Sail Newport will commission its new fleet of J/7 sailboats Saturday, May 9, at 10:30 a.m. at the Alofsin Piers in Fort Adams State Park.
The public is invited to the ceremony, which will officially launch the season for the boats. Designed and produced by Newport-based J/Boats, the new vessels were purchased for community sailing programs and will be available through public access programs for youth and adults.
The 14 boats are named Arethusa, Athena, New Zealand, Privateer, Hanuman, Tiburon, HAPpy Sails, American Baby, Hissar, Kachina, Dolphin, Daring, Friday and boat #5.
Beginning Saturday, the boats may be rented in three-hour blocks. Visitors can also try the sport through Sail Newport’s Try Sailing! program, a one-hour sail in Newport Harbor.
Sail Newport is open seven days a week through Columbus Day or later, weather dependent.
The event is free and open to the public, and parking is free adjacent to the Alofsin Piers. Guests are asked to RSVP at https://sailnewport.org/events/fleet-commissioning/.
