Manhattan Yacht Club at 140 Dudley Street in Jersey City is the on-water base for New York Harbor's youth sailing programs. Operation Optimist takes children aged 8-13, who must have turned 8 before they start, sailing Optimist dinghies in the protected water southwest of the Statue of Liberty, with dinghies rentable from the Foundation at $150 a week. The Teen Sailing Academy for ages 13-18 runs Monday to Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm, with teens meeting instructors at the club and sailing a fleet of J/24 race boats five students to an instructor, at $690 a week. Both programs run under the NY Harbor Sailing Foundation, with Manhattan Sailing School handling registration.
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 Yacht Club directly before you register or pay. Last checked August 2026.
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★★★★★Jason SharplesMy wife and I were first time sailors enrolled in the two day course on a Thursday and Friday. The pre organization was great, with easy to understand requirements and instructions. The instructor - Thomas - was excellent, meeting us feel first comfortable, then knowledgeable and finally (mostly) competent. Remember that you are leaving to sail in a river full of ferries, jet skis, barges and other sailboats - so getting significant is key. Finally the vibe is the club seems very welcoming and positive. An all round excellent experience with unforgettable memories of sailing in front of the most recognizable sky line in the world.
★★★★★Nikilesh KumarHad a fun weekend learning the basics of sailing through the ASA101 course at the MYC! Had a great instructor, Fran, who kept the course interesting and also fun!
★★★★★Townsend ColleyHad a lovely weekend even though the weather was far from ideal, which is a testament to the quality of the school and its instructors. Couple that with the affordable price and great views of the city and I couldn’t think of a better way to begin learning to sail. Would recommend to anybody.
★★★★★Tina Arefihad an amazing experience at Manhattan Sailing School! The instructors were incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and passionate about sailing. They made sure everyone felt comfortable and confident on the water, no matter their skill level. The hands-on learning was both fun and educational, and I walked away with skills I’ll use for a lifetime. The boats were in great condition, and the entire program was very well-organized from start to finish. I would highly recommend this school to anyone interested in learning to sail or improving their sailing abilities!
★★★★★Liam Se ThoI have taken a few courses over the past few months with the Manhattan Yacht Club and have found the instruction to be first class. The location is superb for sailing, both the facilities and boats are well maintained and above all the instructors and atmosphere is friendly and welcoming. Highly recommended.