Country · USA
Cabin Charter in the USA
Cabin charter in the USA means sailing on two oceans. On the East Coast Newport, Chesapeake Bay and the Florida Keys beckon; in the west San Francisco Bay and in the Pacific, Hawaii. There are also major ocean races like the Transpacific Yacht Race from Los Angeles to Honolulu. You don't need a sailing licence as crew.
Updated: 29 October 2026 · toernfinder.de editorial team
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The essentials at a glance
Season
Depending on sailing area: New England June to September, Florida November to May
Duration
From one week to several weeks on regattas
Most common departure ports
Newport, Annapolis, Key West, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Honolulu
Requirements
No sailing licence required
Port of entry
Passport and ESTA authorisation
Sailing trips in the USA
Here you can see all current sailing trips starting in or heading to the USA. The selection is smaller than in the Mediterranean; new trips appear automatically in this list. Your enquiry goes directly to the provider, and booking is also directly with them.
How cabin charter works in the USA
With cabin charter in the USA you book a berth on board, not the whole boat. The skipper plans the route, commands the vessel and bears responsibility. You are part of the crew and sail as much as you wish.
The USA has a great sailing tradition, especially on the East Coast. In harbours like Newport and Annapolis, regattas are part of everyday life, and many sailing schools offer courses and trips. Tides, current and fog play a greater role in many sailing areas than in the Mediterranean. In return you experience coasts that hardly any European sailor knows.
Regattas and deliveries
Some trips in the USA are offshore regattas or deliveries. The Transpacific Yacht Race runs from Los Angeles to Hawaii; on the Atlantic side, deliveries lead from the Caribbean or Bermuda to the East Coast. On these passages sailing is round the clock in watches. More on the page regatta sailing.
Sailing in the USA: the sailing areas at a glance
The main sailing areas of the USA are New England and Chesapeake Bay on the East Coast, Florida with the Keys in the south, San Francisco Bay and Southern California on the West Coast, and Hawaii in the Pacific.
New England and Chesapeake Bay
Newport in Rhode Island is considered the sailing capital of the USA and was host to the America's Cup for over 50 years. Further north lies the rocky coast of Maine with many islands. Further south, Chesapeake Bay with Annapolis is a large, sheltered sailing area with countless coves.
Florida and the Keys
The Keys stretch as an island chain from Miami to Key West. The water is warm, clear and often shallow; reefs and sandbanks demand good navigation. Sailing here is mainly in winter, when it is too cold in the north.
California
In San Francisco Bay you sail under the Golden Gate Bridge, with strong afternoon wind and powerful tidal current. Southern California with Los Angeles, San Diego and the Channel Islands is warmer and calmer.
Hawaii
Hawaii lies in the middle of the Pacific in the north-east trade winds. Honolulu on Oahu is the finish of the Transpacific Yacht Race. Between the islands the wind accelerates strongly, and the swell of the open ocean runs high.
Wind, tides and weather in the USA
On the East Coast and in San Francisco, tides and current play a major role; in Florida and Hawaii hardly at all. From June to November is hurricane season in the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico; Florida and the south-east coast are particularly affected. The official marine weather forecast is published by the US weather service National Weather Service (NOAA), warnings of tropical storms by the National Hurricane Center.
Best time to travel for a sailing trip in the USA
The best time to travel depends on the sailing area: in the north of the East Coast the summer, in Florida the winter, in California and Hawaii almost all year round.
The table shows when sailing takes place in which area.
| Sailing area | Best time | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| New England (Newport, Maine) | June to September | Cool water, tides and frequent fog, many regattas |
| Chesapeake Bay (Annapolis) | May to October | Sheltered area, humid in high summer with thunderstorms |
| Florida and Keys | November to May | Warm, shallow turquoise water, hurricane season from June to November |
| San Francisco Bay | April to October | Strong afternoon winds, strong currents, fog |
| Hawaii | year-round | Trade winds, high swell, strong winds between islands |
Rule of thumb for the main sailing areas. The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from 1 June to 30 November.
What does a sailing trip in the USA cost?
Each provider sets the price themselves. It is shown in the listing, which you open via the list above, and applies per person for the whole trip.
On top of the trip price come the flight and usually the kitty. Berths in US marinas are expensive, so many crews anchor or pick up a mooring buoy instead. For regattas there are often entry fees and safety equipment to add, which will be stated in the trip description. What typically goes into the kitty is shown in the box.
What's included in the price and what goes into the crew kitty
Included in the trip price
- Your bunk on board
- The vessel
- The skipper
Usually via the crew kitty
- Food
- Hafengeld
- Diesel
On some vessels, catering is already included in the price.
What exactly is included is stated in the respective trip description.
What documents do I need for a sailing trip in the USA?
You don't need a sailing licence. To enter the country you need a passport and an ESTA authorisation in advance if you're arriving by air.
You apply for ESTA authorisation online on the official US border authorities' site esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Caution with deliveries: anyone entering the USA for the first time on a private yacht cannot use ESTA and needs a visa. In this case, ask the provider. You'll find the current entry requirements at the Foreign Office.
What should I pack for a trip in the USA?
It depends very much on the sailing area: in New England and San Francisco you need warm layers and oilskins, in Florida and Hawaii mainly sun protection.
- Oilskins and warm fleece layers for fog, wind and cool evenings on the East and West Coasts.
- Strong sun protection, cap and sunglasses with retaining cord, especially in Florida and Hawaii.
- For regattas and deliveries: lifejacket with safety line if the provider doesn't supply one, and head torch with red light.
- Credit card — almost everywhere in the USA you pay by card.
- Passport, ESTA confirmation and a soft bag that fits into any bunk.
Also nearby
Many of these trips also call at these countries. Each card shows all trips there.
Frequently asked questions about cabin charter in the USA
Here you'll find brief answers to the questions that come up most often before a sailing trip in the USA.
Where can I join a cabin charter in the USA?
The best-known sailing areas in the USA are New England with Newport, Chesapeake Bay with Annapolis, Florida with the Keys, San Francisco Bay, Southern California and Hawaii. On Törnfinder you'll find all the trips that depart from or lead to the USA. Your enquiry goes directly to the provider. Törnfinder itself is not an organiser.
Do I need a visa for a sailing trip in the USA?
German citizens usually enter for up to 90 days without a visa, but need ESTA authorisation beforehand. However, this only applies if you enter by air or another approved means of transport. Anyone entering the USA for the first time on a private yacht, for example at the end of a passage from the Caribbean, cannot use ESTA and needs a visa. Current information is provided by the Auswärtige Amt.
When is the best time of year for sailing in the USA?
That depends on the sailing area. In New England and Chesapeake Bay, you sail from June to September; in Florida and the Keys from November to May, outside hurricane season. In California and Hawaii you can sail all year round.
What is the Transpacific Yacht Race?
The Transpac is one of the oldest ocean races in the world. Since 1906, yachts have sailed in odd-numbered years from Los Angeles about 2,200 nautical miles across the Pacific to Honolulu in Hawaii. The passage takes one to two weeks depending on the boat. Some providers take paying crew members on board.
What's the wind like when sailing in the USA?
On the East Coast a moderate south-westerly usually blows in summer; in New England fog is often added. In San Francisco Bay the wind freshens sharply in the afternoon in summer, often to 20 to 25 knots. In Hawaii the north-east trade wind blows; between the islands it becomes significantly stronger.
Do I need a sailing licence for a sailing trip in the USA?
No, not as crew. The skipper commands the boat. Anyone wishing to charter a yacht themselves in the USA must prove experience, for example with a sailing licence and a sailing CV.
Find sailing trips in the USA
All trips that depart from or lead to the USA at a glance. Your enquiry goes directly to the provider.