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Excellent
4.9Based on 171 reviews
Imran Khan
11 hours ago
আচপেন would পর্বে 1 মিনিটপরে
Mike Nolan
1 day ago
Had a great afternoon with Salty Dog Sailing on Lake Michigan in Chicago. The boat was clean and in ship shape, and Captain Kirk provided a sailing adventure we'll always remember. A great way to celebrate a special day with our family.
Jessica Trunnell
3 days ago
We had a great time on our sailing cruise with the Salty Dog! Captain Kirk was welcoming, knowledgeable and a wonderful guide. We would go again next time we’re in the Chicago area!
Gwendolyn W
3 days ago
10/10 experience. The boat is perfect: there is a great shady seating area near the captain but also a wonderful front of the boat to sit out on with your group. My husband and I sat out there the whole time and it was very comfy. It was amazing to feel like you are just floating by on the water feeling the breeze and seeing the beautiful shore line go by. The railing around the edges gives an added sense of safety. The captain was excellent: clear communication and instructions before hand (regarding parking, safety, etc) and very friendly and informative during the trip. He provided us with a cooler for our beverages, sunscreen, water, etc and made sure our stuff stayed secured and dry. Woody the dog was with us on the boat and its lovely to see how happy he is in his many shady beds and in the air conditioned cabin. I've never been sailing before but after this Im excited to go again!
Laura Atseff
4 days ago
This past week, we hired Captain Kirk for a sunset sail with our best friends who were in town from Italy. This was our second sail on the Salty Dog and it was amazing! Captain Kirk charted out the perfect route to see the Chicago skyline and beautiful sunset from many vantage points. To enhance our experience even more, he told us that on Wednesday and Saturday nights, fireworks are launched from Navy Pier and would we like to extend our sail? We were so grateful for his suggestion and gladly agreed to more sailing time with him. Thank you Salty Dog! We can’t wait to book our next sail! ⛵️
Larissa Fain
1 week ago
After moving to Chicago six years ago and never having experienced any sailing, we finally decided to try sailing on the beautiful Lake we see every day from our windows. We found Salty Dog Sailing online with many positive reviews. Scheduling the appointment online is very easy, and the website offers a lot of information including very clear directions to the dock at the marina. Captain Kirk is very welcoming (including his trusty four-legged first mate, Woody) and has years of experience which will put the most nervous of passengers at ease. The boat is lovely and comfortable and the two-hour trip flies by. We would highly recommend this pleasureful and relaxing experience and are looking forward to returning for another sail very soon. Thank you Kirk for a memorable afternoon!
Md Siam
2 weeks ago
Lucy Unger
4 weeks ago
My family & I thoroughly enjoyed learning all about sailing and experiencing the expertise first-hand of Captain Kirk! We had a beautiful Sunday morning excursion and loved every minute of it!
Mary
7 months ago
Thank you Captain Kirk & Woody for an incredible sailing experience. Your professionalism, knowledge & safety-first handling of the cruise was second to none. We appreciate how thoughtfully you accommodated us and made our cruise so very thrilling and gratifying. We are looking forward to booking you again.
WhoDat2001
8 months ago
great sunset cruise experience.
Danielle Robnett
8 months ago
Had a great time sailing with Captain Kirk. Lake Michigan was beautiful and seeing the city from the water was peaceful, even during a protest. Make sure to give Woody lots of pets and love!! He is a sweet boy!
T G
8 months ago
Beautiful boat and dog, with an experienced captain.
Andrea Arango
9 months ago
Captain Kirk was great and made our first time sailing a good experience. He was responsive and flexible with out booking which made our lives a lot easier. Highly recommend booking a charter with this company.
Douglas Rever
9 months ago
We had a great experience with Capt Kirk and Woody! Capt Kirk was very informative on Lake Michigans weather and water habits and runs his boat very smoothly and safe. Peony (his boat) is very clean and comfortable to ride on and he has years of experience! We will definitely go out again with Kirk and Woody!
Emily Drevdahl
9 months ago
We had a great experience with Kirk! He was very experienced and kept his boat very clean. We had a great time and would recommend to anyone!!
Ali Brewer
9 months ago
Had a wonderful couple hours with friends, capt. Kirk and Woody. Beautiful boat, super professional staff. Really enjoyed it!
Guiiillermo Fernandez
9 months ago
5 out of 5 if you are in Chicago I highly recommend booking with the Salty Dog Sailing Co. Captain Kirk was amazing! And Woody was an excellent first mate!
Jay Gerak
9 months ago
Chartered Salty Dog Sailing for 2 couples on a Wednesday night. Captain Kirk was awesome. Knowledgeable, a great skipper, and generous with his time. He made our evening (our wedding anniversary) a night to remember. He stayed out extra time so we could take in the lakefront fireworks. His first mate, Woody (his mini golden doodle), was a wonderful addition to the crew. When we want another sunset cruise it will definitely be with Salty Dog Sailing. Unqualifiedly recommended.
We had our second wonderful experience with Captain Kirk (and First Mate, Woody, the Doodle) last night (08/19/23). We chartered Salty for the fireworks time-slot, and were not disappointed. Kirk is VERY professional, no-nonsense, makes all of his passengers comfortable - regardless as to the amount of time they've spent aboard a boat. His pre-journey communication is excellent - letting first-timers know exactly how and when to get the dock, find him, what to bring (and NOT to bring), and prepare for the experience. Captain Kirk is extremely friendly and personable, and Woody is a devoted crew-member. HIs music selection for fireworks viewing demonstrates canny understanding of what his clients/passengers might appreciate, and he made our time wonderful. Expertly navigating through a myriad of other boats we were parked almost under the fireworks display (which were uncommonly good last night). We've sailed with other captains before, but when we have a choice of who to skipper our Chicago Lakeside cruises, we'll go with Captain Kirk (and Woody) and Salty Dog Cruises EVERY time.
Latest Review (9/5/24):
Captain Kirk Kessler, a United States Coast Guard - Certified Master Captain, goes all out to give his passengers a wonderful experience. His boat, the Peony, is equipped in a manner to meet the needs of his guests. His first mate, Woody, a chipper mini Golden Doodle, adds a fun touch to each outing. Kirk is extremely professional, going over his shipboard rules with all his charges before they embark. His rule #1 - "Stay on the boat!"
Captain Kirk gets a sense of each of his sets of guests, and how comfortable (or apprehensive) they are on the water. Passengers preferring a sedate, "gentle" excursion will get one (to the extent weather and lake conditions permit); those guests up for a more adventurous outing with 15-30 degrees of heeling will have their wishes fulfilled.
As a USCG-certified Master Captain, Kirk knows what he needs to do to trim the sails and change his headings to make his cruises pleasant ones for his passengers and their predilections. A charming host/skipper, Captain Kirk will make your sail/cruise an unforgettable one - with the beautiful Chicago skyline as your sunset backdrop. You can't do better than Salty Dog Sailing Co!
sophia higuerey
9 months ago
Thank you Kirk and Woody for the best ride ever! My boyfriend proposed to me with the most unique view, and we would 100% go back to sail on Lake Michigan with them and Peony. Kirk was super attentive to the weather and made adjustments so the ride could happen. Truly an unforgettable experience!
Stephen Stanley
9 months ago
Great sail with a skilled, experienced and knowledgeable Captain. It was real pleasurable experience to sail Peony on Lake Michigan with Captain Kirk and Woody. I definitely recommend the Salty Dog sailing experience.
Nirja Trivedi
9 months ago
Safv
9 months ago
Everything went incredibly smooth, from start to finish. Captain was really attentive with us, couldn't ask for someone better. The music, the knowledge on everything, how clean the sailboat was. Perfect. Will definetly do it again. Thanks Kirk, and of course, woody!
Gretchen Scheidler
10 months ago
We took a spur-of-the-moment morning sail with Kirk, Woody, and our family of 5, with kids aging from 5-11. Was amazing, easy, peaceful, and a great way to see the city we live in and love in a whole new way. Reservation, parking, payment, and all was super simple. Thanks so much, Captain Kirk! We will definitely be back!
Emilee Sorenson
10 months ago
Michelle Frenette
10 months ago
Spent a gorgeous afternoon with my nieces watching the Thunderbirds’ practice runs for the Air and Water Show. Capt. Kirk’s boat is impeccably clean and he is the consummate host; great music and extra dry sense of humor. We had a great time!
