Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club Boathouse
Business Details
About
The Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club Boathouse is a non-profit focused on keeping human-powered watercraft alive and accessible along the Gowanus Canal. Membership isn’t required to drop in; paddlers of all skill levels can borrow canoes or kayaks on designated days, provided they’ve completed a quick safety orientation. Guided paddles through the tidal estuary give newcomers a chance to learn the basics hands-on, while veteran boaters often organize exploratory trips up- and downstream. The club also hosts monthly cleanup events to keep the waterway—still visibly industrial—from gathering more debris than wildlife.
On the industrial fringe of South Brooklyn, the boathouse sits at 165 2nd St, Brooklyn, NY 11231, a five-minute walk from Smith-9th Streets. Its slipway juts out past the bulkhead, giving paddlers immediate water access regardless of tide. Surrounding blocks mix auto shops with tiny food spots, so you can drag your boat back and eat in under ten minutes.
Questions about upcoming paddles or orientations usually get answered by calling (860) 469-2687. Volunteers coordinate schedules weekly, so a quick call confirms next steps or next week’s schedule. No voicemail scavenger hunt, just a direct line to the people who set the trips.
For anyone unsure where to find the slipway, a clear map with real-time door-to-door directions is here: 165 2nd St on Google Maps. Print it once, keep it in the glove box, and you’ll never circle the block looking for kayaks again.
