Sail Ontario
Sackets Harbor, North Country, New York
| (315) 783-2755 | sail-ontario.com

Start your sailing adventure today with Sail Ontario in the historic shadow of the War of 1812. You’ll start your journey at the Madison Barracks Marina, named for President Madison and host to then 2nd Lieutenant Ulyses S. Grant. You’ll spend plenty of time on Lake Ontario, sail past the historic battlefield that saw action in 1812 and 1813, and have plenty of wind. Sails go up within minutes of leaving the dock giving you maximum time on the water to practice all the skills until they are second nature.

We are ideally placed (geographically and academically) to develop your confidence and experience and we do that with a syllabus that puts you on the boat within minutes of starting…no boring lectures here. What we do in the book only reinforces what you’ve seen, touched, turned, tied, trimmed, eased, hoisted and stowed on the boat. We consciously expose students to the basic concepts of sailing with a hands-on approach. We are the standard for hands on instruction on Lake Ontario and you will work hard while having fun on the water. Our dedicated team of ASA certified instructors is committed to a high standard of training to achieve your ASA certification to safely charter a sailboat here on the lake – or anywhere in the world.

Our primary teaching boat is a super solid and forgiving Dufour 24 with a HUGE cockpit. We also have a Catalina 22′ for early/late season classes or the busy weeks in August. Our class size is capped at four, giving each sailing student max time with a hand on the tiller. Our course offerings start with 101 for 2018 and we’ll add 103 and 104 for 2019. Once certified you receive a 25% discount on sailboat rentals for the duration of the season.

Our lead instructor is CAPT Brett, a qualified USCG Merchant Mariner and Instructor with more than a dozen years sailing experience on Lake Ontario. He retired from the Army in 2009 and has embraced the ‘Salt Life.’ Also an adjunct philosophy professor, CAPT Brett knows how to teach and how to have fun doing it. You might just learn a bit about life along with how to sail close hauled. CAPT Brett also offers captained sailing charters aboard our 32′ Ericson for 1/2 day, full day, and sunsets.

American Sailing Certifications Offered

ASA 101, Keelboat 1
ASA 101, Keelboat 1
Learn to skipper a 20' - 27' sloop-rigged keelboat by day, in light to moderate winds and sea conditions. Learn basic sailing terminology, parts and functions, helm commands, basic sail trim, points of sail, buoyage, seamanship and safety including basic navigation rules to avoid collisions and hazards.
ASA 103, Basic Coastal Cruising
ASA 103, Basic Coastal Cruising
Learn to skipper a sloop-rigged auxiliary powered 25'-35' keelboat by day in moderate winds and sea conditions. Learn cruising sailboat terminology, basic boat systems, auxiliary engine operation, docking procedures, intermediate sail trim, navigation rules, basic coastal navigation, anchoring, weather, safety and seamanship.
ASA 104, Bareboat Cruising
ASA 104, Bareboat Cruising
Learn how to sail a sloop-rigged, auxiliary powered 30'-45' sailboat during a multi-day cruise upon inland/coastal waters in moderate/heavy winds and sea conditions. Learn about provisioning, boat systems, auxiliary engines, advanced sail trim, coastal navigation, anchoring / mooring, docking, emergency operations, weather, and more.

Other Services Available

  • Couples Courses
  • Private Courses
  • Weekday Courses
  • Weekend Courses
  • Day Sail Charters (public)
  • Sunset Cruises

Promotions

ASA Veterans Sailing Education Program - Sign Up Now >>

At ASA we recognize the sacrifices made by the brave men and women who have served or are serving in our country's armed forces. As a token of our appreciation, and our way of saying thank you, we are inviting veterans and active military personnel to share our passion for sailing by offering a discount on our ASA 101 Basic Keelboat Sailing course. Sail Ontario is offering a minimum of $50.00 or 10% off their ASA 101 Basic Keelboat Sailing course.

Sailing School Reviews / Testimonials

  • Great time on the water tonight on a sunset sail! The boat and captain are GREAT! If your thinking about doing a charter or spending time on the lake I highly recommend them![read more]

    David M. - Sail Ontario

  • We had a great overnight charter. It is one we will never forget. This was our first time with Capt. Brett but it certainly will not be our last. If you have a chance to take advantage of one of his charters we would highly recommend it.[read more]

    Dennis K. - Sail Ontario

  • Captain Brett provided us first class service, along with good insight about the area including the history.[read more]

    beckersyr - Sail Ontario

  • Brett knows how to combine his love of sailing with his other passion - teaching . . . The experience with Sail Ontario was by far the best thing we did on vacation . . . Seriously, you'll be grateful if you climb aboard one of Brett's boats.[read more]

    Leah N. - Sail Ontario

Contact Information

Sail Ontario

Address 125 Pike Road, , nySackets HarborNY13685United States
Phone (315) 783-2755
Website sail-ontario.com
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