Adult Sailing Lessons (18+)

Learn an exciting new sport, advance your skills, meet new people, and have fun sailing in New Haven Harbor.

Beginner Sailing I

In Beginner I you’ll learn how to sail with a mix of classroom and on-the-water instruction. You’ll learn safety, rigging, sail trim, and steering from a US Sailing certified instructor.

  • Format: classroom and on-the-water instruction with 12 students

  • Boat: 19’ Flying Scots

  • Prerequisite: Sail Haven Membership

  • Course Fee: $280

  • Dates and duration:

    • Weekday courses lasts 3 weeks and meets twice a week for a total of 6 classes from 6pm – 8pm

    • Saturday courses lasts 4 weeks and meets once a week for a total of 4 classes from 10am – 1pm

*Please note: if you’re unable to make the first lesson in a course you will be rescheduled into another course.

Beginner Sailing II

In Beginner II you’ll learn how to sail with a mix of classroom and on-the-water instruction building on skills learned in Beginner I with the goal of your becoming a confident skipper. Skills include capsize recovery, docking and rigging.

  • Format: classroom and on-the-water instruction with 12 students

  • Boats: 14’ 420 high boom dinghies and Sunfish

  • Prerequisite: Sail Haven Membership

  • Course Fee: $280

  • Dates and duration:

    • Weekday courses lasts 3 weeks and meets twice a week for a total of 6 classes from 6pm – 8pm

    • Saturday courses lasts 4 weeks and meets once a week for a total of 4 classes from 10am – 1pm

*Please note: if you’re unable to make the first lesson in a course you will be rescheduled into another course.

Financial Assistance

We strive to serve the entire community by providing financial assistance. To be eligible, an applicant must be a resident of New Haven, CT at or below 80% of Area Median Income and be receiving benefits from the State of Connecticut.

Please email sailhaven@canaldock.org with a copy of the applicant’s SNAP, WIC, Husky, Medicaid, or EBT card.

Please Note: All class times and fees subject to change without notice. All sailing and paddling privileges subject to weather and equipment availability.