About Offshore Marine

Offshore Marine was founded by Fritz Hanselman in 1979 as a sailing and windsurfing shop in Chicago. A suburban location was added in 1987, and both stores were combined into the Lake County location by the late 90s. In 2011, we moved to a 3600 square foot "warehouse"-style space in Lake Bluff 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 providing Chicago-area sailors and paddlers with the very best in products and services.

FINDING US
We're located in Lake Bluff, 35 miles north of downtown Chicago (click on this link for a Google Map). From downtown Chicago,you can be at the shop in about 50 minutes (on a good day).

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

OFFSHORE IN THE COMMUNITY....
Offshore / Paddling Warehouse supports a number of Illinois performing arts and educational institutions through direct cash support and product donations. If you're in the Chicago area and have a non-profit organization that aligns with our areas of focus (building individuals through higher education and building community through the fine and performing arts), please don't hesitate to ask us about product donations for fundraising purposes. We can't assist every worthy charity, but will consider your request, if we can.

Organizations we support include:
LAKE FOREST COLLEGE
NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
DEPAUL UNIVERSITY
COLUMBIA COLLEGE CHICAGO
OPENLANDS
CAVALIERS ARTS, PERFORMANCE & EDUCATION
LOOKINGGLASS THEATRE
PHANTOM REGIMENT
NORTH CHICAGO PUBLIC EDUCATION FOUNDATION

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