Ideal Sailing
The Nyack Boat Club is home to the first successful Ideal 18 Sailing Program on the Hudson River. The program features a fleet of club-owned sailboats for an exciting range of sailing experiences, from learning to sail and recreational sailing, to advanced sailing and racing. A Special Activity Membership was created for the Ideal Program. You can enjoy the use of our facilities and programs related to the Ideal Sailing Program from May through October. These memberships are offered on a first-come, first-served basis with a limit number of spots available. For those who are interested in a full Nyack Boat Club Membership, you have an option to incorporate the Ideal Sailing Program into that membership.
Ideal Sailing Program Activities
Learn to Sail
This program includes classroom sessions followed by on-the-water training sessions. Our Sailing Director will assign a boat and a sailing partner for the day. The Director will escort a small group out for boat-by-boat instruction conducted from a powerboat. A beginner will always be with an experienced sailor.
Advanced Sailing
For those with some sailing experience, but who want to further their abilities, this program's emphasis is on skippering, boat handling and racing tactics. Instruction will be by the Sailing Director and/or one of our experienced One Design skippers.
Casual Sailing
The Sailing Director matches skippers and crew to enjoy casual sailing on the Hudson River. All inexperienced sailors are paired with experienced skippers.
Women's Sailing
For women who would like to learn to sail, improve their sailing skills, or learn to skipper, our Sailing Director will put together a program to build skills. Gather on the patio after sailing for a review of the session.
Spinnaker Racing
Open to racing sailors with boat handling skills and a fundamental understanding of the racing rules of sailing. Courses are set by NBC's Race Committee. Racing is low-pressure and designed to get people interested in racing. Our Sailing Director will organize crews, monitor on-water and gather after sailing for a review of the session.
Non-Spinnaker Racing
Open to skippers and crew who want to learn how to race. Multiple races to be run by NBC's Race Committee. Racing is low-pressure and designed to get people interested in racing. Our Sailing Director will organize crews, monitor on-water and gather after sailing for a review of the session.
Open Sailing
Ideal Fleet boats will be available for use by Ideal Fleet members when they are not in use for the above-mentioned programs. There is ample time outside of programmed time to reserve a boat and go sailing. Our fleet members take advantage of Open Sailing to sail with other members or share the experience with family and friends. Fleet members may take non-fleet members out during this time. Reservations are made online. It is required a certified Ideal 18 skipper be on board each boat. Certification on the Ideal can be done during the program.
The Boat: The Ideal 18
The Ideal 18 is an 18' keelboat designed by Bruce Kirby, the designer of the Laser and the Sonar, commissioned with safety, simplicity, comfort, and performance in mind. It has plenty of room for friends, is easy to rig and be sailing in less than 15 minutes. We keep our Ideal 18s on moorings.
How to join
(see the Bulletin: 2024 Ideal Program Update)
Please contact the Ideal Admissions Committee for more information. Once your application is received, an interview will be scheduled with the NBC Admissions Committee, and upon approval of the application and payment in full of the Ideal Sailing Program fee, your membership will be initiated. A Special Activity Membership entitles you to access the Ideal Sailing Program and the use of related Nyack Boat Club facilities for the season, mid-May to mid-October.If you wish to add the Ideal Sailing Program to a full General Membership at the Nyack Boat Club, an Ideal 18 Program fee is appended to your membership fee.
If you have questions, contact the Ideal Admissions Committee and one of our team members will get back to you.
We look forward to hearing from you and hope you'll consider applying for membership to the Ideal Sailing Program.
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Last updated 1:56pm on 3 March 2024