For the uninitiated, the America’s Cup is a yacht race.
Nay — the yacht race.
The boats that contest it can cost upwards of $10M to build.
And now, you can pilot one of those boats.
Say hello to Next Level Sailing, the new high-end charter service with a fleet that includes two legendary America’s Cup racing yachts, now boarding.
Little dinghies these are not.
And at Next Level, you’ll actually be commandeering one, racing from the Shedd Aquarium to Navy Pier and back with fifty-thousand pounds of sheer aquatic muscle in tow.
Speeds up to 20 knots, with sometimes just five feet — or inches — between hulls.
The two boats in question: Stars and Stripes (formerly owned by four-time Cup winner Dennis Conner, also known as Mr. America’s Cup) and the Abracadabra (which raced in the 2000 America’s Cup in Auckland, New Zealand).
On deck: your best Zissou-ian crew of 20, A U.S. Coast Guard captain and two able deckhands who’ll teach you the ropes.
Perfect for corporate regattas and extreme team-building.
Plus: Next Level offers weekend rentals all summer long for those who just want a leisurely day on Lake Michigan.
See you on the open water.
This article was featured in the InsideHook Chicago newsletter. Sign up now for more from the Windy City.
