In nearly every movie featuring a summer scene in New York City’s Central Park, visitors can be seen gathered around the popular Bethesda Fountain watching a slew of miniature, remote-controlled sailboats race across the water.
Grant Fischer, owner USail Rental, is hoping to bring that same kind of experience to Barrie, having recently set up his sailboat rental company along the city’s waterfront trail and Centennial Beach.
“The only other place that rents (the sailboats) is in Central Park in New York City," he told BarrieToday. "They have 50 of these boats and the horticultural society there has been running it for 11 years. They are typically sold out."
Fischer says it’s a great way for visitors to the lakeshore to go sailing, but without the need for any real skill or rigging hassles.
“It’s just like real sailing. You have a remote control that allows you to operate the sail winch, which lets the boom out on the sailboat so you can capture the wind," he said. "The other control is for the rudder of the boat so you can steer.
"You have to sense which direction the wind is coming from and then just like in a real sailboat you have to set the sail accordingly to grab the wind and go in the direction you want to sail," Fischer added.
Rentals cost $9 for 15 minutes or $15 for 30 minutes, he said, noting they plan to be out seven-days-a-week from 11 a.m. until approximately 8 p.m. The company currently has a licensing agreement with the city for three years, with the option of adding on another two years, he said.
In addition to the sailboats, which Fischer says are more geared for adult use, they also rent remote-controlled tugboats for kids.
Fischer, who currently lives in Orillia, said he initially approached the city with his proposal five years ago, and is excited to now be able to share the opportunity with visitors. He said he wanted to try the Barrie waterfront to utilize the traffic and expose people to the joys of sailing.
So far, the response has been positive, he said.
“Everybody who has done the rentals loves it. We are certainly open and hoping for a successful first season," Fischer said. "It’s like going back to childhood. It’s the simple pleasures and you challenge yourself by controlling the boat.
"It’s you against nature — being the wind — and how you navigate your boat, just like in a real sailboat. It’s that experience, but they don’t have to worry about flipping over and getting wet.”
