Building Community Through Sailing & Service
West Michigan S.A.I.L. (Service members Adapting, Interacting, Living) is Michigan’s only U.S. Sailing–accredited sailing school dedicated to providing free sailing instruction to veterans. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, our mission is to combat veteran isolation, PTSD, and depression through the therapeutic and empowering experience of sailing.
Why we exist
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Mission-Driven: Sailing promotes healing, self-discovery, and resilience—especially for veterans facing mental health challenges.
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Community & Collaboration: We partner with veteran organizations to expand outreach and build supportive networks.
Our Programs
Basic Keelboat (BK)
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US Sailing certification
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Five weekday sessions
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(Monday – Friday, 8 AM–1:30 PM).
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June 1 – 5 | Veteran Only
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June 8 – 12 | Veteran Only
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June 22 – 26 | Public
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July 6 – 10 | Public
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July 13 – 17 | Public
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July 27 – 31 | Public
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Aug 10 – 14 | Veteran Only
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Aug 17 – 21 | Public
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Aug 31 – Sept 4 | Veteran Only
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Classroom + on-water practice resulting in U.S. Sailing certification.
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Free for veterans; $950 for public participants
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Camping is available at Lake Michigan Family Campground – $400 for the week (plus $16 credit card fee){Free for Veterans*}. Contact Kelley at 231-869-5627. Click here for more information.
Basic Cruising (BC)/ Bareboat Cruising (BBC) - Coming soon!
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US Sailing certification (both Basic Cruising and Bareboat Cruising)
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Basic Keel Boat is a pre-requisite to this course
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5.5 days – Monday (8am) through Saturday (12pm)
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Veterans and public taught to skipper powered sailboats near land.
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Free for veterans; $950 for public participants (includes docking/food fees).
Adaptive Sailing
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Adaptive sailing vessel -
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Purpose - To enable disabled Veterens to learn to sail and continue to sail.
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Goal - To make sailing possible for Veterens regardless of their particular disability
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Designed by Ken Workinger
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Occupational Therapists involved
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Dr. Shanna Shaver
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Dr. Hadley Moak
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Upcoming Cruise
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Upcoming Cruise
If you have any questions or issues with the above items or would like assistance with booking a cruise, please call or text Chris at 616-915-3476.
Our Mission: To bring Veterans together through sailing.
Make the therapeutic benefits of sailing accessible to veterans at no cost, reducing isolation while fostering confidence, camaraderie, and resilience. When Captain Lee Price learned of the high national veteran suicide rate, he created a sailing program to help veterans reconnect with purpose and community.
Why Choose West Michigan S.A.I.L?
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All of our sailing instruction is fully accredited by U.S. Sailing, the national governing body for the sport of sailing. This means every course follows the highest standards for safety, skill development, and seamanship. Participants gain recognized certifications that can be used to advance to higher levels of sailing education or confidently sail on their own. Veterans benefit from structured, professional instruction, while public participants receive training equal to what they would find at premier sailing schools—often at a fraction of the cost.
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WMSAIL is the only US Sailing Accredited Sailing School in Michigan, and one of 44 in the United States.
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With the three US Sailing certificates, BK, BC, BBC, that West Michigan S.A.I.L. is accredited to teach, the successful student will be qualified to charter a boat with the Moorings, and other charter boat businesses
Every time a public participant takes a course or books a cruise, they’re doing more than just learning to sail—they’re directly funding free programs for veterans. This community-focused model allows us to provide veterans with no-cost, life-changing sailing experiences that help them build confidence and reconnect with others. By choosing West Michigan S.A.I.L., every student becomes part of a larger mission to reduce veteran isolation and improve mental health outcomes.
Senior Residential Housing / Feb 2035
The natural rhythm of sailing—the sound of the wind, the movement of the boat, and the focus required to work with the elements—creates a proven therapeutic environment. For veterans, sailing provides a safe and engaging way to manage stress, combat PTSD symptoms, and develop new coping skills. The teamwork required on a sailboat also fosters genuine camaraderie, helping veterans form meaningful connections with peers, volunteers, and instructors. These social bonds are often cited as one of the most valuable parts of our program.
Custom Residence / Dec 2035
Our Fleet
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