Clearwater sailing in the 1976 Bicentennial. Credit: Nick DeWolf
Join Hudson River Sloop Clearwater to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, bringing together tall ships from around the world to New York Harbor! We will be welcoming aboard passengers for parade sails on July 3 and July 4 with light refreshments. This is a rare opportunity to be part of the action and sail aboard the Clearwater while surrounded by historic vessels from around the world.
Space is extremely limited. Reserve your place aboard Clearwater and experience Sail250 from a perspective few will ever have, from the deck of a working historic Hudson River Sloop.
Sail4th 250 is a multi-state tall ship celebration of the 250th birthday of the United States. The first maritime celebration of the founding of the United States was Operation Sail in 1964, of which Clearwater was a participating vessel.
July 3 Sail250 Parade
When: 10:30am – 4pm Friday, July 3, 2026
Where: PortSide NewYork, Pier 11, Atlantic Basin, Red Hook, Brooklyn, NY 11231 – view map (Departure/return)
Duration: 8 hours
Capacity 25
Tickets: $250 – purchase tickets
Clearwater is participating in the Sail4th 250 Parade of Sail: Class B Tall Ships on Friday, July 3, showcasing mid-sized traditionally-rigged boats. The parade will occur in the East River and sail toward New York Harbor beginning at 1pm. Clearwater will be taking 25 passengers for the parade, boarding at PortSide NewYork in Atlantic Basin in Red Hook, Brooklyn, transiting up to the starting line, and disembarking passengers at PortSide NewYork.
Passengers must arrive at PortSide NewYork by 10:30am on Friday, July 3, ahead of an 11am departure. At the parade’s conclusion, Clearwater will return to Atlantic Basin, and passengers will disembark at PortSide NewYork at approximately 4pm, depending on conditions, and passengers should expect to be onboard for 5 hours. A light lunch and non-alcoholic drinks will be served. Passengers are welcome to bring additional refreshments, including beer and wine. Hard-sided coolers and glass are prohibited. Alcohol consumption onboard is at the discretion of the captain.
Shade is limited on the Clearwater, and we advise dressing accordingly for the weather in light layers and bringing sunscreen, a hat, and a full reusable water bottle. Rustic bathroom facilities are available below deck and can be accessed by a ladder.
In the event of severe weather or unsafe conditions, we will notify ticket holders regarding cancellation or rescheduling plans. As a member-supported non-profit, our work is made possible by our donors and supporters. In the event of a cancellation, we hope you will strongly consider converting your ticket refund into a donation to Clearwater.
July 4 Sail250 Parade
When: 5:45am – 2pm Saturday, July 4, 2026
Where: PortSide NewYork in Red Hook, Brooklyn TO 79th Street Boat Basin, Manhattan (ONE WAY)
Boarding Location: Portside NewYork, Pier 11, Atlantic Basin, Red Hook, Brooklyn, NY 11231 – map
Disembark Location: 79th Street Boat Basin, 79 Hudson River Greenway, New York, NY 10024 – map
Duration: 8 hours
Capacity 25
Tickets: $250 – purchase tickets
Clearwater is participating in the Sail4th 250 Parade of Tall Ships, which brings together tall ships from the US and around the world on Saturday, July 4. The parade will begin at the Verazzo Bridge at 9:30am on July 4 and sail to the George Washington Bridge, and Clearwater will act as an escort to Esmeralda, a tall ship of the Chilean Navy. Clearwater will be taking 25 passengers for the parade, boarding at PortSide NewYork in Atlantic Basin in Red Hook, Brooklyn, and disembarking at the 79th Street Boat Basin.
Passengers must arrive at PortSide NewYork in Atlantic Basin by 5:45am ahead of a 6:10am departure. Approximate disembarking time is 2pm depending on conditions at 79th Street Boat Basin in Manhattan, and should expect to be onboard for 8 hours. Light breakfast and light lunch will be served. Passengers are welcome to bring additional refreshments, including beer and wine. Hard-sided coolers and glass are prohibited. Alcohol consumption onboard is at the discretion of the captain.
Shade is limited on the Clearwater, and we advise dressing accordingly for the weather in light layers and bringing sunscreen, a hat, and a full reusable water bottle. Rustic bathroom facilities are available below deck and can be accessed by a ladder.
Information on getting to PortSide NewYork
In the event of severe weather or unsafe conditions, we will notify ticket holders regarding cancellation or rescheduling plans. As a member-supported non-profit, our work is made possible by our donors and supporters. In the event of a cancellation, we hope you will strongly consider converting your ticket refund into a donation to Clearwater.
In the event of severe weather or unsafe conditions, we will notify ticket holders regarding cancellation or rescheduling plans. As a member-supported non-profit, our work is made possible by our donors and supporters. In the event of a cancellation, we hope you will strongly consider converting your ticket refund into a donation to Clearwater.
About Hudson River Sloop Clearwater:
In 1966, folk singer Pete Seeger and a group of activists decided to “build a boat to save the river,” envisioning that a sloop would bring people to the shoreline and inspire a movement to protect the Hudson River. Three years later, Clearwater set sail with a mission to save the Hudson through education, advocacy, and sailing. Today, Hudson River Sloop Clearwater remains resolute in this mission, and to date, more than half a million people have had the life-changing experience of sailing aboard the Clearwater. Learn more: https://www.clearwater.org/
Learn more about Sail4th 250: https://sail4th.org/