F.A.Q.

At Sailboat Sales Co. our main goal is making money. Well, truthfully, while it is one of our goals, it's only one. But even if it was the No. 1 goal, to continue to make money we'd need ...

SATISFIED CUSTOMERS

Or, as the guy with the radio ads for his frame company says, not just "satisfied" customers, but "really happy" customers. After making selling new and used sailboats my life's work, I can honestly say it's a whole lot more fun doing the job well than just doing the job. Mostly, doing it really well just means being prepared and ...

MINIMIZING SURPRISES!

After all, we're consumers too, and have been on your side of the table and know what a drag it is playing guessing games with salespeople. It helps to be given as much information as is realistically possible by the salesperson, in order to best meet one's expectations.

We are believers in the Woody Allen adage that 90% of enjoying a successful life is showing up. We also believe that we must show up bright eyed and bushy tailed, with genuine enthusiasm for our roles as salespeople. We must deliver to you clear, concise information, in order to lead you to the boat that best suits your needs.

So, the primary purpose of this web page is to address the most often asked questions of those of you new to boat ownership in the Chicago metropolitan area, and beyond - a Chicago Boat Buying FAQ !

Are moorings available?

Moorings are available in Chicago and in most of the marinas in the surrounding area. Chicago has nine beautiful harbors. A wet mooring, i.e. can, is the cheapest way to moor your boat in Chicago. For a 30 foot boat in Monroe Harbor, for example, the rate for the whole summer for Chicago residents is about $1,500 including a 7% city tax, two passes for the water taxi, and a parking pass for the Monroe underground parking garage. A non-resident surcharge of 25% of the base fee will be assessed to boaters residing outside the City of Chicago.

Slips in Chicago have always been harder to come by. With a slip, you get shore water and power hook-ups, but they are about double to triple the cost of a mooring.

Monroe is the only harbor with the luxury of a water taxi. The other harbors require a dinghy to get to and from your boat. Dinghy spots are available for $90.

See the Chicago Harbors web site for complete pricing information and an application for a mooring.

Where do I park my boat in the off-season?

Crowley's Yacht Yard, of course! If you are looking for an established, full service, reliable and secure yard, it's hard to beat Crowley's. There are other cheaper yards, but for looking after your baby, Crowley's team is Number One! In 2004, Crowley's moved to the Calumet river from our old location near downtown Chicago. No more long trips through downtown waiting for the locks and 26 bridges to open. We are now only two bridges in from Lake Michigan!

What will it cost? For a 30 foot boat, outside, mast up, with no winterizing services of engine, water and plumbing systems, it's about $1800 including haul-out, pressure bottom wash, and launch.

Aside from summer mooring and winter storage, what are my other fixed costs?

Insurance will range from $500 to $1200 for full twelve-month coverage for a 30 to 35 foot boat.

Basic maintenance costs include preventive and corrective tasks such as cleaning and/or fixing the boat and her mast and rigging, sails, interior and exterior, and bottom. Many of our owners enjoy doing much of this themselves, as it allows them to better understand their boat, is sometimes therapeutic and may save money over having our crack professionals do it.

When you visit Sailboat Sales Co. at Crowley's, spend fifteen minutes browsing through our Ship's Store and introduce yourself.

I can borrow money to buy my home and my car. Can I borrow money to buy my new or used boat?

As Christopher Columbus would say, "Without Boat Loans, Where Would America Be Today?"

Rates run a point or two above home mortgage rates, terms from 5 to 20 years, with 20% down. Generally there are no points or closing costs.

Please ask for a loan application.

I am excited about buying my first boat and getting my friends, family, and business associates out on the lake. There is no need for lessons, right?

Well, to tell you the truth, we really recommend lessons to get a handle on the basic principles of learning to sail.

Many people "wing it" and maybe get by for a while, but a good foundation in sailing can be found in structured lessons during the course of an intensive week, or month. And it's fun!

"How long does it take to learn to sail?" you ask. To be honest, your whole life! While you're learning, there's lots of other fun stuff to do ... like simply hanging around the boat at the mooring reading a book, writing a letter, or napping, or having a drink with a friend.

Take it easy, go in small steps, and stay in the harbor if you feel like it's too windy and wavy. Don't try to do too much too soon. Create achievable challenges for yourself. There are quite a few sailing schools both private and Park District operated. Sign up for beginner or refresher lessons!

If I'm buying a used boat, are there warranties or guarantees or is it like a used car?

Used boats are almost always bought "as is." Marine surveyors are available to inspect the boat you choose and with reasonable accuracy determine how "sound" she is. You receive a written report, copies of which you will be asked to provide to the financing and insurance people. Your broker, the boatyard personnel, and the surveyor can assist you in coming to a realistic perspective on what to do about what the surveyor finds.

Does the surveyor look at stuff like sails, electronics and other systems like the head, water system, pumps and inboard or outboard engine?

Click here for a list of local and regional surveyors. We encourage you to call and interview them to determine exactly what they do, and what they don't do, for what you pay. Generally, surveyors in this area do not inspect or determine the condition of the above. Sails can be checked out either here at the yard with your broker or at the sail loft of your choice. For a reference to good sail lofts in Chicago, go to the heading Chicago Area Sail Lofts on our Links page.

Electronics like VHF radio, boatspeed and wind instruments, loran/GPS etc. can be demonstrated by the Seller or checked out by Crowley's.

The most important system on the boat to check out is the engine, because it's a large piece of machinery that costs a lot to re-build or replace. When checked out by a mechanic, sailboat engines are fine 90 percent of the time. Crowley's has a well-staffed mechanical department with a "mobile unit" designed to perform thorough Engine surveys (from about $375). Having the engine checked ahead of time can save a lot of headaches later.

When boats are purchased in the winter, most boat brokers will offer what's known as an "engine/systems escrow", which means equipment that can't be properly checked on land will be specified and covered by a $1000 or more "hold back" from the seller's proceeds until the boat is launched and adequate tests can be made. You can download our engine escrow agreement.

What about sales or use tax?

If it's a new boat or trade-in boat, then Illinois sales tax and other local and regional use taxes may apply. In addition, a 3-Year Illinois registration fee ranges from $52 to $107 based on the length of the boat. See the IDNR Boating Page for details.

Effective September 1, 2004, tax is owed when a watercraft is acquired by gift, donation, transfer, or non-retail purchase if the watercraft will be used in Illinois. The Illinois Watercraft Use Tax is 6.25% of the purchase price. For more specific details, read this bulletin from the Illinois Department of Revenue. If you will be taking the boat out of state, you don't have to pay the Illinois tax, but most states have a similar tax that you will have to pay.

I live far away from Chicago. Can you arrange shipment?

Crowley's Yacht Yard maintains a web page with a list of recommended trucking companies that you can contact yourself for a quote on boat hauling, and it explains the cost for Crowley's to prepare a boat for trucking.

I'm ready to start shopping for a boat. Now what?

Take a look at the boats we currently have listed for sale. We try to include as much detail and as many photos as possible. You can always give us a call, or better yet, come visit us and see the boats in person.

We're located at Crowley's Yacht Yard on Chicago's Calumet River, just two bridges in from Lake Michigan! Many of the boats here are in heated indoor storage. Crowley's has a great service department, a large ship's store, and quick, easy access to the lake.

Visit Crowley's directions page for maps and directions.