[ccboston]

Speaking strictly downtown Boston:

You can do it the informal way by crewing on racing boats. Look for a club with an active racing program. Call a couple of clubs and ask about posting "Crew available" notices. Be honest about your lack of experience; if you can offer offer good attitude and willingness to work hard and show up regularly and on time, that already makes you valuable.

You can also take classes. There are two major commercial operations on Boston Harbor: "Boston Harbor Sailing Club" and "Boston Sailing Center" They both seem to have pretty good reputations; I have met instructors with only one, "Boston Harbor Sailing Club" and they seem to be quite good. That''s not to dis the other operation; I just don''t happen to know them. As always, there''s a lot of variability between one individual''s style and another, and different styles work for different folks.

There are also community based clubs -- Community Boating right on the Charles river has taught thousands and thousands of people how to sail over the years. Some newer community organizations are Courageous Sailing Center in Charlestown, and Piers Park Sailing Center in East Boston.