About Sail Boston 2009
Boston’s history stretches beyond the land to the sea. Boston has a wealth of maritime history _ both past and present. Bostonians welcome crews and cadets from all over the world to their harbor on a continual basis as part of the Sail Massachusetts Visiting Ship Program and are gearing up to greet the return of the Tall Ship fleet for Sail Boston 2009!
Known as America’s Walking City, Boston is home to many historic sites that date back to the American Revolution. Visitors to Boston are encouraged to stroll the Freedom Trail, a 2.5-mile red brick walking trail that passes sixteen nationally significant historic sites. The Freedom Trail begins at Boston Common and ends at Bunker Hill, near the Charlestown Navy Yard and the home of the USS Constitution, the oldest commissioned ship afloat in the world.
Sail Boston is an official Port of the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge 2009 (TSAC). The trans-Atlantic regatta will start in Vigo, Spain. From there the fleet will race to Tenerife in the Canary Islands, en route to Bermuda. The fleet will then race to Charleston, South Carolina before racing to Boston, for Sail Boston 2009. From Boston the fleet will cruise in company north to Halifax, Canada. From there the fleet will race back across the North Atlantic to Belfast, Northern Ireland.
The five-day Sail Boston festival will begin with the Grand Parade of Sail into Boston Harbor, continue with a crew and cadet parade through the downtown streets of Boston, crew and cadet soccer tournaments, exciting harbor tours, shopping, music, entertainment and the best cuisine in New England.
Vessels will dock in the emerging Seaport District, Fan Pier Basin, Rowes Wharf and at the historic wharfs of the North End and Charlestown. See our map of Boston Harbor for locations.
In addition to the many activities and events, Sail Boston will entertain its younger audience with educational programs focusing on US and international maritime history. Cadets and crewmembers will be available to educate children of all ages of their personal experiences at sea, home countries and more.
Experience Boston at its finest during Sail Boston 2009. Our staff is working hard to accommodate residents and visitors to make their stays memorable.