The Community Sail Away program offers community groups in the New York area an opportunity to experience sailing in New York Harbor. There is no charge – community groups organize themselves to reserve a Sunday morning and we look after the rest. Boats and facilities are provided by the Sail Club and Club members volunteer their time to skipper and crew boats for the sailing trips.

We thank the NYC Police Foundation through the 84th Precinct for its past support. If you would like information on sponsoring this program or an organization please contact [email protected].

How to participate

  1. Community groups contact us to reserve a Sunday morning during our upcoming sailing season. We’ll confirm the reservation.
  2. The community group is responsible for selecting participants from their programs, signing the questionnaire and waiver, and allocating participants to boats.
  3. We’ll send you a sailing primer for you to share. Just show up at the ONE°15 Brooklyn Marina/Sail Club and we’ll do the rest.
  4. Each session consists of a 90-minute introductory sail. Lectures begin at 9:00 am sharp. 
  5. The Program can take up to 2 groups of four people. 

How it works on the day of sailing

  1. Participants check-in at ONE°15 Brooklyn Marina, Pier 5, Brooklyn Bridge Park, 30 minutes prior to the trip’s departure
  2. Suggested clothing: Appropriate for activity for the weather conditions – athletic shoes, jacket, hat and sunglasses
  3. Sign Sail Club waiver
  4. Attend a quick orientation/briefing
  5. Help the skipper and crew set up the boat and then depart and set sail
  6. Go out sailing for about 1.5 hours 
  7. Help the skipper and their first mate return the boat, derig and clean up

Participant limitations

  • Limitations – Participants must be 18 years or older and must have physical ability to safely get on and off the boats, move around the boat, use an adult life jacket (provided) and able to sign waiver. For participants, less than 18 years of age (youth), must provide an adult participant to be responsible and accompany their participation. Guardians must sign a waiver for the youth.
  • Ability to swim not a requirement
  • No pets (other than service animals with special scheduling needed) on board

Skippers are Sail Club Coaches or experienced Sail Club Members. First mates are crew volunteers from the Community Dock or Sail Club Members. The skippers have the final authority in taking out participants and whether or not it is safe for the session.

Participating Community Groups

  1. Khalil Gibran International Academy
  2. Kamit Preparatory Institute
  3. Fort Greene Park Conservancy
  4. Safe Families for Children
  5. Portside New York
  6. NYPD – 84th Precinct Neighborhood Co-ordination
  7. Cherry Kids Inc.
  8. Fortune Society
  9. Billion Oyster Project
  10. Friends of Karen
  11. NYPD Anti-Asian Hate Crime Unit
  12. Frontline workers from the Brooklyn Hospital
  13. Custom Collaborative
  14. Rocking the Boat

Dates for 2024

Please contact us at [email protected] to get more information.