Welcome
Everyone Sails Here.
The Milwaukee Community Sailing Center offers sailing programs and sailboats for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy Lake Michigan and learn to sail, regardless of their financial situation.
Members enjoy unlimited sailing and the opportunity to learn, build skills, make new friends, and build community.
LeaRN TO SAIL
We teach sailing.
Newcomer Adults
Many new members have never sailed but want to learn. Some are returning to sailing after years away. Our Fundamental Adult Sailing courses match newcomers with mentors to start sailing fast and develop confidence and independence.
Interested students can pre-register for 2026 here.
Experienced Sailors
Once members gain basic sailing skills, they enroll in courses to:
- Build and master day-sailing skills
- Experience performance sailing, like flying spinnakers
- Sail dinghies
- Learn to race or handle a cruising sailboat.
Year-Around Programs
Members and friends stay connected with their sailing community by participating in a wide variety of off-season activities, including:
- Field Trips and Workshops
- Games and Movies
- Socials and Wellness
Sailing for Kids and Families
Kids ages 8-18 learn to sail, meet new friends, invent new games, build skill, character and community, and practice teamwork.
We make space for families to sail together in our Kids and Crew program.
Teens and young adults who learn to sail at MCSC are often invited on tall ship expeditions.
Pre-register for 2026 or explore the calendar of 2026 session here.
Outreach
Members and staff provide co-camps, STEM education for kids, and expeditions for adults with special needs.
Benefits
Member Benefits:
For about the cost of a cell-phone plan, members enjoy
unlimited sailing in a supportive community.
Open Sailing
Members sail for free on MCSC boats on Milwaukee Bay and bring guests for a small fee.
Open Sailing is first-come, first-served, is weather and Rating dependent, and runs from May to October.
Shared Fleet
Members enjoy access to nearly 100 boats, including Ensigns, Solings, J-24s, Cruisers and a variety of centerboard sailboats.
Members study to earn Ratings to sail more boats in more conditions and formats.
Social
Members engage in structured practice (called Enrichment), try racing, go on expeditions, teach newcomers, practice yoga, maintain the fleet, and gather socially.
In the off-season, members and guests attend workshops, join book-club, earn certifications, and meet to sail in warmer places.
Quick Facts:
Affordable, Not-for-profit.
Our programs and outreach are self-funded through modest member dues, class fees, and winter and summer boat storage fees.
A Member Organization.
We are a member-driven sailing school with a shared fleet of boats that makes sailing on Lake Michigan possible.
We offer memberships for individuals, couples, seniors and youth.
Everyone Sails Here!
Scholarships and financial support make certain that everyone who wants to learn to sail can do so.
Our accessible docks and boats and outreach open the lake to all.
Independent, Community-based.
We do not receive funding from Milwaukee County. Instead, we lease property from the County to serve the people of Southeastern Wisconsin.
Fueled by Generosity.
Members and volunteers devote thousands of hours of time to maintenance, instruction, mentoring, and community-building. Want to help? Here are some upcoming work days.
Sustainable
Our facilities feature geo-thermal heating and cooling, insulated glass, and solar power generation. (How much energy are we producing right now?)
Long-Standing.
In 2025, we are celebrating our 45th year of community sailing.
OTHER Services
Our Space: High Tide at MCSC
Our modern, energy-efficient building and gardens are available for special events like weddings, events, and hosted events.We partner with Man on the Moon Events for venue rentals.
Sailboat Owner Services
We offer year-round boat, trailer or dinghy storage, mast stepping, boat launching and haul out services for private boat owners.
Call or stop in to inquire about space.
