The Benefits of Sailing Membership
Go Sail Flathead Lake sailboat members enjoy the cheapest and most convenient way to regularly sail on Flathead Lake! No need to buy a sailboat on Flathead Lake, pay for a slip at Dayton Harbor, or dock your own sailboat— Go Sail Flathead takes care of all these sailing headaches for you. All you have to do is reserve your sailboat online, show up, and sail!
How Our Sailing Membership Works
Becoming a member of Go Sail is a painless process and we’ll have you sailing Flathead Lake on a Capri 22 sailboat in no time! Here’s how our sailing membership works, step by step:
Sailing Membership Requirements
In order to qualify to become a member of Go Sail, you must be 25 years of age or older and have received your ASA 101 certification (or equivalent). Before sailing on Flathead Lake for the first time on one of our boats, you must complete an on-the-water checkout. This involves demonstrating your ability to command a Capri 22 sailboat with little to no help. Additionally, you must be able to easily step down into the sailboat from the dock and move around the cockpit (sitting area).
Sign Up For Your Sailboat Membership Online
If you meet all our sailing membership requirements, click “Book Now” to begin your online sailboat membership sign-up. You will pay one membership fee for sailboat use throughout the Flathead Lake sailing season. If you sign up for a sailboat membership once Flathead Lake’s sailing season has already begun, your sailing membership will be active through the same day the next sailing season. Off-season dates (generally October through end of May) are not included in your sailing membership.
There are no hidden fees associated with our sailboat memberships. You will not pay any additional rental or guest fees for the season once you pay your yearly membership dues.
Before you sign-up for our sailboat membership on Flathead Lake, ensure you have read through our Membership Agreement.
Sail All Season Long
Once you’ve paid for your sailboat membership on Flathead Lake, you’ll receive a unique member ID you can use all season long to make advanced sailboat reservations online. Here are a few tips for having a safe and fun time out on the water:
Preparing to Sail
Book your Flathead Lake sailing session online and then head down to the Go Sail Flathead Lake office (43546 C Street, Dayton, MT) 15 minutes prior to your scheduled departure time. All guests planning to sail with you also need to check in at the office prior to departure. All passengers aboard the vessel must sign a waiver.
Feel free to pack a cooler with all your beverages and snacks to bring aboard the sailboat. We also recommend bringing a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a towel for swimming in Flathead Lake. Dress in layers— it can be much colder on the water than on land!
There is a small port-a-potty on the boat for use, however, we recommend using the port-a-potty at the Go Sail Office before you set sail on Flathead Lake. If you use the restroom on the boat, you must empty this in the sanitation station upon return to the dock.
Sailing Area
We recommend sailing within 10 miles of Dayton Harbor because this area has the best winds on Flathead Lake. The bay between the Dayton shoreline, Wild Horse Island, and Big Arm Bay usually offers very consistent winds.
There are no public docks on any of the Flathead Lake islands. There is a swimming ladder off the back of the boat. Moor your sailboat and take a swim over to Wild Horse Island— you won’t regret it!
Sailing Conditions
Most of the summer you’ll find 10–15 knot winds on Flathead Lake. The winds are out of the east on high pressure days, with blue skies and light white fluffy clouds. These consistent winds on Flathead Lake are thanks to a thermal from the warming land pulling the cool air off of the lake.
Remember to check the weather forecast before sail on Flathead Lake. The Windy App tends to offer some of the most reliable weather reports for Flathead Lake. Please call the shop to verify weather conditions or if you have any questions. The local forecasts can be deceiving.
