FAQ
Charter FAQs
We’re located at Hudson River Park’s Pier 25 along the Hudson River in Tribeca. (Google Maps) (Apple Maps)
- Closest Subway Stop: Franklin Street 1 Train
- A 10 min walk from either the Canal Street A train or the Chambers Street. 1/2/3 train.
- Nearest Citibike dock North West corner of Chambers Street and West Street just east of Stuyvesant High School
As with anywhere in Manhattan, parking can be difficult in Tribeca. Public transit or a taxi will be your best bet for a stress-free commute. Should you need to park, there is very limited paid (4 Hours max.) and free street parking on the east side of West Street, across from the marina, as well as in Battery Park City and on Chambers and Warren Streets. The nearest parking garage is run by Icon Parking at 376 Greenwich Street, with an alternate location at 40 Harrison Street.
We want your time with us to be perfect, but some things, including the weather, are beyond our control. In our two decades of experience on the water, we know that summer weather on The Hudson River can change quickly, and often for the better. Nothing’s worse than canceling a sail due to an unfavorable forecast and then watching a beautiful sunset from your living room window.
Because of this, we will not cancel or reschedule a sail due to an advance forecast, no matter how unfavorable. We will wait as late as possible for the forecast to mature before making a final call—up to an hour before your charter is scheduled to depart. We don’t want you to have to turn around mid-commute though, so please contact us if you need an earlier decision.
Definitions of “bad weather” differ, so while we’ll do our best to take your group’s preferences into account, the final go/no-go decision rests solely with the charter captain on the day of your charter. Most guests have a great time, even with a light drizzle, or if it’s a little hot or cold. We’ll never sail in anything dangerous though, like high winds, downpours or thunderstorms.
If we end your sail early due to bad weather, we’ll issue you a non-expiring credit for your unused time, applicable to a future sail.
You may cancel or reschedule your charter without penalty up to two weeks prior to your start time. Afterwards, a cancellation/change fee applies per our cancellation policy.
If your captain deems the weather too bad to sail, we’ll be in contact immediately to find a mutually agreeable time to reschedule—sometimes just a 30 minute delay makes all the difference! If we can’t find a time, we’ll issue you a full, non-expiring credit for a future sail and look forward to seeing you again down the road.
We recommend you arrive 5-10 minutes before your scheduled departure time. If you or a member of your group is running late, please call or text us at 212-518-4604 to let us know. We’ll wait for you—it’s your boat for the duration of your charter, after all! Your charter will still return at its scheduled time even if it departs late due to late passenger arrivals.
Yes! Our marine bathroom (called the “head”) is bright, clean, and in excellent condition. It is, however, on a moving vessel, so depending on the conditions, using it can be more challenging than a bathroom that doesn’t move. We recommend you visit a restroom on land before boarding.
Yes! We invite you to bring your favorite food and drinks. Once you step on board, it’s full service. You can literally hand us a grocery bag if you want, and our crew will plate it beautifully and keep your drinks full the whole sail. We provide all cups, plates, glasses, utensils, and ice. The only thing we ask that you don’t bring is red wine, because it stains our deck immediately when it spills.
Yes! Please coordinate with our office so we can have a member of our team at the dock to meet the delivery driver. We’re often all out on the water, so we can’t guarantee receipt of delivery orders we’re not expecting.
Whatever you want! Check the weather forecast the day of your sail and dress appropriately for the conditions. Do note it usually feels about 10 degrees cooler on the water vs. on land. We have blankets available for those chillier summer nights.
Yes. As is customary on most yachts, we’ll ask you to remove your shoes at the dock and place them in a basket before boarding. This keeps the boat clean and the vibes chill! Shoes will be stored below on the boat where they’ll stay nice and dry. You’re welcome to keep your socks on, but our deck can be slippery with socks, so we don’t recommend it. If you or a member of your group has a medical condition that prevents you from removing your shoes, please let us know so we can help accommodate you.
Yes! We welcome any decorations that don’t damage the boat or interfere with its operation. From experience, we’ve learned that keeping it simple is usually the most elegant choice. You’ve already chartered a yacht—that’s a pretty epic decoration.
Time used to decorate is included in the charter time, so if you decorate for 30 min of a 2 hour sail, we’ll then only sail for 1.5 hours. We can add extra time before the charter to accommodate decoration at a rate of $200/hr. billed in 15 minute increments, provided the boat is available. You’ll be responsible for getting any decorations onto the dock, after which we’ll be happy to help get them on the boat and set them up.
Our charter boat, Vitamin Sea can accommodate up to six passengers. This is a strict rule enforced by the U.S. Coast Guard, so we cannot make any exceptions. Yes, infants and children count as passengers. Pets don’t count as passengers, so feel free to bring them along!
No. Life jackets (Personal Flotation Devices, or PFD’s) are not required for charter guests over the age of 13. We do have plenty available in all sizes, so if you’d feel more comfortable wearing one, we’ve got you covered.
Yes! Several of our charter captains are also instructors at our Youth Summer Program, so we love having kids aboard. Per U.S. Coast Guard regulations, any children under 13 years old are required to wear a life jacket at all times while on deck when the boat is underway. We provide modern, comfortable life jackets in all sizes.
Infants and toddlers are also welcome, but know that as in any other situation with very young children, much of your charter experience will be focused on their safety, enjoyment and well-being rather than your own. If this is the experience you signed up for, we’re behind you all the way! If you’d prefer to focus on your own enjoyment, consider hiring a sitter and leaving the kids ashore.
Yes! We welcome furry, four-legged crew! Each pet is unique though, and not all enjoy being on boats. If your dog gets motion sickness in cars or trains, it’s likely they won’t do well on the water. Some don’t get sick, but being on board makes them anxious. To make sure your pup (and you) have the best experience, if there’s any question about how they’ll react, it’s best to leave them at home, or somewhere you know they’ll feel safe and comfortable.
We take pride in our curated collection of boat music, so we do our best to set the mood before your arrival. But if someone in your group wants to play DJ, go for it! We have a stereo on board with Bluetooth connectivity to listen to music in the cockpit, and a wireless speaker so you can hear your music clearly on the bow.
If you’re not used to the motion of a boat, you may feel seasick at some point during your sail. While your doctor is the best source of information on this topic, here are some commonsense tips to avoid seasickness:
Before your sail:
- Get a good night’s sleep.
- Hydrate.
- Watch what you eat. You know best how your body responds to particular foods. If a big greasy burger doesn’t sit well with you on land, it won’t be any better on the water.
- But eat something! An empty stomach can be just as bad as a full one.
- If you decide to take medication for seasickness, follow the directions on the label. Note that most seasickness medication needs to be taken at least several hours in advance to be effective. If you wait until you’re on board to take your medication, it’s too late.
If you feel sick during your sail:
- Tell us! Your captain will do everything possible to calm the motion of the boat, and give you tips to feel better fast.
- Stay on deck. Going below will make your symptoms worse.
- Stop looking at your phone. Aim your face into the wind and look forward at the horizon.
- If you’re drinking alcohol, stop. Ask us for water and sip it slowly.
- In extreme cases, ask your captain to end the sail early and we’ll be happy to accommodate. Depending on where we are, it still may take 30-45 minutes to return to the dock.
Sailing School FAQs
We’re located at Hudson River Park’s Pier 25 along the Hudson River in Tribeca. (Google Maps) (Apple Maps
- Closest Subway Stop: Franklin Street 1 Train
- A 10 min walk from either the Canal Street A train or the Chambers Street. 1/2/3 train.
- Nearest Citibike dock North West corner of Chambers Street and West Street just east of Stuyvesant High School
As with anywhere in Manhattan, parking can be difficult in Tribeca. Public transit or a taxi will be your best bet for a stress-free commute. Should you need to park, there is very limited paid (4 Hours max.) and free street parking on the east side of West Street, across from the marina, as well as in Battery Park City and on Chambers and Warren Streets. The nearest parking garage is run by Icon Parking at 376 Greenwich Street, with an alternate location at 40 Harrison Street.
We want your time with us to be perfect, but some things, including the weather, are beyond our control. In our two decades of experience on the water, we know that summer weather on The Hudson River can change quickly, and often for the better. Nothing’s worse than canceling a lesson due to an unfavorable forecast and then watching a beautiful day pass you by from your living room window.
Because of this, we will not cancel or reschedule a sail due to an advance forecast, no matter how unfavorable. We will wait as late as possible for the forecast to mature before making a final call—up to an hour before your lesson is scheduled to start. We don’t want you to have to turn around mid-commute though, so please contact us if you need an earlier decision.
Definitions of “bad weather” differ, so while we’ll do our best to take your group’s preferences into account, the final go/no-go decision rests solely with your instructor on the day of your lesson. For daylong classes, we’ll adjust the curriculum so we’re doing land-based activities during bad weather. Most students have a great time, even with a light drizzle, or if it’s a little hot or cold. We’ll never sail in anything dangerous though, like high winds, downpours or thunderstorms.
If we end your lesson early due to bad weather, we’ll issue you a non-expiring credit for your unused time, applicable to a future sail.
If your instructor deems the weather too bad to sail, we’ll be in contact immediately to find a mutually agreeable time to reschedule—sometimes just a 30 minute delay makes all the difference! If we can’t find a time, we’ll issue you a full, non-expiring credit for a future sail and look forward to seeing you again down the road.
You may cancel or reschedule your lesson without penalty up to two weeks prior to your start time. Afterwards, a cancellation/change fee applies per our cancellation policy.
We recommend you arrive 5-10 minutes before your lesson start time. If you or a member of your group is running late, please call or text us at 212-518-4604 to let us know.
For private lessons:
- We’ll wait for you—it’s your boat for the duration of your lesson, after all! To avoid extra expense and ongoing delays throughout the rest of the day, your lesson will still conclude at its scheduled time, even if it began late due to late student arrivals.
Except for the boat used for ASA 103 – Coastal Cruising and Coastal Cruising Practice Sails, there’s no bathroom on board. We always build in plenty of time to use the bathroom on shore before heading out.
- Refillable water bottle
- Sun protection
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Hat
- ASA Textbook and Log Book (for ASA Certification courses only)
- Digital ASA Log Book (SeaPeople App)
- Snacks!
Sailing is hard work! For daylong classes, we’ll take a break for lunch, but tossing a snack bar or an apple into your back is always a good idea. Please avoid bringing bananas and ask your instructor why. It’s a fascinating piece of nautical superstition.
- Clothing appropriate for the day’s conditions.
Please check the weather before leaving the house. Early in the season, it can still be chilly, and summer squalls are common in the afternoons. Remember, temperatures typically feel 10 degrees cooler on the water.
- Shoes that can get wet.
We don’t expect them to, but sailing is a water sport, after all. Normal sneakers with light soles will work just fine, but Crocs, water shoes and secure sandals are great too. Heavy boots, shoes with dark soles are not permitted, and flip/flops are not recommended.
Yes. All students and instructors are required to wear a fully-buckled life jacket (Personal Flotation Device, or PFD), at all times while aboard our vessels. We provide Type III PFD’s to all students. If you have your own PFD, you’re welcome to bring it, as long as it’s a U.S. Coast Guard-approved Type I, II, III, or V Personal Flotation Device.
If you’re not used to the motion of a boat, you may feel seasick at some point during your sail. While your doctor is the best source of information on this topic, here are some commonsense tips to avoid seasickness:
Before your sail:
- Get a good night’s sleep.
- Hydrate.
- Watch what you eat. You know best how your body responds to particular foods. If a big greasy burger doesn’t sit well with you on land, it won’t be any better on the water.
- But eat something! An empty stomach can be just as bad as a full one.
- If you decide to take medication for seasickness, follow the directions on the label. Note that most seasickness medication needs to be taken at least several hours in advance to be effective. If you wait until you’re on board to take your medication, it’s too late.
If you feel sick during your sail:
- Tell us! Your instructor will do everything possible to calm the motion of the boat, and give you tips to feel better fast.
- Stay on deck. Going below will make your symptoms worse.
- Stop looking at your phone. Aim your face into the wind and look forward at the horizon.
- Sip water slowly
- In extreme cases, ask your instructor to end the sail early and we’ll be happy to accommodate. For group lessons, we’ll probably go back out, for private lessons, we’ll make a plan with you. Note that, depending on where we are, it still may take 30-45 minutes to return to the dock.
Sailing Camp FAQs
We’re located at Hudson River Park’s Pier 25 along the Hudson River in Tribeca. (Google Maps) (Apple Maps
- Closest Subway Stop: Franklin Street 1 Train
- A 10 min walk from either the Canal Street A train or the Chambers Street. 1/2/3 train.
- Nearest Citibike dock North West corner of Chambers Street and West Street just east of Stuyvesant High School
If you’ll be meeting us at our UPPER WEST SIDE PICKUP/DROPOFF LOCATION, it’s on the Northwest corner of W. 79th Street and West End Avenue
We offer two pickup/drop off locations on the west side of Manhattan:
- Tribeca: our home marina at Pier 25 in Hudson River Park (Google Maps) (Apple Maps
- Pickup/drop off is in front of the Pier 25 office in the same building as the mini golf concession—look for the massive GOLF sign on the roof—about half way down the pier, on the south (downtown) side. Counselors will be there to greet your children in the mornings between 8:50am and 9:00am and will return to hand off your campers to their designated pick-up person at 3:30pm.
Upper West Side: Northwest corner of W. 79th Street and West End Avenue ((Google Maps) (Apple Maps)
If you’re just dropping off your child on the side of West Street in Tribeca, there’s an emergency pull off just at the entrance to Pier 25. Then it’s just a short walk for your child to reach our meeting point.
As with anywhere in Manhattan, parking can be difficult in Tribeca. Public transit or a taxi will be your best bet for a stress-free commute. Should you need to park, there is very limited paid (4 Hours max.) and free street parking on the east side of West Street, across from the marina, as well as in Battery Park City and on Chambers and Warren Streets. The nearest parking garage is run by Icon Parking at 376 Greenwich St, with an alternate location at 40 Harrison Street.
Camp happens every day, rain or shine! If the weather isn’t good for sailing (no wind, too much wind, heavy rain, lightning, etc.) we’ll stay under cover and dig into our deep catalog of fun, educational shoreside activities, so no time is wasted. If you opt to keep your child at home during foul weather days, please make sure to call in advance to let us know.
If your child is unable to attend a day of camp for any reason, please let us know as soon as possible so we don’t delay the start of our day waiting for them. We’re unable to offer partial refunds for missed days, but your child may make up their day of camp on any future day of the season, provided we have space to accommodate them.
You may cancel or reschedule your session without penalty up to six weeks prior to your start time. Afterwards, a cancellation/change fee applies per our cancellation policy.
If your child will arrive after 9:00am (8:20am for the UWS pickup) please alert us by calling or texting 212-518-4604 so we can inform our instructors and develop a plan. If you’ll be extremely late, we may have to coordinate a lunch pickup, as we’re unable to return to the dock once we’ve embarked for the morning sail.
Our camp boats don’t have bathrooms, which is why we make a restroom stop immediately before we leave for each sail.
We typically sail twice each day, with each sail running about 1.5-2.5 hours. It’s the perfect length to get lots of practice, but not too long that it gets exhausting.
No, lunch is not provided. Please ensure your child arrives with a healthy lunch. We’ll have coolers with ice available to keep any perishables cool.
IMPORTANT NOTE: We’ve learned from experience that sugary food and caffeinated beverages at lunch contribute to seasickness during the afternoon sail. We recommend you limit these in your child’s lunches.
- Lunch
- Snacks! Optional but always recommended
- Refillable water bottle
- Sun protection
- Sunscreen (we apply sunscreen as a group twice a day!)
- Sunglasses
- Hat
- Clothing appropriate for the day’s conditions. Please check the weather before leaving the house. Sessions early in the season can still be chilly, and summer squalls are common in the afternoons. Remember, temperatures typically feel 10 degrees cooler on the water.
- Shoes that can get wet. We don’t expect them to, but sailing is a water sport, after all. Normal sneakers with light soles will work just fine, but Crocs, water shoes and secure sandals are great too. Heavy boots, shoes with dark soles, and flip/flops are not permitted.
Following New York State Public Schools, our camp is phone free. We recommend leaving phones at home if possible, as salt water notoriously doesn’t play well with electronics. At the beginning of the day, we’ll ask all our young sailors to seal any phones (or smartwatches, etc.) they might have brought with them into a Yondr pouch and keep them in their bag for the duration of the day. We’ll unlock and keep the pouch at the end of the day.
All our instructors carry phones as well as marine VHF radios for backup. If you need to contact your child, please call our office at 212-518-4604. It’s staffed at all times during the camp day, and we’ll contact your child’s instructor to arrange for your child to call you.
Yes. Every instructor and young sailor is required to wear a life jacket (Personal Flotation Device, or PFD) at all times when aboard a boat or on the dock. It’s our safety rule #1 and we take it very seriously. We provide Type III PFD’s to all young sailors as they prepare to board the boats each day. If your child has their own PFD, they’re welcome to bring it, as long as it’s a U.S. Coast Guard-approved Type I, II, III, or V Personal Flotation Device.
Anyone not used to the motion of a boat may feel seasick at some point during their sail. While your child’s doctor is the best source of information on this topic, here are some commonsense tips to avoid seasickness:
Before sailing:
- Get a good night’s sleep.
- Hydrate.
- Watch what they eat. You know best how your child responds to particular foods. If a big greasy burger doesn’t sit well on land, it won’t be any better on the water.
- But eat something! An empty stomach can be just as bad as a full one.
- If you decide to give your child medication for seasickness, follow the directions on the label. Note that most seasickness medication needs to be taken at least several hours in advance to be effective. If your child waits until they’re on board to take medication, it’s too late. Please inform us if you plan to send seasickness medication with your child.
If your child feels sick during their sail, they should:
- Tell us! Your instructor will do everything possible to calm the motion of the boat, and give them tips to feel better fast.
- Stay on deck. Going below will make your symptoms worse.
- Aim their face into the wind and look forward at the horizon.
- Sip water slowly.