Get out of the City Without Leaving NYC
The Experience
We're exploring Long Island Sound this season from our new home base on City Island. Dotted with islands and lighthouses, and surrounded by deepwater harbors and historic coastal towns, it's hard to find a better place to sail.
Every trip is bespoke. Whether you want to go for a relaxing sail, jump in for a swim, or sharpen your heavy weather sail handling, we'll build the day around you.
For those who have never visited, City Island makes the perfect day trip, and is accessible by public transit. If it weren't for the city buses, you might think you were in a coastal fishing town instead of The Bronx. The island has a storied maritime history and has been a center of sailing and boatbuilding for generations. In fact it is where our boat, Tantara, was built.
We're offering daysails, sailing lessons and instruction, and longer one-way trips and adventures. Our recreational sails are about spending a day out on the water. Our educational sails focus on advanced skills, such as handling a large boat and coastal navigation. Our longer sails take you somewhere — whether you want to experience the passage itself or simply arrive in style. The Hamptons, Long Island's North Shore, and the Connecticut coast are all within reach.
We have three types of sails to choose from:
A Day on the Water
Spend a day out on the water! Sailing on Long Island sound is the perfect escape from the city.
- All charters are private and we can customize your itinerary.
- Up to 6 people
- $200/hr
- 3 hr minimum
- Discounts available on all-day sails
Advanced Sailing Lessons
Our boat is the perfect platform to take your sailing skills further. From managing a large boat, to coastal navigation, to heavy weather sail handling, let us know what you'd like to learn and we'll set it up!
- All lessons are private and based around your objectives.
- Up to 6 people
- $200/hr
- 3 hr minimum
- Discounts available all-day lessons
Trips and Adventures
Go farther than an ordinary day sail. Get a ride to the Hamptons, take an overnight cruise through Long Island Sound, or sail into New York Harbor for dinner.
- Reach out and tell us where you want to go!
What makes us different
We Actually Sail
We started North River Sailing because we love to sail, and we want to share that passion with you. Whenever possible, we raise our sails, turn off the engine, and actually sail the boat. While some sailing charters leave their motor running the whole time and pretend to sail, we want you to have the full experience–from the exhilaration of wind-filled sails to the peaceful sound of water lapping the hull. There's really nothing like it!
Your Own Space
One of the unique features of Tantara is the large open deck up front. While most sailboats seat you in the cockpit with the captain (which is also an option on our boat), being up front gives you the space to spread out and spend time with your friends and family in privacy.
BYOB
Our favorite acronym! You're welcome to bring your own food and drinks. We have cups, openers, and everything else you might need on the boat!
We're Dog Friendly
We love dogs and they're welcome onboard for our private sails. We'll set them up with water and a comfortable place to lie down.
We ask that they wear a harness so we can tether them to the boat as a safety precaution. We recommend you not bring them on sails that last longer than 4-5 hours, as there's no way for them to relieve themselves.
Our Boat
Tantara was designed and built right here in NYC. She's a true local, crafted by the legendary Sparkman & Stephens and constructed at Minneford Yacht Yard on City Island. Both were giants of the sailing world - their previous collaboration won the America's Cup twice.
Tantara is a thoroughbred ocean racer - built to tackle anything the ocean could throw at her, she gives a very stable ride and will never meet anything she can't handle. She's also comfortable and spacious, boasting a generous 44 feet of open deck space to lounge and enjoy a relaxing cruise.
Our Captain
Sam has been sailing since he was 12, starting off on the Lake Michigan in Chicago. He went to college in Maine, but he's been in NYC for over a decade now, which makes him an official New Yorker (or so he claims!).
Sam's been a sailing instructor for over 20 years, coached high school and college racing teams, and got his captain's license back in 2015. Before the pandemic hit, he had a "regular" job, but was still moonlighting as a charter captain. He enjoyed it so much he decided to come back to sailing full time, and started North River Sailing in 2022!
Sam has a 50 Ton USCG Masters License with a Sailing Endorsement, so you can trust that you're in good hands when you're out on the water with him.