HUDSON RIVER MARITIME MUSEUM
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Adult Sailing

Registrations are closed for our 2025 season.
See you again in Spring 2026!

First Sail Class
PictureTidbit photo courtesy of Amy Cahill
​​

First Sail class is a perfect opportunity to get out onto the Hudson River for a two-hour introductory sail aboard the historic Catboat Tidbit with a certified instructor. Participants do not need any sailing experience to sign up, but experienced sailors are also welcome to join us. Learn the basics of sailing and enjoy two hours on the  beautiful Rondout Creek and Hudson River. Instructors will customize for the participants in each class. 

REGISTRATION FOR THIS CLASS IS CLOSED


​ Adult Sailing Series Class
Picture
Photo courtesy of A. Cahill
Taking place on stable keelboats, the Adult Sailing Series Class is designed for adults age 18 and older, beginners and more experienced sailors alike.

The class 
meets for four, three-hour sessions, for a total of 12 hours. Students will get to practice various crew skills and participate in sailing the boat. Instructor/student ratio is 1:4.

​REGISTRATION FOR THIS CLASS IS CLOSED

US Sailing Basic Keelboat
Picture
Photo courtesy of Amy Cahill

US Sailing Basic Keelboat is open to adult beginning sailors as well as more experienced sailors. This 21-hour class includes Crew Operations and Skills, Sailing Theory, Leaving and Returning to the Dock or Mooring, Navigation, Heavy Weather Sailing, Overboard Rescue Methods, and Anchoring Techniques. The course uses the basic keelboat textbook published by the US Sailing Association and will be taught on land and on the water aboard the Sailing School's keelboats. Students will practice their on-the-water skills to gain confidence in operating their vessels. At the end of the course, qualified students will have the option of taking an exam for the US Sailing Basic Keelboat certification.

​REGISTRATION FOR THIS CLASS IS CLOSED

Performance Sailing
Picture
US Sailing Performance Sailing is a 21-hour class taught by US Sailing-Certified instructors and and is designed for sailors who have already completed US Sailing Basic Keelboat, earned US Sailing Basic Keelboat Student certification,  have good basic sailing skills, and who wish to continue to build their skills.   Topics include sailing theory (push mode, pull mode, angle of attack, etc.); wind (true and apparent wind, headers & lifts, etc.);  balance (center of effort, center of lateral resistance, windward and lee helm, etc.); sailing skills (tacking, jibing, sailing to a dock, crew overboard, etc.); and performance  (sail shape, sail controls ,powering up, depowering, backstay adjustments). 
At the end of the course, qualified students will be encouraged to take the test to qualify for the US Sailing Performance Sailing Endorsement.
Prerequisite: US Sailing Basic Keelboat Student Certification

​
REGISTRATION FOR THIS CLASS IS CLOSED

Custom Sailing Lessons
Picture
Photo courtesy of Amy Cahill
A US Sailing-Certified instructor will teach custom lessons for you on one of our boats or on your own sailboat. 
​
​If you wish to use your boat, it is your responsibility to ensure the boat  meets US Coast Guard Minimum Equipment Requirements for Recreational Vessels outlined here. 

Classes may cover topics such as preparation for sailing (predicting weather and tide/current), basic chart reading (recognizing hazards, understanding navigation buoys, etc.), basic sailing skills, sail trim, use of various adjustments to improve the boat's sailing, and techniques for safely managing heavy weather sailing challenges, or other topics, depending on the interests and skill levels of the participants. 


A minimum of two students is required. Discounts for HRMM members and for custom lessons of 3-4 people are available.

Please contact Jody Sterling at least two weeks in advance of the date you'd like to reserve.

Parent/Child Sailing Class
Picture
Photo courtesy of Betsy O'Toole
​This class is for parents (or grandparents, caretakers, relatives) and their children ages five to eight. The class introduces students to the basics of sailing in a nurturing environment. The program is designed for one parent (or grandparent, etc.) to sail with one child to ensure each student feels comfortable, has fun, and learns a few sailing concepts, all while making new friends and having new experiences. Each family must register one child and one adult individually. 

​​REGISTRATION FOR THIS CLASS IS CLOSED​

Community Sailing 

Kingston Sailing Club (KSC)  is excited to continue their free community sailing events in partnership with HRMM.  Please learn more about Kingston Sailing Club here: www.kingstonsailingclub.org

If you are not a KSC member, you're still welcome! If you decide to attend another KSC event, we ask that you join Kingston Sailing Club. The nominal fee of $50/year for non-boat owners helps to run events and supports our drink/snack budget.
​

The community sails run from 5pm to roughly 7:30pm, followed by afters at our initial meeting spot. Afters are an opportunity to get to know the other sailors and learn about other opportunities. If you bring food or drinks to share, we'll be extra smitten. We can hang onto anything you've brought and store it in the fridge if needed. We'll offer chilled beer, hard seltzers, soft drinks, and water available for a dollar or two.
Picture
Photo courtesy of Ursula Woinoski.

Make a Difference

The sailing school would not be able to survive without its generous supporters. Help us keep up with the ever growing costs of maintenance, training, and new equipment that we need to be able to continue to share this amazing sport.
Donate Here

The Sailing School at HRMM is an MVP Member of US Sailing. 
Click below to see how to benefit from our connection!
US Sailing MVP Membership Benefits
GET IN TOUCH
Hudson River Maritime Museum
50 Rondout Landing
Kingston, NY 12401

​845-338-0071
[email protected]
​

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  • Visit
    • About
    • Plan Your Visit
    • Guided Tours
    • Events Calendar
    • Rondout Lighthouse
    • Visiting Vessels
    • Docking
  • Learn
    • Lecture Series
    • Youth Programs
    • School Programs
    • Exhibits on View >
      • Working Waterfronts
      • New Age of Sail
      • Warning Signs
      • Mary Powell
      • Rescuing the River
    • Online Exhibits
    • Speaking Engagements
  • Solaris Cruises
    • Cruise Schedule
    • Meet Our Boat
    • Book A Charter
  • Wooden Boat School
    • Boat School
    • Youth Classes
    • Adult Classes
    • Boat Building Classes
    • Boats For Sale
  • Sailing
    • Sailing School
    • Adult Sailing
    • Youth Sailing
    • Riverport Women's Sailing Conference
    • Sea Scouts
  • Join & Support
    • Donate
    • Membership
    • Volunteer
    • Ways to Give
    • Boat Donations
    • Our Supporters
  • Online Store