Sailing School
Learn to Sail With SailTime!
SailTime University
SailTime Chicago conducts ASA-certified sailing lessons in downtown Chicago and Winthrop Harbor, IL. Chicago’s Burnham Harbor provides a premier location for our downtown sailing lesson operations. It offers wonderful facilities and is easy-to-reach by bike, train, or car. North Point Marina in Winthrop Harbor is the largest marina on the Great Lakes and offers world-class facilities. The marina is located in the Illinois Beach State Park and is easily reached by the Metra North Line.
Our Training Philosophy
Our approach to sailing lessons is different from most. Class size is restricted, and we train on cruising class boats; not on small, open-deck day sailors. If your dream is to sail a large boat, we believe you should learn on a large boat. Since all our boats are equipped with roller-furling jibs and mainsails, students will be trained on the modern rigs that are becoming common in the larger charter fleets around the world.
Our typical training day starts at 9:30 am and goes until 5:30 pm. It is completely hands-on work; no time is spent on classroom work except for a test at the end. Unlike most other schools, we spend class time teaching how to handle the boat under power in and around the harbor and slips.
Experiential Education
ASA 101 Course
This is a two-day, hands-on course, covering the basics of sailing and boat handling on a 30’+ sized sailboat. Max of four students per class.
ASA 103 Course
ASA 104 Course
This course is structured along the lines of an actual charter: students will learn during a two-day live-aboard cruise.
ASA 105 Course
The ASA Coastal Navigation Course (ASA 105) is a two-day (16 hour) classroom course with SailTime’s Capt. Jim Johnson.
ASA 106 Course
Students will learn how to safely act as skipper and crew of a sailboat 30 to 50 feet in length in near coastal and inland waters.
