Business Details
20 Years
experience
Luxury Boat Charters Chicago
Wilmette Boat Rentals was founded to provide unparalleled boating experiences on Lake Michigan and the Chicago River. With decades of combined experience in recreational boating, our team specializes in luxury private charters tailored to families and adventure seekers. Our fleet includes state-of-the-art powerboats designed for safety and comfort, enabling guests to explore iconic landmarks like Navy Pier, the Chicago Lighthouse, and the Playpen. We prioritize customer education through mandatory safety briefings and offer flexible rental options from sunrise to sunset.Operating from prime locations in Winnetka and Silver Lake, we combine local expertise with personalized service to ensure memorable water adventures. Our commitment to quality extends to maintaining modern vessels and providing transparent pricing with no hidden fees. Whether you're seeking a serene lakefront cruise or an exhilarating blue-water journey, our team delivers expertise honed through years of North Shore boating experience. We remain dedicated to evolving our offerings while maintaining the highest standards of safety and customer satisfaction.
Services
Boat Rentals
Yacht Charters
Water Ski Rental
Tube Rentals
Fireworks Cruises
Details
- Year established: 2006
Highlights and features
- We offer 25+ years of North Shore boating expertise
- Our jet boats allow safe shallow water exploration
- We operate from multiple prime Chicago-area locations
- We provide mandatory safety training for all renters
- Our fleet includes two modern Sea Ray powerboats
Services
Yacht Charters
Private luxury charters on Lake Michigan and Chicago River with customizable itineraries. Perfect for families and groups seeking scenic views of Chicago landmarks. Includes professional captain services and safety equipment.
Boat Rentals
Self-operated powerboat rentals available sunrise to sunset. Features modern Sea Ray Sundancer models ideal for exploring Winnetka's coastline and inland waterways safely.
Water Ski Rental
Full-size water skis for adults and children available separately from boat rentals. Includes safety instruction and life jacket provision for all participants.
Tube Rentals
Durable flat-top tubes in multiple colors designed for safe lake recreation. Available for single-day rentals with included safety harnesses and tow ropes.
Fireworks Cruises
Specialty Wednesday and Saturday night cruises offering prime viewing of Navy Pier fireworks displays. Includes premium docking access and extended evening operating hours.
People
Ted Widen
Owner
Ted has operated on Chicago's waterways since childhood, transitioning from Lake Geneva boating to Lake Michigan expertise. He established the current charter service in 2006 after moving to Winnetka.
Questions
What types of boats do you offer?
We operate two Sea Ray Sundancer powerboats (51' and 35') that accommodate up to 25 guests combined.
Can I rent equipment without a boat?
Yes, we rent water skis and tubes separately for $40 each per day.
Do you offer guided charter tours?
Our private charters include captain services for customized routes along Chicago's waterways and landmarks.
What safety measures are required?
All renters must complete a 30-minute safety orientation and sign liability waivers before departure.
What happens in bad weather?
We offer full refunds or rescheduling options if weather conditions make boating unsafe.
Are there age restrictions for renters?
Operators must be at least 30 years old with young children present, or 35+ without restrictions.
Reviews (1)
Robert Johnson
Sep 26, 2021
Report
HIGHLY WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS COMPANY!
Im from out of state and dont live in town. I called in to see about renting a boat and maybe taking it around to different areas of Michigan lake with my family. While on the phone with a guy who owned the company he told me that it was most ignorant question anyone has ever asked him. He was super rude and very unprofessional! Im not from this area, we dont even live near a body of water so for someone to be so rude and not educational especially when you are suppose to be a business! HIGHLY WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS COMPANY!!!!!
Im from out of state and dont live in town. I called in to see about renting a boat and maybe taking it around to different areas of Michigan lake with my family. While on the phone with a guy who owned the company he told me that it was most ignorant question anyone has ever asked him. He was super rude and very unprofessional! Im not from this area, we dont even live near a body of water so for someone to be so rude and not educational especially when you are suppose to be a business! HIGHLY WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS COMPANY!!!!!
