CFW matches brands with boat captains for wrap sponsorships on Lake Michigan. Brands pay $2,500 for a single-day activation up to $55,000 for a full summer season. Captains earn $1,500 to $22,000 depending on vessel size and term. We handle matching, wrap design, installation, and clean removal at end of term. Captain approves every offer — no surprise deals. Text (312) 597-1286.
Chicago Fleet Wraps runs a boat sponsorship program that connects brands who want moving billboards on Lake Michigan with boat captains who want to get paid to have their vessel wrapped. Brands get 40,000+ daily impressions from June through October at a fraction of billboard cost. Captains offset fuel, slip fees, and maintenance — sometimes cover the full season. We coordinate the match, handle the wrap, manage removal at end of term.
Two Sides. One Matching Program.
Advertise on a Boat on Lake Michigan
Sponsor a captain's vessel for a weekend, a month, or the full summer season. We handle vessel matching, design, installation, and removal. You handle the creative direction and the budget.
- ✓ 40,000+ daily impressions peak summer
- ✓ Social-worthy photo and video content
- ✓ Clean removal at end of term
- ✓ Event activations for brand launches
Get Paid to Wrap Your Boat
Enroll your vessel in the consortium. We match you with a sponsor that fits your boat size, home harbor, and summer schedule. You keep full control — approve or pass on every offer.
- ✓ $1,500–$12,000 per season depending on vessel
- ✓ Free wrap install and removal
- ✓ You approve every sponsor — no surprise deals
- ✓ Protects your gelcoat while earning
Duration Tiers — Match Your Campaign or Your Season
Brand costs include wrap design, cast vinyl, installation, captain payout, removal, and CFW coordination fee. Captain payouts shown are net to captain after CFW fees. Payouts scale with vessel length and visibility profile.
Boat Size & Visibility Tiers
Fits light-footprint brand activations. Best for week/month campaigns. Payout tier 1.
Sweet spot for most sponsorships. Visible panel real estate without yacht-level cost. Payout tier 2.
Premium placement. High-impact branding from 300+ feet. Typically full-season deals only. Payout tier 3.
Largest brand footprint. Limited inventory. Typically reserved for anchor sponsors. Payout tier 4.
How It Works — For Brands
How It Works — For Captains
Brand Inquiry — Start Here
Tell us about your campaign. We'll respond within 72 hours with matched vessels.
Captain Enrollment
Enroll your vessel in the consortium. No commitment until you accept a specific offer.
No commitment. We'll contact you only when a sponsor matches your profile. You approve or pass on every offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big of a boat does a brand need to sponsor?
Minimum vessel for the program is 20 feet. Sweet spot is 25–40 feet — enough panel surface for readable branding without yacht-level cost. Flagship-tier sponsorships use 46+ foot yachts but those slots are limited. Brands can specify minimum size in their inquiry.
How long can a sponsorship wrap stay on a boat?
Single day, 1 week, 1 month, full summer season (May–October), or multi-year custom. Most brands book full-season. Captains usually prefer full-season too — it's the highest payout and simplest schedule. Short-term activations (day/week) are common for event-specific campaigns like the Air & Water Show.
Does the wrap need to come off at the end of the term?
Yes. CFW removes every sponsorship wrap cleanly at contract end. Cast vinyl peels off without residue or gelcoat damage. Removal is included in the brand cost — no extra charge for the captain. If the brand wants to extend, we re-wrap with a refreshed design at a reduced rate.
How much does a captain earn?
Payout scales with vessel size and term. Small boat (18–24 feet) full-season: $2,500–$4,500. Mid-size (25–32 feet) full-season: $5,500–$9,000. Large (33–45 feet) full-season: $10,000–$18,000. Flagship (46+) full-season: $18,000–$22,000. Short-term deals payout less total but proportionally higher per day.
What if I don't like the sponsor offer?
You pass on it. No commitment. We send captains matched offers — vessel, brand, term, payout, creative direction — and they have 5 business days to accept or pass. Captains can also set restrictions upfront (no alcohol, no political, industry exclusions) so we filter offers before they reach you.
Will this damage my gelcoat?
No. Cast vinyl with marine-grade adhesive is specifically engineered for clean removal within its rated lifespan. When we peel the wrap at term end, the gelcoat underneath is often in better condition than exposed hulls because the wrap shielded it from UV oxidation for the entire term. This is standard CFW material — same spec we use on permanent wraps.
Can I still use my boat normally during the sponsorship?
Yes. Sponsorship wraps are just wraps — your boat functions identically. Charter captains keep taking customers. Private owners keep running whatever routes they normally run. The only exception is exclusivity clauses in brand contracts (e.g. no competing-brand logos visible during the term). Those are rare and always disclosed upfront.
Who handles the design?
CFW's design team handles all creative. Brands provide assets (logo, color codes, optional campaign copy) and creative direction. We build the wrap layout, render proofs for approval, revise until brand is happy, then produce. Captains have no creative obligations — just approve that the final design meets their baseline requirements (no offensive content, meets any restrictions they set).
How do I get started as a brand?
Submit the brand inquiry form on this page — 5 minutes to complete. Within 72 hours we send you 3–5 matched vessels with photos, captain bios, and home harbor info. You pick your vessel. We execute. Entire sponsorship is typically live within 2–4 weeks of initial inquiry for short-term deals, 6–8 weeks for full-season starts.
How do I enroll my boat as a captain?
Submit the captain enrollment form on this page. Takes under 10 minutes. We review your submission and add your vessel to the consortium database. No commitment until you accept a specific offer. We notify you when a sponsor matches your profile. Enrollment is free — CFW earns from the brand side.
Ready to Get Your Boat Wrapped?
Text or call (312) 597-1286 for a same-day estimate. Free pickup from Chicago harbors. Design included. 2-year warranty.