BURLINGTON BOAT TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Wind, Wood, and Wide Water: Sailing Lake Champlain Aboard a Friendship Sloop
Two-hour public daytime sails aboard the classic Friendship Sloops Friend Ship or Wild Rose reveal islands, shipwrecks, lighthouses and mountain panoramas—this guide shows what to expect and what to bring.
Wind, Wood, and Wide Water: Sailing Lake Champlain Aboard a Friendship Sloop.
Step off the Burlington dock and into a different pace of life: aboard a hand-crafted wooden Friendship Sloop you’ll trade traffic for wind, shoreline for rigging, and city noise for the hollow sigh of sail and water. The public daytime cruise slips between the Adirondacks and Greens, passing islands, wrecks, and lighthouses while a licensed captain and deckhand steer and narrate the lake’s history.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
A short, restorative break from the shore
These two-hour sails are designed to pull people off the dock—physically, emotionally and spiritually—leaving guests refreshed by time spent under sail on Lake Champlain with attentive crew storytelling.
Classic Friendship Sloops: Friend Ship and Wild Rose
Friend Ship and Wild Rose are historically rooted wooden Friendship Sloops—sturdy, beautifully finished vessels whose bronze hardware, intricate rigging, and timberwork create an authentic, hands-on sailing experience.
Islands, shipwrecks and mountain ranges
On any given cruise you’ll pass named islands, marked 19th‑century shipwrecks, the Champlain Thrust Fault and shoreline vistas that frame both the Green and Adirondack Mountains.
What the day feels like
What it feels like
The rhythm of the cruise is simple and sensory: boarding at the Burlington Community Boathouse, settling into the low-slung cabin or the open decks, and letting a licensed captain and deckhand trim sails as the boat answers to wind. Each outing is different—sails move where the conditions allow—yet consistently offers the creak of wood, the lilt of lines, and sweeping views of islands, lighthouses and mountains just beyond the hull.
THE ESCAPE
A short, restorative break from the shore
These two-hour sails are designed to pull people off the dock—physically, emotionally and spiritually—leaving guests refreshed by time spent under sail on Lake Champlain with attentive crew storytelling.
THE BOAT
Classic Friendship Sloops: Friend Ship and Wild Rose
Friend Ship and Wild Rose are historically rooted wooden Friendship Sloops—sturdy, beautifully finished vessels whose bronze hardware, intricate rigging, and timberwork create an authentic, hands-on sailing experience.
THE VISTAS
Islands, shipwrecks and mountain ranges
On any given cruise you’ll pass named islands, marked 19th‑century shipwrecks, the Champlain Thrust Fault and shoreline vistas that frame both the Green and Adirondack Mountains.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this cruise suits—and who should look elsewhere.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Public daytime sails last two hours.
Boarding and check-in take place at Burlington Community Boathouse, 1 College St., Burlington, VT 05401.
Bring your own food and drinks; finger foods are easiest to enjoy afloat. Dress in layers—lake microclimates vary—and note that the crew provides ice water, plates, cups, wine glasses, napkins and some blankets or fleeces if needed.
Public cruises are limited to a maximum of 10 guests and are run with a licensed captain and a deckhand aboard to ensure safety and narration.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the cruise?
The public daytime sailing cruise lasts two hours.
What age can participate?
Children aged five and older are welcome aboard.
Can I bring food and drink?
Yes—bring your own food and drinks; the operator provides ice water, wine glasses, cups, plates, napkins and cutting boards.
How many people are on a public cruise?
There will never be more than 10 guests aboard a public cruise.
Which boats are used for the cruise?
The public cruises sail aboard the classic Friendship Sloops Friend Ship or Wild Rose; both vessels provide the same experience.
Is there always a captain and crew?
Yes—a licensed captain and a deckhand are aboard each cruise to keep guests safe and provide narration.