Saturday Rentals and Adult Lessons

The sailing centre is open on Saturdays during the summer program season weeks, from 11 am – 5 pm for boat, board or kayak rentals. Grills are available. Sail, or paddle with your family. 

Learn to Sail for adults! Registration for adult lessons and rentals is an online process done at the sailing centre.

UNH Community Sailing Centre Saturday Program

Saturdays are available for kayak and paddleboard rentals at $15 per hour. Sailboat rentals are $20 an hour. Rentals must be off the water 30 minutes prior to close. All boats are first come first served.

Learn to Sail for adults! Registration for adult lessons and rentals is an online process done at the sailing centre. You must also sign a waiver prior to sailing.

Rental Process

  • All boats are first come, first served.
  • Waivers are required for all rentals and can be completed online when you rent.

Sailboat Rental Test

  • Upon arrival at the Community Sailing Centre, we require all renters to complete a signed UNH Community Sailing Centre Program Liability Waiver, as well as a written Basic Sailing Rental Test if you wish to rent a sailboat. For the first time.
  • The test can be taken anytime we are open for rentals on Saturdays and Friday Night Lights from 5-8. You do not need to schedule it, and if you are taking it before your rental, please plan to arrive 15-20 minutes before you plan to rent.
  • The rental test is not as simple as a “pass” or “fail.” Sufficient completion of the test takes into account the weather and wind conditions.
  • The test contains basic sailing information, including written questions and diagrams. If we do not feel your sailing knowledge is sufficient to rent, we still want you to enjoy the lake! We suggest that you rent a stand-up paddleboard (SUP) or a kayak. If you wish to rent a sailboat next time you visit us, we suggest taking either an adult lesson, depending on whether you need a comprehensive learn to sail experience or just a refresher.
  • We are a self-service rental facility, and when you rent a boat, you are required to launch, rig, de-rig, and clean up your equipment.

All boats are first-come, first-served. We reserve the Javelin for adult lessons. Often, the Javelin is available to rent after 3:30. All other rental sailboats, the Sunfish, and FJs, are available to rent during Saturday hours. Lasers are available to racing sailors.

Rules and Regulations

All renters and passengers are subject to the rules of the Community Sailing Centre, including but not limited to the following:

  • PFDs must be worn at all times while on the dock or on the water. We have a supply to choose from if you don’t have your own.
  • Closed-toe shoes must be worn at all times while on property, including boats and docks.
  • Beaching and landing of all Community Sailing boats is prohibited, except in an emergency situation.
  • There is no smoking or alcohol allowed on Community Sailing property, including boats and docks.
  • Renters under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

Boats used for rentals and adult private lessons:

Javelin – 14 feet long, mainsail/jib – 2 to 3 adults (or 1 adult and 2-3 children) for casual day sailing, stable, roomy, and forgiving boat.

FJ – 13.10 feet long – used by juniors and collegiate racing and casual sailing. It is a lively performance boat.

Laser – 14 feet long, singlehanded boat – low boom, highly manoeuvrable – if renting, must demonstrate ability to rig before renting. Reserved for racing sailors

Sunfish – Easy to use, low boom, stable.

Kayaks and Standup Paddleboards (SUP)

Adult lessons:

Skills and Concepts Covered

  • How to rig, de-rig, and secure the boat to the dock
  • How to safely leave and return to the dock
  • How to manoeuvre the boat: starting, stopping, steering, tacking, gybing
  • How to tie the knots you’ll need
  • One participant – $75 for a two-hour lesson
  • Additional Participants $40/2 hour lesson/person

Summer 2026 Saturday schedule

Please always check the UNH Community Sailing Facebook page for any weather updates. There are often other events taking place simultaneously as lessons and rentals.

We are open, weather permitting, from 11-5 on the following Saturdays:

Saturday, June –27

Saturday, July 4th – closed

Saturday, July 11 – rentals and RC Laser Regatta

Saturday July 18

Saturday July 25

Saturday August 1

Saturday, August 8th, is the end of the summer program and Awards Day – no rentals or adult lessons.