged: remove barriers to boating and deliver an experience that reflects the very best of Chicago hospitality.

This is boating, made simple.

Our Story

2019

The Beginning

Knot My Boat Charters launched with a single vessel and a simple mission: make boating in Chicago more accessible. At a time when the industry was fragmented and outdated, we set out to create a more transparent, reliable, and guest-focused experience.

2020–2021

Building the Foundation

The challenges of COVID tested the business early, but they also shaped it. After temporarily operating out of Hammond, Indiana in 2020, KMBC returned to Chicago in 2021, established its home at 31st Street Harbor, expanded to seven vessels, and became the city's largest bareboat charter operator.

2022–2023

Scaling the Platform

As demand grew, so did our investment in people, technology, equipment, and operations. We built the systems, processes, and team needed to scale KMBC from a growing charter company into a market-leading hospitality business.

2024–2025

Expanding the Vision

The acquisition of Sophisticated Lady Yacht Charters marked a defining moment for KMBC, introducing commercial charter operations and larger-scale events for up to 49 passengers. During this period, the company also launched Montauk, its first proprietary vessel design, and expanded into vessel sales, brokerage, and consulting through KMBC Marine Group — laying the foundation for a broader marine hospitality platform.

Today

One of the Midwest's Largest Fleets

What began as a single boat has evolved into one of the Midwest's largest and most trusted charter fleets.

Founder

Meet Our Founder

Knot My Boat Charters was founded by Sommy Irani, Founder & CEO of HiFi Social, a hospitality management company that owns and operates brands across travel, tourism, event planning, and entertainment. Collectively, HiFi Social's portfolio serves more than 550,000 guests annually.

A former competitive swimmer and graduate of the University of Chicago, Sommy combined his connection to the water with experience in hospitality, logistics, and event operations to launch KMBC in 2019. His goal was simple: make boating more accessible by bringing modern technology, professional operations, and exceptional service to an industry that had long been underserved.

Today, KMBC has grown from a single vessel into one of the Midwest's leading marine hospitality companies, continuing to raise the standard for boating through innovation, accessibility, and operational excellence.

Today

More Than a Charter Company

Today, KMBC offers everything from intimate bareboat charters for groups of up to 13 to commercial events for up to 125 guests, creating one of the Midwest's most accessible and versatile boating platforms. Through custom vessel design, manufacturing, and continued fleet expansion, the company remains focused on making the water accessible to more people than ever before.

Bareboat Charters & Memberships

Chicago's largest bareboat fleet, premium captains, and flexible packages for groups of up to 13 guests.

Corporate & COI Charters

Commercial, USCG-inspected vessels for corporate events, weddings, and activations for up to 125 guests.

Fleet Management & Operations

Centralized HR, safety, and crew training through Windy City Marine Management.

The Next Chapter

Introducing KMBC Marine Group

To fuel continued innovation, KMBC launched KMBC Marine Group — the company's dealer and IP division. Through a strategic partnership with A&M Manufacturing, KMBC created the proprietary "Montauk" catamaran design, offering other operators access to the same proven, event-ready model that defines our own fleet.

Learn More at KMBC Marine Group

Montauk Catamaran - KMBC's proprietary vessel design

Proprietary Design Montauk Catamaran Event-Ready • Proven Performance

Looking Ahead

A Fully Integrated Marine Hospitality Ecosystem

By 2026, KMBC aims to become the Midwest's first vertically integrated marine hospitality group — merging operations, manufacturing, and event programming into one cohesive network.

22 Vessels in Fleet

40K+ Annual Guests

3 Chicago Marinas

Guests enjoying a charter on Lake Michigan

Our Promise

Our Commitment to Every Guest

We believe luxury should feel effortless. Every charter — from intimate celebrations to corporate events — is executed with precision, warmth, and genuine hospitality.