About Us

Corinthian University represents all the educational programs at Chicago Corinthian Yacht Club. We offer the following Sailing Training: Sailing Crew Training Program (Crew School), Adult Sailing, Junior Sailing, and Sailing and Safety Seminars.

Chicago Corinthian Yacht Club is a fun, affordable, all-volunteer club for both power boaters and sailors. From CCYC’s expansive lawn that offers a tremendous view of the Chicago skyline at Montrose Harbor to our unique approach to club services, CCYC is dedicated to creating a relaxed environment for year-round enjoyment on and off the water. We seek to fulfill the ideals that embody the Corinthian Spirit: equality, fairness, determination and gracious competition. http://www.corinthian.org/

Adult Sailing School

Ever thought of being on the waters of Lake Michigan, lazily enjoying the sights of the shoreline or sharing the excitement of racing with other boats? Here is your chance to learn to sail and skipper a sailboat. CCYC’s 4 week Adult Sailing School will teach you to sail with hands-on experience out of Montrose Harbor.

US Sailing Certified Instructors will teach you (to):

• Skipper and direct a boat
• Steer by the wind
• Tack and Jibe
• Set sails
• Leave and Return to a dock
• Right of Way rules
• Perform Man Overboard drills
• Marine Terminology

ALL classes are taught in the school’s Rhodes 19 sailboats with 3 adults per class for maximum practice and learning.  The Rhodes is a nineteen foot keel boat that makes an excellent trainer.  It is small enough to give you the feel of a boat and big enough for a safe, comfortable and FUN experience.

Level 1 Classes

Sixteen hours of on the water training will introduce you to the experience of sailing.  You will learn all the essentials, how to prepare the boat for launch, how to set up the rudder and sails, how to steer and turn the boat, how to steer by the wind, and how to tack and jibe, set the sails, rescue someone overboard and leave and return to the dock.  You will be in all three positions of the boat, skipper, foredeck and mainsail trimmer. You will also learn marine terminology and the five points of sail. You will leave with a love of sailing.

Level 2 Classes

This class will help you integrate all your skills so that they come naturally and you can take a boat out on your own. Your skills in managing the jib, trimming the main and steering the boat will come together as you learn to “think like a skipper”. We will teach you to figure out tacks and angles to get from one place to another, maneuver the harbor coming in and going out, direct your crew mates, adjust the sails, manage the boat for different weather, optimize your speed and use a radio. You will leave with a confidence in sailing and enjoyment of the water.

Private Lessons can be arranged by special request.  Please contact us for availability and pricing.

Crew School

We highly recommend all folks who are interested in, or have registered for, our Adult Sailing School Sessions, consider also enrolling in CCYC's 6 week Crew School. Held each spring, inside the CCYC clubhouse, Crew School is a comprehensive “ground school” where you will be taught the basics of sailing in a hands-on interactive learning environment, geared to get you ready and engaged for a summer on the water. Crew school provides you the opportunity to maximize your time out on the water with us, armed with an incredible amount of knowledge, so you can take your sailing to the NEXT level!