If you’re looking to sail near Disney, check out Orlando Sailing

I wrote earlier this year about a great place in Sanford to learn to sail boats longer than 22 feet.  But if you’re looking to try sailing on smaller boats that don’t require experience, especially if you’re looking for a place not far from Disney, I recommend checking out Orlando Sailing.  I found Orlando Sailing on Meetup, and I had a great time sailing with them this past Saturday.

Hosted by Don G. and Debbie Y., Orlando Sailing is based at a home located just south of Windermere and Lake Butler at 11148 Rockport Court (technically in Orlando (32836)).  Don and Debbie have a small fleet of Sunfish and similar sailboats on the shore of Lake Mabel, a 394-acre freshwater lake located just north of the Four Seasons Resort near Disney.  Bordered on its south by a nature preserve and on its north and west by several pretty waterfront homes, Lake Mabel is a nice big lake to learn to sail.

For those who haven’t sailed before, Sunfish are roughly 14 feet in length with a single mast and and a single sail with room for one or two sailors.  You sit atop the deck of the sailboat with your feet in the small cock pit, a square about three feet long and two feet wide that has a cubby to hold a water bottle and any other items that you don’t mind getting wet.  (Don and Debbie will let you leave your car keys on the dock with anything else that can’t stay in your car but that you prefer to keep dry.)

Sunfish are far too small for motors—There’s only room for a sail and a tiller and a paddle just in case you have trouble getting in and out of their slip. But they are easy to sail, even in low wind like we had on Saturday. Don will also tell you all you need to know to sail for the first time when you arrive at the dock. He also took out several guests on his larger boat when I was there.

I grew up sailing Sunfish and catamarans on lakes like Lake Mabel, and although I hadn’t been on a Sunfish in more than 20 years, I had no problem getting going and even managed to pick up speed from a few stiff breezes and heel a bit. Being on such a small boat also makes it easier to dip your hand or your hat in the water to cool off in the heat. (Or you can just accidentally tack too aggressively like I did and flip the boat for a cool dip—Don will tell you how to turn your boat back over if you make the same mistake.)

Orlando Sailing hosts monthly sails on the third Saturday of each month from noon to 2:00 and can be found on Meetup, and you can also reach out to him about sailing on other days.  It costs $35 per person, and children are welcome if accompanied by an adult (they can provide life jackets). Don and Debbie do ask for first-timers to arrive a few minutes early for orientation and to sign the release form.

Although I’ve found many great places in Central Florida to rent kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards, I’ve had a harder time finding places nearby to rent small sailboats. But between the friendly instruction and the beautiful setting on Lake Mabel, this is a great place to try sailing.