Father's Day Boating Tips from Croton Harbormaster

Father’s Day is one of the Croton Sailing School’s busiest weekends. Steve Jennings, Croton Harbormaster, has a short list of safe boating tips to keep Father’s Day on track.

Paying attention to local forecasts is the harbormaster’s first tip, “it doesn’t mean you can’t go out,” he said, “just adjust your schedule.” Check local weather forecasts, or look for forecasts on demand on mobile phones, even radar tracking is now available on some mobile devices. Summer thunderstorms, especially strong ones, or oppressive heat can mar an otherwise beautiful day.

Also important, according to Jennings, is to know the skill level of your crew. “You might know what you’re doing, but they might not,” he said. “Be instructive, and involve them in the boat.”

His final tip is to always have up-to-date charts of the river. “We are fortunate,” Jennings said, “We don’t have a strong current or commercial traffic [in our area].” The Croton basin is consistently about 10 to 11 feet deep, according to Jennings, and is also the widest part of the Hudson River.

“So many people will say, ‘I’ve been meaning to do this for a long time,” Jennings finished.

Adult sailing classes are available from the Croton Sailing School on a two or three day basis. The two day class involves “basic hands on” learning of how to sail, and the three day course adds an extra day for practice. The two day course costs $395, and the three day course is $495. The most popular sailing membership of the Croton Sailing School, which allows members to use 24 foot sail boats at will through mid-October is called the “Skipper” membership, and costs $950. Private lessons and charter boats can also be rented for $70 per hour.

The Croton Sailing School also offers two week summer camp programs, which have rolling registration. Currently summer camp slots are filled except for the weeks of August 8 to September 2.

For more information on the Croton Sailing School call (914) 271-6868. The Croton Sailing School is located in Senasqua Park in Croton.

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