Sailing Information

Discover The Flathead Valley’s captivating wilderness when you want to escape the grind of daily life and connect with nature. Here is everything you need to know to plan a perfect Flathead Lake vacation: When to Visit The Flathead area experiences all four seasons, so you must consider the weather conditions when you choose to…

Sailing gives you the freedom to travel all over the world! But sailing the coast can require different skills and provide distinct experiences from sailing inland bodies of water. This guide will compare coastal sailing and inland sailing to help you decide which is the best fit for you. What are the advantages of Coastal…

Whether history, sports, or nature piques your interest, there are fun Flathead Lake activities for everyone. Here are six things you can do here that you can’t do anywhere else: 1. Sail Flathead Lake While there are many activities near Flathead Lake on land, don’t miss the chance to enjoy the water, too! Flathead Lake…

Would you like to turn your love of sailing on Flathead Lake into a career? At Go Sail Montana, we are always interested in adding enthusiastic and experienced sailors to our growing team. You may be closer to qualifying for a job as a captain or instructor than you think. Here is an overview of…

Drive into the town of Dayton, Montana today and you’ll find far more sailboats than people around town. However, this wasn’t always the case. The history of sailing on Flathead Lake began long after most of the towns around Flathead Lake were already incorporated. 1930s: The times before sailing on Flathead Lake Prior to the…

You work hard all year! You deserve to play hard while sailing Flathead Lake’s crystal-clear water. The next semester will be here before you know it, so here’s why you should make this the season you finally learn to sail in college! Get Outside With the constant demands of classes and jobs, it is easy…

There’s plenty of great reasons to learn to sail on Flathead Lake but one of the biggest draws is the quality of the instructors. Recently, the American Sailing Association awarded 2 of Go Sail Flathead Lake’s instructors with the “Outstanding Instructor Award”— an award only given to the top 1% of ASA sailing instructors! Here’s…

The idea of sailboat racing may seem fun but if you think the process of actually getting out there and trying it sounds daunting, you’re not alone! Luckily, the American Sailing Association (ASA) just launched a new course to make the process of becoming a sailboat racer easier than ever. Here’s how ASA 102 makes…

The Thistle National Championship is back at Flathead Lake this summer! This top-tier regatta is an exciting event for sailors and non-sailors alike. Here’s what you should know about attending the 2024 Thistle National Championship on Flathead Lake: What is the Thistle National Championship? The Thistle National Championship is a series of sailboat races around…

Sailboat racing may seem intimidating, but preparing for your first race is easier than you think! If you’re ready to try sailing competitively this season, here’s everything you need to do before crossing the starting line: Master the Basics American Sailing Association classes help both new and experienced sailors achieve a thorough understanding of sailing…

No one wants the US Coast Guard or a Search and Rescue team to have to come to their rescue while out on the water! One of the best ways to avoid having to call for emergency help while out on the water is being well aware of the sailing conditions and their implications before…

The mysterious gap between ASA 101 and ASA 103 has been filled! The American Sailing Association is now offering a ASA 102 course. Learn more about what this ASA course offers and how to sign up below: What is ASA 102? ASA 102 is the latest sailing course from the American Sailing Association. This course…

Interested in setting sail on Flathead Lake? Here’s a simple guide on how to book your sailboat tour on Flathead Lake: 1. Decide which sailboat tour on Flathead Lake you’re most interested in  Go Sail Flathead Lake may be the only company offering sailboat tours on Flathead Lake but that doesn’t mean there is only…

Searching for seasonal jobs on Flathead Lake this summer? Here are 3 fantastic options to consider that are more fun than they are work! 1. Seasonal Jobs on Flathead Lake for the Entrepreneur Work for yourself on Flathead Lake this summer season! There are plenty of seasonal jobs in the Flathead Valley that don’t require…

March is Women’s History Month, making it the ideal time to commit to making history yourself! Joining a women’s sailing group is a great way to be involved with creating women’s sailing history— but there are also other fabulous reasons to join a women’s sailing group!  1. You’ll Help Make History Currently, women are in…

How do sailboats get their names? For many sailors, a lot of thought goes into naming a sailboat! Here are a few common ways a sailor will come up with a name for their sailboat and how Go Sail Flathead Lake chooses names for their vessels. Common Names for Sailboats If you walk around enough…

If your spouse prefers adventure over material gifts, then consider these original Valentine’s Day gift ideas made specifically for adventurous couples! We’ve included options for every budget and a variety of adventurous interests. Which will you choose?  1. Bond Over a New Hobby Together The best way to keep your relationship feeling “fresh” is by…

Trying to keep your gift giving local this holiday season? Here are a few Montana made gifts for Dad this Christmas that are perfect for even the hardest to shop for dads!  1. For His Adventurous Side If your dad is always collecting new hobbies or dabbling in new activities, buy him a gift for…

November 25th is Small Business Saturday! Here are a few tips for how sailors can support small businesses this holiday weekend: 1. Buy Your Sailing Gear and Book Sailing Trips Locally It may seem easier to get all your holiday shopping done at the box stores, however, this Saturday make it a point to shop…

When schools close for the summer and your children have had enough screens and schedules, sailing with kids is a rewarding outdoor pastime for the whole family. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when you bring children onboard. Here are some tried and true tips to ensure everyone has a blast…

On the lookout for sailing schools in Montana? Go Sail Montana is the Big Sky State’s only sailing school, offering comprehensive ASA classes to get you sailing on Montana’s lakes and beyond! Here’s a few things you may want to know before signing up for courses: Why Take Sailing Courses? Sailing is a fantastic way…

Are you interested in taking your sailing skills to the next level? Then come join the world of competitive sailboat racing! You don’t need a lot of experience to start competing. Here’s a quick guide to help you get started sailboat racing in Montana: Become Part of the Sailing Community Racing sailboats is a wonderful…

Flathead Lake’s water levels have fallen to historic lows and you may be wondering how that affects your boating plans. Here’s what you need to know about the current water levels on Flathead Lake and what that means for your upcoming boating plans: How low are the Flathead Lake water levels? Flathead Lake has been…

Montana is home to some absolutely beautiful sailing spots! In this guide we discuss four of the best places to sail throughout the state as well as how to get involved with each sailing community, rent a sailboat nearby, or even sign up for sailing lessons. Let’s get started:  1. Northwestern Montana: Flathead Lake Flathead…

This article has been updated with 4th of July activities for 2024 in the Flathead Valley The 4th of July is quickly approaching and the Flathead Valley is full of amazing activities to keep you busy! Here’s the top events you don’t want to miss on Flathead Lake on the 4th of July: Watch the…

The longest day of the year is almost here! Do you have plans to celebrate? Go Sail Flathead Lake will be celebrating the Summer Solstice with a Summer Sailstice! Here is what you need to know about the event and how you can join: What is the Summer Solstice? The Summer Solstice is the longest…

As one of Montana’s largest state parks, Wild Horse Island is as vast as it is beautiful. However, there is much more to Wild Horse Island than its expansive beauty. In fact, this island has quite the story to tell! Here’s what you should know about the island’s history before you visit: Where did Wild…

Learning how to sail is just the beginning. You will be the leader now and be training your crew. Learn from the best! Ready to Captain Go Sail Flathead Lake Even the best captains still learn new things on sailing trips. From first timers to seasoned veterans, sailing lessons are an important part of becoming…

Chartering a sailboat on Flathead is a unique opportunity that you don’t want to miss out on during your trip! This guide will help you set sail on the adventure of a lifetime with a Flathead Lake boat tour: Step 1: Design your dream boat tour of Flathead Lake  Flathead Lake boat tours come in…

What’s the best way to paddle around Flathead Lake? Two of the most popular options are stand up paddle boards (known as SUPs) and kayaks. Here is what you need to know about renting SUPs vs. kayaks on your Flathead Lake adventure: Go Sail Flathead Rentals SUPs vs. kayaks: what’s the difference? Before we get…

what to bring on a Flathead Lake sailing trip

We have been sailing in the Virgin Islands all winter keeping up our ocean skills. It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it. Check out the Cruising Guide to Flathead Lake Montana we have for sale. Summer Sailing Lessons, Rentals, (sailboats, kayaks and SUP) and Charters on Flathead lake are OPEN for booking…

Work outside on Flathead Lake this summer. Go Sail Flathead Lake in Dayton, MT. Our Mission is to build confidence, make sailing accessible to all, and encourage sailors to get on the water. We offer American Sailing Association (ASA) certified Lessons, Private or Group. We offer Sailboat rentals, Kayaks, and SUPs. We offer customized sailing…

Wild Horse Island is a day-use island and is managed as a primitive area. Unfortunately, that means camping is prohibited. However, these rules are largely to thank for Wild Horse Island’s current and largely untouched beauty. Even though you can’t stay overnight, it’s a must for visiting on a day trip with Go Sail Flathead…

Looking to do some island hopping during your trip to Flathead Lake? Here is what you need to know about getting to Wild Horse Island State Park and the other Flathead Lake Islands when planning your trip: Go Sai Flathead Lake  Getting to Wild Horse Island State Park on Flathead Lake Wild Horse Island is…

In coordination with American sailing Association, Flathead Lake sailing school is offering steep discounts for introductory sailing lessons for veterans. OFFERS GREAT OPPORTUNITY Yes, we are honored to offer $50 off for veterans. Please follow this link to the ASA Website and submit your information. Here is the webpage. https://asa.com/veterans/ Send us the coupon through…