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Seit Inc., DBA
Chicago Sailboat Charters . com
Terms and Conditions...
Chicago Sailboat Charters is a DBA of Seit Inc.
Rates - Your rate is the published rate at the time you make your deposit and includes taxes. Rates do not include gratuities, which are customary, and vary from 10-20%.
Deposits and Cancellations - Cancellations or rescheduling at least 7 days in advance are charged a $50 processing fee. Cancellations or rescheduling at least 4 hours in advance are charged a $150 processing fee. No shows and cancellations less than 4 hours in advance are charged 100% of sailing fee.
Special Events cancellations at least 14 days in advance are charged a $50 processing fee. Cancellations at least 7 days in advance are charged a $150 cancellation fee. Cancellations at least 24 hours in advance are charged 75% of full sailing fee. No shows and cancellations less than 24 hours in advance are charged 100% of full sailing fee.
Unforeseen events may cause us to delay or cancel your sail (e.g. repairs that need immediate attention, etc.) at no cost to you. If this happens, we will do our best to accomodate you by rescheduling or getting you a boat from one of our colleagues.
Waves and Sea Sickness - Waves and heavy wind are sometimes a part of sailing. Sometimes waves that are 2-4' or 3-5' are ok to sail, and other times they are not. It depends on current conditions, trends, and forecasts. The captain will decide if it is safe to sail. We have taken many groups out in 3-5' waves that very much enjoyed their sails and had no problems. We have also taken a few out in small waves that had 1 or more members get ill. If we know that conditions may be bumpy, we will alert you prior to the sail via the cell phone number you provided and suggest that anyone who may be prone to sea-sickness take preventive medications. THESE MUST BE TAKEN IN ADVANCE of arriving at the harbor to be effective (please see medication label). Should the captain deem the conditions are suitable for sailing, and you choose not to go out for your sail, we cannot refund your deposit. Should you go out for your sail and your group asks us to return early due to rough conditions, we cannot refund your sailing fee, no exceptions. This policy is consistent with other charter companies around the country.
Options you will have if you decide to come in early will include dropping off of some members of the group and going back out, or coming back to the harbor and hanging out on the boat or the duration of the charter.
Bad Weather - We do not guarantee sunshine and clear skies for your sail, but we do guarantee that we will sail only under what your captain considers safe conditions. If the weather is too rough to sail, there is lightning approaching, or there is persistent rain, we will notify you of the cancellation of the charter as early as possible, an attempt to reschedule will be made, or we will refund your deposit. If there is scattered showers we will sail. This is up to the captain's judgement, and only the captain's judgement. Think of it as a baseball game; if they play baseball in it, we sail in it.
If you wish to be certain to sail on a "perfect weather day", we strongly suggest booking your sail only 24 hours in advance, or purchase our Sunny Day Insurance. We will cancel sails due to weather as early as possible if we know there will be bad weather.  We monitor radar and wind conditions, and are very good at judging if we should sail or not. In uncertain circumstances, we normally can tell you only about 30-60 minutes before hand if we will get to sail, but not earlier. Sometimes we may have to cancel at the last minute due to changing conditions. Therefore, you should plan to be at the harbor in time for your sail, and perhaps have an alternative plan should we not be able to sail.
*** Should you choose not to come out even though we have not cancelled your sail due to weather, and it turns out that we could have sailed, you will be responsible for the full cost of the sail. ***
Restricted items - Dark liquids and sauces are never allowed (e.g. red wine, tomato sauces, grape juice, etc.). If you wouldn''t want it to stain your white dress shirt, we don't want it to stain our gelcoat.Please see the FAQ or ask us for specific details.
Rain - To reiterate, rain does not cause us to cancel a sail unless it is persistent rain, and more than showers. This is for the captain to decide. Should the captain deem the conditions are suitable for sailing, and you choose not to sail, we cannot refund your deposit, no exceptions. This policy is consistent with other charter companies around the country.
Delays - Your sail may be delayed or have interruptions due to weather conditions. We will do everything we can to keep right on schedule but some things are beyond our control.
Children - In general, we require one adult passenger (not counting crew members) per child under the age of 10 for safety and logistical reasons. Any damages caused by children will be charged to the person booking the sail. Please call us with any questions. Generally, children weighing less than 20 lbs generally cannot be fit with a USCG Type I life preserver, and therefore cannot legally be on a charter boat. Please call us to discuss this. Please see here for USCG regulations.
Sunny Day Insurance - If you are set on making sure that the weather is perfect for your sail, we offer a cancellation insuarnce for an additional 15% of the charter price, that allows you to cancel and only lose the Sunny Day Insurance Policy. Please click here for details.
Alcohol - Any passenger consuming alcohol must be at least 21, and passengers assume legal consequences due to illegal drinking of alcohol. Should you become intoxicated, or show up intoxicated, the captain reserves the right to cancel the sail at any point and you will be responsible for the full cost of the sail. Translation - if you are looking to get hammered, don't book a sail.
Illegal Substances - Under NO circumstances are illegal substances permitted on board. Any passenger bringing illegal substances on board will be held responsible for all damages that may be caused by such action, including but not limited to: entire cost of vessel due to confiscation by authorities, loss of income due to vessel down time, liability for injuries, legal fees incurred by all parties, etc...
Inappropriate behavior: Should passenger actions or behavior make the crew feel that safety is compromised, or that they are unable to focus on sailing the boat and maintaining safe conditions, the sail may be cancelled without warning and full fee will be due.
Damages - Passengers will be responsible for damages caused due to their actions should such actions be inappropriate or contrary to the terms and conditions, and general prudent behavior. Adults will be responsible for damages caused by children which they have brought on board. Damages may include, but are not limited to: labor and materials necessary for stains caused by prohibited substances (such as red wine or grape juice), tobacco burns in gel coat, and any damages caused by passengers that would not be considered reasonable under the circumstances. Should the vessel experience any down-time due to damages caused by passengers, passengers will also be responsible for any loss of revenue.
Swimming - Swimming is at your own risk! The captain reserves the right to forbid swimming based on conditions and the situation. Should you decide to go swimming, you acknowledge that you assume all risks. Any adult that gives a minor in his/her care permission to swim is solely responsbile for the safety of said minor. At least one adult guest per child in the water must be present. Strict adherence to the captain's guidelines must be followed or your sail may be ended early with no refund. We don't mess around when it come to safety.
Chicago Sailboat Charters . com
773-960-7890