I have never needed a life jacket of my own until I decided to go on the friends of the Chicago river float this coming Sunday. So I ordered a life jacket from West Marine and I picked it up last Saturday. I went out to the parking lot to try it on and realized it didn't fit. No big deal, they made it right by doing a refund which was credited to my card immediately and I was able to purchase the larger one and the staff member took the time to make sure that it fit me this time before I left the store. The only thing was the first time I went in. There was one employee that didn't think that they had one in my size, but I mentioned that there was one larger on the website. But it's OK. They made up for it with making sure that it fit me this time. Thanks guys read more

All of these pretentious people leaving bad reviews. They are not a fishing store. They don't carry everything. How could they? They are a great source for small boat items or a place to order anything from. I like going there and I hope they don't close because everything is sold online read more

A West Marine in Chicago is like a Jägerbomb stand in Salt Lake City. Sure, there's a select few folks that will probably think it's super rad, but most people will pass by without even skipping a beat. Since there's really only a small population of people in Chicago that can afford to dock a boat for half the year without using it, you can imagine the prices in this place cater more to those people's salaries. They do. Even for more innocuous stuff like shoes or apparel you're going to be paying a pretty penny. I will say though, the building is shiny, brand spanking new, and they seem to keep it pretty clean so far so if you can afford to shop at the watersport Dick's for the 1% then by all means you're gonna love it. read more

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It is the only place in the city for Boat Stuff which is sad. Suppose as the market is small it would be hard to support more than one and the advent of the on-line stores it is not needed. For Boating Basics they should have what you need. read more

Need something quickly for your boat while you are in the city? Then come here. It's not the cheapest option, but they have a lot of stock and what's the cost of your time to travel an hour to somewhere more price appropriate? I like it and am glad that it's in Chicago. read more

MY DINGY IS SINKING!!! This is a store of opportunity...an opportunity to rip you off! If you're going boating on Lake Michigan and you need something for your boat right now this is the only boat shop around. The normal prices are high and the sale prices are terrible too. I also have to say this place has no customer service. Nobody has ever asked me if I needed help. Not even a "Hello" or an "Ahoy Matey!" So I am not a fan of this place. I highly recommend you come here to do some research and then buy on the Internet. Unless your boat is going down like the Titanic and you need a plug to save it. Yes we call that opportunity...an opportunity to make you walk the plank of spending (it's similar to a Fiscal Cliff). I am so proud I was able to work such a time sensitive catch phrase into a review. I have a great idea for this location! The employees should dress like pirates, that might make me feel better when I'm paying top dollar at the register. read more

Love to come here. Patrick and the team always help me no matter how busy they are. They are also very nice. Thank you you have my business!!! Hi read more

Nice, clean store BUT the help is worth nothing!!!!!!! Three guys asked me if I needed help and all three of them walked in circles for almost 1 hr!!!! None of them seemed to want to help and I got nothing accomplished! I needed help with a dingy and a ski rope, not so difficult!!!! Rude and not worthy! I will continue to go elsewhere!!!!! read more

I was pleasantly surprised. I has a $10 coupon that had expired. The checkout girl told me to call the 800 number and see what they could do for me. The operator checked my account and said not only do you have a $10 coupon that expired but you have about $100 in coupons that you can use. They still haven't arrived in my email box but I thought that was exceptional customer service and as long as she keeps her word, I'm a fan! read more

The other reviews on the site must be for some other store. I've visited the store three times in the last six months and have always been impressed with their selection of products that they have on hand. The staff is helpful, although sometimes need to reference other staff in order to find a product. In the end they were always able to either find a product in the store or in their online catalog. While some items or more pricey than shopping online the items I needed were readily available when I needed it. It always seems that something breaks right before you want to go sailing and you can't wait a few days and delay your cruise. I will definitely return to the store and recommend it to others. read more

Love this store. Best selection from all of the stores in Chicagoland area. Not cheap but boating isn't cheap. Of you need a part or accessory ASAP highly recommended. read more

One star because it is required. The staff was friendly however incompetent. They didn't know what a kayak seat was or where it was located. Online it says the store had each of the ones I was interested. The employees computer said so as well, yet no one had a clue. Store is unorganized, dirty, and employees know nothing about their inventory. read more

The New West Marine has a lot more going for it. Plenty of stock now and they will have anything shipped to the store for free. As this is a new Flagship location, I understand they may actually be a shipping center for the area as well. The staff, though not boaters for the most part, (the staff is new too) are actually quite friendly and attentive. I'm thinking if you are a boater, you are coming in knowing what you are looking for right? For boating supplies, there's not much better in town. Prices are pretty standard for brick and mortar locations. And yes, not everyone owns a boat in Chicago but with a few thousand docks on the lakefront, it's great to have a resource like West Marine to go to for those "got to have it now" items. read more

For a store with the word MARINE in it, you'd assume they have anything water related, right? WRONG. I was shopping for a fishing pole and stopped in here to check it out. They had 3 poles to choose from and no fishing equipment at all...wth read more

In a pinch I will stop by and grab something, other than that I keep all my orders online to save money and stay away from pretentious ambiance. The staff here are the true treasure. Usually when you walk in there is no one there...if there is they just sort of glare at you like you are bothering them. There have been two times where I checked out and not a word was said to me. They scanned my merchandise, I paid, they handed me a receipt, and I left. The last time I was there, the cashier was extremely rude to me about their "rewards" program which I paid for the gold membership on. I was told my card was expired which was strange since I had just signed up a month earlier. She said that I must have been mistaken and said there was nothing she could do. I apologized for inconveniencing her with the unexpired card and she said "It's ok, i'm just hungover from last night." I guess the drinking habits of the West Marine staff are something I should sympathize with as a customer? The way they behave there is inexcusable. read more

There's a theme to these reviews, and I agree. Unfriendly staff, limited supply, and high prices (although in my experience, West Marine is expensive regardless of which store you go to). The only reason I go there is because it's convenient, and the only place I know of aside from Crowley's, which is much farther from my house. If their customer service (nay, basic people skills) were better, I'd probably still go there. But as is, they are downright rude and disrespectful. It's the little things... not being asked if you need help when you walk in, for example. Or being called 'bud', or nothing at all as they point at you and wave you in a particular direction. As others have said - shop online, use these guys as a resource to look at things in person before you buy on the net. Take your time, no one will bother you! read more

I feel like some of these reviews are from the OLD store. Fair enough, but this just is not that store. I'm a regular customer of West Marine, at multiple locations, and find this Chicago location is one of he best. The store is VERY well stocked and can likely take care of the majority of your boating needs. Staff is helpful and knowledgeable on all subjects water related. As I write this, it's early in the season, so there is some "fresh blood" working the floor, but if they don't know the answers, they grab one of the more experienced staff. The store is clean and well organized. I get that there are not 5 choices for this type of specialized stuff, and they kinda have you if you need boat stuff, but these guys do a good job every time I'm there. read more

Absolutely abysmal. I keep going back to WM because it's nearby. I don't know why because every time I go they either don't have the product I need or don't have one that is of the quality or price that is acceptable to me. Usually the products are of very low quality or are completely obsolete. The staff is not very knowledgeable or helpful. Considering their limited useful inventory, I have taken to calling before I go, so as not to waste my time, but I am usually attended to by someone that obviously has no sailing experience and does not know the gear, or I am left on hold forever until another clueless employee picks up the phone again, which is, of course, a waste of my time anyway. It's just bad on every level. read more

Good variety of items but very poor service. My final straw was when a cashier named "Lovely" messed up a return not once, not twice, but three times and was rude throughout the process. I asked to speak to a manager and the manager was even more belligerent than the employee. His name tag said "JR," if I remember correctly and he was borderline physically threatening me. He told me he was a general manager but then later retracted that claim. It's no wonder West Marine locations are closing down all over. I will never go back to this location. Most of the items in the store can be purchased at an auto parts store, online or even at Target or Walmart and almost always for much less. When the convenience factor becomes more headache than it is worth, it doesn't make sense to spend more money on items that I can get elsewhere. read more

The Customer Service is lacking and there prices are high. They do carry lots of stock so they will probably have what you need, but you will pay more then you want. If you want better pricing and better customer service then go to Crowley's Ships' Store. They are very knowledgeable and are experienced sailors in the local community. You can get what you need and you can get a good story out of it. The only shortfall for Crowley's is the locations, but it is really only minutes from downtown going south down Lakeshore Dr. Try it you will not be disappointed. read more

Generally the best place in Chicago for sailing gear.

Went to West Marine because I needed an anchor I looked on the Internet and found many different anchors but I needed to see the anchor. Size, shape, and to see if it would fit in my anchor locker.I do agree with some other reviews on here that the prices are high. But If u r a BoatUS customer they send you coupons like I had for $20 off, which came in handy. And I went on a day that they had customer appreciation and gave you a free utility bag. I was here on a Saturday and I found the staff to be very helpful and friendly because I picked up a few things for electronics like a splitter for my ship to shore radio. So summers almost here enjoy boating season people. read more

7/9/17 The store is stocked like any other West Marine Store. I was used to the one in Michigan City which closed and since this is considered a "super store" expected more. There was more inventory but the level of customer service was atrocious. I started off in the soft goods side of the store and asked about youth sized self inflating life jackets. I was told there wasn't such a thing (even though I already own one.) Next, I asked the same guy about a 3/4" check valve for a hose fitting. The guy looked at me like I was a martian and told me I'd "have to ask someone else about that." I quickly realized he was useless so I moved on and soon after, found the "non existent" youth sized self inflating life jacket, made by SpinLock, which I added to my cart. I went over to the parts counter and was met by a man in his late 50's who I was obviously bothering with my questions so I just gave up and headed to the check out counter. I walked out with $700 of merchandise but had people been more helpful, it probably would have been double. It's a shame that WEST Marine made the business decision to close the Michigan City store. Everyone there was so much more knowledgeable, friendly and happy. Here, people were going through the motions and passing the buck. They should have persuaded Joan from M.C. to run this store because this place is going nowhere. I don't expect WEST Marine to be around that much longer with the financial problems they've been experiencing and with service like this, things will unfortunately just get worse. What a shame... read more

I often stop here to get my boating supplies and they usually have what I need for the entire boating season. The online catalog could fill a walmart so don't expect to get everything you see there to be in the store, but they will usualy stock all of the basics and most popular items. The prices are a bit better if you can get to a Bass Pro Shop, but they have no stores near the city. read more

Their on line ordering system is a disaster. The website will not take a credit card number. You have to phone them to complete your order. The wait time today was 30 minutes. read more