Interested in Sailing Boston Waterways?

Where to find a Boston sailing school, lessons, clubs, charters

If you love sailing, Boston offers plenty of opportunities for you to learn to sail, advance your sailing skills, arrange boat charters, and even explore fractional boat ownership.

Even if you're visiting for just a short time, you and your whole family can take Boston sailing lessons, consider Boston boat chargers, and learn other water sports such as kayaking and windsurfing.

And if you become addicted to sailing in Boston , you might even consider a membership in a Boston sailing club where you'll get boat access or fractional sailboat ownership.

Here are five Boston sailing school options, boat charters, and clubs for you to consider.  Have fun sailing in Boston!

Boston Sailing Center

Headquartered in a Louisiana riverboat docked at Lewis Wharf on Boston Harbor in the North End, Boston Sailing Center offers a wide range of sailing lessons as well as club memberships. 

Boston Sailing Center building and docked sailboats at Lewes Wharf

Although Boston Sailing Center's regular season runs between May 1 and November 1, special "frostbite" racing, seminars, navigation classes, social activities, and even charters to warmer waters extend the fun through the winter months.

Founded in 1977, this popular Boston sailing club offers unrestricted sailing along the historic waterfront and around the Harbor Islands.  You can also take overnight trips to Marblehead and longer trips to places like Provincetown on Cape Cod, Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, and Newport. 

A number of sailing club membership options are available, depending on the type of vessel you want.  You also get boat privileges for a period of time after taking classes.

Serious sailors love the Boston Sailing Center memberships.  In addition to basic sailing skills, classes include specialized skills, navigation, and racing.  Individual lessons are also available.  And for the ultimate experience, join one of the winter Caribbean cruises and learn to sail in tropical waters.

Boston Sailing Center's memberships and instructional programs are understandably geared toward residents, who of course will be here for more than just a few days.  But if you're visiting for only a short time, you'll still find some attractive options here.

If you're visiting Boston, you could either choose a 1-week class, or take a private lesson for just an afternoon to jump-start your skills and fit with your schedule.

You can also charter a boat for a reasonable hourly fee, which is based on the size and type of boat.  A 2-hour minimum applies for Boston boat charters.

Finally, for not much more than you'd pay for chartering a boat for 3-4 hours, you can opt for a "mini" 30 day membership.  The fee for this also depends on the size and type of boat.  Even if you use the boat just for a day, you may come out ahead.  And if you're going to be here for 30 days - well, that's even better!

Boston Harbor Sailing Club

The Boston Harbor Sailing Club, located right on Rowes Wharf near the Boston Harbor Hotel, offers both lessons and the possibility of boat rentals and charters.  Rentals are available only when its 60+ vessels aren't being used by club members.  To rent a boat, you need to have certifications or experience appropriate for the size vessel that you want to take out.  Boat charters are also an option.

Boston Harbor Sailing Club offers weekend and week-long lessons - so if you want to learn how to sail, check out their schedule and plan your Boston visit accordingly.   And if you want the advantages of fractional sailboat ownership, check out their club options.

Club memberships, rentals, and lessons are all reasonably priced.

Black Rock Sailing School

The Black Rock Sailing School, located on Fan Pier in the South Boston Waterfront, offers both year-round lessons (including advanced class in the Caribbean during winter months), charter trips, and a couple of different club options to give you access to sailboats and yachts with the advantage of fractional sailboat ownership at a reasonable price.

Classes are small - typically a maximum of 3 people plus the instructor, although an exception will be made if two couples want to do a class together.  Private lessons are also available.  You can earn ASA (American Sailing Association) certification here.

Black Rock offers a variety of class formats, including 3-day "long weekend" classes designed especially for Boston visitors who make the classes the focus of their vacation here.  Black Rock will also customize to fit your needs.

Community Boating - Largest public sailing program in Boston

Community Boating, located on the Charles River Esplanade near the Charles Street pedestrian bridge, is one of the most popular programs in Boston for sailing, kayaking, and windsurfing lessons for kids and adults. 

Begun in 1936, the non-profit Community Boating is also the largest, oldest, and one of the best public sailing program in the United States.

The Junior Program offers sailing, kayaking, and windsurfing classes from mid-June through mid-August for kids between 10 and 18, plus unlimited use of the boats.  To participate, kids must be able to swim 75 yards.

All instructors are US Sailing Level One certified, and many of them learned to sail here themselves. 

Kids pay a membership fee, and can take as many classes as they want.  They also get unlimited use of the boats, windsurfers, and kayaks from 9am until 3pm Monday through Friday. 

Beginning classes last a week, and more advanced classes are even shorter. 

Community Boating Boston is easily reached by the subway or by walking, and while your children are out on the water, you can explore nearby Beacon Hill and other parts of the city.

Or you can also join them on the water.  Membership fees for the Adult program for those are also reasonable, and give you unlimited classes and unlimited access to the boats from April 1 through October 31. 

Insider Tip

If you're planning a visit to Boston and your children want to participate in this program while you're here, have them pass the 75-yard swimming test before you leave home and bring the required documentation with you.  You'll find requirements in the Handbook in the "Youth" section of the Community Boating website.

Essentials: Community Boating Boston

Location:  Boston Esplanade.  Use the Charles Street footbridge to cross Storrow Drive, take the left stairs down the footbridge, and the Community Boating boat house is straight ahead.
Nearest T station:  Red Line/Charles-MGH
Membership fees:  Kids, $1 - $200, depending on family income; Adult fees also reasonable - see website for details
More information:  617-523-1038; website
Hotels near Community Boating:

• Liberty Hotel - Near the Charles Street Footbridge - Rates/reviews
• Beacon Hill Hotel - Few blocks from the Charles Street Footbridge - Rates/reviews
• Holiday Inn - Also a few blocks away - 5 minute walk to the Footbridge - Rates/reviews

Courageous Sailing in Charlestown Navy Yard

The non-profit Courageous Sailing Boston located in Charlestown Navy Yard was established in 1987 and named after the 2-time America's Cup winner. 

Courageous Sailing in Charlestown

Courageous Sailing offers sailing lessons from adults and children, with a focus on sailing education and Boston community service.

Adult membership options provide access to the full range of sailing courses for novices and experts, as well as easy access to the fleet from May through October.  Frostbite sailing continues through the winter.  Races, moonlight sails, camping trips, and barbeques are just a few of the other activities. 

Sailing classes for children and teens ages 8 - 18 are free.  In addition to offering sailing and water safety skills, Courageous Sailing Center focuses on building leadership, problem-solving, team-building, and communication abilities. 

If you're visiting Boston for just a short time and want go sailing around Boston Harbor or out to the Harbor Islands, try the daily option!  Courageous also offers charters.