Island Sail - About Island Sail

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In 1984, Thomas Godfrey founded ARC Sail — Vinalhaven’s non-profit youth sailing school. His mission was to build an instructional program for the vacationing and local community’s children, supported entirely by volunteer efforts.

The Island Sail curriculum helps young sailors develop safe sailing skills. Instructors deliver brief classroom sessions, perform demonstrations, and supervise on water practice sessions. Sailing is a team sport. Whether just for fun or serious racing, working well together is the key to success. We recognize and reward collaboration, camaraderie, and good sportsmanship in the classroom and on the water.

Our fleet, docks, and boathouse require regular maintenance. Sailors are responsible for keeping the facility in ship-shape condition. Vinalhaven is a working waterfront that welcomes a variety of recreational users in the summer.

As part of that community, we instill in our sailors a respect and appreciation for all users. We operate out of the historic Skoog Boat House at the Vinalhaven Land Trust - Skoog Park, on the Sands Cove Road.

Our Fleet consist of:

• 5 Optimists

• 7 420’s

• 2 Lasers

• 1 JY

• 3 Safety Launches

• 1 Walker Bay

Staff

Our staff is made up of trained professionals, many of whom learned to sail right here at Island Sail.

Instructors are US SAILING Level 1 certified and hold certificates in CPR and First Aid.

Sailing exercises/ drills are supervised from our safety launches.

Helmsman/ Skipper-level sailors accompany first-time sailors at all times.