Boat Rental Policies & Procedures

Please review these policies carefully if you would like to rent a sailboat. Our fleet of six 19’ Flying Scots and eight FJ’s are available to DC Sail members who have passed the DC Sail certification test. Click here for more information about DC Sail membership and the certification test.

Schedule (See our Calendar for more information and availability)
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings, 5:30pm-8:30pm
Saturday and Sunday from 10:00am to 1:00pm, 1:30pm - 4:30pm, 5:00pm - 8:00 pm

Cost
$25 per boat for Basic Members
FREE for Super-Members
Gift Certificates are Available! Email dcsail@nmhf.org for details.

Reserving a Boat
The NMHF office is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00am-5:00pm and on Fridays from 9:00am-3:00pm. Reservations must be received 24 hours ahead of time. Boats will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. It is not guaranteed that someone in the office will be able to reserve you a boat if you try to reserve a boat after the times specified above. Walk-ins are permitted, but we cannot guarantee availability. Email dcsail@nmhf.org or call 202-309-1115 to reserve a boat ahead of time.

Length of Boat Reservation
If you do not appear within thirty minutes of your scheduled boat reservation, you may lose your reserved boat. After this time period, walk-ins have access to the boat that was previously reserved.

Membership Card
Members must present their membership card to the staff member on duty before you can take out a boat. Call the office at 202-309-1115 or email dcsail@nmhf.org if you do not have a membership card, and, they will issue you a new one.

Guests
Guests are permitted to sail with you during rentals. All guests must fill out a waiver form before they can sail.

Sailboat Capacities
19' Flying Scot: 2-5 Persons
11' CFJ: 2 people min & max

Lifejackets
All sailors must wear a lifejacket before they step foot aboard a Flying Scot or a Flying Junior.

Sailing Boundaries
Sailboats are permitted to sail in the boundary zone shown below. Sailors are responsible for keeping on eye on the clock so they can get back to the sailing facility in time. Stay clear of commercial vessels (The Odyssey, Sequoia, Spirit of Washington) and the slips where they dock.

Sailing When Commercial Vessels are Present

Weather Policy
DC Sail’s boat facility remains open when it is raining. However, we will close the boat facility if there is a serious threat of lightning or if the wind speed exceeds 20 knots. Please click here for more information about our weather policy.

Docking and Rigging Checklist

Rigging

* Sails and halyards attached
* Jib sheets guided through blocks with figure-8 knot at the ends
* Main sheet uncleated
* Centerboard lowered
* Tiller fitted into rudder
* Fenders secured INSIDE boat

Departure

* Do not sail out of slip. You will be towed out by a DC Sail staff member.
* Guide bow of boat to edge of dock pointing out towards the Washington Channel
* Proceed under tow from inflatable
* Once towed to the middle of the channel, steer boat upwind (inflatable will continue to tow you)
* Once upwind, raise main sail
* Raise jib sail
* Proceed under sail
* Bring bow and stern lines into boat

Return

* Do not sail into slip. You will be towed in by a DC Sail staff member.
* Sail in middle of Washington channel until staff member brings inflatable aside your boat
* Stay clear of all large powerboats such as The Odyssey, Sequoia and Spirit of Washington
* Position boat into the direction of the wind
* First, lower jib while staff member begins to push-tow
* Lower main sail (Don’t get it wet!)
* Steer boat into the marina while under push-tow
* Maneuver boat into the furthest available slip
* Re-attach fenders
* De-rig boat

Boater's Safety Certificate

DC Sail requires that all of our members comply with District of Columbia law and as a learning organization provides every opportunity for continued growth. Per DC law, anyone operating a boat within our waterways is required to have a Boater’s Safety Certificate.  These can be earned online through a learning module followed by a quiz.  These cost $15 and the card will be mailed to you. Here is one good option: http://www.boatingbasicsonline.com/

The DC police also offer their own schedule of classes, free of charge, and will provide you with a card immediately upon completion.  Their schedule is available online here.

At least one person in every boat must be able to produce a Boater’s Safety Card upon request by the DC Police. There is a $50 fine for non-compliance which must be paid in person at the police station. 

We encourage everyone to take their safety and that of others seriously while on the water.  Earning a Boater’s Safety Card is a great way to do this!