Military Sailing With MWR
Photo credit: IStock.
1) Kaneohe Bay MCB, HI
Website: http://mccshawaii.com/sailing/ Address: Marina & Outdoor Recreation & Equipment Center, Kaneohe Bay, Building #6800. Phone: C-808-254-7666.
Sailboat Rentals:
Topper: Small sailing dinghy used extensively in our youth sailing classes. The Topper is great for polishing up on your sailing skills without worrying about having “too much boat.” Capacity is 2 youth, or 1 adult and 1 youth. Laser: Small sailing dinghy with a very powerful rig. This boat is fast and should only be taken out by sailors with some familiarity to her handling characteristics. Capacity is 1 person. Harpoon 5.2: A very stable, forgiving boat. Capacity is 4 people. Capri 16.5: A quicker boat with a tall rig. Generally does not perform as well in heavier winds. Put a reef in, or use the heavy-wind sails at around 15 knots for improved handling. Capacity is 5 people. American 18: A very stable, forgiving, and easy boat to sail. They are very roomy as well. Capacity is 6 people. Capri 22: Our keelboats, originally designed for racing. They are very fun to sail. It is recommended to put in a reef at about 15 knots or so for better handling. Capacity is 6 people. Topper: $5/hour. Laser: $5/hour. Harpoon 5.2: $5/hour. Capri 16.5: $8/hour. American 18: $10/hour. Capri 22: $10/hour.
*Sailing licenses are required for renting. Adult and Youth Sailing Licensing Programs are available. Please call for information and prices. Prices are subject to change.
2) JB Pearl Harbor/Hickam, HI
Website: www.greatlifehawaii.com/recreation/marinas/rainbow-bay-marina Hickam Harbor Phone: C-808-449-5215. Rainbow Bay Marina Phone: C-808-784-0167.
Sailing Lessons: Hickam Harbor
Start Sailing Right Classes: $75/person, 16 years and older. After School Sailing Class: $50/person, 9 to 15 years old. Keiki After School Intro to Sailing: $45/person, 8 and 9 years old. Private Sailing Instruction: $20 per person for a one-hour session.
Sailing Lessons: Rainbow Bay Marina
Start Sailing Right Classes: $75/person, 18 years and older. Beginners Sailing Class: $50/person, 10 to 17 years old. Level 2 Sailing Class: $50/person, 10 to 17 years old. Family/Group Sailing Instruction: Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. $10 per person (max 4 people per appointment). Private Sailing Instruction: $25 per person for a one-hour session. By appointment.
Sailboat Rentals: Rentals: $20 per person, per hour.
Sunset Regattas: Thursdays, 4 p.m. check-in. $5 per boat, with a military ID and marina qualification card. Enjoy Rhodes-19 sailboat races each week along with other qualified sailors. Open to all eligible personnel with a Rhodes-19 qualification card. All boats must be dockside 30 minutes prior to sunset.
*Patrons holding a certification from Hickam Harbor Marina will be required to have an orientation before renting at Rainbow Bay Marina.
3) Camp Lejeune, NC
Website: www.mccslejeune-newriver.com/marinas/index.html Address: Gottschalk Marina, Bldg 198, Julian C. Smith Rd, Mainside, C-910-451-8307. New River Marina, 2800 Perimeter Rd, New River, C-910-449-6578.
Sailboat Rentals:
Sunfish Sailboat: 2 Hours, $15. Daily, $50. American 14.6 Sailboat : 2 hours, $20. Daily, $60. Com-Pac 19 Sailboat: 2 Hours, $25. Daily, $80.
• Non-Powered Watercraft – patrons must be 16 years of age or older. • Powered Watercraft – patrons must be 18 years or older and have completed a boating safety course*. • Sunfish and American 14.6 Sailboat – patrons must be 16 years or older and have a sailing certificate**.
• Com-Pac 19 Sailboats – patrons must be 18 years or older and have completed a boating safety course* and have a sailing certificate**.
* All patrons must have a valid DoD ID card. ** Sailing course is held at Gottschalk Marina. For more information, please call C-910-451-1440.
Sailing at Naval Station Norfolk. Photo courtesy of NAVSTA MWR.
4) Naval Station Norfolk, VA
Website: http://discovermwr.com/navalstationnorfolk/sailing.html Address: Massey Hughes Dr., Bldg. LAG-88, Naval Station Norfolk, VA 23511. Phone: C-757-444-2918.
Sailing Lessons:
Dinghy Sailboats – Lasers, 420s, Hobie Waves, Knockabouts and Hunter 170s. The Sailing Center offers boating courses for adults and children and offers a Spring, Summer, and Fall Regatta Series for those interested in racing. Please contact MWR for more information. Basic Sailing: Designed to teach beginners the basics of sailing a small sailboat. Intermediate Sailing: Designed to teach dinghy sailors the basics of sailing a keel boat and reinforce basic sailing instruction. Introduction to Cruising & Advanced Sailing: Designed to expand your knowledge of keel boats in areas of inboard motor operation. Basic local navigation and equipment associated with larger vessels.
* Qualifications are required for renting. Please call for information and prices. Prices are subject to change.
Sailboat Rentals:
Laser: Hour $8, ½ Day $20, Day $35. 420 Club: Hour $10, ½ Day $25, Day $40. 420 Club Racer: Hour $15, ½ Day $35, Day $60. Hobie Wave: Hour $12, ½ Day $25, Day $40. Hunter 170: Hour $12, ½ Day $25, Day $40. Knockabout: Hour $15, ½ Day $35, Day $60. Colgate 26: Hour $22, ½ Day $60, Day $95. Hunter 26: Hour $24, ½ Day $65, Day $100. Catalina 310: Hour $45, ½ Day $100, Day $175.
5) Annapolis Naval Station, MD
Website: www.navymwrannapolis.com/programs/f3bcb3aa-35fe-4c74-869f-ba906510c753 Address: Carr Creek Marina, 338 Halligan Road, Annapolis, MD 21402. Phone: C-410-293-3731 or C-410-293-2058.
Sailing Lessons:
A/B Basic Keelboat Sailing Course classes start in May; $220 per person includes course materials. Reservations are required. The Marina offers two options for customers who took sailing lessons and either received a “Mate A” qualification or those who received a “Skipper B” qualification but have not sailed since they passed the course. Those who didn’t qualify would ‘upgrade’ and those who qualified but haven’t sailed would be able to refresh their skills. A 4-hour (half-day) course is offered by appointment on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays subject to the availability of an instructor when the Marina does not have people enrolled in weekday sailing classes. A minimum of two people are needed for upgrade or refresher lessons. Cost is $65 for the half-day course (a deal since renting a boat for 4 hours is $68 – plus you get an experienced instructor!). If interested, call Carr Creek Marina to arrange an appointment.
Sailboat Rentals:
Rainbow 24: Wed through Sun $17 per hour, $100 damage deposit (3 hour minimum). Hunter 22: Wed through Sun $22 per hour, $100 damage deposit (3 hour minimum). Capri 22: Wed through Sun $18 per hour, $100 damage deposit (3 hour minimum). Catalina 30′: (Refitting not available) $34 per hour, $212 per day (8 hours). $484 from 0900 Fri to 1600 Sun with $102 rental deposit for all reservations, refundable with 24-hour cancellation notice. Catalina 27′: (Refitting not available) $26 per hour, $145 per day, $378 from 0900 Fri to 1600 Sun with $78 rental deposit for all reservations, refundable within 24-hour cancellation notice. Catalina 25′: $21 per hour, $110 per day, $284 from 0900 Fri to 1600 Sun with $63 rental deposit for all reservations, refundable within 24-hour cancellation notice.
*Qualifications to rent a sailboat. You must have a minimum of a USNSA Keelboat “B”: skipper qualification or its equivalent from other recognized sailing school (ASA/US Sailing) supported by documentation AND at least one crew member, minimum age of 16. Must be an authorized MWR patron.
6) Naval Station Great Lakes, IL
Website: www.mwrgl.com/special_services/rental_center/rentals.htm Address: 2601E Paul Jones St., Great Lakes, IL 60088-5000. Phone: C-847-688-5417, C-847-688-6978.
Sailing Lessons:
Basic Sailing Course-Mate A (book extra): $135. Intermediate Sailing Course-Skipper B (book extra): $175. Junior Sailing Course: $125. Motor Boat Cert. (30 min. video/30 question test): $2. Sailing Rentals Colgate 26ft (Skipper B certification): $40 per hour, $125 per day. American 14ft. (Mate A certification, harbor only): $13 per hour, $50 per day. Escape Solsa 8ft. (No certification required, harbor only): $5 per hour, $20 per day. Rhodes 19ft. (Mate A certification & sailing experience, 1 mile radius): $15 per hour, $60 per day.
7) Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, DC
Website: http://www.mywfr.com/programs/3a8e282e-daaa-4f12-8616-1034b65836ad Address: 90 Giovannoli Way, Washington, DC 20032. Phone: C-202-767-8562/5424/9136.
Sailboat Rentals:
15’ Hunter Sailboat: $10 per hour, $60 per day. 18.5’ Precision Sailboat: $15 per hour. $75 per day. *Renter must be 18 years or older, & present Safety Certificate from free online course. Take the Orientation Classes, available Thursday & Saturday at 11a.m. (Weather Permitting). Course fee is $5.
8) San Diego Naval Base, CA
Website: http://navylifesw.com/sandiego/recreation/marinas/ Address: Fiddler’s Cove Marina & RV Park, C/O NASNI MWR, Code 92, Box 357081, San Diego, CA 92135-7081. Phone: C-619-522-8680/8681.
Sailing Lessons:
Two-day adult sailing classes are offered most weekends from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Fiddler’s Cove Marina. Class fees per person are E1-E6 $150; E7 and above and Retirees $200; DoD civilians $225; and sponsored guests $250. Dependent fees are calculated at the sponsoring active duty or retiree rate. Pre-registration is recommended as classes can fill up quickly. Registration includes boat rental, instruction and textbooks. On completion of the course, participants receive a Navy Qualification Card. Sailing Lesson Dates: Beginners: May 14-15, Intermediate Sailing: May 21-22, Advanced Sailing: May 7-8.
Sailboat Rentals:
Capri 16’: Weekday Rate, $15/day. Weekend Rate, $18/day. Capri 22’: Weekday Rate, $20/day. Weekend Rate, $24/day. Catalina 250’: Weekday Rate, $25/day. Weekend Rate, $30/day. Catalina 27’: Weekday Rate, $25/day. Weekend Rate, $30/day.
*All patrons must have the applicable sailing qualifications for each rental and be a military service member.
Whidbey Island Sailing. Photo courtesy of Whidbey Island MWR.
9) Whidbey Island Naval Station, WA
Website: http://whidbey.navylifepnw.com/programs/c7cb41df-263d-4d84-9959-209249aab934 Address: Convergence Zone, 3535 N Princeton, Bldg 2510, Oak Harbor, WA 98278. Phone: C-360-257-2432.
Sailboat Rentals:
15‘ Hunter Sailboat: 1 Day, $32. 3 Days, $64. 1 Week, $96. Includes trailer and PFDs. 15‘ Vanguard Sailboat: 1 Day, $32. 3 Days, $64. 1 Week, $96. Includes trailer and PFDs. 18‘ Hunter Sailboat: 1 Day, $35. 3 Days, $70. 1 Week, $105. Includes trailer and PFDs. *All boaters, regardless of state requirements, must have a valid Washington State boater safety card in order to rent a boat with 15 hp or greater from Crescent Harbor Adventures. You must be 16 or older to rent a boat, and at least two adults need to be on the boat at all times.
10) Pensacola Naval Station, FL
Website: www.navymwrpensacola.com/programs/85528ed5-8ceb-48c9-a843-28d3f3364c0f Address: AA Cunningham St., Bldg. 3244, Pensacola, FL 32508. Phone: C-850-452-4152.
Sailing Lessons:
Sailing lessons are offered on Saturdays from April through Sept. Lesson fees include the cost of a rental sailboat. Beginner lessons are $35 for each 5 hour class. Classes are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the first and third Saturday of the month. Advanced lessons are $40 for each 5 hour class. Classes are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. the second and fourth Saturday of the month.
Sailing Rentals:
22’ Catalina: (4 crew max) $18 hourly, $50 daily. 19’ Flying Scot: (4 crew max) $8 hourly, $40 daily. 18’ Hunter: (4 crew max) $7.50 hourly, $37.50 daily. 14’ Laser: (1 crew max) $6.50 hourly, $32.50 daily. 14’ Sunfish: (1 crew max) $6 hourly, $30 daily.
Author: Ashlie Faber, Military Living® Publications
Reprint from May–June 2016 • Volume 46, No. 3
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