Question 1

What do I need to bring?

Accepted Answer

For most of our offerings, we recommend bringing water shoes, sunglasses, a hat, towel, water bottle and sunscreen. Water shoes are required for all children who participate in lessons and recommend for adults. A sweatshirt and/or windbreaker is a good idea during May, June, and September and evening lessons or charters; it is always cooler out on the bay than on land!

More specific recommendations for what to bring for each offering can be found in the item description while booking.

Question 2

How are lessons scheduled?

Accepted Answer

Please reach out to us via email to schedule a lesson.

Question 3

What about weather?

Accepted Answer

Sailing is a very weather dependent activity; it must be suitable for the student so that the sailing experience is safe, enjoyable, and provides a good learning environment. We monitor the weather closely and will always confirm that the conditions are suitable for sailing the day before a scheduled sailing lesson or bay cruise. We have an AI interfaced home weather station on Moriches Island Road that you can view here and the corresponding SailFlow station which we use to monitor wind speed and forecasts. While we do our best to monitor and predict the weather, mother nature is mother nature, and she requires us to be flexible.

Cancellations Due to Weather: Customers will not be charged if their lesson or charter is cancelled by Moriches Island Sailing due to weather. Please note that Moriches Island Sailing will be the party to decide if the weather is appropriate for our lesson or charter; customers who cancel or reschedule because they believe the weather is not suitable may not be refunded or rescheduled. We will not sail in heavy wind, heavy rain, or thunderstorms. A cloudy day or slight change of rain will not cause us to cancel. While we will make every attempt to inform you as far in advance as possible, we reserve the right to cancel up to 30 minutes before the start of the lesson or charter. Typically we inform customers the day before if the weather may keep us off of the water.

Question 4

Are you licensed and insured?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All of our sailing instructors are certified by US Sailing and all of our captains are licensed by United State Coast Guard, and have up to date First Aid & CPR certifications. We carry insurance that covers us aboard privately owned vessels.

Question 5

How and when are payments made?

Accepted Answer

Payments are due at the conclusion of our lesson via cash, check or Zelle. We prefer cash.

Question 6

How many people can you accomodate?

Accepted Answer

Our 19' Flying Scot can comfortably fit four passengers. If the group is a mix of kids and adults, or adults are willing to squeeze, we can take up to seven people total (six passengers, one instructor/captain). Our motor boat charters are on EMO Electric's Scout Dorado, which can comfortably fit six passengers, although there is a bit more space to move around with four. Due to USCG regulations, we cannot have more than six passengers under any circumstances.

While six is the maximum number of passengers we can accommodate on a boat at one time, some of our offerings are limited to fewer than six students/passengers. Please read the descriptions of our offerings while booking to find out more information.

Question 7

I have more than six people in my group. Can you please make an exception?

Accepted Answer

No. The USCG prohibits uninspected  passenger vessels from carrying more than six passengers. Any small vessel that offers to take more than six passengers is likely in violation of USCG regulations and exposing themselves to large fines and penalties. If you have a party of more than six, we may be able to do two trips, or go in two groups on two boats. If you'd like to have more than six passengers on one vessel, you'll have to go to Sag Harbor or Hampton Bays. Other than fishing "party boats," there are no vessels that can legally accomoate groups larger than six in Moriches Bay.

Question 8

I would like to buy a lesson or charter for a friend. Do you offer gift cards?

Accepted Answer

We no longer offer gift cards.

Question 9

What time of the year do you sail?

Accepted Answer

The exact start and end dates of our season vary year to year, but typically we begin offering sailing and motor boat lessons and charters in early May. Our season usually ends in late September or early October. Our busiest time of year is from late June until Labor Day. We highly recommend booking early to secure your preferred day and time during this period!

Question 10

Will you teach me on my boat?

Accepted Answer

Generally the answer is yes, provided that it is a boat we are familiar with and feel comfortable teaching and sailing on. Please send us an email if you would like a lesson on your boat.

Question 11

Do I need to worry about getting seasick?

Accepted Answer

In short, no. Seasickness typically happens on larger boats in the open ocean when a boat begins to roll in the ocean swell. While it could happen, we have never had a guest become seasick on Moriches Bay.

The only reason for concern is if you are extremely sensitive to seasickness and have felt unwell on small boats in bays in the past. Even if you have felt seasick on a large boat in the ocean, it's very unlikely that you'll become seasick on Moriches Bay.

Question 12

Do I need to sign a waiver?

Accepted Answer

Yes, each student or passenger must submit a waiver, or have one filled out by a parent or guardian if under the age of 18. The waiver must be submitted digitally through Smartwaiver. Hard copies are not available. Please be sure that you and every other person in your group has submitted a waiver. If we do not have a waiver on file for each participant, you will need to fill one out on your phone, which will cut into our time on the water.

Question 13

Can I arrive to the lesson early? What if I am running late?

Accepted Answer

We will always be ready to start the lesson at least 5 minutes before the scheduled time; if you are there and ready, we are happy to begin early. Please make every effort to arrive early or on time; due to our busy schedule we are unable to adjust the end time of a lesson due to a late arrival.

Question 14

What is your cancellation policy for private lessons & charters?

Accepted Answer

Cancellations Due to Weather: Customers will not be charged if their lesson or charter is cancelled by Moriches Island Sailing due to weather. Please note that Moriches Island Sailing will be the party to decide if the weather is appropriate for our lesson or charter; customers who cancel or reschedule because they believe the weather is not suitable may not be refunded or rescheduled. We will not sail in heavy wind, heavy rain, or thunderstorms. A cloudy day or slight change of rain will not cause us to cancel. While we will make every attempt to inform you as far in advance as possible, we reserve the right to cancel up to 30 minutes before the start of the lesson or charter. Typically we inform customers the day before if the weather may keep us off of the water.
 
Customer Decision to Cancel or Reschedule: Customers who cancel or reschedule their lesson or charter up to 48 hours in advance will not be charged. Customers who cancel or reschedule between 48 hours and 24 hours before the start time of their lesson or charter will be charged 50% of the cost of the lesson or charter. No shows or customers who cancel less than 24 hours in advance will be charged the full amount of the lesson or charter.
 
Please note that due to our very short sailing season, we treat rescheduling the same as we would a cancellation, as it is unlikely that we will be able to fill the timeslot.

Question 15

Do you provide other marine services?

Accepted Answer

Depending on your location and type of boat, we may be able to help you set up, launch, maintain and haul your boat. When our students reach the point of sailing on their own, we often help them find a boat to purchase and work with them to get it set up for smooth sailing! Please email us at morichesislandsailing@gmail.com if you'd like a hand with your boat.

Question 16

Do you offer kitesurfing lessons?

Accepted Answer

We love to kite, but we aren't quite ready to offer lessons yet. We hope to start in the summer of 2026. For now, please get in touch with our friends over at Hampton Watersports for kiting lessons. They are located in Southampton and can be reached at 631-283-9463.

Question 17

Do you offer sailboat rentals?

Accepted Answer

We do not rent our sailboats, but our friends at Silly Lily Fishing Station rent Sunfish and Flying Scots, the same sailboats we teach our sailing lessons on! You can book a rental from Silly Lily Fishing Station here. Silly Lily also rents small motorboats, they're a great way to get out on Moriches Bay!

Frequently Asked Questions