| Do you love to sail? If you're visiting Boston, you may | | | | charter a boat for 2-3 hours elsewhere. However, |
| be interested in sailing Boston's waterways - the | | | | several shorter-term options are also available. |
| Charles River, Boston Harbor, and beyond. Here are | | | | For example, you can choose Community Boating's |
| the best places where you can find convenient | | | | 30-day introduction program to sailing and kayaking for |
| sailboat rentals and even sailing lessons for your kids | | | | only $99. Even if you're only in Boston for a few days |
| and yourself right in the city. | | | | and will have only a couple of chances to sail, this is still |
| Community Boating | | | | a great value. If you're already an experienced sailor or |
| The most convenient place for Boston sailing | | | | kayaker, you can also get a 1-day sailboat pass for |
| opportunities and lessons is non-profit Community | | | | $75 and a 1-day kayak pass for $35. (Be sure to |
| Boating, which began in 1936 and happens to be the | | | | verify this and other cost information, as it can change.) |
| oldest and largest public sailing program in the U.S. | | | | Boston Sailing Center |
| Community Boating is located on the Charles River | | | | For adults who are interested in sailing, Boston Sailing |
| Esplanade across from Beacon Hill. | | | | Center at Lewis Wharf in the North End neighborhood |
| Membership in the Junior Program is open to kids | | | | offers some especially attractive opportunities. Using |
| between 10 and 18, and costs only $1 (yes, that's one | | | | the boats from this popular sailing club, you can sail all |
| dollar!) for a summer membership. Members can take | | | | around Boston's fascinating waterfront and also out to |
| all the lessons they want, ranging from beginning to | | | | the Harbor Islands. Overnight trips to places like |
| advanced lessons, in sailing, windsurfing, and kayaking, | | | | Provincetown and Martha's Vineyard are also |
| plus they enjoy unlimited use of the boats during the | | | | possibilities. You can choose from lots of different |
| Junior Program hours. Beginning lessons are a 5-day | | | | membership and class options, depending on the size |
| commitment, so this works best if you're planning a | | | | and type of boat that you want, the hours and days |
| Boston visit of 5 days or longer. | | | | that best fit your schedule, and the type of classes. |
| Kids need to pass a 75-yard swim test before they | | | | Although many of the membership options are aimed |
| can use the boats, so if you're just going to be in | | | | at residents, you'll also find some attractive possibilities |
| Boston for a short time, it's best to do this before | | | | for visitors here, such as individual lessons, reasonably |
| leaving home. Community Boating does administer the | | | | priced charters for as little as 2 hours, and "mini" |
| test at certain times, but this may not coincide with | | | | 30-day memberships for not much more than you'd |
| your schedule. | | | | pay for a charter. Let's put it this way - you can easily |
| Adult memberships are also available for relatively | | | | spend more on a couple of nice dinners plus drinks in |
| modest amounts. A full membership gives you | | | | Boston's higher-end restaurants. Why not enjoy sailing |
| unlimited access to lessons and boats from April | | | | Boston waterways instead? |
| through October, and costs about what you'd spend to | | | | |