About Offshore Marine / Paddling Warehouse

Offshore Marine was founded by Fritz Hanselman in 1979 as a sailing and windsurfing shop just a stone's throw from Wrigley Field in Chicago. A Vernon Hills location was added in 1987, and both stores were combined into the Lake County location by the late 90s.

In 2011, we moved from a strip mall in Vernon Hills to a 3600 square foot "warehouse"-style space in Lake Bluff  - harder to see from the street, but much better suited to displaying the huge range of boats and accessories we carry.

In 2016, Chicago theatre producer/director (and former Offshore employee) Matt O'Brien agreed to take on Offshore as the new owner (in addition to his  theatre production company) and continue the store's legacy of providing Chicago-area paddlers and inflatable boat customers with the very best in products and services.

FINDING US
We're located in Lake Bluff, 35 miles north of downtown Chicago, just off Rt 176, two miles east of the I-94 exit. (click on this link for a Google Map). From downtown Chicago, on a good day, you can be at the shop in about 50 minutes.

Our hours vary by season, and there are occasional times when the hours might change for factory pickups, boat deliveries,  etc, so please call us at 847.283.0400 or email us before making a trip up.