Adult Sailing
Rentals
Please review these policies carefully if you would like to rent a sailboat. Our fleet of five 
19’ Flying Scots, ten FJs and four Lasers are available to NMHF members who are certified to rent these boats. For information on the certification click here. For more information about NMHF membership click here.
Sailing with Commercial Vessels
Boater's Safety Certificate
NMHF 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!
Schedule
Saturday and Sunday from 9:00am to 12:30pm, 1:30pm - 4:30pm
during the entire season.
Flying Scot rentals on Thurday evenings from 5:30-8:30pm until the end of race night
Laser and FJ rentals on Wednesday evenings from 5:30-8:30pm until the end of social sails.
Cost
- $50 per boat for Basic Members for a 3 hour slot
- FREE for Super-Members
Gift certificates are available! Email nmhf@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-12:00pm. Reservations must be received by noon, the Friday prior to rental date. 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. If you would like to sign up e-mail rental@nmhf.org or call 202-547-1250 to reserve a boat ahead of time.
You may reserve a Flying Scot if you have passed DC Sail Beginner Lessons and/or a Check-out Sail.
You may reserve a Laser or an FJ if you have passed DC Sail Advanced Lessons and/or a Check-out Sail.
NMHF boats will be available to rent starting April 24, 2010.
| Date | Time | Availability | Type of Boats |
| April 24 | 9:00am - 12:30pm | Yes | Flying Scots, FJs, Lasers |
| April 24 | 1:30pm - 4:30pm | Yes | Flying Scots, FJs, Lasers |
| April 25 | 9:00am - 12:30pm | Yes | Flying Scots, FJs, Lasers |
| April 25 | 1:30pm - 4:30pm | Yes | Flying Scots, FJs, Lasers |
| May 1 | 9:00am - 12:30pm | Yes | Flying Scots, FJs, Lasers |
| May 1 | 1:30pm - 4:30pm | Yes | Flying Scots, FJs, Lasers |
| May 2 | 9:00am - 12:30pm | Yes | Flying Scots, FJs, Lasers |
| May 2 | 1:30pm - 4:30pm | Yes | Flying Scots, FJs, Lasers |
| May 8 | 9:00am - 12:30pm | Yes | Flying Scots, FJs, Lasers |
| May 8 | 1:30pm - 4:30pm | Yes | Flying Scots, FJs, Lasers |
| May 9 | 9:00am - 12:30pm | Yes | Flying Scots, FJs, Lasers |
| May 9 | 1:30pm-4:30pm | Yes | Flying Scots, FJs, Lasers |
More rental dates to be added.
Cancellation/Late Rental Policy
If you do not appear within thirty minutes of your scheduled boat reservation, you may lose your reserved boat and will not be refunded. After this time period, walk-ins have access to the boat that was previously reserved.
Cancellations must be made by noon on the Friday prior to rental to receive a refund.
Guests
Guests are permitted to sail with you during rentals. All guests must fill out a waiver before they can sail.
Sailboat Capacities
| 19' Flying Scot: | 2-5 Persons |
| 13' FJ: | 2 Persons |
| 13’Lasers: | 1-2 People |
Lifejackets
All sailors must wear a lifejacket before they step foot aboard all of our small boats.
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
NMHF members, volunteer instructors and staff must stay clear of and give way to commercial vessels at all times. They pose a serious safety risk to our boats and our members. Sailors must:
a) hug the Hains Point side of the channel while passing the slips of the Odyssey and the Spirit of Washington
b) give way at least 10 boat lengths to commercial vessels while they are cruising along the channel
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
- Under favorable wind conditions, and if you are comfortable with the departure maneuver, you are allowed to sail out of the slip. Check with the NMHF staff member on duty. Otherwise, you will be towed out using the following procedure:
- 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
- Under favorable wind conditions, and if you are comfortable with the landing maneuver, you are allowed to sail into the slip. Hail the NMHF staff member on duty prior to your approach. Otherwise, you will be towed in using the following procedure:
- 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
