Chi-TownCharters

1. Pay on the official Chi-TownCharters website after our staff confirms your reservation via text.
2. Zelle 312-262-8218.

Typically, boarding takes place at Jackson Inner Harbor or the 59th Street Harbor. However, RENTER understands boarding may take place at a variety of Chicago Harbors if the renter opts to reserve transient dockage, (e.g. 31st Street Harbor or Monroe Harbor). The RENTER understands the boarding harbor is subject to change throughout the reservation process up to, but not less than 24 hours prior to boarding at the COMPANY or captain’s discretion for various reasons, (e.g., Weather conditions or a renter/passenger’s violation of the COMPANY or Chicago Harbors Rules of Conduct & Party Guidelines may require docking at the nearest safe harbor). The next RENTER may need to board at the safe harbor if the weather and/or time constraints doesn’t permit the boat to safely return to a particular harbor in a timely manner for their reservation. The COMPANY and/or captain will notify the RENTER via the GetMyBoat messenger, text, and/or email about boarding harbor changes up to, but not less than 24 hours prior to boarding.

By law, the RENTER is required to contact/hire a licensed USCG captain separately. The captain’s hourly rate and a 20% gratuity on the total captain’s rate is the minimum industry standard. Captain’s fees range from $150-$175. The captain will pay his/her own deckhand(s).

The following items are permitted: liquor, vape pens, finger food, paper products, ice, 1 small cooler, 2-4 garbage bags, swimwear, and your choice of music for Bluetooth.

No smoking 🚭, no shoes, and no glass are permitted aboard the vessel. Personal water rafts aren’t permitted, as our captains provide a large 12-person water raft with cup holders & lilly pads separately. Passengers are NOT ALLOWED TO TOUCH THE RADIO, (e.g. power button, volume, equalizer, amp, or speakers), in order to avoid damages to the surround sound speaker system.

RENTER understands that all damages will be repaired by COMPANY authorized mechanics and/or repairmen; and no repairs will be allowed by RENTER or others. I understand that I as RENTER am responsible for all damages, even if they are above the amount of my initial security deposit or authorization. Renter understands that COMPANY is authorized to withhold a $500-$1000 security deposit for damages/incidentals.

The RENTER understands that only the captain can touch the radio. The renter understands that they can turn the volume up on their phone, but the radio volume shouldn’t be turned up any higher than 19. Damages to the speakers will result in forfeiture of the RENTER’S $1000 security deposit, and an additional charge of $500 per each busted speaker, which is the actual replacement cost per speaker. NOTE: There are 16 JL Audio speakers on the Cruiser Yacht and 8 speakers on the Bayliner for your listening pleasure. The Company will take a renter to court to recoup the replacement cost of the busted speakers.

Gas surcharges are REQUIRED by USCG Guidelines. Similar to when you rent a car, renters are responsible for paying a $50/hour gas surcharge when anchoring. Non-anchorage requires a $75/hour gas surcharge, (e.g. Chicago River Cruises & Indiana Horseshoe Casino Cruises, cruises for 2 hours or less).RENTER acknowledges that the fuel is included in the rental price, but RENTER should make arrangements with COMPANY to refuel during their charter or opt to pay gas surcharge fee, which is always less than the refueling cost. 

In the event RENTER cancels, changes dates, shortens the rental period, or in any other way, seeks to change the rental period, the entire rental total shall still be due and payable. RENTER understands that all payments are non-refundable due to inclement weather, (e.g., small craft advisories, 3 feet waves or higher, high winds over 10 knots, rain, or snow). RENTER must reschedule reservations in cases of inclement weather, as safety is the #1 priority. 

Light rain, cool temperatures, and/or cloudy skies aren’t unsafe boating conditions, and reservations will resume at the COMPANY or captain’s discretion.

Full non-refundable payments are required to secure the date and time slot of a rental. Refunds will not be provided due to acts of God, inclimate weather, or Coast Guard Advisories. The captain and/or COMPANY will require the RENTER to reschedule when there is inclimate weather, (e.g., Coast Guard Advisories, Small Craft Advisories, high winds over 10 knots, and/or 3 feet waves or over. Light rain & cloudy skies are not considered inclimate weather).

Full refunds will only be issued if the boat is experiencing mechanical problems and is deemed inoperable by the COMPANY. However, if there’s a mechanical problem, the COMPANY reserves the right to provide the RENTER with a comparable boat if the RENTER agrees. Full refunds will also be issued for cancellations 14 days prior to reservations. Refunds will NOT be issued if the captain the RENTER hired separately doesn’t arrive on the date/time the captain was hired. The RENTER is responsible for securing another approved captain from the list the COMPANY provides.

Please communicate via texting in lieu of calls, so we may maintain a digital record of all communication to reference for reservations. Our staff and the companies we partner with prepare boats for charters and serve as captains and deckhands on charters. Therefore, please allow a 48-hour response time for messages and/or text. Same day reservations will get same day responses. Same week reservations will get same week responses within 24-48 hours. However, reservations booked 3-4 weeks in advance should allow up to a 5-day response time. Our staff has been directed not to use cell phones regularly while on charters, as serving our customers on a charter and customers’ safety are the main priorities. Please text during normal business hours: 10:00am-5:00pm. Thank you in advance for your understanding and patience.

COMPANY certifies that the watercraft is in good mechanical and physical condition. Any known damage or problems will be listed on the “Watercraft Check-Out Sheet.” RENTER will inspect said equipment and will rent the same without any additional representation or warranty by COMPANY. If the equipment has damage or problems not listed on the “Watercraft Check Out Sheet,” RENTER must notify COMPANY before the use of the watercraft begins and on the first day of rental. RENTER is required to board the vessel and complete a damage inventory assessment prior to RENTER’S guests boarding the vessel. RENTER completes the pre-checklist to indicate items are in working condition and/or provides a written description of pre-existing damages in detail. CAPTAIN/CREW completes the post-checklist after RENTER and guest depart from the vessel. CAPTAIN/CREW notifies COMPANY if the RENTER is responsible for any damages, if the security deposit is forfeited, and if damages exceed the amount of the initial security deposit or authorization. COMPANY notifies RENTER and GetMyBoat in writing in 24 hours.

Our yachts are docked at a variety of Chicago Harbors located on Lake Shore Drive in the heart of Chicago, IL. If renters prefer for their rental boat to be docked at a harbor/location in Indiana or Chicago (other than the harbors listed below), they may opt to rent a transient (temporary) slip at an hourly or daily rate via Dockwa.com. Simply submit an application at Dockwa.com and ente rthe renter’s personal information and the rental boat’s information. Submit a payment, and text your transient slip reservation details to UYachts and your licenced USCG captain.

Jackson Park Inner Harbor
Address:
6401 S. Richards Drive
Chicago, IL 60649

59th Street Harbor (Behind the Museums of Science & Industry)
Address:
5900 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60637

Renters are welcome to reserve transient (temporary) hourly/daily docking at any Chicago/ Indiana Harbor, or at restaurants on the Chicago River that they want to visit during their charter. Transient docking is available by submitting a reservation request through the Dockwa app. Renters need a credit card to reserve transient slips or hourly dockage on the river. Transient docking is available any Chicago or Indiana Harbor; hoerver, here’s a few renters enjoy:

Navy Pier Marina
Address:
797 E. Grand Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611

Horseshoe Hammond Casino
Address:
777 Casino Center Drive
Hammond, IN 46320

31st Street Harbor
Address:
3155 S. Lake Shore Dr.
Chicago, IL 60616

Monroe Harbor
Address:
Foot of Monroe Street
Chicago, IL 60603

Burnham Harbor
Address:
1559 S. Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60605

Jackson Park Outer Harbor
Address:
6400 S. Coast Guard Drive
Chicago, IL 60649