CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Chicago boat rentals are filling up ahead of the 2023 Labor Day weekend, but boats are still available for locals who are looking to soak up the sunshine on either Lake Michigan or the Chicago River.
Find a list of Chicago boat rental and Chicago kayak rental companies below. It’s worth noting that the services and experiences available to you will sometimes depend on your boating or kayaking experience.
If you do make it out for the holiday weekend, be sure to follow safe boating practices and pay attention to the beach hazards statements from the National Weather Service Chicago.
Knot My Boat Charter
Knot My Boat Charter has a large fleet of yachts that range in size from 33 – 70 feet. The company offers bareboat charters, which requires the client to book a credentialed captain — if they aren’t a credentialed captain themself. After booking, Knot My Boat will provide you with a list of approved captains.
Knot My Boat Charter operates out of 31st Street Harbor.
Chicago Electric Boat Company
For those looking to enjoy an excursion through the Chicago River, the Chicago Electric Boat Company has a lot to offer. Groups as small as four people and as large as 12 people can find an option to help them cruise along some of the best sights in the city.
Unlike some of the other options here, Chicago Electric Boat Company lets clients captain their own boat. As long as you’re 21 or older and have a driver’s license, you can drive the boat. If you’re nervous or would rather sit back and relax, the company will provide a captain for $75 per hour.
Chicago Boat Rentals
Chicago Boat Rentals offers pontoons for exploring the Chicago River, as well as a 47-foot yacht that can take you up and down the shoreline or into the Playpen. Clients will be expected to drive the pontoons, but a Chicago Boat Rentals team member will train the driver when your group arrives.
Much like Knot My Boat, a yacht rental through Chicago Boat Rentals is a bareboat charter. The company will provide you with a list of approved captains to contact after booking your yacht.
Boatsetter and Sailo
Boatsetter and Sailo are Airbnb-style boat rental services, one in which individual boat owners — rather than boat companies — agree to rent out their vessel. Each owner has individual reviews, and Boatsetter shows how many bookings they’ve completed.
Some yachts already have a credentialed captain assigned to them, but for others, you will need to find a captain to drive the boat. Most owners have a list of captains they’ve worked with in the past and will send that information your way.
Urban Kayaks
Urban Kayaks has locations along the Chicago Riverwalk and at Monroe Harbor and offers a wide range of experiences, including guided architecture tours, fireworks tours and a “twilight paddle” for kayakers to watch the skyline light up as the sun goes down.
For guided tours, Urban Kayaks is open to anyone over the age of 18 who can physically perform the basic tasks needed for safe paddling. For unguided rentals, individuals must be over the age of 18 and have prior kayaking experience.
Kayak Chicago
With locations at the Chicago River, Montrose Beach and North Avenue Beach, Kayak Chicago offers kayak and electric boat rentals for people with all experience levels. The company also offers so-called “sea kayaks” for those who have completed their sea kayaking courses or have the equivalent rescue skills.
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