Boating on Lake Michigan has never been more accessible

As people begin to emerge from their homes after surviving another Chicago winter and unusually chilly spring, they have a unique option for thawing out and making the most of the beautiful summer months that lie ahead. They can plan some perfect days or nights cruising around Lake Michigan or the Chicago River, and they don’t even have to invest in their own boat.

Sommy Irani, co-founder of Knot My Boat Charters, a Chicago-born company entering its fourth summer, says his team is all about helping residents and visitors get out and enjoy the city’s majestic lakefront – in the most luxurious way. And he says his company is ready to meet this summer’s expected increased demand as the nation’s boating boom continues.

“When people couldn’t get out as much due to COVID, they began to see outdoor recreation – especially boating – as another way to spend time with family and friends or celebrate life’s events,” Irani says. “This led to record boat sales, a trend that I believe will continue now that so many have rediscovered boating. But the great thing is that people don’t need to invest time and money into their own boat in order to experience the social and mental health benefits of getting out on the water.”

Instead, Irani says, leave the hassle to a charter company like Knot My Boat Charters, which now has a fleet of 15 boats, ranging from 33-foot sport cruisers to 56-foot luxe yachts. Customers can design an experience that meets their needs – whether it's a small family outing, a corporate event or a bachelor/bachelorette or graduation party.

For those who want to spend more time on the water, Knot My Boat Charters offers an innovative membership program that provides access to boating all season long. Irani says the program is unique in that there’s no limit to the number of charters that members can book throughout the summer. They can have four active reservations at a time and are guaranteed at least two peak holidays. Knot My Boat Charters began testing the membership program last year. Due to demand, the charter company is fully rolling out the program this season, with season-long memberships available now through mid-June. After that, interested individuals can join a waitlist for the following year.

“It really comes down to cost and convenience,” Irani says. “We bundle the membership in a way that enables you to hit the water whenever you want to for a competitive price. No other company with cabin cruiser yachts gives that kind of unlimited access.”

The membership saves not just on the cost of buying a boat but on the pricey and time-consuming maintenance that comes with owning a vessel. Irani says that fixed costs of ownership like storage, insurance, dockage and winterization/de-winterization, along with maintenance and care, can add up to a hefty price tag. For example, Knot My Boat Charters’ largest yacht (a 56' Sea Ray Sundancer 540) costs nearly $100,000 to properly maintain. But because Knot My Boat Charters services an entire fleet and works with so many vendors, it is able to scale the costs.

Memberships range from $9,200 to $24,000 for the season, which Irani says is 25-35% of the cost of boat ownership. The membership can be split among two to three people, and prices start as low as $6,250 per person.

Whether guests book a one-time charter or buy a membership, they are responsible for hiring a captain. They can provide their own or choose one from Knot My Boat Charters’ list of top-tier, credentialed captains.

Fuel, tax, cleaning, safety training and amenities are included in the cost of charters and memberships. Irani says that unlike some other charters, his company has not added fuel surcharges, even as gas prices have skyrocketed. “We’ve seen the price of all of our materials go up – everything from gas and oil to engine parts to cups – but we’ve made a commitment to manage our costs as much as possible and not pass any increases on to our customers.”

The 29-year-old co-founder, managing partner and CEO believes this has contributed to his company’s rapid growth. Knot My Boat Charters has doubled its fleet each year since its 2019 founding and now has the largest charter fleet in Chicago, with more than 1,500 outings and 16,500 customers served so far.

When reflecting on the growth, Irani also credits the strong network of “well-trained, phenomenal” mechanics and captains who have partnered with the company. In addition, he says the growth is due to the fact that he and his business partner, Vince Lujan, are “logistically driven people” who have significant event and hospitality experience. They founded HiFi Social, a successful private events and destination management company that specializes in servicing collegiate groups, in 2017. They’ve also launched and continue to run several Chicago nightlife and restaurant concepts.

“We have a competitive edge because we’ve been able to take what we’ve learned in the event and hospitality space and apply it to charters, in terms of logistics, customer service and the way we’ve automated the business,” Irani says.

A strong referral and retention network also has been beneficial, as has the ability to promote the charter business at Irani’s and Lujan’s hotspots throughout the city. Knot My Boat Charters also has a particularly active influencer affiliate program, with popular lifestyle influencers helping to vastly expand the company’s reach.

With its solid social media presence, Knot My Boat Charters targets a younger demographic, hosting many young professionals in the 26- to 34-year-old range. Bachelorette parties make up about 25% of the bookings. Family gatherings and birthday and graduation parties are also popular. And 15-20% of customers are out-of-towners who find the company thanks to Google searches or referrals.

“A lot of people who normally celebrate an occasion by getting bottle service at a club or renting a room at a restaurant are realizing they can charter one of our boats for a similar price, and it’s even lower when a few friends go in on it,” Irani says. “This has gained popularity due to the pandemic. But also, boating is increasingly seen as a classy, exclusive experience, like skiing in Aspen, and I think a lot of people want to be part of this scene.”

The boating scene is especially big on Chicago’s famous lakefront, with destinations like the Playpen and Monroe Harbor becoming hotter than ever.

“When you look at the joy of boating and the fact that Lake Michigan and the Chicago River offer unparalleled skyline views and plenty of safe areas protected by breakwalls, it’s easy to see why our charters have become so popular,” Irani says. “Boating in Chicago is more accessible than you might think, and there’s no better way to see the city and have fun with friends or family.”

The 2022 charter season kicked off May 1. For information about a rental or membership through Knot My Boat Charters, visit www.knotmyboatcharters.com.