Manhattan Sailing School, based at Jersey City, handles registration for two junior sailing programs run under the auspices of the NY Harbor Sailing Foundation: Operation Optimist for ages 8-13, sailing Optimist dinghies, and the Teen Sailing Academy for ages 13-18. The Teen Sailing Academy runs Monday to Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm, with teens meeting instructors at the Manhattan Yacht Club and sailing a fleet of J/24 race boats five students to one instructor. Ten one-week sessions are offered and teens can take any number, though two or more weeks are recommended; tuition is $690 a week with 5% off two weeks, 10% off three and 15% off four or more. The school also teaches ASA adult courses including Basic Sailing (ASA 101).
The practical details
We list only what the camp itself publishes, and programs change — dates, prices, ages and availability can all move after we check. Confirm the details on the camp’s own website and contact Manhattan Sailing School directly before you register or pay. Last checked August 2026.
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★★★★★Lydia NahorniakTook the sailing 2 day weekend class. Wonderful way to be introduced to sailing. Our instructor Oishin made sure the whole group was engaged and able to experience all the different roles of sailing. Really fun experience!
★★★★★Aline WestermannWe did the 2 day 101 course over the weekend and we learned a lot. It was a good mix of theory and practice. Our teacher Thomas was patient and was thorough in his explanation. We even did a bit of racing.
★★★★★John von steinbechJust wrapped up the ASA 101 course with Manhattan Sailing School, and it exceeded every expectation. The curriculum is clear, hands-on, and perfectly paced for beginners, yet still packed with useful detail. Special thanks to the outstanding instructor, Leonie! Her patience, sharp eye for safety, answering every question possible, and ability to turn theory into practical know-how made the experience unforgettable. I’m already booked for the ASA 103 course next week and can’t wait to be back on the Hudson with this stellar team. Highly recommended!
★★★★★Nikilesh KumarHad a great time learning about sailing through the ASA 101 course. Had a great instructor, Fran, who kept the course interesting and very practical with a lot of boat examples.
★★★★★Alex HanceMy basic sailing 101 class exceeded my expectations. Really glad I signed up. The class itself was a ton of fun and quite informative. I was surprised by how much I learned in two days. We spent hours on the water each day with a beautiful backdrop. Each boat only had 4 students so everyone had plenty of time to practice their skills. Our instructor Marek was everything you’d want in a teacher: an expert on all things sailing, patient, good humored, and kind. I liked the community aspect of the class as well. We had a chance to chat with all the other students over complementary drinks during the little graduation ceremony. The club felt quite welcoming. And it’s quite accessible via the PATH or ferry. Plus it’s in a great neighborhood of Jersey City. Hoping to be back to sail again or watch a race at some point.