Come Sail Away

Local Sailing Instructors Say Sailing Can Be For Anyone, No Matter Your Experience.

Text and Photos By Kyle Patterson

“I love seeing the confidence on peoples faces for tackling sailing, graduating from our courses and learning a new skill. There is a great sense of community and it’s so rewarding to see that impact people’s lives,” says Captain Bill Zimmermann of Seven Seas Sailing located on Fuhrmann Blvd. in Buffalo. His organization, Seven Seas Sailing helps hundreds each summer become more comfortable on the water and master the skill of sailing. After all, what better way is there to enjoy the beauty of a Buffalo summer than to take advantage of some of the great opportunities presented by Lake Erie—the warmest and most biologically productive of the Great Lakes? Seven Seas has become Buffalo’s yacht club for the common folk by teaching sailing and supporting the local boating community since 1970. Their claim to fame—they teach and certify sailors for life with just a few hours one summer—something they say anyone can learn. Their success isn’t surprising when you consider that Lake Erie is the 11th largest lake in the world with the Lake Erie walleye fishery is widely considered the best in the world—something we often forget as locals.

     Along with the natural resources at their deposal Seven Seas offers locals the opportunity to fulfill their sailing aspirations at a fraction of the cost of buying their own—rather than just dreaming of owning that beautiful yacht “someday” Seven Seas offers you a slice of your dream today with low cost rentals available to all graduates to get you out on the water with confidence. With new classes starting weekly all summer long, you have the advantage of taking classes when it works for you. As a student of Seven Seas you receive two 2-hour classroom sessions, one 2-hour dockside and up to four 2-hour lessons out on the lake. One of the best parts of becoming a certified sailor with Seven Seas is that the classes are fail proof. The team of five captains and 15 volunteer instructors work with you to make sure you are comfortable, confident and prepared for everything Lake Erie can throw at you.

      Graduates of either the advanced or beginner programs can look forward to renting boats for their own excursions with friends and family – choosing from a variety of options including the Catalina 30, Pearson 26, Catalina 25, Columbia 30 or Irwin 25. Or, if you’re in the market, Seven Seas can introduce you to their colleagues at RCR and Navy Point, who will put you into your "second home,” out on the water in a fabulous sailing yacht.

      Prices for rentals are:

Half-Day rental:                $80

4 Half-Day rentals:           $250

Unlimited seasonal rental:  $550

7 Seas Sailing teaches hundreds of locals the art of sailing each year. For only a few hours one summer you can enjoy sailing for a lifetime. The team consists of 5 full time instructors and 15 volunteer.      Though classes are not required as a prerequisite to legally sailing the Great Lakes, according to Captain Bill Zimmermann they are so important that literally thousands of people in Western New York have taken them, “There are 2332 hours in summer, in 12-14 hours we’ll teach you sailing for life,” explained Zimmermann. With such a small commitment and the resulting confidence on the water along with the personal touch, dealing locally with Seven Seas is the way to go.

     In addition to all this Seven Seas also offers community programs for handicap sailing instruction, high school student programs, Sailabration—which is a Friday night open community event and Saturday is family days. Tucked off of Furhmann Blvd. through RCR Yachts Marina, Seven Seas is the place to be to enjoy sailing on Lake Erie. Find out more on their website at www.sevenseassailing.com.!