SailClub™
and SailShare™
skippers don’t fit a common mold. In street clothes you
might meet them as architect, attorney, fire chief, guidance
counselor, postman, religious leader, or veterinarian. You
can’t stereotype them because they are everybody who loves
to sail!
When they’re not out sailing, our skippers like to use
their yacht’s magnificient harbor setting to relax and have
fun. Several have joined Columbia Yacht Club. But our skippers
are not harbor huggers. They’re not looking for a floating
condominium. They want to
sail. Not just back and forth in the outer harbor, but
miles out and light years away from the concerns and turmoil
of everyday living.
Skill and experience levels differ considerably among our
skippers. Some join SailClub™
right after completing a learn-to-sail program. SailShare™
skippers have more extensive sailing backgrounds. Some
have cruising or blue water sailing experience. Skippers
who like to race join a local racing team and use their
SailClub™ or
SailShare™
yacht for their pleasure sailing.
Skippers differ also in their usage patterns. Some sail
and go. Others want to relax and make a day of it, capped
off perhaps, with a visit to one of the many music festivals
or outdoor films in nearby Grant Park. Sleepovers are not
uncommon on the larger boats, and some skippers like to
set aside an entire weekend for sailing and lakefront relaxation.
Most sailing
is done within about 10 miles of Monroe Harbor, so our
skippers become very familiar with Chicago waters as they
acquire coastal navigation, night sailing and open water
sailing experience. A few of our more seasoned captains
take their Islander 36 or our Morgan 42 across Lake Michigan
for a long weekend or week long cruise.
