Chicago Boat Club
Boating Season: May – October 2027Chicago Boat Club Membership
Chicago boat club memberships from $363/month with co-members, only $1,000 down. More time on Lake Michigan, zero maintenance. Enjoy fleet access and full concierge support. Join early for our best monthly rates.
From start to finish
How our boat club membership works
Four steps from your first conversation to your first outing. Our team helps you plan your May–October season.
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Tell us your plans
Share how you’d like to spend your season on the water.
Your preferences
Membership, boat, and how you’ll use it
Your group
Add co-members now or later
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Find your fit
Meet one-on-one with our team to choose your plan, vessel, and schedule.
The Full 20 credits
8 weekend · 12 weekday
Up to 4 co-members
The Half 10 credits
4 weekend · 6 weekday
Up to 2 co-members
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Make it official
Confirm your membership and choose how you’d like to pay.
$1,000 down
From $363/mo split with co-members
Or pay in full
One payment for the season
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Pick your dates
Book outings through the member portal with concierge support.
1 credit = 4 hours
Fuel, dockage, maintenance, and insurance included
Your captain
Hired separately from our vetted list
Corporate Club Access — weekday-only boating for client entertainment, employee outings & events
The membership advantage
More than access:
What comes with a boat membership.
Fleet access is the reason people join. The upgrades, the member events, and the 15% your friends get are why they stay.
A little more comes with membership.
On the water. And beyond.
Membership cost
Chicago Boat Club Membership Cost
- Payment Plans
- Low Down Payment
Season memberships range
- The Half (10 outings)
- $9,950–$12,500
- ~40% savings
- The Full (20 outings)
- $15,495–$19,495
- ~55% savings
Depending on vessel size and tier.
31st Street Harbor56' Sea Ray Sundancer
2 yachts in the fleet
Excellent for entertaining, this stylish sport coupe yacht features an oversized U-shaped seating area equipped with a custom dual PA and DC Bluetooth Audio. Below deck, the yacht features a cherry wood-finished saloon, well equipped galley, wet bar, two staterooms, and two full bathrooms.
- Guests
- Up to 13
- Length
- 56 feet
- Bathrooms
- 2
- Harbor
- 31st Street Harbor
- Kitchen
- Wet Bar
- Fuel
- Bluetooth Audio
- 20 Outings
- $19,495
- 10 Outings
- $12,500
$463/mo each with 4 co-members after a $1,000 deposit, 10 payments through July if you join today.
Find your way onto the water
Boat Club vs. Boat Share vs.
One-Off Charter in Chicago
A whole season, a share of ownership, or a single day out. Compare what each option means for your time on the water.
5 things to consider
| What matters to you | The membershipBoat ClubA season on the water. The upkeep handled. | The ownershipBoat SharePart of the boat. Part of the responsibility. | The single outingOne-Off CharterChoose a day. Book a trip. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season-Long Access | Built for multiple outings all summer | Access is shared with other owners | Starts over with every booking |
| Planning | Book within the club instead of shopping for a boat every outing | Coordinate around shared availability | Search, compare, and book every trip |
| Spontaneity | Much easier to turn a great weather day into a boating day | Limited by the shared schedule | Limited by last-minute availability and pricing |
| Boat Variety | Access to a fleet rather than one specific boat | Typically tied to one vessel | Variety is available, but you pay separately each time |
| Weather Flexibility | More opportunities to get on the water throughout the season | Depends on shared scheduling | One weather cancellation can derail the outing you planned |
Knot My Boat Charters Boat Club
Pick a day. Book the boat.
Show up.
Make boating part of your summer with fleet access and the maintenance, cleaning, and dockage handled for you.
More days on the lake.
No boat to buy.
Getting started
Membership, pricing & payment plans
How does our Boat Membership work?
Our Boat Membership gives you flexible, hassle-free access to your own private yacht from May through October — without the costs and logistics of ownership. Choose your membership level: Select The Half, The Full or a custom package, each with different usage allocations so you can tailor the experience to your boating lifestyle.
Enjoy a complimentary payment plan schedule to spread out costs before the season begins. We cover docking, fuel, cleaning, maintenance, taxes, insurance, and crew support — so there are no surprise bills, ever.
Our dedicated membership team can handle catering, special events, and onboard experiences to make every outing seamless. Reserve your yacht — including holidays with no blackout dates — through our online portal or mobile app.
Training and support are included for peace of mind. Choose from our network of 30+ experienced USCG-certified captains available for hire.
What are the costs and fees?
We keep our pricing simple and fully inclusive. Unlike many competitors, we don't add hidden line-item charges for things like on-vessel training, fuel, sales tax, or initiation — it's all covered in your membership.
The only extra decisions you may need to make are: Captaining (hire one of our 30+ experienced USCG-certified captains) and Food & drinks (bring your own, or let us arrange catering and provisioning through our trusted partners). Every yacht comes fully equipped with a kitchen, bathroom, cooler, and all the essential amenities, so you're ready to step aboard and enjoy.
Do you offer payment plans?
Yes! We make it easy to enjoy your own private yacht with a flexible, interest-free payment plan.
Sign-Up Deposit: Secure your membership with a $1,000 deposit down payment. Monthly Payments: The remaining balance is spread out in equal monthly payments from the time you sign up through July 2027 — so the earlier you join, the lower your monthly payment.
Split Payments: We offer The Half and The Full, each with different usage allocations and the option to split payments among 2–4 co-members — or keep the plan under one person's name.
Is a boat club membership the same as leasing a boat in Chicago?
No — a boat lease and a boat club membership work very differently. With a lease from a boat leasing company, you're committed to one specific hull for the full term, including the off-season months when you're not using it, and you're the one managing storage, winterization, and upkeep in between.
A membership gives you season access across our entire fleet from May through October, with a single vessel tied to your name ONLY on initial bookings (free upgrades if available). You can move between boat sizes for different outings, and when the season ends, so does your commitment — no off-season carrying costs, no storage headaches.
Planning your days
Reservations & holiday access
How do I schedule and book my yacht?
We use FareHarbor as our dedicated member portal for effortless scheduling. Through our booking platform on our website, members can: View live availability of the fleet in real time, book, cancel, or reschedule reservations instantly with just a few taps, hire a captain online, and receive confirmation emails and reminders so every trip is worry-free.
Need extra help? Our team is also happy to assist with bookings via phone, text, or email.
Do you have any restrictions on holiday usage?
Unlike many other programs, we offer zero holiday restrictions or blackout dates for our members. You'll enjoy full access all season long — including peak summer weekends and major holidays — with no added fees or limitations.
On board
Training & coverage
Do you offer vessel training?
Yes. We provide a complimentary member vessel orientation, where we walk you through the yacht and all USCG-required safety equipment.
What about insurance coverage?
Your membership includes comprehensive watercraft liability and physical damage coverage with $2,000,000 in general liability protection. This full hull coverage policy protects the boat, the charterer (you), your guests, and any hired crew under crew coverage (Jones Act).
Members are only responsible for the policy deductible in the rare case of a claim.