red witch sailboat kenosha

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Tall Ship Red Witch

Review Highlights

“ Captain Andrew and his crew were wonderful and friendly, going out of their way to make sure we were safe and happy. ” in 5 reviews

“ Once we were out of the harbor, the crew asked for volunteers to hoist the sail - my 80 yr mother volunteered! ” in 28 reviews

“ We picked up sandwiches from Hannah's Bretzel and brought wine on, which seemed easier for the two of us than having something delivered to Burnham Harbor . ” in 4 reviews

Location & Hours

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54th St and 4th Ave

Kenosha, IL 60605

Near Southside

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Amenities and More

About the business.

Business owner information

Capt. Andrew S.

Business Owner

Voted "BEST Tour Boat in Chicago" (2009, 2010 Illinois Meetings and Events.com) Chicago's only Wooden Tall Ship! We offer sailing adventures for the public and private events (weddings, corporate meetings, teambuilding, bachelor/ette parties, etc.). This is an unforgettable experience as this is the most beautiful boat in Chicago! …

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Overall rating

A great experience worth every moment Would recommend it to singles couples families and groups. Excellent deck crew a safe affordable sailing trip on Lake Michigan

Captain Andrew

Really nice experience. Weather was perfect and the captain was very informative. He ran the boat and his crew perfectly

We had a wonderful time sailing out of Kenosha Harbour. I appreciate the captains focus on safety, yet provides a very enjoyable experience.

We went out this past Saturday at 2:30, they packed us in like sardines, I think assuming there would be more walk-ons at the dock, but there were not and then they never allowed us to spread out. 1/3 of the boat was empty but I rode with my hip jammed into a stranger -The water was incredibly choppy and the crew seemed a bit uptight/concerned about passenger safety but began threatening everyone about holding on for dear life and not standing up - I get that there are rules on board but it made for an anxious start, and passengers were left feeling rather subservient. I was holding my breath wondering who was going to be the first chosen to walk the plank...captain, our group just paid hundreds of dollars to float around in your boat, a little kindness could go a long way... The ride was lackluster. We stayed very close to shore due to the waves, and it felt more like a motor boat ride than a sailing cruise. I guess I can say I've done it and lived to tell the tale, but not a very pleasant nor enjoyable experience.

I bought tickets on Travelzoo for a double date. In total, I paid $175 ($140 on travelzoo, an extra $25 for fees when I actually reserved the dates). Aside from unexpectedly paying fees during the reservation process, I enjoyed my sailing trip. The staff provided complimentary water and pop. We thought we were going to miss the boat, but they left the harbor at 1:15PM! They had beer and wine for sale. They were nice enough to not notice that we didn't pay for the beer, but we tipped generously instead. I kind of wished we were able to go more alongside the lakefront and not just around McCormick Place and Museum Campus.

Chicago skyline from one of their ships.

Great experience for my husband and I's 2yr wedding anniversary! The captain and crew were very welcoming and great company! They gave us free drinks for our anniversary, since we didnt have cash, which was unexpected and very much appreciated! Great sailing experience! We would highly recommend!!

Absolute Delight! I recently had the privilege of sailing on the Red Witch Tall Ship and have only positive things to say. Here are the highlights: 1. Friendly and knowledgeable crew - awesome people! 2. Incredible views! It really doesn't get much better. We had a spectacular night for weather which helped of course, but it still is stunning to see the city from such a distance. 3. Spacious and clean -- the sailboat is great for parties and large groups! It's clean and really easy to maneuver around. 4. I will definitely come back!

I like boat trips and tours - I've been on many in various places. This one, unfortunately, was extremely boring. It would have been nice if the captain or crew engaged with us a bit more (e.g., talk about the skyline - not everyone aboard was from Chicago, talk about the ship and sailing, talk about the lake, talk about anything). Instead, there was little interaction (other than being asked repeatedly if we wanted drinks) and excruciating periods of time where the ship just bobbed in the water and we all sat silently (surrounded by strangers, it felt like we were on a lifeboat waiting for rescuers to arrive). Also, it rained during this trip. Obviously, I don't blame the captain or crew for the weird weather we've been having in Chicago. But it would have been nice if they had disposable rain ponchos they could have given us. The only alternative to get out of the rain was to go down below and hang out in a not especially comfortable space (it was dark and cramped). I'd also suggest that there be squeegees to clear off the water from the sitting areas above. You can't really stand on the deck and so I sat back down and ended up with a water-soaked backside. Traveling home on the train in extremely wet pants just made the whole experience even less appealing.

Aug 4, 2015

READ ALL OTHER REVIEWS! GUESTS LOVE SAILING ABOARD RED WITCH! Red WItch serves mostly private events for some of the largest corporations in the world including Oracle and KPMG and professional services firms including Ernst & Young, KPMG, etc. Many corporations and groups return annually due to a standard of excellence aboard Red Witch. READ ALL OTHER REVIEWS. "GINGER F." has written mostly negative reviews of 95 businesses -- guess she has nothing better to do with her time. In reply to "Ginger F's" review: 1) She claims to like boating but either has never sailed on a real sailboat before, or has never sailed aboard a sailboat when there is minimal wind. We present a pure (true) sailing experience. Yet when there is minimal wind, after sailing in little wind for a few minutes (which "Ginger F" described as "bobbing"), we engage the motor and motorsail toward Navy Pier to give a view of the skyline -- and a sense of movement (to proactively try to prevent people like "Ginger F" from betting "bored). Next time "Ginger F" might be better off bungee-jumping or drag-racing (to prevent being "bored". "Ginger F" should definitely never sail (or sail when minimal wind). 2) The Captain and crew present an introductory Safety Speech. Our crew mingles with the crowd throughout the sail -- always willing to answer questions (or share stories). In appropriate situations the Captain will describe sailing strategy or other technical aspects of sailing. But we do not "entertain" as we find most of our guests (everyone other than "Ginger F") enjoy to hear wind and sea. Apparently "Ginger F" wants to be entertained. Next time I suggest she see a film, theater, comedy or stay home and watch tv (rather than sail). 3) We ALWAYS squeegee seats following rain. Perhaps "Ginger F" was too impatient to wait for our crew to squeegee her seat. 4) Most guests LOVE the interior of Red Witch -- as it is a pure replica of a 150 year old wooden Great Lakes working schooner. Next time perhaps "Ginger F" should go to the Ritz Carlton or Four Seasons for a more glamorous (and fake) ambience. Sincerely, Capt. Andrew R Sadock

I came across the Tall Ship Red Witch about a month before the 4th of July while I was looking for possible sailboats to charter. I showed it to my girlfriend and we were both sure it must have been booked months earlier. Nonetheless, I called the next day and was surprised to find that it was not only available, but also affordable (($650/hour x 3 hours + 9% Chicago Amusement Tax) / 49 people = $44 per person). Now I just had to find 47 other people. Over the weekend I talked to a few friends and word spread like wildfire, turns out everyone wants to be on pirate ship for the Fourth of July. I made an excel spreadsheet with names, sent out emails to our selected friends, and gave them a 72 hour deadline to get me the money (this helps weed out the irresponsible few who would probably not make the boat on time anyway). By the powers of Venmo (amazing iPhone/Android payment app) and Paypal, I had all the money up front and put down our 50% deposit the next week. On the day of the cruise, they recommend that everyone arrives at least 30 minutes before your scheduled departure. I would like to reemphasize this point. We only had one couple come slightly late (3 minutes), but it is not especially easy to get to Burnham Harbor so that time cushion is extremely helpful. Once we arrived, Captain Andrew took me aside to go over the plan and make sure we were in sober enough shape to board (it was the 4th of July, mind you). I assured him that I had suggested everyone take the afternoon easy and we were all good to go. Captain Andrew is extremely friendly and certainly allows the passengers to have a good time, but it's obvious that safety is his first priority and wouldn't allow anyone to board who would be a danger to themselves, the other passengers, or the crew. From there, we loaded the beer and wine (no hard alcohol is allowed, which is completely fine), and took off. After leaving the dock, one of the crew went over the rules (no jumping in the water, watch out for the swinging boom, etc.) and we putted out to the lake by engine. Once we were out of the harbor, the sails went up, the engine went off, and we pointed the bow towards the horizon. We couldn't have picked a better day for sailing. The sky was blue, it was very warm, and the wind was strong enough to really get the boat moving. When you approach the boat, it looks a bit small but I can assure you that 49 passengers will fit comfortably. Also, the three hour cruise was a perfect amount of time and as we were heading back to the harbor, we got to see the sun setting behind the skyline (the Sear's/Willis tower is HUGE when looking at it from the water). Overall, everyone had an absolutely amazing time. Since the cruise, at least two of the passengers are now planning their own private charters. Captain Andrew and his crew were wonderful and friendly, going out of their way to make sure we were safe and happy. Also, if you have the chance, I'd recommend talking to the Captain at length, he's a super interesting guy. Thanks Tall Ship Red Witch, we'll be back!

An amazing 4th of July aboard the Tall Ship Red Witch.

Jimi went full pirate on the 4th of July.

Holy cow, what an accommodating crew/company! My friend and I had tickets for a Thursday evening sail but unfortunately we got caught in a traffic jam. We were both looking forward to sailing so I was devastated that we would have to miss the cruise; I decided to give Red Witch a call.Thinking, maybe, just maybe they would be able to wait for us (since, you know the universe revolves around us). Of course, they could not. BUT offered to reschedule our sail for the following evening! Which worked out perfectly. The actual sail was two hours; the best views of Chicago. Yeah, yeah- you can go on top of the Sears Tower or the Hancock but seriously? If want an astonishing view of the skyline- it should be in the middle of Lake Michigan. Word to the wise: there is beer and wine for sale on the ship but it's cash only; be prepared! The crew was extremely nice- so tip too.

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RIG HEIGHT:  73′ SPARRED LENGTH: 77′ SAIL AREA: 2,100 SQ. FT. FLAG:  USA

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FAQ’s

Sailing, generally …

  In a nutshell … Sailing is an adventure! It is always different. It is always interesting. It is always memorable! Of course it is dependent upon weather – yet no matter what the weather (excluding rain ) you will have fun – and, of course, always be absolutely safe.

  T he Captain and Deckhand’s primary goal is to assure the safety of all passengers, crew and the boat. Capt. Andrew has safely carried 336,000 passengers since 2003 – aboard 360-passenger architectural tour boats at Navy Pier (on Lake Michigan) and aboard tour boats in Santa Barbara and Marina Del Rey / Los Angeles).

  Are Red Witch II and Red Witch III disabled-accessible boats?

  Although Red Witch II and Red Witch III do not have official designation as disabled-accessible vessels, we frequently host “disabled” passengers – who depend upon a wheelchair, walker, and/or cane for mobility. On any given sail, one or more of our crew are strong individuals who are trained to help board and de-board any passenger (in virtually any condition). We have observed that the vast majority of disabled passengers, and young and elderly passengers, greatly appreciate the opportunity to sail aboard Red Witch II. Most   (not all) smaller, portable wheelchairs may be stowed aboard the vessel during the sailing experience.    Similarly, most walkers may be stowed aboard the vessel.

  Where can I park?

 See the Location Tab/Page – regarding public parking in Milwaukee and Kenosha (near both docks).

  What should I wear?

 Even during summer, the weather can be (much!) cooler on the lake, especially after sunset. Bring a light jacket or sweatshirt. High heels and wedges are not recommended. Our sailorly advice: bring a pair of flats in your purse.

  May passengers stand during the sailing trip?

 No. Why not? Our Captain’s highest priority is your safety. Unlike motorboats, sailboats are designed to “heel” – lean a bit beam-wise (i.e., laterally). Simply stated, when wind hits the sails, the boat leans. You will enjoy the experience of heeling, as it is an essential element of true sailing. However, it is unsafe to stand (or walk) while the vessel is moving (i.e., heeling, etc.). However, for longer private event (longer than two hours), the Captain will try to slow and stabilize the vessel midway through the trip, or toward the end of the trip, so passengers can stand for a minute or two to stretch their legs.

  Is there a bathroom aboard?

For public sails  – which are only 75 to 90 minutes in duration, we ask passengers to relieve themselves prior to boarding the vessel.   

  The reason we prefer that you use an external (non-boat) bathroom is that our highest concern is your safety. Again, in a nutshell, sailboats are designed to heel (lean) a bit – so, to minimize risk, i.e., your safety — we uphold this rule. We have found that most passengers are comfortable not using a restroom for 75 to 90 minutes. For private sails  – which are a minimum of two hours (up to three hours) in duration, we realize that some passengers may need to relieve themselves while sailing – so the Captain may try to find a time during the sail when we can will slow the vessel – so as to reduce the degree of heeling – so it may be safe to be escorted to the restroom by the deckhand. Nonetheless, we ask private event passengers to relieve themselves before boarding the vessel.

  What if it rains? Cancellation protocol? How do we reschedule a canceled sail?

 Try as we might, we cannot control the weather! Both Red Witch II and Red Witch III have a spacious traditional cabins below in case an unanticipated hard rain should occur while we’re on the lake but, in the case of a light drizzle of brief duration, please bring a light rain jacket or poncho. Sailing is an adventure after all! Note that sails are cancelled at the sole discretion of the Captain, up to the time of departure. We want you to return year after year – so we only sail in weather that we believe you will enjoy. We definitely do not sail should lightning be in the area. And, typically, if sustained or hard rain is forecast, we likely will defer or cancel the sail. Should the Captain cancel a sail, you may reschedule by emailing us at  [email protected]  (for public sail rescheduling) and  [email protected]  (for private event rescheduling). We will be happy to find another day that fits your schedule.

  How many passengers do Red Witch II and Red Witch III accommodate?

 Red Witch II is a U.S. Coast Guard “Inspected Vessel” (Category T-Boat). As such, following stability calculations, the U.S. Coast Guard determined that Red Witch II will safely accommodate up to 40 passengers, 1 captain, and 2 deckhands. However, we prefer to limit sails to 28 guests (and 1 deckhand) – so everyone has a comfortable seat on deck.

 Red Witch III, a smaller sailboat, is categorized as a U.S. Coast Guard “Uninspected Vessel” and, as such, is allowed to carry up to 6 guests – yet we prefer to sail with up to 5 guests to promote comfort of our guests.

  Do seats have seatbacks?

 On Red Witch II, 24 of the allotted 28 seats on the deck have seatbacks (bench-style). On Red Witch III, all seats have seatbacks.

 I s there a sound system?

 Red Witch II and Red Witch III have Blue Tooth-technology sound systems available for private events (only). Please note that we do not allow music on public sails as, obviously,    everyone likes different music styles – and, after sails are raised and the engine is turned off,    the sound of wind and waves is a beautiful, unique experience. If you have a private event, bring your favorite playlist on your IPhone or droid telephone.

  Can we swim or jump off?

 To protect your safety, there is no swimming from Red Witch II or Red Witch III – absolutely no exceptions.

  Can I bring food?

 For public sails, you may opt to bring a light snack. Note that there are numerous restaurants within two blocks of each dock — so you may plan to dine in downtown Milwaukee or Kenosha before or after the sail. Please feel free to bring a light snack – but not a meal   (and definitely you may not bring any beverages – no exceptions – as beer, wine, soda, and bottled water are available aboard the boat).

 For private events, you may bring food or hire one of our recommended catering companies for casual dining aboard the vessel. For private events, we offer beverage options.

  Can I bring any beverages?

 For Public Sails (only) — No, you may not bring aboard any beverages aboard the vessel if you are sailing on a public sail — no exceptions – as we offer domestic beer ($5), boxed wine ($5), soda ($2) and bottled water ($1) on public sails.

 For Private Events, we offer alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage packages. Please contact us for more information at [email protected].

  What time does the boat actually leave the dock?

 We begin the boarding process at the scheduled time of departure with a 3-minute “Safety Speech” – while passengers are still on the dock. Then we board passengers. Hence the vessel typically departs between five and ten minutes after the time of scheduled departure. Note that we do expect you to be on time – arrive at the time of scheduled departure to hear the entire Safety Speech (for your safety and the safety of others).