Where to Take Sailing Lessons in New York City

Imagine being able to sail your own boat in New York out on Long Island Sound, or up the Hudson River to visit the historic river towns. Just think of all the places you could sail just around New York alone, and when you go on vacation, anyplace there is water, just hoist sail and go where you please, when you please.

Taking sailing lessons would make a great project for your vacation this summer. Something different, out of the ordinary and something that will make friends and family alike sit up and take notice.

Offshore Sailing School has three locations in the New York area. And beginner and advanced lessons.
At Chelsea Piers, New York, Liberty Landing Marina just across the river in New Jersey and Fort Schuyler in the Bronx. All three locations have beginner lessons, but each one has different advanced classes.

The beginner class takes three very intensive days, with 6 hours on the water and 1 ½ in the classroom each day and you will get certified as US SAILING Basic Keelboat.

The American Small Craft Association
This is a non profit organization. They work in cooperation with the parks department. The cost of the basic lessons is very reasonable, but there are just two sessions a year. They have been doing this for 30 years, a good deal of experience. They sail on Meadow Lake in Flushing Meadows Park and also dock at the Flushing Marina in Queens, New York

The Croton Sailing School is just up the Hudson River in Croton and sail on Haverstraw Bay and the Hudson River. Their basic lessons are a two-day affair, and ver intensive beginning at 8:45. They also have a basic sailing plus program, with one more days of sailing.

Port Sailing School
If you would prefer learning out on Long Island, there is the Port Sailing School in Port Washington. Their basic course is a three day one, which can be split between two weekends. It consists of classroom instruction, 24 hours of sailing and a final exam. You will be classified to sail a 23 foot sail boat.

All of the New York Sailing Schools are also sailing clubs and you will be invited to join after you complete your beginner course and if you are enjoying your sailing experience, it is a good idea to join. They have special sailing events in exotic locations, and you can take further courses all the way up to being able to race. There are many different levels of certification. You can go as high as you want.

Of course, you will be the most popular person in your neighborhood. The expert sailor who will be taking everyone out for a sail on all the nice warm summer weekend, but as long as they bring the food, why not?