Do you offer a sunset sail with cocktails and food?

Absolutely yes. A three hour sunset and city lights sail is our most popular sail. We offer great finger food service with a complimentary bar, on our private evening sails. By far our most popular sail among event planners. The majority of our trips are three hours, sometimes two. Frankly three is the perfect amount of time. You can always take two, and an option for a third. You'll be happy you did.  If you have less time, or more time, our schedule is built around the motto:  "have boat, will travel."

What is your evening schedule? Is it a fixed schedule?

Ventura's private party sails are built around the best schedule for the client. The most popular time for a company outing is sailing at 6:30 (catch the afternoon sun and sunset) and back at the dock by 9:30. We always flex around your best schedule and work with you to get the right time to maximize your experience.

How about during the day? Is the schedule different?

We have the same policy as in the evening: the client’s best schedule is our best schedule. Most popular company day sails are from noon to 3:00 pm unless it is on Friday, which tends to be a little later – 1 to 4 sometimes.  This means some morning productivity in the office, then a cruise, then the bonus of getting out of school early on a Friday! Yahoo! Big hit with company staff parties.

Can I have a private sail for my office with cocktail party-style food or lunch?

Most emphatically yes! This is what we do most often and a three hour evening cocktail party sail is our most popular sail. We offer a complete combination package of cocktail party-style food, bar, with sailing and a harbor highlights cruise. During the day the menu is more gourmet picnic style, and always complete with complimentary beer, wine, soft drinks.

What’s the food like?

Delicious, and fun. Our menus are designed by an executive chef at a major New York City restaurant, and presented by our own servers during the sail, which enhances both the presentation and the service level. Additionally, the food is designed for easy-eating while enjoying a beverage – and all under sail! For a complete list of our menu selections, see “Meals and Menus.”

Who is your caterer?

The executive chef at the landmark restaurant Southwest NY, at the World Financial Center marina,  designs the food service for Ventura. A new, seasonally-appropriate menu is developed every summer. For more information on dining at Southwest NY, go to the website above or call 212 945-0528 for reservations.

Can I make my own catering arrangements aboard the boat?

Yes. Our experience over 21 years has proven that using our catering arrangements works best for most corporate clients. It is simpler (one contract for boat, beverage, food and all other details) and most often more cost effective. There are times when your own catering may work best, such as accommodating kosher requirements. We are always pleased to work with outside food providers.

Do you do any teambuilding events?

As a matter of fact, Ventura has been offering team building sails longer than any other yacht here in New York Harbor. We have various levels, all built around the client goals. Some are more relaxed than others, but all show how a boat like Ventura needs a team working together to operate efficiently. We will send you our info upon request.  What's more --- we make it fun!

I’m nervous about getting sea sick. Will it be rough?

No. We are sailing within one of the most protected harbors in the world – one of the reasons New York became the great city it is. The roughest part of the trip is usually dockside, at the marina, where the boat is like a rubber ducky in your bathtub. Out in the harbor, the sails stabilize the boat and the waves are dispersed.

Do you really sail or just motor around? Will I get cold?

Yes, we really do sail! And not only that, but under sail we take you on a harbor highlights sail which always includes a very close sail past the Statue of Liberty and other great sights. Cold? Not really. But it is always cooler on the water, especially in spring and fall. We carry a stock of wool and cotton blankets for those evenings. A sweater or jacket is not a bad idea and you can always stow it in the cabin if you do not need it.

What happens if it rains? Your choice!

Ventura is capable of sailing, rain or shine. However, all clients are given the option in the case of bad weather to reschedule, or to sail, or any combination of the two. More over… we carry emergency rain gear for all guests just in case! To our knowledge, no other boats can offer this flexibility. But here’s the deal: Our 21 years of experience shows an average of less than 5 out of every 30 charters has rain issues. I’d buy a lottery ticket with those odds!

Do you offer any beverages?

Yes. All of our popular afternoon and evening packages come with an open, complimentary bar of white and red wines, assorted imported and domestic beers and ales, bottle water and soft drinks.

Can I bring my own liquor?

No. We have found over the years that passengers bringing hard liquor and sailing is a bad combination. If there is a special occasion, we can provide a top shelf bar for your event.

How do I book a private sail?

Simple. Just call 212 786 1204, our office aboard Ventura! You may also send us email from our website, or direct to Captain Patrick Harris (Captain Pat); This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or for Captain Pat directly, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Do you accept credit cards? Do you have contracts?

Yes, to both. All major credit cards are happily accepted. Once you decide a Ventura sail may be in your future, we email you a contract, which is a simple summary of terms and price. That’s easy, and also puts it all in writing.

What’s your maximum capacity? Are you Coast Guard approved?

35 guests may comfortable, and legally, sail aboard Ventura. We mention legally because some boats operate without full licensing from the USCG – but not Ventura. Ventura is registered with the United States Coast Guard and certified annually as safe to carry passengers. We are proud of this distinction, and honor the US Coast Guard for their dedication to keeping our waterways safe on so many fronts!

Is there a minimum?

Not really. We have often hosted two person sails – often a proposal of marriage (!) special anniversary, or just a romantic get-away. Captain Pat is a romantic (his girlfriend lives in Norway, how romantic is that?) and is always willing to help make arrangements for affairs of the heart!

What are public, open-to-the-public sails?

These are very popular trips when other people are also on the boat.

Can I come alone or with a couple of friends?

Yes. Since 1987, we have offered a Friday Night Sunset sail aboard Ventura. You may buy one ticket, or several tickets. We sail on a set schedule, usually 6:00 to 8:45 every Friday.

Do I need reservations?

You betcha. You may have a chance for a walk-on that day, but we are usually sold out about a week ahead of time. This is because of our unique food and beverage policy, and value pricing on Fridays.

Can I bring my own goodies, including wines on Friday?

Yes, with pleasure. And with no corkage fee or any other b.s. But no hard liquor. Aside from hurting the ambiance of the occasion, hard liquor and a sailboat can be a dangerous combination. But a bottle of your favorite wine, some snacks, a couple of friends – how wonderful and welcome!

Do you have any other sails that are open to the public?

Yes. Once a month (only) we have a Sunday bring your brunch sail. This is very popular with families, dates, those looking to score relationship points – and have fun with their dog! Yes, you may bring your well behaved dogger aboard on Sundays. They are family, too.

Do you do booze cruises? How about bachelor parties or bachelorette parties?

No way, no how do we do a booze cruise. Don’t even ask. We will do bachelor and bachelorette parties for adults who are not looking to get trashed on the high seas. Our crew does not drink before or during a sail. But we are not prudes about after-the-fact or for our clients, who may wish to drink moderately while sailing. We just know it is a really bad idea to mix drinking hard liquor with boating.

How do I buy tickets? What is the sailing schedule?

Tickets to Ventura's open to the public sails, where you will be sailing with other people aboard, are sold on-line through www.smarttix.com Just type "sailing" into the event search on the Smarttix site and up comes a summary of our sails, a schedule, and the ability to buy as many, or a few, tickets as you want. Our very fair policy on rain outs is posted on Smarttix and is simple: bad weather, we don't go, nobody gets charged. The Captain is the weatherman, naturally, and makes that call on the day of the sail, several hours in advance. You may also call Smarttix directly at 212 868 5252.

Any more questions, please feel free to call us directly aboard Ventura: 212 786 1204