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Top boat rental reviews in Chicago, IL

5.0 average rating
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314k+ guest reviews
Pontoon / Tritoon Charter with Licensed Captain boat photo Pontoon / Tritoon Charter with Licensed Captain
Captain James was above and beyond!! So kind, helpful, and flexible with our group. He made the entire process easy from start to finish and was incredibly respectful and professional throughout. Just a genuinely great guy who clearly loves what he does. I’ve already recommended him to friends and family alike. Highly, highly recommend!
Robin profile photo

Robin Jun 2025

37' Sea Ray Sundancer (KMB#14) - Up to 13 Guests! boat photo 37' Sea Ray Sundancer (KMB#14) - Up to 13 Guests!
I can’t say enough great things about Knot My Boat Charters. They absolutely saved the day for me during Black Yacht Weekend in Chicago. I had a last-minute cancellation from another company—less than 24 hours before my scheduled reservation—and with less than 8 hours’ notice, Knot My Boat stepped in and completely turned things around. Even though I booked through Boatsetter and wasn’t in their system initially, they still went out of their way to accommodate me. From start to finish, the team
Justin profile photo

Justin Jun 2025

46’ Sea Ray (KMB #9) - Perfect for PARTIES! boat photo 46’ Sea Ray (KMB #9) - Perfect for PARTIES!
We used this boat for a bachelorette party and had the best time! It was super clean, really spacious, and worked perfectly for our group of 8. I wasn’t sure how to find a captain at first, but the rental company was so helpful and walked me through everything. The whole process was easy and stress-free—would definitely recommend to anyone planning a fun day out on the water!
Edna profile photo

Edna Jun 2025

Luxury boat with a the amenities down below. and a great party boat.  boat photo Luxury boat with a the amenities down below. and a great party boat.
My girlfriends celebrated a 50th birthday aboard Captin Bob's boat. Captin Bob was wonderful. The boat is clean and well kept. He is safety first and highly experienced. He is flexible in where you want to go on the lake. He is a treasure trove of Chicago knowledge and happy to share. Would definitely book again with him and plan to next summer!
Wendy profile photo

Wendy Sep 2025

48' Sea Ray Flybridge (KMB #6) - LUXURY Yacht boat photo 48' Sea Ray Flybridge (KMB #6) - LUXURY Yacht
We ended up having to switch boats last minute. Nonetheless, the boat and captain were great. My friend's really enjoyed their experience.
Forrest profile photo

Forrest Sep 2025

42ft Party Yacht w/ HUGE Open Seating Area! Playpen-Fireworks + More! boat photo 42ft Party Yacht w/ HUGE Open Seating Area! Playpen-Fireworks + More!
celebrated my husband's birthday) The owner of the boat gave us a surprise and showed us a greeting and balloons on the TV) I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to have a good time)
Виталина profile photo

Виталина Aug 2025

Top questions

The cost to rent a boat in Chicago starts at $100 per hour, depending on the amount of time that you would like to use the boat.

With a Chicago boat rental, top destinations include the Chicago River for stunning views of the city's iconic architecture and skyline. Lake Michigan offers a chance to anchor near Navy Pier or the lively Playpen area for sunbathing and socializing. North Avenue Beach and Montrose Beach are popular spots for swimming and relaxing just offshore. For a quieter cruise, head to Belmont or Burnham Harbor near Museum Campus. Each destination offers a unique way to experience Chicago from the water.

Black Yacht Weekend is a floating boat party on Lake Michigan against the stuning Chicago skyline. In 2025, Black Yacht Weekend is happening from Thu, June 19 to Sun, June 22.
Chicago Scene Boat Party is an annual boat event on Lake Michigan. In 2025, Chicago Scene Boat Party is happening Fri, Jul 25 to Sun, Jul, 27 at The Playpen.

Belmont Harbor → North-side beaches and parks; lakefront neighborhoods; beaches like Montrose Beach (northward) or moving south along the lakefront into downtown as you cruise. Approximately 15-20 minutes cruise to playpen area depending on conditions and route
Burnham Harbor → South-lakefront destinations, Museum Campus area, near Soldier Field / McCormick Place; good for a longer cruise along the lakefront down south or up toward downtown. Approximately 10-15 minutes cruise to playpen area depending on conditions and route
Montrose Harbor → Montrose Beach, Montrose Point / Bird Sanctuary / North-side lakefront — ideal for a more relaxed, “local beach + harbor” experience; Approximately 20-30 minutes cruise to playpen area depending on conditions and route
Navy Pier Marina → Downtown lakefront, skyline cruises, quick access to beaches and the central “Playpen” area, easy city-side walkable access to hotels/restaurants/entertainment. Approximately 5-10 minutes cruise to playpen area depending on conditions and route

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