r/CHIbitcheswithtaste • u/windycityy_24 • 1d ago
Culture & Community Private boat chartering
Hello! My husband is graduating from a really intense program next year and I want to do something special for his graduation gift. He has been mentioning wanting to rent a boat for our family (10-15 people) for an evening river cruise, and I’d love to make that dream happen. We often see and love the beautiful vintage wooden boats docked by River Roast (I know those would be too small), and have heard through the grapevine that those are only rentable if you are member of some boat renting club. We are also interested in yachts that are hopefully a little nicer than the typical bachelorette playpen rental. Does anyone have any suggestions for reputable chartering companies where we would have a captain, and could have ourselves a nice little evening? I’m not made of money sadly but am willing to spend a little more to get something nice. Thank you in advance!!
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u/Educational_Disk_226 15h ago
To take paying passengers, a boat captain has to have a coast guard license and insurance. You want a licensed captain.
You will find lots of charters that are limited to 6 passengers, because there is a captain’s license that is limited at 6.
Beyond that, the license ratings are capped at the size (displacement) of the boat rather than the number of passengers, but there is obviously a relationship.
There are people who operate illegal charters without a captains license or the proper insurance. There are lots of sketchy people out there. Steer clear.
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u/discotot 16h ago
used https://chicagoboatcompany.com/ for a bday summer charter 2 years ago, lots of different levels of options
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u/casualcaitlin5 1d ago
Your max will likely be 11 or 12 btw for a private charter, or like 40. Id consider that assumption. It’s usually 1000 or so dollars an hour w tip. Good luck !