CHICAGO BOAT RENTAL FIELD GUIDE
From Florida Waters to Chicago Harbors: Captain Justin Pasciak’s Personalized Charters
A Chicago-based boat rental captain offering 3–4 hour personalized charters for celebrations, corporate outings, and family cruises.
From Florida Waters to Chicago Harbors: Captain Justin Pasciak’s Personalized Charters.
Experience the water with an expert captain who blends a lifelong passion for being afloat with years of varied experience; Justin Pasciak runs personalized charters through Chicago’s harbors and lakefront for groups large and small, tailoring each cruise to the occasion.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
A Chicago-born, Florida-raised skipper with a people-first approach
Born in Chicago and raised in Florida, Justin moved back to Chicago after a career in the fitness industry and a pivot into the marine world; he captains to share his favorite place—the water—with clients and to provide service tailored to the occasion.
Playpen, Monroe Harbor and the Chicago River—your choice of route
Daytime groups most often head to the Playpen or Monroe Harbor, and river transits are possible as well; note that moving between lake and river can take upwards of 45 minutes each way, which affects what’s practical on shorter charters.
From bachelorette parties to quiet family cruises
Justin runs personalized charters for bachelorette parties, corporate events and family outings, aiming to craft the right tone and route for each group.
What the day feels like
What the charter feels like
A 3–4 hour outing with a dedicated captain: you board at a designated dock in 31st Street Harbor and set a route—whether a leisurely run to the Playpen or a longer transit into Monroe Harbor or the river—with the pace and stops shaped around your group and the time you’ve booked.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this charter suits, and where to be cautious.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Charters are offered in 3–4 hour durations.
There is a short hike from the harbor entrance to J Dock; if you have luggage or coolers, ask the captain for help carrying them down to the boat.
Knot My Boat Charters operates from J Dock at 31st Street Harbor; docks begin at A at the harbor entrance—follow signage to the door labeled JKL and proceed to J Dock past Salernos. A ride‑share is highly recommended.
Captain’s fee is listed at $100/hr Sun–Thurs and $120/hr Fri–Sat; any remaining balance is due by the conclusion of the charter at the very latest, though settling the captain’s fee before departure is encouraged. Accepted captain-fee payment methods include Zelle, Venmo and CashApp as provided by the captain.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
When is payment due?
Any remaining balance is due by the conclusion of the charter at the very latest; it is encouraged to settle the captain’s fee before departure, and optional gratuity can be handled once you have returned to the dock.
What is typical gratuity?
Tipping is optional; generally etiquette calls for 10–20% of the charter fee (not the captain’s fee). Gratuity compensates for extra prep time, any additional crew, and dockworker tips.
How do I find the harbor and J Dock?
Knot My Boat Charters is based on J Dock at 31st Street Harbor; upon entering the harbor from the roundabout, the docks start at A—walk along until you reach the door labeled JKL, then J Dock is to your left past Salernos; ride‑share is recommended.
Can we go to the Playpen or the Chicago River?
You can go anywhere you would like; the Playpen is the most popular daytime destination followed by Monroe Harbor. River visits are possible but the transfer from lake to river (and back) can take upwards of 45 minutes, which can be time-prohibitive on 3-hour charters and on weekends.
How long are the charters?
Typical charters run 3–4 hours.
What are the captain’s fees and payment options?
Captain’s fee is $100 per hour Sunday–Thursday and $120 per hour Friday–Saturday. The captain lists Zelle, Venmo and CashApp as accepted methods for the captain’s fee.