Gotham Newbie

[RedFeather]

Hello! My husband and I have been bitten by the seafaring bug. We're taking a year and a half to two years to plan our dream. There are a number of dominos we have to line up first, not the least of which is convincing our three kids that living on a sailboat for a couple of years is a good idea. While we're doing that, we're researching boats, learning to sail, and working out the logistics of sailing for two years without having to work (or work very little).

My husband grew up sailing, but I'm a desert girl, so I have some work to do, as do the kids. So, can anyone recommend a sailing school in New York?

[Dhillen]

I learned to sail in New York City but it was a long time ago. Long Island Sound is a great place to sail and "learn the ropes."

You might want to take the kids to Florida this winter and do some family sailing lessons. Colgate has (or had when I was there, not sure now) a great school on Captiva Island, just outside Ft. Myers with blue water, warm sunshine and manatees. Might get the kids interested in the whole exercise.

Good luck.

Dhillen

[kthoennes]

We did the Colgate school on Captiva last winter, it's still there. Excellent lessons, good instructor, beautiful surroundings - but drastically, shockingly expensive. But then that's Captiva.

[Waterway Guide]

Welcome aboard, RedFeather! I'm sure there are good schools there...check with yacht clubs and Power Squadrons. Go for the dream!

[Delancey]

Home - Manhattan Sailing Club
Sailing NYC - Sailing Lessons New York | Offshore Sailing School

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, RedFeather.

[RedFeather]

Dhillen, Long Island Sound does seem like a nice place to practice. We have relatives on the Sound with a marina a block away, so we figure we could keep a boat there bc it'd be cheaper than Manhattan or Brooklyn and they cold keep an eye on it for us.

Delancy, Manhattan Sailing Club sounds good; have a colleague who sends her kids there for lessons. They like it but never really sail, more of an activity to keep them busy. Was hoping a "real" sailor had taken lessons there and could offer up an opinion. Colgate sounds even better and they have two locations in the NYC area.

Thanks, all, for the warm welcome!

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha and welcome aboard!
Yes, kids sailing programs can be a baby sitting situation and it would be better to join a club that offers adult as well as teen sailing programs.
Good luck in finding your dream.

[RedFeather]

Thanks, SkiprJohn. I will look into other programs. Colgate is looking pretty good, though I may have bad timing given that it's mid-October, at least for the City. May have to check out Colgate in Florida.