What is Erie Community Boating?
Erie Community Boating (ECB) is a membership-based sailing and paddling program built to make recreational boating more accessible to our entire community. It’s designed to bring people from all backgrounds together to learn, connect, and experience the joy of being on the water.
Owning your own boat means worrying about maintenance, insurance, docking fees, winter storage, and more. With an Erie Community Boating membership, you just show up and get on the water — let us take care of the rest! Your membership gives you access to reserve sailboats, kayaks, and canoes from our fleet for use on Presque Isle Bay, with the chance to sail or paddle up to six days a week throughout the summer.
How Does It Work?
We have flexible membership options designed to fit your boating needs. From individual youth a adult options to duo or family, see the member levels below to find the best option for your needs.
Membership Options
Adult
Youth
Duo
Family
Ready to Become a Member?
The first step to securing your membership is to schedule a free skills check and orientation. The skills check and orientation is how we ensure that Erie Community Boating members are confident, capable, and ready to sail safely without an instructor.
To schedule your skills check, you can reserve a time slot during any of our open sail times through our online booking portal. Please arrive at your scheduled time to complete your skills check with one of our instructors. Once you’ve successfully completed your skills check, we’ll get you registered and you’ll be ready to set sail as an Erie Community Boating member!
Please note, the skills check is best for those who have prior sailing experience and feel confident operating a sailboat. If you’re not quite ready for a skills check, we’ve got you covered! We offer fun, supportive lessons for beginners and anyone who wants a refresher. You’ll be sailing on your own in no time!
—- The online booking portal is expected to become available March 2026!!! —-
Sailing Lessons
Whether you’re brand new to sailing or looking to refresh your skills, our beginner-friendly sailing lessons are the perfect way to get out on the water and learn the fundamentals of sailing in a fun, supportive environment. Lessons take place over the course of six two-hour sessions. Participants will experience a blend of classroom learning (covering knot tying, sailing terminology, safety basics, and more) and on-the-water instruction with hands-on sailing practice.
We offer separate Adult and Youth Course Options
Weather Policy
Classes will be held rain or shine. In cases of severe or unsafe weather conditions, classes may be canceled at the instructor’s discretion. A make-up session will be scheduled for any canceled class.
What To Bring
We suggest you wear comfortable clothes and shoes that can get wet. Participants are also encouraged to bring a refillable water bottle and sunscreen.
Keep Sailing After Your Lessons
After completing sailing lessons, participants are encouraged to continue sailing with BMC as members of Erie Community Boating.
If you decide to become a member, your first month of membership is free!!
Adult Weekly Learn-to-Sail Course
$250 | 6 weeks | No experience required | Ages 18+
This six-week course is designed for true beginners and anyone new to sailing. Each session is two hours long and combines simple classroom instruction covering safety basics, knot tying, sailing terminology, and boat handling with guided time on the water. If you’ve never sailed before, this is the perfect place to start.
Availabilities
Session C: Saturdays · June 6 – July 11 · 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Session D: Thursdays · June 11 – July 16 · 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Session E: Tuesdays · June 16 – July 21 · 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Session F: Saturdays · July 18 – August 22 · 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Session G: Thursdays · July 23 – August 27 · 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Session H: Tuesdays · July 28 – September 1 · 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Session I: Saturdays · August 29 – October 3 · 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Session J: Sundays · September 6 – October 11 · 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Adult Weekly Refresher Sailing Course
$150 | 3 weeks | Prior experience recommended | Ages 18+
The refresher course is a shorter, faster-paced option for sailors who already have some experience and want to sharpen their skills or regain confidence. While still instructor-led and supportive, this course moves quickly and is best suited for those familiar with basic sailing concepts.
Availabilities
Session A: Saturdays · May 16 – May 30 · 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Session B: Thursdays · May 21 – June 4 · 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Youth Learn-to-Sail – 5 Day Course
$250 | 5 Days | No experience required | Ages 14 – 17
Whether you are brand new to sailing or looking to refresh your skills, our beginner-friendly sailing lessons are the perfect way to get out on the water and learn the fundamentals of sailing in a fun, supportive environment. Lessons take place over the course of 5 three-hour sessions from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM each day all in the same week.
Participants will experience a blend of classroom learning (covering knot tying, sailing terminology, safety basics, and more) and on-the-water instruction with hands-on sailing practice.
Ages 14 – 17.
Available Dates
Session A: 6/15/26 – 6/19/26
Session B: 6/29/26 – 7/3/26
Session C: 7/13/26 – 7/17/26
Session D: 7/27/26 – 7/31/26
Session E: 8/17/26 – 8/21/26
