While we understand that postponing or canceling events is not ideal, the safety of our guests is our top priority. If a threat of hazardous weather conditions exists on Lake Michigan, we may need to take necessary precautions to ensure everyone’s well-being.
Should there be a threat of hazardous weather, we offer the following accommodations with respect to your reservation:
- Our standard weather cancellation policy is to issue a 100% credit toward a charter at a future date, and this typically accommodates local residents.
- However, out-of-town clients who may be unable to reschedule at a later date can opt to add a “Weather Warranty” to the charter price. In the event of a weather related cancellation, a full refund of the base charter price, less the warranty price shall be issued.
- Convert the unused reservation into a gift voucher. Email us with the request and we can do that on your behalf and email you a promotional gift voucher code that can be shared with family or friends.
- What constitutes hazardous weather? Conditions that may warrant a charter cancellation may include: Dense Fog Advisory/Warning, a Small Craft Advisory/Warning, Gale Warning, imminent threat of a thunderstorm, lightening, heavy rain, or winds in excess of 25 kts producing waves in excess of 3-5 feet per the NOAA forecast for Southern Lake Michigan. (Weather Links and Marine Forecast)
- We are always watching the radar and checking updated marine forecasts. Please use the weather links on our site to receive the same information. No one wants to sail in hazardous conditions. The safety of your party is our primary concern. (Weather Links and Marine Forecast)
- Because weather changes rapidly on Lake Michigan, your Captain may contact you as late as 2 hours before your charter to advise you of the weather and charter status and at times we are able to move the schedule around a bit to work around any bad weather.
- If Salty Dog Sailing Co. has an unavoidable mechanical or other unrelated weather event resulting in a cancellation, you shall receive a full credit of your full paid amount – including any Weather Warranty fee paid. We perform regular maintenance on our vessel, employing the philosophy to “fix things before they break” – and this avoids any such maintenance related mechanical issues. In our company history, we have had to cancel perhaps only one day in the past 10 years due to a mechanical issue.
- Any client request to reschedule their charter is subject to availability and the discretion of Salty Dog. Please ask. We are generally very flexible on rescheduling.
- Cancellations with at least a 7 day notice are granted a full refund or credit.
- Cancellations with at least a 3 day notice receive a 50% refund.
- Cancellations with less than a 3 day notice are non-refundable.