Hello,

I have recently acquired a Nacra 5.0 and am moving to the Chicago area.

I have zero experience when it comes to sailing but both my wife and I are looking forward to learning.

Here near Galveston it is easy to find "Yacht clubs" (group of guys who sail on weekends and keep in touch with a web forum) who jump at the chance of teaching folks how to sail. It's all about spreading the hobby, kicking back on the beach relaxing and sailing, no club fees, no sailing lesson fees....just good people and good times.

Unfortunately I got interested right before our move to Chicago, and never got a chance to get out on the water.

My internet searches of the same thing in the Chicago area have found nothing...

Wondering if anyone here knows of or belongs to a group of folks who sail in the Chicago area, make a trip here or there up to Wisconsin to camp/sail...that kind of thing.

Please advise!

go to www.catsailor.com and post the same questions on the open forum and I am sure that you will get plenty of response

Thanks,

Catsailor.com was actually the first place I posted. Found some Wisconsin and Michigan folk but so far no one from Illinois.

Hey there'
I am from Winthrop harbor Il, and I can fill you in on a lot of local info, depends on where you are relocating. I live in the cornerstone of Northeast Il, 60096 and sail Lake Michigan. I just got a 5.2 Nacra and I am still rigging it, and working on the house and camper and truck, but hope to be sailing soon, I will try to keep an eye out for your reply my name is Sam Craig

Sam:

Thanks for the reply. I have relatives up in your neck of the woods, Lake Bluff to be exact. I think it's a pretty straight shot up 94 to get there from the western 'burbs' is it not? How's the sailing up there?

CRAM has a regatta once a year not too far from Chigaco in Benton Harbor Michigan at Jean Klock park. It is the only beach in the area that I could find to launch from when I lived in Michigan (now in Dallas). You might be able to get more information on area sailing as well as CRAM and CRAW from Mark Biggers at the Cat House.

I believe it is www.cathouse1.com.

Check out Glencoe beach. We have a club affiliated with the park district and a newly re-formed racing program. You can keep your boat here all year long although there is a waiting list for sand spots.