Sign-ups begin in person at 10:00am in front of the Wagner Education Center. We recommend arriving early to ensure your first choice. It is important to be aware that this is a first-come, first-served opportunity and the number of spots available each day depends on boat maintenance schedules, and volunteer skipper and crew availability. Due to the limited number of passenger spaces (between 100-200 people), we are unfortunately not always able to accommodate everyone who shows up and waits in line.

Currently not through CWB but you can look for Steamship Sunday Sails on their website: https://virginiav.org/

Boats generally depart between 10:30am and 3:00pm. When signing up for your ride, you will be provided with an expected departure time for your ride. Depending on wind and weather boat rides may depart later than anticipated but they will never depart early unless all passengers are accounted for and ready to go. Plan for a 1-hour long boat ride.

We generally have between four and six boats available each month. Our boats are powered by sail, steam, electricity, oars, or paddles. The capacity of each vessel varies, with our smallest accommodating 4 – 6 passengers, and the largest 13 – 20 passengers.

There are no age restrictions, and we have lifejackets for everyone. Please note that our rides are in historic vessels and CWB staff and volunteers are unable to aid in assisted lifts. There may be steps of up to 1.5′ onto a secured, but shifting vessel.

Our docks and the public areas of our museum are fully accessible for people of all ages and abilities.

No. After signing up in person you will receive a wristband with your “call time” and boat name written on it. Your call time is when you are expected to check in for your boat ride. We invite you to explore the neighborhood, walk the docks, or grab a bite to eat while you wait.

Wooden Boat Storytime will be at 11am in the Floating Boathous.

Toy Boat Building will be available from 12pm-4pm during Public Sail days.

Yes. This is a first-come first-served program geared to make the water accessible to as many people as possible. In the spirit of fairness, everyone going on the ride must be present to sign up.

Wristbands will be put directly on passenger's wrists by volunteers before walking away from the sign-up table. Without a wristband you will not be able to get on our Public Sail boats.

If the rides fill up before you reach the front of the line, we have a couple other options for you:

RENT A ROWBOAT! We have a small fleet of beautifully maintained, traditional rowboats available for rental. No experience is required, if you’ve never rowed before our Livery Staff and Volunteers will give you a short training. Click here for more information about rentals.

Also check out our Public Peapod Program. Visitors can reserve one of two peapod rowboats for free! See if there are any open spaces for this week here. Please note that Peapod reservations must be made 24 hours in advance. If there are no spaces available, check back on Sunday for the next week’s peapod reservations.

No, all boat ride spaces are filled in person the day of the event beginning at 10 am outside of the Wagner Education Center. This is a first come, first served public program.

Public Sail happens on the last Sunday of every month. In September, Public Sail will be held the week before on the 22nd so everyone can experience the WOOD Regatta.

The only thing that will cause us to postpone a Public Sail is if weather or wind speeds cause unsafe conditions on the lake.

Not really. You can of course bring along a water bottle, but Boat Rides are generally active and not a good time to eat or drink. If it’s a floating picnic you’re after, consider renting a Livery Boat.

Alcoholic beverages are not allowed on any CWB boat.

Yes! All passengers are required to sign our digital waiver form before signing up for a boat ride. Parents must sign individual waivers for each child.

No, not for Public Sail rides. Dogs are, however, allowed aboard rented livery boats.

We are able to accommodate service dogs on most boat rides. Please notify staff when you are signing up.

Yes, it’s really free! However donations are greatly appreciated and go directly into the boat maintenance and materials that are required to keep this program going.