Manhattan Sailing Club

I booked a trip with a group and on the day of the launch they sent an email alerting us that it was moved to a different pier, one we could only access by another ferry. The email didn’t provide some obviously important information like: when should we get to that ferry? How long is the ride? How does this impact the return trip? We had to figure that out for ourselves. Also, the email offered a full refund but provided no information at all how to request it. Apparently, we’re supposed to figure that out too. Aggressively dismissive customer service. Lots of similar services out there and I recommend you try those.

You can’t beat the Willy Wall! It’s a great place to wind down after a long day with a rum and coke and enjoy a beautiful sunset. I was worried at first about motion sickness (not on the small boat out to William Wall, but actually on the William Wall) as it was a windy day and we were moving quite a bit, but I quickly adjusted. Such a beautiful place to hang out and enjoy the views. Will definitely go back next year.

I almost don’t want to write this review because the Honorable William Wall is the best kept secret in Manhattan! Such a great way to see a different view of the city, hang out with friends, and enjoy an evening of fun and drinks. So fun, you must do it!

Been meaning to write a review about this place since going 3 months ago. Lout friends had birthday drinks at the floating club and it was fantastic! You get a great Italian looking speed boat to the floating clubhouse, then you get to look back at the city having a few cold drinks on the deck. Nothing better. A must see

This review is for the Honorable William Wall, clubhouse situated in the middle of the Hudson River.
All roundtrip $ 20 boating tickets are sold on

Even if it says «Sold Out» on the website, most of the time you can just go to pier and they will let you buy a ticket
Pros:
* William Wall is one of the best kept secrets in Manhattan– I’ve lived in Manhattan for 6 years and have NEVER heard of this floating bar with gorgeous views of Jersey City + Manhattan! Maybe I’m just out of the loop…
* Drinks are affordable
* You can bring your own food!
Cons:
* Bring a jacket– if you come in September, it gets very windy and chilly after the sun sets.
* When windy, William Wall becomes rocky as hell. My friends and I were nauseous for most of the time so I recommend taking antiemetic medicines before you board.

Had a fantastic time out on the water. I’d recommend it to anyone looking to learn how to sail!

Barge drinking

Had a great weekend with the Manhattan Sailing Club! The Basic Sailing Class was a great refresher of everything you need to know to get your sea legs back or if you’re brand new to the sport. Can’t beat the location and quality of the marina/​boats — truly a hidden gem in Manhattan — I’ll be joining the club shortly.

Sailing in some of the most scenic spots in the World with the best Summer breezes around
And you don’t have to own a boat
Hard a lee!
Let the chute fill as you fall off
Nothing better

Love this club! Been going for years and it just keeps getting better. Great people, fun sailing and racing, cool clubhouse.

Last Friday a friend and I headed down to Battery Park and aboard the launch vessel out to sea… destination William Wall Barge. I had no idea anything like this existed (closest I knew of was the Frying Pan — but this is not even close in comparison). It is a two floor barge anchored among an absolutely stunning view of the skyline, Governors Island and the Statue of Liberty.
I would suggest getting there early so you can snag a table, but the turnover is so quick that we got one on the 3^rd round of launches (they leave/​arrive every 30 minutes).
You can bring your own snacks aboard (we had a delicious spread of cheese, baguette, cured meats and olives :) and the drinks onboard are completely reasonable. I was sipping my favorite Jack & Diet’s and they were only $ 8. I was prepared for at least $ 12 considering I was floating in the Hudson with a spectacular 360 degree view and wouldn’t have even been upset paying it. The staff is super friendly and the bartenders are quick to fill your order.
The only negative was the music selection. For some reason they felt it appropriate to play techno/​dance crap during a happy hour filled with prepsters, but that is what Pandora is for :)

I’m reviewing the Willy Wall barge, which is one the most unique experiences you can have in NY. It’s the only place I know of where you can basically hang out in the middle of the Hudson and enjoy views of Governor’s Island, the entire West Side of Manhattan (one of the most amazing views of the city, especially at night), and Jersey City (yeah I know, who cares).
You can bring your own food and picnic out there, beers are not too pricey (about $ 6 I think), and the staff crew are very friendly and laid-​back.
Highly recommended, especially for a summer night.

The sailing here is great and the drinks are properly cold. What’s not to love?

We had a great time at The Hon. William Wall for a friend’s birthday party. We got there early enough that we were able to get seats and set up an area. Make sure you get on an earlier launch. We took a four o’clock and it was crowded but we were able to get on. People who got there after us to take a later launch had to wait two hours in line to get on a launch. Well worth the wait!

This review is for the Honorable William Wall. I purchased tickets for myself and some friends to head out to the Honorable for a birthday party last week. The ferry boats to and fro are quick and reliable, and offer a breathtaking view of Manhattan, Ellis Island, and the Statue of Liberty. For $ 10 round-​trip, it can’t be beat.
The bar offers plenty of options for drinking, and now allows credit cards for purchasing, which can be dangerous considering you are stuck on a boat sans nutrition save for a few salty pretzels. While I had a great time, I only enjoyed 1 margarita and bought a round of beers for my friends. When I settled up, my bill was mysteriously expensive from a few drinks, yet the last boat was about to leave, and left me little time to squander over how the price was determined; I felt rather mysteriously intoxicated and duped by the dis-​Honorable by the time I returned to the shore.

«And are you going to join the Yacht Club in a few years?» I asked flippantly when I first met him and he told me that he was a member of the Manhattan Sailing Club.
He answered quite seriously, «Why, yes, I will.»
And with that, I was sold. I want to be going places and sometimes that means via a sailing vessel.
On Tuesdays and Wednesdays from spring til fall, they hold races, which one is welcome to watch at the Honorable William Wall, their clubhouse out on the Hudson River. There’s a boat that will shuttle you from the pier to Willy Wall for $ 10 for non-​members (free for members).
Once you’re at Willy’s, you can stake out a place and imbibe numerous adult beverages while watching the race. And if your date is a thoughtful one, he’ll bring proper nourishment of baguette, various cheeses, fruit, and chocolate, to supplement the goldfish crackers that Willy provides.
On a beautiful warm summer night, I watched sailing boats race in the river and disappear off into the burning rays of the sun as it set down on the Manhattan skyline.
Some things are never meant to be more than a summer’s memory.

Manhattan Sailing Club makes learning to sail, or continuing your love of it, possible and affordable in NYC, and brings a great sense of community together in Lower Manhattan.
If you have never sailed before sign up for the basic class, don’t worry, A LOT of people who join have never sailed before and you can take the class before committing to becoming a member (which does have its benefits). Some of my favorite instructors are Tom D’Alleva, Keith Cooper, Wes Freeburg, Tracy Spinney and Prudence Thiry, all are incredibly knowledgeable and very fun on and off the water. If you know absolutely nothing, not even what a sailboat looks like, they will turn you to a confident beginner sailor by the end of the weekend!
Once you join you can sign up to sail in the morning, afternoon or evenings Tuesday-​Sunday and you go out with a Club Skipper so you continue learning and meet lots of awesome new people. And every year there is the opportunity to leave NYC behind in the winter and head with about 90 other members down to the Caribbean and sail boats for a week, which is actually the best vacation you’ll have ever in your life!
The Club has a lot of perks and a lot of amazing members. If you’re looking for a new hobby and like the water, give it a try, you’ve got nothing to lose but you inhibitions!
In the summer there is also a weekly Kids Camp with the fantastic instructor Charlotte Matthews who is very experienced and great with kids of all ages! It’s a great sport to get kids involved in early on!

Unless P. Diddy personally invited me to board his yacht, you would never find me on board a boat.
At least I initially thought.
This review is not for the Manhattan Sailing Club (MSC), but for the Honorable William Wall, the MSC’s naval clubhouse on the Hudson River that lies halfway between New York and New Jersey. I used to go to the Frying Pan, but after docking on the Willy Wall, why party «on» the water, when you can party «in» the water?
Upon disembarking, the panoramic views of Manhattan, Ellis Island, and New Jersey are stunning and unparalleled. During the summer, there’s simply nothing like drinking on a deck, tradewinds gently blowing through your hair, while the sun sets in the water in miraculous hues of orange, red, and gold. The club runs frequent races and regattas, so in addition to the breezy views, you might get lucky and get some action (sailing, that is).
You don’t have to be a Manhattan Sailing Club member to go on the Willy Wall. Transportation to and from the clubhouse leaves every half hour from the World Financial Center. There is a $ 10 fee for guests and non-​members, but free for those who show their membership card. The bar only serves drinks and snacks so the MSC encourages people to bring a picnic lunch or dinner.

Very fun.
Take out a J24 with a sailing master (captain/​skipper) and you can definitely have fun just going down and up the Hudson and into the bay near the Statue of Liberty and more.
You can get a membership here, take lessons, become a full captain/​skipper, and have fun talking with people, doing races (if you’re lucky they’ll let you on — get to know people and network a bit!), and there’s even a public bar floating out in the harbor to chill at and watch the races from.
They have a floating classroom, a single larger J105? I think, and a set of slips that parallel around South End St. in Battery Park. A great way to spend an afternoon, evening, or morning.
Ask for Kate — she’s amazing!

When I first looked into joining the Manhattan Sailing Club (MSC), it was a bit mysterious — Racing Committees, Fleet Captains, Skipper Certifications, Mentor Programs, and a floating club house called the Willy Wall. Maybe there’s a secret handshake too. Who knows but I decided to find out and joined last summer.
There’s no secret handshake (well, at least I haven’t discovered it yet) but this is definitely the club to join in Manhattan if you want to get out on the water and sail in NYC.
I highly recommend the club for beginner as well as more experienced sailors.
Here’s a cheat sheet to help you navigate the waters (sorry, couldn’t resist the pun). I hope you find it useful. Send me a note if you have any questions.
1) Where can I get info on the club?
The MSC website is the best place to find out about membership and what the club is all about. If you’re new to sailing you might find it a bit confusing so keep on reading…
2) What is the Manhattan Sailing Club exactly?
It’s a club where you pay annual dues which allow you to sail on club boats, attend club functions, use the clubhouse (anchored in the harbor next to Ellis Island), receive mentoring and participate in club races. That’s just the basics.
The club is very dynamic so things come up all the time. Since I’ve been a member, the club has organized trips to the Caribbean, Monaco, Norway and other destinations. A bunch of members also got together and formed a syndicate to purchase a 12 meter racing sailboat (America II) which is now in North Cove.
3) Where is it?
The MSC is located in North Cove at the World Financial Center. The Manhattan Sailing School also shares this location with private yachts and tour boats. The MSC and the school are related.
4) What kind of boats does the club have?
J/​24 sailboats — a popular 24′ sailboat used by many clubs for racing and day sailing.
5) How much does it cost?
Check the website for the latest rates. Currently for 2007: Initiation Fee: $ 250; Regular Dues: $ 1,190; Skipper Privileges: $ 800 in addition to regular dues.
I think this is a bargain considering all the hassle and expense of owning a boat. The key is to go sailing often to get the most out of your $$$.
6) I’ve never sailed before — is the club for me?
Yes, if you like to be on the water with the sun on your face, wind in your hair and enjoy the challenge of learning something new. Also — you’ll have NYC as your backdrop which is just an amazing view.
NOTE: If you are new to sailing you should first take the basic sailing course offered by the Manhattan Sailing School.
7) What’s this whole Crew/​Skipper thing about?
There are two types of members (besides members who own their own boats).
BASIC members sail as crew and must have a certified club skipper present to go out on a boat.
SKIPPERS have passed a test and are allowed to take people out. This helps ensure the safety of members and the boats. Skippers also pay more for the ability to take boats out with members or friends.
8) If I’m a basic member, what’s the best way to get out and sail?
Go online and make a reservation! It’s as simple as that. You’ll either be assigned to a boat or put on a waiting list until more Skippers show up. Your reservation will say «Skipper Needed». I’ve always gotten on a boat even if I was put on a waiting list.
You should also make friends with skippers who will invite you out to sail.
9) Is this a good place to meet people and make new friends?
A sailing club is social by nature. You always sail with others and meet new people. The common bond is sailing and an attraction to the wind and sea. So, yes — you’ll meet lots of new people.
Some people might wonder if this is a good place to meet a significant other. I’m sure there are plenty of romantic connections at the club but I wouldn’t put this top on your list of reasons to join — unless you are attracted to the adventurous, fun loving, sporting types. In that case, you might get lucky!
10) Does the club have parties?
Yes — the club has a floating clubhouse anchored just off Ellis Island. There’s a bar and a disco ball out there. Really, there is. The club has full moon parties and other special events here. There are also other events during the winter and sailing season. I don’t believe the social events and parties are the main focus on the club — sailing is — but sailors definitely know how to party when the time comes.
11) What is the «Mentor Program»?
This is a program to help new members become certified club skippers. Experienced members volunteer to take new members out and train them so they can become club Skippers. The main point is instruction during these sails.
12) What is a «Fleet Captain»?
A Fleet Captain is a cub skipper who volunteers to take out a boat on a specific day at a specific time. Basic members will be assigned to these boats using the online reservation system.