Welcome to Rutland Sailability
In 2025 we celebrated 30 years of facilitating safe sailing for people with disabilities in the delightful setting of Rutland Water. In our 32nd year we continue to offer a range of training, sailing for fun, & racing, for those with every level of sailing skill - beginners to elite.
We provide accessible boats & equipment, in a fully accessible venue and the support of a great team of friendly, experienced volunteers.
We welcome sailors with a disability & able-bodied volunteers. Everyone is a member and age is no barrier. We currently have members aged between 7 and 87yrs old!
Weather permitting, April to October, we sail every Thursday (all day) & Saturday (morning only). November to March we meet on Thursdays for an interesting series of talks, training & socialising.
Rutland Water: Forecast Weather Conditions
2026 Sailing Season Is Ending Shortly
The 2026 sailing season for Rutland Sailability is ending shortly and what a year it has been: winds too high, winds too low and temperatures definately far too high. We have taken delivery of a new Hawk 20 and a new Drascombe Longboat while at the same gifting a Longboat and a Kinsman to other charitable institutions with an interest in sailing. On the membership side we have had a very productive training programme that has resulted in members gaining RYA Level 2 sailing qualifications as well as a programme to bring on some of our members as Assistant Instructors and Instructors. We have also introduced our own bespoke youth training programme on a Saturday morning which should make it easier for our youth sailors to move into the RYA Youth Sailing Scheme. On top of all that we have actually had a lot of fun sailing!
To gain a better understanding of the what, when, where and why of Rutland Sailability (RS) please do have a look through this website and then come on down and see if sailing 'rocks-your-boat'!
The photos below were taken throughout 2026 and provide a short pictorial history of what we have been up to. As with 2025 in the last weeks of October, 'the tide went out' at Rutland Water which resulted in Challenger sailing being cancelled, small boat sailing being severlly limited and made for some interesting departures and approaches to what was left of the jetty that was usable!
Our Aims
Sharing the sport of sailing with people who have a wide range and degree of disability, through recreation, training and racing – towards the limits of individual aspirations
Can sailing with a disability really be this much fun?
At Rutland Sailability
we believe that it can!
Sailability - offers more than just sailing . . .
This video was produced by the Royal Yachting Association, the Governing Body for Boating in the UK. Much of it was shot at Rutland Sailability (RS) and features both members and boats from RS. RS is based at Rutland Sailing Club LE15 8HJ.
For more videos on 'Sailing with a Disability' please see YouTube channels for
Opportunities With Rutland Sailability
Adults sailing with a disability
Youngsters sailing with a disability
Volunteering
Interested in starting or returning to sailing?
We have excellent facilities for you to learn to sail, and sail for fun or racing, in a safe, enjoyable & exhilarating environment and "No, you don't need to be able to swim!"
Looking for a friendly, fun & safe activity - outdoors?
We run a great programme, teaching youngsters with a disability how to sail safely & independently. The age range is 7-18 years old.
Do you have time on your hands & skills to share - retired or free on a Thursday or Saturday morning? Are you looking for a regular, purposeful activity, afloat or ashore? The safe, efficient running of Sailability, requires a whole range of skills. "No, you don't need to be a sailor."
Funding our activities
Simply going for a ride
Are you able to support our activities?
For some of our members, finance can be an additional barrier. All our members pay a moderate annual fee.
For the remainder of our running costs & development we are very dependent upon donations, sponsorship & member fundraising.
Every contribution, great or small, is very much appreciated!
Looking for a safe, rewarding outdoor experience for your residents with special needs?
We offer weekly slots for groups of people with Special Needs & their carers simply to enjoy the stimulus of being out on the water in a the lovely setting of Rutland Water.