Spinnaker Crew Sailing is committed to satisfying your quest for adventure. Our instructors are passionate, experienced, award-winning, and above all else patient. We are here to help you go from not knowing what a bow is to sailing on Lake Michigan and beyond. We make our experiences fun so that they become indelibly etched into our memories. You may come as a student, but you definitely leave as part of our “crew”.

Why Us? It’s a pretty simple equation. Fantastic Instructors + Great Education = Goal Accomplishment. At Spinnaker Crew Sailing, we have highly-qualified, award-winning instructors who are all ASA-Certified and USCG licensed Captains. We blend the right amount of classroom instruction with practical, on-water, step-by-step skills practice to ensure you’re comfortable… all the while having fun and staying safe! Every one of our instructors has a passion for sailing and brings the experience necessary for students to walk away prepared to chase their dreams.

We offer progressive sailing certification programs from beginner (ASA 101, 102 & 103) to intermediate (ASA 104 & ASA 105) to advanced (ASA 106 & 108) courses. At Spinnaker Crew Sailing, we are proud to say that we can take someone from not knowing what a “bow” is to feeling comfortable to cruise the Great Lakes, buy and sail your own boat, take a vacation and charter a boat in the British Virgin Islands, or sail beyond. We can help you in a group or private setting, day or night, or on our boats or yours. Our teaching doesn’t end at the end of the class, in fact it’s just the beginning as we are here to help you achieve your goals. Besides classes, we provide consulting services, boat deliveries, charters, and new boat familiarization.

Our courses are taught on Lake Michigan at the heart of Chicago. Because of our location, we are uniquely suited to not just bring you the education and experience you need, but also to enjoy the sights while doing it. After leaving the harbor, we enjoy unrestricted sailing along the lakefront with beautiful views of Navy Pier, the Adler Planetarium, the Shedd Aquarium, and of course our beautiful Chicago skyline.

Spinnaker Crew Sailing is committed to helping individuals realize their dreams on the water and rather than force fit our guests into square holes, we customize the experience to meet their specific needs. The individuals who come to Spinnaker Crew Sailing may come as customers but they definitely leave as part of our “Crew”. Part of our inherent identity is the fact that we, as an organization, are made up of our crew… employees and YOU!

Whether you are looking to learn how to sail or just want to get some time on the water to relax with family and friends, we can help you make the adventure that is pictured in your mind before calling us to turn into the reality that exists after your experience with us. We focus exclusively on providing quality education. You can feel confident that you will walk away qualified to sail anywhere of your choosing. Check out our testimonials and our website to learn more about why our school is the premiere teaching institution in the southern part of Lake Michigan.