Where to Sail?

Chris Love 3 years ago

In the US, sailing in many parts of the country is a seasonal sport, unless you are one of those diehards who like to wear drysuits and scrape ice off your boat before launching it. But now, in the heart of summer, harbors and bays all over are teaming with life. The question this week is what's the best place to sail in the summer? Which port offers breathtaking scenery, active fleets, reliable winds and ideal temperatures for summer sailing? Give us some detail and maybe we'll give your spot a try.

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Categories: off-topic, bigger boats, dinghy sailing

12 comments

ILYA sailor 3 years ago

The inland lakes of the Midwest will give you a shifty experience like no other. If you get a regatta with 60-70 boats, the starting line can reach from shore to shore. It is truly a unique experience.

Rhody Pride 3 years ago

Newport, rI in the summer by far. most fleets, competition, and history. the strongest v15 fleet in the country, laser, 420s, optis, j24s, phrf, j22s, skud18s training for the paralympics, the occasional moth, 18hts, bigger boats.

The best actual venue for conditions would have to be the gorge: fresh water 20-25 everyday, less than 10 days a year under 20 knots, warm breeze, current runs with general wind direction very hard. making super quick upwinds and really long downwinds. coming onto shore feels like taking a shower.

ManFromNantucket 3 years ago

Nantucket? beutiful, and it blows 15-25 everyday. Only problem, no real competition.

Except for... 3 years ago

The GSB was great for V15 nats, except for that chop. Or should I say slop. that was the worst slop I've ever sailed in. I've never watched an entire fleet go backwards both up and downwind due to chop. and that was even with favorable current for some! Sayville was a FANTASTIC host and would love to go back. Not sold on the best spot though.

Alex Smith 3 years ago

Great South Bay offers a HUGE variety of fleets such as V15s Optis 420s and the Famous local Narrasketuck. We have a daily ocean breeze of 20 knots + and a range in chop from swells to windy flats. We have lots of water and lots of space for racing. We had V15 nationals here, Opti nationals last year, USSAILING Jr. Olympics every year, many Laser regattas, Narrasketuck Fleet Championships every year and soooo much more. You cant beat the GSB.

Chi-Town Sailor 3 years ago

Chicago is where it's at. When you sail out of Belmont Harbor you get the best view of the city. It's been 15-20 knots lately so it's been great sailing.

Pat Hitchins 3 years ago

Austin is a drag lately. The lake is dry, and now I just have to watch WIND every couple of days to get my fix.

Blake Billman 3 years ago

Marion Mass is hard to beat in a BBR year (sorry, this year it's in New Bedford...).

As for Corpus, it has plenty of breeze and big swell, but it's 105 there now with 90% humidity and no clouds, you are better off waiting for the fall.

Tom Charpentier 3 years ago

If you're a serious racer in the Northeast, nothing beats Newport. That said, I hope to make Casco Bay my home port for the foreseeable future.

Quiet Thinker 3 years ago

For reliable big breeze without any need for spray gear like San Fran, you gotta go to Corpus Christi, Texas. Singlehandeds will be there this fall. do enjoy

3 years ago

Newport RI, by far, but you were already down here last tuesday doin v15's

Stevie 3 years ago

nothing beats Maine in the summertime. the scenery is always gorgeous, but in the summer it's actually warm enought o enjoy from the water, plus we always get a nice seabreeze in the afternoons. the fleets are always fairly strong, from dinghies to keelboats.