For those looking to experience a row or sail on one of our authentic Azorean whaleboats for the first time, you can do so free of charge!
AMHS keeps our authentic Azorean Whaleboats docked in Clarks Cove at the New Bedford Community Boating Center (1641 Padanaram Avenue, New Bedford) for the summer season. These boats are 40 feet long, made entirely of wood, and carry a boat steerer (coxswain) with 6 rowers. The boats are made available to our members and the community by our certified coxswains during scheduled open row and open sail events.
If you would like to participate in an open row or sail, please view our scheduled time slots in events for OPEN ROWS and OPEN SAILS. Slots are added often and will be filled on a first come, first serve basis. Our season generally runs from June into September. If there are particular days or times that work better for your schedule, please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate open row time slots that work best for those who are interested. Depending upon weather conditions and the number of people signed up for a row, the coxswain will determine whether or not a row must be canceled (typically by 5 p.m. the evening before).
Competitive Teams
If you're interested in signing up to train in a competitive team, please fill out this form. Your membership and boat fees must be current.
Waivers & Dues
An individual can row or sail up to a total of two times (NOT each year) before being required to become a member and pay annual boat dues. (If you have already had two free rows or sails in prior years, you are not eligible for any more free rows or sails and will be required to pay membership and boat dues). All individuals must sign a joint waiver each year before getting on our boats (sign here: AMHS CBC Joint Waiver). You can save time by signing the waiver online ahead of time. If you are not able to complete it online, extra paper forms are located in the lock box at the dock. All coxes will verify passengers have signed a waiver before taking any passengers out on the boats.
Cancellation
If you are not able to make it to a row or sail that you have signed up for, please provide at least 24 hours notice so that the slot can be filled by someone else.
Depending upon weather conditions and the number of people signed up for a row or sail, the steerer will determine whether or not it must be canceled (typically by 5 p.m. the evening before the row or sail).
Please let us know if you have any questions. We hope to see you on the water soon!
Important
These boats were built with the support of individuals like you — and we rely on your continued generosity to keep them in working order. AMHS maintains these three wooden boats throughout the year and makes them available for the community to experience. Please become a member or attend one of our fundraising events to help keep our maritime heritage alive.