Eleanor Boathouse at Park 571

Illinois law does not set one rental age for every boat: under the Boat Registration and Safety Act, no one under 10 may operate a motorboat, including personal watercraft, while a livery may not rent personal watercraft or specialty prop craft for operation by anyone under 16.

For a motorboat over 10 horsepower, ages 10 and 11 need direct on-board supervision by a parent, guardian, or parent-designated person at least 18. At 12, an operator may go without supervision by holding a valid boating safety certificate; ages 12 to 17 may instead use that supervision. Certificate rules also depend on birth date, though renters may qualify through approved abbreviated instruction. The rental operator sets its own minimum, so confirm it when booking.

Source: Illinois Department of Natural Resources (dnr.illinois.gov)

Yes. In Illinois, anyone born on or after January 1, 1998, must have a valid boating safety certificate to operate a recreational motorboat over 10 horsepower, including a personal watercraft. No one under 10 may operate a motorboat. Ages 10 and 11 need direct onboard adult supervision; ages 12 through 17 need a certificate or qualifying supervision. A rental business cannot rent a personal watercraft for operation by anyone under 16. Licensed rental operators may give approved abbreviated safety instruction instead, allowing that renter to operate that livery’s rental without the certificate for up to one year. Common exemptions include qualifying nonresidents visiting up to 90 days and recognized out-of-state certificates. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources administers the program.

Source: Illinois Department of Natural Resources (dnr.illinois.gov)

From Chicago, choose Lake Michigan for open-water cruising, the Playpen for a no-wake anchoring stop, or the Chicago River for a bridge-lined urban route. The Playpen lies between Ohio Street Beach and Oak Street Beach within Chicago Harbor and includes Anchorage A; it is often busy with rafted recreational boats. The Chicago Harbor Lock at the river mouth links Lake Michigan with the inland waterway system. For a lakefront start, DuSable, Monroe and Burnham harbors sit close to downtown; Diversey Harbor is the more sheltered option inside Lake Shore Drive, with bridge restrictions that limit it to powerboats.

Source: U.S. Coast Guard (navcen.uscg.gov)

Boaters from Chicago often choose three Lake Michigan stops: the Playpen, Navy Pier Marina and 59th Street Harbor. The Playpen, between Ohio Street Beach and Oak Street Beach, draws recreational boats that anchor and raft together. Navy Pier Marina provides transient docking steps from the pier’s restaurants, entertainment and attractions. At 59th Street Harbor in Jackson Park, visiting boaters can use transient dockage and walk to the Museum of Science and Industry or 63rd Street Beach.

Source: U.S. Coast Guard (navcen.uscg.gov)