Hudson River Community Sailing

What Hudson River Community Sailing does

Hudson River Community Sailing (HRCS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community sailing center and youth development organization founded in 2008 and headquartered at Pier 66 in Chelsea, New York. The organization serves a diverse participant base that includes underserved NYC public school youth via its Sail Academy partnership with 14 schools, children aged 9–17 through its City Sail Camp summer program, adult members and lesson-takers, U.S. military veterans via its Soldiers Under Sail program, and youth and adults with disabilities through its adaptive sailing program delivered with nine partner organizations.

HRCS delivers programming from a fleet of 12 J/24 and 13 J/80 keelboats, supplemented by specialized adaptive equipment including Hoyer lifts and adapted seating systems. Curriculum integrates sailing instruction with hands-on STEM education, boatbuilding (including non-colonial boat designs), navigation, and environmental studies. Members self-schedule through an online Member Hub portal (hudsonsailing.club); bookings flow through FareHarbor; waivers through SmartWaiver; and donations through Classy and GoFundMe. Operations are split between Chelsea (active) and the former Inwood location at Dyckman Marina, which is closed for a 2026–2027 NYC Parks waterfront reconstruction project.

The revenue model is hybrid: recurring annual membership fees (Full Crew and Pay-per-Sail tiers), per-transaction lesson and camp fees (Basic Keelboat certification at $595 + $70, three-hour intro sails at $125, private lessons at $500/2 hours, City Sail Camp at $740–$765/week), corporate and school custom group contracts ($475–$775 per boat), and donations/grants raised primarily through two annual fundraising events (Dark 'n Stormy Benefit and Sailing for Scholars Gala & Regatta). HRCS is a US Sailing Certified Community Sailing Center and operates as a permittee of the Hudson River Park Trust.

Name

Hudson River Community Sailing

Legal name

Hudson River Community Sailing

Website

https://hudsonsailing.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Hudson River Community Sailing is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community sailing center in NYC that delivers sailing, STEM, and boatbuilding programs to underserved youth, adults, veterans, and people with disabilities from its Pier 66 Chelsea facility.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Sailing Education

NAICS

Marinas (713930), Marinas (71393)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Sailing Experiences (Lessons, Regattas, Day Sails) (THAJAJAG)

Keywords

• Community sailing education
• Youth sailing programs
• Adaptive sailing services
• Maritime nonprofit
• Sailing lessons membership

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership program with multiple tiers (Full Crew, Pay-per-Sail) providing access to fleet, racing, workshops, and community events. Revenue is recurring annually with seasonal peaks.
2. Sailing Lessons: Revenue from adult and youth sailing lessons including Basic Keelboat certification courses, Intro courses, Open lessons, Private lessons, Sunset sails, and Family sails. One-time per-transaction revenue.
3. City Sail Summer Camp: Week-long summer camp program for youth ages 9-17 with weekly fees. Seasonal revenue stream during summer months.
4. Corporate/Group Programs: Custom group offerings for corporate teams, schools, and organizations including team building sails and STEM programs.
5. Donations and Grants: 501(c)(3) charitable organization relying on donations, grants, and fundraising events (Dark 'n Stormy, Sailing for Scholars) to support youth development programs and scholarships.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Hudson River Community Sailing is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community sailing center and youth development organization that provides sailing instruction, maritime education, and recreational sailing access from its Pier 66 Boathouse location in Chelsea, New York City. The organization sells adult sailing lessons, memberships to its community sailing club, week-long youth summer camps (City Sail Camp), credit-bearing youth development programs (Sail Academy) in partnership with NYC public schools, adaptive sailing for people with disabilities, and veterans sailing programs (Soldiers Under Sail). Revenue is generated through program fees, memberships, donations, and grants.

Product overview

Hudson River Community Sailing (HRCS) operates a multi-program community sailing center and youth development organization, not a single software product. Its offerings are organized into six interconnected programs: (1) Sail Academy, a credit-bearing after-school youth development program using sailing and boatbuilding to teach STEM and leadership; (2) City Sail Camp, an eight-week summer camp for ages 9-17 with STEM components; (3) Adult Lessons, providing US Sailing-certified keelboat instruction from introductory to intermediate levels; (4) Membership, a community sailing club with crew and skipper tiers offering year-round access to the J/24 and J/80 fleet; (5) Adaptive Sailing, serving people with disabilities with specialized equipment and trained staff; and (6) Veterans Programs (Soldiers Under Sail), providing adaptive sailing for U.S. veterans in partnership with the VA. Supporting offerings include racing series, custom group programs, the FairLead women's mentorship program, Shelter Island New Horizons exchange, and free community sailing days. The organization runs its operations from Pier 66 in Chelsea (and historically Dyckman Marina in Inwood) and connects participants through its Member Hub online portal, FareHarbor booking system, and SmartWaiver digital waivers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sail Academy: Youth development program for NYC public school students providing social-emotional learning, STEM enrichment, and college and career access through sailing and boatbuilding
• City Sail Camp
• Soldiers Under Sail
• Adaptive Sailing
• FairLead Women's Mentorship Program
• Shelter Island New Horizons

Products and services

• Sail Academy A year-round youth development program partnering with NYC public schools (14 partner schools), teaching sailing, boatbuilding, STEM concepts, and leadership skills to underserved students through credit-bearing coursework.
• City Sail Camp Week-long summer sailing camp for youth ages 9-17, offering STEM-enriched lessons, boat handling instruction, and environmental education on the Hudson River. Eight week-long sessions in July and August.
• Adult Sailing Lessons Small group and private sailing instruction for adults at all skill levels, including Basic Keelboat certification courses, introductory sessions, sunset sails, and family sails aboard J/24 and J/80 sailboats.
• Membership Program Year-round community sailing club providing affordable waterfront access, crew-level and skipper-level membership tiers (Full Crew and Pay-per-Sail), skill-building workshops, and racing opportunities on the J/80 fleet.
• Adaptive Sailing

Named customers9 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Heroes on the HudsoncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Annual adaptive sports clinic partnering with VA New York Harbor Healthcare. Combines sailing and kayaking for over 70 injured veterans. Full-day event at Dyckman Marina promoting physical and mental wellness.
• Mount Sinai Hospital Spinal Cord ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Healthcare partner for adaptive sailing serving patients with spinal cord injuries. Provides referrals and medical support for participants.
• NYC SpinalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Nonprofit partner for adaptive sailing serving people with spinal cord disabilities in NYC.
• Wheeling ForwardcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Nonprofit partner helping people with disabilities achieve independence through adaptive sailing opportunities.
• US Blind SailingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021National organization partner providing resources and best practices for adaptive sailing for blind and visually impaired individuals.
• IAHD (International Association for Handicapped Diving)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Organization partner providing training and support for adaptive water sports for people with disabilities.
• Women on Wheels (W.O.W.)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Adaptive sailing partner serving women with disabilities, providing inclusive sailing opportunities.
• Sueño ImposibleminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partner organization connecting people with disabilities to adaptive sailing experiences.
• Shades of Black Making WavescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021DEI partnership introducing more people of color to the sport of sailing as part of HRCS commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Shelter Island Yacht ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Joint program 'Shelter Island New Horizons Fund' now in its fifth year. Sail Academy students attend Shelter Island Yacht Club's Junior Sailing Program and stay with host families, building sailing and maritime career skills. Provides exchange opportunity for Shelter Island youth to sail in NYC with HRCS.
• Student Success NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018HRCS is a member of Student Success Network, connecting with other youth development organizations for best practices and collaboration.
• Youth Development Institute's Career Internships InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018HRCS is a member of this institute supporting youth career development programs and internships.
• CUNY CARA College Inquiry CBO ConsortiumminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018HRCS participates in CUNY's consortium of community-based organizations supporting college access and inquiry for NYC students.
• Knickerbocker Sailing Association (KSA)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Annual partnership for Stonewall Sails Regatta, LGBTQ+ sailing organization's event promoting inclusivity in sailing.
• NYC Department of Parks and RecreationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Operating partnership at Dyckman Marina in Inwood (currently closed for 2026-2027 waterfront reconstruction). HRCS operates as permittee of NYC Parks for waterfront access and programming.
• VA New York Harbor HealthcarecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Partnership with Department of Veterans Affairs for Soldiers Under Sail adaptive sailing program. VA provides adaptive sports medical clearance and support for veteran participants.
• James J. Peters VA Medical Center (Bronx)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Partnership for veterans adaptive sailing program. Medical center assists with participant referrals and adaptive sports clearance.
• US SailingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2009US Sailing Certified Community Sailing Center since 2009. Certified to provide basic keelboat and other courses. HRCS staff trained in US Sailing curriculum and best practices. US Sailing Reach STEM program affiliate.
• Hudson River Park TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008HRCS is a permittee of Hudson River Park Trust, operating from Pier 66 in Chelsea. Trust manages the Hudson River Park pier facilities.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Longshore Sailing School: Nonprofit sailing school in Westport, CT; HRCS Director Conor Murphy previously served as Program Director here. Comparable youth and adult sailing instruction model in the NYC metro region.

Direct peers

• Treasure Island Sailing Center: Nonprofit community sailing center on San Francisco Bay offering youth, adult, and adaptive sailing. Comparable nonprofit mission and program portfolio; HRCS board member Caleb Boise is also a TISC volunteer.
• Downtown Sailing Center (Baltimore): Nonprofit community sailing center offering adult lessons, youth programs, and adaptive sailing on Baltimore's Inner Harbor. Directly comparable as a 501(c)(3) community sailing organization with youth, adult, and adaptive segments.
• Sail Newport: Nonprofit community sailing center in Newport, RI, providing adult lessons, youth camps, membership, and adaptive programming. Comparable mission, program mix, and nonprofit funding model to HRCS at a larger scale.
• Manhattan Yacht Club: Member-run sailing club operating from Manhattan waterfront. Comparable as a NYC-based community sailing organization offering membership, racing, and adult instruction, though without HRCS's nonprofit youth development mission.
• Community Sailing Center (Burlington, VT): Nonprofit community sailing center offering adult instruction, youth camps, and adaptive programs. Directly comparable mission and program structure to HRCS.
• San Francisco Community Sailing: Nonprofit sailing center offering lessons, youth programs, and adaptive sailing on the San Francisco Bay. Comparable community sailing nonprofit model serving similar adult, youth, and disability segments.

Others

• US Sailing: National governing body for sailing in the U.S. HRCS is a US Sailing Certified Community Sailing Center and Reach STEM affiliate; US Sailing provides instructor certification, programming standards, and award recognition for community sailing organizations like HRCS.

Emerging players

• New York Harbor School: Public maritime-themed high school on Governors Island. Comparable waterfront youth education mission; HRCS Assistant Fleet Manager Averille Ramos is an alumna. Adjacent rather than directly competing.

Broad incumbents

• Chelsea Piers Sailing School: For-profit sailing school within the Chelsea Piers waterfront sports complex. Comparable NYC sailing lesson and youth programming, but as part of a larger commercial sports venue rather than a nonprofit community center.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/HudsonRiverCommunitySailing
• Instagraminstagram.com/hudsonsailing
• Xx.com/HudsonRiverSail

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hudson River Community Sailing