Sailing & Powerboating

Experience a world of boating at the heart of Toronto’s waterfront.

Harbourfront Centre Sailing & Powerboating provides affordable and accessible boating for all – from beginners to offshore and much more! We offer a wide selection of sailing and powerboating courses, membership, boat rentals, corporate events and Junior Sail Camps.  

We are conveniently located on Queen’s Quay West, immediately south of the CN Tower and easily accessible from Downtown Toronto by foot, bicycle or car. Public parking is available and the TTC stops right outside our door.   

If you would like to purchase a gift certificate for any of our services, please contact us!

FAQ

Do you rent boats? 

  • Yes, we rent sailboats and powerboats.  

What other services do you provide?

  • Other than boat rentals, we also teach sailing and powerboating courses, navigation, boat licensing courses and International Yacht Training (IYT), Bareboat Skipper (BBS) and International Certificate of Competency (ICC) courses.  
  • We are a Sail Membership club, offering boat access with no rental fees, race nights, social sails and learning clinics and seminars.  
  • We also offer Corporate Events for team sailing sessions with no prior experience necessary for participants.  
  • We have Sailing Camps programs for children 6 to 16 years.  

What boats are available for rent?  

  • Paradise F13s and Lunds are ideal for first time and beginner boaters. No experience is required to rent these boats.
  • Larger powerboats, such as our pontoon boats and RIBs, can accommodate more people and go further and faster, but experience is required to rent these boats. 
  • We have a number of smaller keelboats, such as our Harbour 20s and J24s, that can be rented provided you have sufficient experience.
  • We also have a variety of dinghies, including our monohull RS Zests and Fevas, as well as our catamaran Hobie T2 and Getaway. Experience is also required for these boats.
  • More information, as well as pictures, of our boats can be found on our website under Boat Rentals

How do I reserve a boat?  

  • You can reserve a boat by calling us at (416) 203-3000 or emailing hcsp@harbourfrontcentre.com or visiting us in our office at 275 Queens Quay West. To hold a reservation, we require a 25% deposit if you are making the reservation more than 30 days before your booking and 100% of the payment if within 30 days of your booking.  
  • You can make a reservation during our hours of operation; however, we do recommend that you call a few days before your intended booking time to ensure that your desired time and boat is available. 
  • If your intended boat requires experience, please submit a Boating Resume on our website first. Once our staff review your resume, you will receive an email with more information about making a booking.

What do you need to rent a boat?  

  • In order to rent our Paradise F13s and Lunds, you need to be 21 years old or over with a valid G class driver’s license OR 18 years old with a Pleasure Craft Operators Card (boating license).
  • For the rest of our fleet, you will need to fill out a Boating Resume, so we know how much boating experience you have. Once your resume has been reviewed, you will be contacted with information about anything else that may be required for your rental.
  • For all boats, we will provide all required temporary licensing. You will need to provide a credit card for a damage deposit, which is returned to you at the end of your rental. You are also required to have a cellphone on the boat with you so we can reach you while you are out on the water.

 What does “experience necessary” mean?  

  • Experience necessary means that you must have previous experience with either sailboats or powerboats to rent them. This includes: 
    • Having previously taken a course.
    • Owning your own boat.
    • Previous rental history with us or another provider.
    • Prior practical experience on boats of an equivalent type and size.
  • You must fill out the Boating Resume, which asks you to outline what kind of experience you have with boats and must be approved by our management before you are permitted to take out any of our sailboats or larger powerboats. This is for your safety and the protection of our boats and equipment. 

If I have no experience, which boats can I take out?  

  • If you have no experience, you are eligible to rent two of our powerboats, the Paradise F13 two-seater powerboats and the Lund Fury four to five-seater powerboats. All you need to rent one of these powerboats is a valid G Driver’s License and be 21+ years old, or a Pleasure Craft Operators Card and be 18+ years old. These boats are allowed within the inner harbour only..
  • For all keelboats and larger powerboats, you also can hire a skipper/instructor for an additional fee. We require that you make the reservation at least seven days before your desired booking. Please call us at (416) 203-3000 for any cost inquiries.

How do I get boating experience?  

  • You can take a course recognized by Sail Canada, which we offer for both sailing and powerboating. 

What kinds of courses do you have?  

  • We offer a variety of courses for both sailing and powerboating. We offer courses in dinghy sailing, keelboat sailing, powerboating, as well as ‘dry dock’ theory courses like the Toronto Harbour License, VHF Radio License, International Yacht Master Training, and Navigation courses.
  • For a full list of courses, course-start dates and pricing, visit our Courses page

Can children take your courses? 

  • We encourage children aged 6-16 to attend our sailing summer camp to gain experience on the water. 
  • Children of any age may attempt the PCOC exam, however they must be 14 to take the Toronto Harbour License course and 16 to take the VHF-DSC Radio License course. 
  • Our introductory courses are available to any students 16 or older, and for children aged 14-15 if accompanied by an adult. 
  •  All dinghy courses are available to students 16 or older, and 15-year-olds that have successfully completed the Harbourfront Centre Camps Sailing CIT program. 
  • All other cruising, powerboating, and navigation courses can be taken by any person 18 and older, or those aged 16-17 if accompanied by an adult.  
  • Note: if you are booking a course for yourself and a child that requires accompaniment, please ensure that you purchase two registrations.  

How fast do your boats go?  

  • Our Paradise F13s and Lunds are required to stay within the Inner Harbour which has a speed limit of 6mph, or approximately 11km/hr. The speed of these boats is limited in accordance with these speed limits.  
  • Our powerboats that require more experience can reach faster speeds. The skipper of these boats will be required to judge their speed appropriately.  

Which boats am I responsible for refueling?  

  • You are not responsible for refueling any of our boats. Fuel is included in the price for our small powerboats (Paradise F13s, Lunds and RIBS) and all sailboats. A flat fee will be paid at the time of your booking for larger powerboats.  

Where are you allowed to go?  

  • All dinghy sailboats, Paradise F13s, Lunds, and RIBs are restricted to the Inner Harbour.  
  • All keel sailboats and larger powerboats are permitted to go in both the Inner and Outer Harbour. Please be aware that in the case of inclement weather, these boats may be restricted to the Inner Harbour. Any restrictions will be clearly communicated at the time of your rental.  
  • Our powerboats are welcome to travel through the Toronto Islands, and you will be given a map to take with you on the boat that details where you can and cannot go.  
  • No boats are permitted in the Toronto Island Airport zone and are subject to a $10,000 fine if caught in the area. 

What is the difference between a keelboat and a dinghy sailboat?  

  • Keelboats have a fixed keel at the bottom of the boat. This keeps the boat upright. They also have an engine on the back. Keelboats can vary in size from two people and up.  
  • Dinghies do not have a fixed keel, and therefore can capsize. You need to be able to right the boat. Dinghies do not have an engine. They are usually for 1–3 people.  

How do I become a member?  

  • You must fill out a Boating Resume to provide us with the details of your experience to ensure you are qualified to use our boats. Please select either J24 or Harbour 20 if you are interested in a keelboat membership; or Hobie Cat T2 or RS Zest if you are interested in a dinghy membership.
  • Once your Boating Resume has been reviewed by our staff, please phone our office at (416) 203 3000, email hcsp@harbourfrontcentre.com or visit us at 275 Queens Quay West to join as a member.
  • Students who complete our Sail Canada Basic Cruising, Sail Canada Intermediate Cruising, Independent Dinghy Sailing, or CANSail 3 courses are eligible for discounts on Membership.  

Where are you located?  

  • We are located at 275 Queens Quay West, at the corner of Queens Quay and Rees Street, south of the CN Tower and a block west of Harbourfront Centre at 235 Queens Quay West. 

Is there parking available?  

  • There is a parking lot along the waterfront near our location:
    • The P3 Rees Street Lot is a street-level car park located on the north side of Queens Quay West, just west of Rees Street, right across from our location.

When does Boating Season begin and end?  

  • We are open for operations on Victoria Day weekend in May and the season runs until Thanksgiving weekend in October.   

I took my Basic Cruising exam and have not yet received my seal. When can I expect it?

  • It takes approximately 4–6 weeks for seals to be processed. If you have not received your seal and it has been longer the expected 4–6 weeks since you wrote your exam, please contact our office at (416) 203-3000 or email hcsp@harbourfrontcentre.com.

Courses

Harbourfront Centre Sailing and Powerboating is an internationally recognized Sail Canada ‘Centre of Excellence in Training’ Facility, with courses that provide comprehensive theory, and practical on-water experience.

Our range of courses include Junior Sailing, Adult Sail & Power Programs, International Yacht Training & ICC certifications, online Theory Refresher courses, Navigation courses and a variety of Boat Licenses.

Please contact our offices if you would like to purchase a gift certificate.

Explore Our Courses

Boat Charters/Rentals

We have a fleet of sailboats, powerboats and yachts to suit your needs. We offer bareboat rental opportunities to the public with recognized credentials or equivalent boating experience. Our smaller powerboats are a great opportunity for new boaters to try out the world of boating with proper safety training provided by our knowledgeable staff.

Members receive a 25% discount on all charters and rentals of boats not included in their membership.

Learn More

Sailboat Memberships

Boat ownership is no longer a barrier to boating; we have a fleet of boats waiting for you, allowing you to experience all of the benefits without the hassle or high cost. Build experience, knowledge and confidence at your own pace, with our welcoming community and skills building opportunities. With your full fleet to choose from, you don’t have to sail the same boat every time. Instead, choose your boat based on your boating plans and the size of your group.

Our membership structure allows you to pay one fee and then boat for free. Memberships will last for a minimum contract of 12 months. You don’t have to volunteer time or effort because we do it all for you. Repairs, maintenance, insurance, dockage… all of it!

Depending on the membership you choose, you will have free access to a number of skills building activities, including Tuesday Learn to Race nights, Wednesday Night Racing, and a number of learning clinics and seminars.


Sailing Club

Getting you on the water is our mission. Enjoyable and accessible boating is our business.  

Membership Types

Basic Cruising Graduate Sail
$120/month*

Graduates of our Basic Cruising course have the opportunity to join the club as a member at a vastly discounted rate. This includes access to the entire sailboat fleet, Tuesday Skills Building, Wednesday Race Series, Friday Social Sails and various skills building clinics and seminars throughout the year.

Cruising Sail
$180/month*

Members have access to the entire sailboat fleet, Friday Night Social Sails and various skills building clinics and seminars throughout the year. Note: Does not include access to Tuesday Skills Building or Wednesday Race Series.

Racing & Cruising Sail
$190/month*

Members have access to the entire sailboat fleet, Tuesday Skills Building, Wednesday Race Series, Friday Social Sails and various skills building clinics and seminars throughout the year. 

Member Club Nights

Tuesday Skills Building

Perfect for sailing graduates and seasoned sailors wishing to improve their skills. 

Wednesday Race Series

If you like competition this is the night for you. Friendly and fun. Perfect for those sailors who want to test what they’ve learned at Tuesday Night Skills Building and become crew on these vessels. 

Friday Social Sail

Meet new friends and sail into the sunset each and every Friday.  

Membership Structure

We have streamlined our Sailing Club Membership, which allows members access to our entire fleet of keelboats, with no rental or yacht charter fees. Skipper status is based on sailing experience, affording members the opportunity to sail all of the boats in our fleet, including the Niagara 35.

Basic (B) Skipper Status 

For those who have successfully completed Basic Cruising

  • J24s, Harbour 20s  
  • Can crew on Niagara 35, and Hunter 24 until levels are obtained  

Basic Intermediate (BI) Skipper Status

For those who have successfully completed the practical portion of Intermediate Cruising

  • Hunter 24, J24s, Harbour 20s  
  • Can crew on Niagara 35 until levels are obtained

Intermediate (I) Skipper Status

For those who have completed the full Intermediate Cruising Standard

  • Maximum boat access
  • Hunter 24, J24s, Harbour 20s
  • Can crew on Niagara 35 until levels are obtained

Advanced (A) Skipper Status

For those who have completed the full Advanced Cruising Standard

  • Maximum boat access
  • Niagara 35, Hunter 24, J24s, Harbour 20s

Regardless of membership type, Children 17 and under sail for free when accompanied by a qualified adult! Unfortunately, this access does not extend to member events such as Tuesday Learn to Race Night sessions, Wednesday Night Racing, and Friday Night Social Sails.

All Sailing Club Memberships include

  • Unlimited boat access with no rental/yacht charter fees
  • Guest Privileges
  • $100 course credit each year (up to $300)
  • 25% off of powerboat rentals
  • 15% off of Corporate Events
  • Monthly payment options

* Monthly prices based on an annual payment plan. $99 initiation fee applies to all new Club Memberships. Payments for all memberships can be split into monthly payments payable over 12 or 6 months, or bi-monthly payments payable over 12 months. Additional monthly administration fees may be applied for such payment plans.


Dinghy Membership: $90/month*

We offer unlimited access to our dinghy fleet, including our RS Zests, RS Fevas, and catamarans: the Hobie T2 and Hobie Getaway.

This membership provides unlimited evening (5pm–8pm) and weekend (9am–6pm) usage. Members must have completed our Independant Dinghy Sailing Course or hold their CANSail 3, or equivalent to be eligible for Dinghy Membership. 

Dinghy Memberships include:

  • No rental fees
  • Guest Privileges
  • Unlimited evenings (5pm–8pm) and weekends (9am–6pm) usage
  • $100 course credit each year (up to $300)
  • Access to our 420 Performance Sailing Dinghies 
  • Monthly Thursday Night Dinghy Nights: The chance to get on the water with other dinghy members, with an instructor on hand. The perfect time to meet some fellow sailors, try out a different boat, or hold some friendly races. Free for dinghy members, $65 fee for non-members and guests 

* Monthly prices based on an annual payment plan. $99 initiation fee applies to all new Club Memberships. Payments for all memberships can be spilt into monthly payments payable over 12 or 6 months, or bi-monthly payments payable over 12 months. Additional monthly administration fees may be applied for such payment plans 

Corporate Team Sailing Events

Looking for an economical solution to boost company morale and team productivity? Or maybe you don’t have enough time to plan an event yourself and you’re looking for fresh ideas for a fun team building activity. You’ve come to the right place!  

Take your usual corporate event in a new direction with team sailing, an on-the-water adventure in the heart of the city. Your adventure can be customized to engage colleagues in fun and unique team-building activities.  Simply provide our professional staff with your event objective, and we will create a program to suit your requirements.  

No prior boating experience is necessary to participate. Participants are with an instructor at all times when on the water. We may be able to accommodate groups of over 30 participants. Please contact us to discuss your options.

Team Racing Regatta
6–24 participants
  

This classic event features a three-race mini regatta in the beautiful realms of Toronto’s inner harbour. As with all events, each team is briefed on the dos and don’ts of sailing, and then goes on to harness the exhilarating power of nature. They soon learn that communication is everything on the water, just as it is in the office. All positions on a boat are important – each is integral to the team. 

Cruising the Islands
2–32 participants
  

If you prefer to cruise, we can set your team sailing on your chosen vessel. Colleagues and clients will enjoy a relaxing sail along Toronto’s breathtaking skyline and islands, or participate in sailing the boat under the guidance of our trained instructors. You dictate the pace.  

Contact Us + Office Hours

We are conveniently located on Queens Quay, immediately south of the Rogers Centre – easily accessible from Downtown Toronto by foot, bicycle or car. There is public parking nearby and the TTC stops right outside our door.

275 Queens Quay West
Toronto, ON M5V 1A2

Phone: 416-203-3000
Fax: 416-203-8000
Email: hcsp@harbourfrontcentre.com

Spring Office Hours
May 18, 2024 – June 28, 2024
Monday: Closed
Tuesday – Friday: 12pm – 9pm
Saturday – Sunday: 9am – 9pm
Open Victoria Day (May 20) from 9am – 9pm

Summer Office Hours
June 29, 2024 – September 2, 2024
Monday – Friday: 12pm – 9pm
Saturday – Sunday: 9am – 9pm
Open all holidays from 9am – 9pm
Last boat may be required return before 9pm due to sunset 

Fall Office Hours
September 4, 2024 – October 13, 2024
Monday – Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday – Friday: 12pm – 8pm
Saturday – Sunday: 9am – 6pm
Last Day of boating is Sunday, October 13
Closed Thanksgiving Monday, October
14
Last boat may be required return before 8pm due to sunset

Winter Office Hours
October 10, 2023 – May 17, 2024

Monday – Friday, 8am – 4pm
Closed Holidays