How to Sail on the East Coast

Sailing on the east coast means you get to see some of the most beautiful and historically significant parts of the United States--maybe you'll even see the wreckage of an old pirate ship. Here are some steps to finding a place to sail on the east coast.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Sail the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Start your trip near Corolla, North Carolina, and sail south toward the tip at Ocracoke, North Carolina. Explore all the little islands and nature reserves along the way. There are lots of hidden sailing adventures to be had that are not accessible by any other vehicle besides a boat.
2. Join a sailing club where you sail their boats and they take care of them. Join Sail and Sound or Sailtime, both located in New England, to enjoy the pastime without the hassle of maintaining a boat. Call early in the season since the membership is limited to allow for ample availability of boats. Prices range from $1,500 for weekend sailing privileges to $2,000 season long privileges.
3. Sail Boston Harbor. Visit Boston Harbor Islands and Salem Harbor. Then take a break at Boston Harbor or Constitution Marina. Dockage rates in Boston harbor range from $25 to $50 for up to 4 hours or $3 per foot to $4 per foot. To dock in Boston, you must get a mooring permit from the City of Boston.
4. Sail New York. Check the weather at Boater's Box and be prepared for the worst. Check out a New York sailing school like Manhattan Sailing School, Newport Sailing School, or Offshore School. Sail the Harbor.
5. Sail Maine's coast line in late summer. Watch for entering Canadian waters. If you do go that far north and enter Canadian waters, you must go through customs as soon as you enter their waters. Otherwise you will be fined. Have fun and enjoy the unique topography of all the east coast.