Courageous Sailing Center

Courageous Sailing Center Mission
To transform lives through sailing programs that inspire learning, personal growth and leadership.

Courageous Sailing is a 501(c)(3) non-profit community sailing center that provides education and ocean access to Greater Boston community members of all ages and from all walks of life. Vision
To embrace sailing as a platform for life-long learning and growth; to be a center of sailing excellence committed to removing barriers to access for all Boston youth, the public and people with physical an

d intellectual challenges. History
Courageous Sailing was established in 1987 as a 501(c)(3) by the late South Boston sailing enthusiast Harry McDonough. It was Harry’s dream to use sailing to build character and camaraderie among Boston children from all economic and ethnic backgrounds. For 25 years, we have continued to grow and deliver our mission to transform children’s lives through sailing programs that inspire learning, personal growth and leadership. In Harry’s words, “Every child’s perspective is improved 50-yards off-shore.”

Courageous is now a nationally recognized year-round educational center for community sailing and youth development. Courageous offers Boston-area youth free and low-cost out-of-school-time programs in sailing, environmental education, job skills development, and leadership training. In 2011 we were honored to be named one of the top 10 community sailing programs nationwide by both US Sailing and Sail Magazine. How Courageous Got Its Name
The America’s Cup 12 meter “Courageous” once lived at Pier 4 in the Navy Yard. This two-time America’s Cup winner lent its name to Courageous Sailing in the late 1980s. The boat now resides at the Museum of Yachting in Newport, Rhode Island, where it has been restored and is still being raced.

We had SO much fun at the First Annual Alumni Regatta Friday! Adult and Youth Program staff past and present (along with...
06/01/2026

We had SO much fun at the First Annual Alumni Regatta Friday! Adult and Youth Program staff past and present (along with plenty of dogs and future staff, otherwise known as children)--a grand total of 38, plus everyone running the races!--came back to sail some boats, see some people, and check if Courageous still feels like home. It does. If you're a YP alum and we don't have your email, please reach out! ([email protected]). We want to have more alumni events, and include more alums of the program who didn't become staff members.

Will you be at Make-A-Mark this year - help us make sailing accessible to every kid in Boston
05/29/2026

Will you be at Make-A-Mark this year - help us make sailing accessible to every kid in Boston

05/27/2026

Join our instructor Brad for his annual Racing Clinic! Sign up through our calendar on our website.

05/24/2026

This is why we do it

05/16/2026
Treat your company to four June Mondays of after-work sailing, team bonding, networking, dinner and drinks, and fun! No ...
05/14/2026

Treat your company to four June Mondays of after-work sailing, team bonding, networking, dinner and drinks, and fun! No sailing experience required--our instructors can take the helm and teach your team how to race the boat. Sign up now (courageoussailing.org/challenge) and join some of metro Boston's top companies out on the race course: 3Edge Asset Management, Acadian Asset Management, BXP, Eastdil Secured, E.M. Duggan, Janitronics, Loomis, Sayles & Company, Reliable Respiratory, , State Street, and Wacker Futures!

Can't wait to celebrate with Soul of Boston at Make-A-Mark in just five short weeks! Get your tickets now for this unfor...
05/11/2026

Can't wait to celebrate with Soul of Boston at Make-A-Mark in just five short weeks! Get your tickets now for this unforgettable night, and join us in raising a glass--and raising support--for Courageous's free youth sailing and learning programs. courageoussailing.org/makeamark

Can you spot the exciting news in this photo? Hint: biking is probably the easiest way to get to Pier 4, and it just got...
05/09/2026

Can you spot the exciting news in this photo? Hint: biking is probably the easiest way to get to Pier 4, and it just got easier!

Fair winds and following seas to Ted Turner, who died yesterday. Ted was a controversial figure, but one thing is sure: ...
05/07/2026

Fair winds and following seas to Ted Turner, who died yesterday. Ted was a controversial figure, but one thing is sure: he was an incredible sailor. As the skipper of our namesake, the 12 Metre yacht Courageous, Ted won the America's Cup in 1977, in a 4-0 shutout--Courageous's second America's Cup victory. Known as Captain Courageous (or Captain Outrageous, on occasion), Turner bought the boat and participated in two more America's Cup campaigns, and won the New York Yacht Club's Lipton Memorial Cup before selling the boat to the Courageous Syndicate. The Syndicate, David Vietor and Leonard Green, continued to race and campaign for the Cup through 1986, and generously donated the boat to a new community sailing center in Boston: Courageous. (If you're wondering, we eventually replaced the Courageous with fleets of smaller boats, and it's still racing in Newport!) Captain Courageous's victory and leadership aboard our namesake were an inspiration to so many, and launched the chain of events that has brought the joys of sailing to countless numbers of kids over the years.

Address

197 8th Street
Charlestown, MA
02129

Opening Hours

Monday 12pm - 7pm
Tuesday 12pm - 7pm
Wednesday 12pm - 7pm
Thursday 12pm - 7pm
Friday 12pm - 7pm
Saturday 10am - 7pm
Sunday 10am - 8:30pm

Telephone

+18574521769

Website

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