Lease vs. Purchase

Charter
Click here for charter contract (PDF)

Welcome to Chicago Watercraft's Bareboat Charter Experience.

Bare-boat chartering is much like renting a boat, but with boats that have a higher caliber boat safety licensing. Our program's insurance does require charterers to have three (3) years of documented boating history with the US Coast Guard or previous documented ownership credentials, if not you will need to hire a captain. A captain's list is offered on this page.

So please surf our site to review our boats, pricing, and Chicago Watercraft event ideas to compliment your experience with us. After you have reviewed our site, give us a call at 773-791-7311 or email us, so we may reserve your date and time on the boat of your choice.

Costs

Boat Fee $$$ + 9% city tax + Insurance Refundable Deductible
+ Gas
Don't forget - Captain if necessary!

How to Book

50% Deposit on the Boat is placed at time of booking. A confirmation email is sent to you. You print out email and present email at the boat's location.

Cancellations

All Deposits on Charter Boats have 1-month out for a full refund, 2-weeks out for a 50% refund on the full expected boat fee, and less than 2-weeks the full fee will be expected to be paid whether you do the boating event of not.

Day of Event

Charterer must arrive at boat a minimum of one (1) hour for final payment (fee/tax/insurance) and usage contract review and signing. A boat inspection and safety equipment review is expected. For Insurance liability purposes every passenger on your boat fills out your boating roster and you would include your float plan.

Boat Condition

Chicago Watercraft meticulously details every boat in our fleet prior to you leaving the dock. Each client receives the boat in a clean, supply provisioned, and well-cared-for manner. We expect you to return the boat in the same condition you have received it in. If not the following cleaning fees will be assessed:

$200 party pontoons
$200 sport boats
$500 for our yachts

Boat Damaged

All boat damage is assessed within 24 hours of usage. If boat damage occurs, clients are expected to stay with the boat management until all remedies have been supported and paid for.

Gas Replenishment

Gas is settled either during your event or at the home-base dock immediately upon your return during final boat inspection.
Your choices to pay for gas are:

Pay Pump Pricing if pumped by Charterer during, or
Pay Double the current on-water pump pricing if pumped by Chicago Watercraft.

Captain's Review

Whether you hire a captain or meet insurance requirements, captains are required to set-up an appointment with Chicago Watercraft's management to demonstrate and practice boat management skills with boat secured by you or your hired captain.

If you require a designated captain trained on our boats, please contact one of the following names:

Admiral & Commodore Yachts and Commander Boats

Captain Robert Johnson:
Phone: 708-417-4649
E-Mail: cptjohnson@aol.com
Captain Olaf Schneider:
Phone: 847-710-7245
E-Mail: olafsails@hotmail.com

Commander Boats

Captain Jim Sharkey
Phone: 847-695-3072
Cell: 847-899-3072
E-Mail: jimnrita@comcast.net
Captain Christopher Connor
Phone: Cell: 773-230-9173

Captain Jim Menard (max 6-persons only)
Cell: 708-641-7007
Phone: 847-524-7607

Chicago Watercraft's Scheduling Policy

Monday through Thursday:

Day Session - 9am to 4pm or 5pm (depending on what vessel)
Hourly begins from 4pm to 1am
Wednesday Fireworks go off at 9:30pm, Saturday Fireworks go off at 10:20pm
Northerly Island Concerts Start at 6:30pm, 7:00pm or 7:30pm

Friday & Sunday - 4 Hour Minimum Evenings & Daytime: Full Day Rate Sessions Mainly!

9am to 5pm, 6pm - 11pm
Midnight Madness: 12am - 2am
9am to 5pm, 6pm to 2am

Saturdays

Day Session - 9am to 5pm
Evening: 4 Hour Minimums
Most Gas Stations Close at 7:00-8:00pm weekends (earlier during the week)
Saturday Fireworks go off at 10:15-10:20pm.
Northerly Island Concerts Start at 6:00pm, 6:30pm, 7:00pm, 7:30pm, or 8:00pm

Bareboat Charter Pricing

Commander PWC from www.ChicagoJetSki.org

PWC(s) Cost + 15% city & state tax + $1,000 Insurance

Boater's (Jet Ski) Education

Mandatory 1-time (1-Session) Class $250/person
In Classroom setting Class covers USCG Navigational Rules, Safety, Weather, Boat Management, Boat Inspections, Jet ski Equipment Inspection
Includes Lunch, Snacks, Beverages
Made by Appointment or Call for Group Special Arrangements (8+)

ChicagoWaterCraft Only Offers Seasonal or Fraction of a Season Jetski LeaseShares...Go to our Fleet Page and click on the Jetski picture to see pricing.

Jetski lease pricing includes use of jetski (which is a boat), safety equipment, dock space, and insurance! Your insurance deductible and boater education is extra!

Commander Party Pontoon(s) + 9% tax + $1,000 Insurance + Captain (Max Capacity of 12)

Day Rate