Catalina 30 Flathead Lake Sailboat Rental

Flathead Lake in Northwest Montana is 28 miles long, 15 miles wide and bordered by the beautiful Mission Mountains.  The Largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi. Located just 20 minutes from Kalispell, Montana and a short hour from Glacier National Park, Flathead Lake offers predictable winds for amazing sailing experiences.

Most of the summer the best wind is 10–15 knots out of the east on high pressure days—blue skies and light white fluffy clouds. This condition causes a thermal from the warming land pulling the cool air off of the lake.

We recommend sailing within an area of five to ten miles from the dock. This is the best wind on Flathead Lake. The bay between the Dayton shoreline and Wild Horse Island, and Big Arm Bay is usually very consistent.

Most of the summer the best wind is 10–15 knots out of the east on high pressure days—blue skies and light white fluffy clouds. This condition causes a thermal from the warming land pulling the cool air off of the lake.

Current Windy App Forecast

Check your weather forecasts. There are no public docks on any of the islands. There is a swimming ladder off the back of the boat.

We require at least one ASA 101 certified sailor (or equivalent experience) onboard who is 25+ years old to book a Flathead Lake sailboat rental. This person will act as your skipper and should be able to confidently handle a Capri 22 sailboat on Flathead Lake with assistance from one crew member. No single handed sailing. You must bring at least 1 able body crew member with you.

Rental insurance is required. You will receive an email when booking. Please be prepared to input drivers license, crew manifest, and sign the rental boat agreement.

None of the Flathead Lake islands have public docks. There is a swimming ladder off the back of the boat. We do not allow for overnight boat rentals on Flathead Lake at this time.

The Catalina 30 sailboat you’ll be taking out on Flathead Lake offers steering with a 25 horse inboard universal diesel motor. The main sail has one reef point. The roller furling jib is accessible from the cockpit. Each of our Flathead Lake sailboats is outfitted with five PFD Type II life jackets, a fire extinguisher, a type IV throwable PFD, and a horn. There is a toilet on the sailboat for use. You must empty this in the sanitation station upon return to the dock if you used it.

Arrive at the Go Sail Flathead Lake and meet with the rental boat check out skipper 15 minutes before your scheduled departure. We’ll check you in and get your sailing equipment ready. A Go Sail Flathead Lake attendant will walk down to the dock with you.  

Once at the dock, you’ll receive a boat orientation and a Flathead Lake cruising area briefing. The attendant will help you launch your sailboat and you’ll be underway! Once you’ve finished your sailing session on Flathead Lake, give us a call (about 15 minutes prior to your arrival at the dock). We’ll get you docked in the appropriate location!

There is a cooler onboard the sailboat for your beverages. Alcohol is permitted onboard as long as everyone onboard abides by local, state, and federal boating laws. 

We recommend bringing sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, and clean sole shoes. 

For cooler weather wear a synthetic base layer and/or fleece top, hat and gloves.  

For the safety of your pet, no pets are allowed on our equipment or premises. The policy is implemented for safety, hygiene, and compliance with insurance or local regulations.

We offer a full refund if we must cancel your rental due to the weather conditions which are hazardous, dangerous, small craft advisories. We will not cancel if there is no wind or slight rain. We will not cancel and refund if you do not want to sail. We will cancel your rental if you arrive singled handed or with crew that is unable to help you sail.

We will cancel your reservation with no refund if you are impaired in anyway to operate the vessel safely when you arrive.

You may cancel or no show, the Sailboat Rental at anytime subject to the following penalties:
Any cancellations more than 7 days prior to the start time of 0% of the payment collected.
Any cancellations between 7 and 2 days prior to the start time 50% of the payment collected.
Cancellation or now show, less than 48 hours prior to the start time 100% of the payment collected.
Cancellations must be notified to us by phone or email and confirmed for approval. The penalties will be calculated from the date we receive your cancellation.
We may need to cancel a course due to unforeseen circumstances or natural events outside the control of Go Sail Flathead Lake, LLC including but not limited to lake wind advisories, thunderstorms, heavy rain, extreme cold, or high wind areas. Refunds will be issued if an alternative date or time cannot be met. We reserve the right to cancel a rental at any time without reason. If we cancel without reason, we shall return all collected payments paid by you.