SailBlind welcomes visually impaired or blind adults (ages 18+) with the opportunity to learn the sport of sailing. No sailing experience is necessary for visually impaired or blind sailors to participate, we welcome all skill levels to join in on the fun!

SailBlind is a recreational program that offers various ways to participate, based on your goals and objectives for the season. Whether you are just looking to go for a boat ride, looking to receive sailing instruction and hands on experience, or looking to refine your prior sailing skills and knowledge, we offer all of these!

SailBlind empowers blind and visually impaired adults by introducing them to the sport of sailing, fostering confidence, independence, and community on and off the water.

Program Details:

When: Saturdays, 9AM – 12PM (approx. 1.5 hours on the water)

Season: May 9 – October 17, 2026 (4 sessions total)

• Session 1: May 16 through June 13
• Session 2: June 27 through August 1
• Session 3: August 8 through September 5
• Session 4: September 12 through October 17

Location & Travel

We sail out of Community Boating (CBI) in Boston on the Charles River.

The SailBlind team meets at the Whitney Hotel (170 Charles St, Boston) between 8:30am and 9am. Our group will depart from the hotel promptly at 9am and walk over to the boat house together as a group. Human guide is provided to those interested.

IMPORTANT:  there is no parking lot nor a drop off spot at the Community Boating boathouse location.

The drop off address is the Whitney Hotel, 170 Charles Street, Boston. It’s recommended that you provide specific instructions to your driver to drop you off at the corner of Cambridge and Charles Street. *Make sure your driver is going to Charles Street in Boston and not a different town.

• If you park at Mass Eye And Ear Parking (MA-28 & Embankment Rd & Storrow Dr, Boston), you can receive discounted parking for $9.
• After parking, be sure to bring your ticket with you to Community Boating to pay at the front desk.
• The parking cost is covered for all SailBlind Volunteers!!

We typically sail in 22 foot Sonars. The Sonar is a keelboat with a fixed counterweight underneath, which provides stability and lateral resistance. These tend to be bigger boats with more stability and more sail area! These boats can comfortably accommodate 4 to 5 people.

Essentials (Required):

• Close-toed shoes (for safety on the docks and boats)
• Water or a reusable water bottle (water fountains are available on-site)

Recommended Items:

• Sun protection (hat and sunscreen)
• Comfort (snacks, warm layers, and a raincoat)
• A change of clothes (just in case!)

Personal Belongings & Storage:

We suggest bringing a small bag for your items. You are welcome to bring a waterproof bag on the boat, or you can use one of our reserved lockers on land (accessible locks provided).

Life Jackets:

We provide life jackets for everyone, but you are more than welcome to bring your own if you have a personal favorite!

Safety is our prgram’s top priority. The SailBlind Director and Community Boating staff will monitor the weather leading up to each Saturday. If there is a forecast for thunderstorms or extremely high winds, the Saturday session may be cancelled. The SailBlind Team will be given 24 hours notice if the upcoming Saturday session is cancelled. If there is light rain or fog, we will still plan to go sailing.

There will be no SailBlind sailing on Saturday, May 30, as our entire community is heading to the Carroll Center for the Blind’s campus to represent our program at the annual Walk for Independence!

We invite all sailors, sighted guides, and onshore volunteers to swap your life jackets for walking shoes and join the SailBlind Team. This is a wonderful opportunity to support the Carroll Center while celebrating the independence and community we build together on the water.

Ready to walk with us? Join the SailBlind Walk Team Here