Charlottetown program brings accessible boats, lift system to local harbour
On a breezy Saturday in Charlottetown, a small fleet with a big purpose slipped off the dock at the Charlottetown Yacht Club. The boats belonged to a new pilot effort, Able Sail P.E.I., created to open sailing to Islanders with disabilities using adaptive technology and a dockside lift that keeps boarding safe and steady.
The program has been underway since the beginning of July, and interest is building. Two specialized sailboats — on loan for the summer from the group’s chapter in Shediac, N.B. — are rigged so a sailor can raise the sail and steer while remaining securely seated. One vessel can even be operated using gentle breaths through a straw-like tube, a setup that transforms wind and water into access rather than barriers.
Longtime sailor finds her way back to the water
For Cara Flanagan, who grew up sailing and later stepped back when symptoms of multiple sclerosis made standard boats unworkable, the pilot has meant reclaiming a part of everyday Island life — time afloat.
"It's been wonderful to be able to find the passion of getting back on the boat," she said, describing the feeling as freedom in sun and wind, with the independence to steer her own course.
Flanagan headed out from the yacht club in one of the new accessible boats, supported by a lift system that transfers sailors smoothly from dock to seat. The lift, also on loan, is as central to the project as the boats themselves, making departures routine and dignified rather than precarious.
Organizer driven by lived experience
Program organizer Ben Keizer says his push to get the pilot off the ground on P.E.I. comes from what sailing gave him when he was growing up. With learning disabilities that made some spaces feel complicated, the sport offered quiet, control and confidence.
Keizer wants others to have that same door open. His pitch is simple: with the right equipment, sailing can be a sport where people with a range of disabilities choose their own pace, whether that’s skimming along inside the harbour or building skills for breezier days.
How the pilot works on the dock
- Boats: Two adaptive sailboats are being used in the pilot, both loaned for the summer from Shediac.
- Controls: Sail and rudder can be handled while seated; one boat can be steered using sip-and-puff-style breath controls.
- Transfer: A dockside lift system ensures steady, supported movement into and out of each boat.
- Location: Launching from the Charlottetown Yacht Club on the city’s waterfront.
The setup keeps the experience centred on the sailor. From arrival to return, the equipment is designed to take strain off both the participant and volunteers, reducing risk while preserving independence on the water.
Why it matters for Islanders
Island life is shaped by tides and shoreline, yet not everyone has had a practical way to take part. The pilot closes some of that gap. For residents managing mobility limits or conditions affecting balance and strength, adaptive boats and a reliable lift can mean joining friends and family for a sail instead of waving from shore.
There’s also a community effect: seeing adaptive craft in the harbour normalizes inclusion. It signals that local clubs and volunteers can rework long-standing maritime traditions so they welcome more people — not someday, but now.
At a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Adaptive sailboats | 2 (on loan for the summer from Shediac, N.B.) |
| Lift system | 1 (loaned; assists safe transfers) |
| Location | Charlottetown Yacht Club |
| Program start | Beginning of July |
Getting involved
Able Sail P.E.I. is already running sessions at the Charlottetown Yacht Club. Islanders interested in learning more can reach out to the organizers or inquire at the club to discuss eligibility, availability and support needs. Volunteers familiar with boating and dockside assistance are often key to keeping programs like this afloat through the season.
The sight of those two small boats tacking past the yacht club is a reminder that accessibility doesn’t have to be complicated to be meaningful. Sometimes it’s a secure seat, a simple lift and a steady breeze — enough to put more Islanders at the helm of their own afternoon on the water.
