Welcome to America’s #1 Sailing School
Instructors Who Put You First
Interested in learning how to sail or taking some sailing lessons? Do you want more than just a one or two hour lesson in terminology and boat anatomy? Do you want instructors who put you first, ensuring that you have the skills you need to safely enjoy the freedom of the sailing lifestyle? Then Offshore Sailing School is the perfect place for you! We offer far more than just a simple overview of sailing, disguised as a lesson. Our courses are designed to give students real, practical knowledge through a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on learning.
Sailing Certification at Eight Great Locations
Graduates of our sailing school come away, not only with an outstanding vacation experience, but a new and inspiring lifestyle, complete with an internationally recognized sailing certificate. You can choose to learn at our schools in New York and New Jersey, Chesapeake Bay Maryland, Florida or the British Virgin Islands. Make your time with Offshore Sailing School a complete vacation adventure. Get away for a weekend or a week of sailing. Come home with an entirely new lifestyle – the sailing lifestyle!
Just Some of the Offshore Sailing School Course Offerings
Celebrating 49 Years and 130,000 Graduates!
No matter your level of interest or previous sailing experience, the single most important factor in learning how to sail or advancing your current sailing skills is decided where and from whom to learn. For more than 49 years, Steve and Doris Colgate have been teaching novice and experienced sailors, sharing with them the joy and adventure of the sailing lifestyle. Their dedication, attention to detail and love for sailing is the reason why Offshore Sailing School is considered the premier sailing school worldwide. More than 130,000 graduates would whole-heartily agree our Offshore Sailing School sailing lessons are unlike any other offered in the United States today.
Accomplish Your Sailing Goals with Confidence
There is nothing quite like the freedom and experience that goes with the sailing lifestyle. Whether you want to spend your weekends racing around the buoys, or cruising beautiful coasts around the U.S., or you want to live aboard and take exotic vacations in far-away destinations, we can teach you how to sail with confidence. Our courses will take you from complete novice to old salt in just a few days. We provide you with the skills and knowledge necessary to enjoy sailing for the rest of your life! With a broad range of course options and a sailing education beyond compare, you can turn a weekend getaway into a life-changing adventure, with skills and confidence you can apply on or off the water.
“I’ve seen promotional campaigns in sailing magazines praising Offshore Sailing School. Quite a few times, I must admit, I felt the quote under the picture of the person taking the course was a bit sugar-coated. Now, having taken the Fast Track to Cruising course, I firmly endorse those comments, and feel confident enough to do what many will find inspiring.”
– Michael and Sotira Forlini - Rosemere, Quebec
The Offshore Sailing Difference
Offshore Sailing School offers sailing courses designed to meet the needs of sailors with a variety of experience levels. Our courses are thorough and life changing. Here are of the differences in the sailing lessons offered by our sailing school include:
- Minimum two-day course length to get acquainted with sailing, minimum three days to gain certification
- Flexible course options to meet the needs of every sailor, novice to advanced
- Experienced and caring instructors, certified by US SAILING, the highest national standard in the United States
- A successful and highly rewarding test sail is required as part of your course completion
Live aboard course options, encompassing class and practical instruction
- Performance and Racing courses for the competitive spirit
- No more than four students per instructor for individualized training
- And our Guarantee that gives you a repeat course, tuition free, if you are not satisfied
The Greatest Classroom in the World!®
The sailing industry, from boat manufacturers to suppliers to services, refer clients and friends to Offshore. Here's what Peter Nielsen, SAIL Magazine's editor-in-chief (shown at right), wrote about Offshore Sailing School:
"If you want to learn to sail, look no further. Steve and Doris Colgate
will get you on the water quickly, safely and enjoyably."
– Peter Nielsen, SAIL Magazine Editor-In-Chief
Awards, Accolades and Press
Over the 49 year legacy of Offshore Sailing School, we have received numerous awards and accolades, as well as extensive media attention. Our sailing school was featured on ABC, in a half-hour travel show. In 2010, the New York Times wrote about Offshore Sailing School in an award-winning two-page feature article. Also in 2010, Offshore Sailing School was featured in the Special Health Issue of Ladies' Home Journal. SAIL Magazine also named Steve and Doris Colgate in the Top 40 Sailors Who Made a Difference, citing their contribution to modern sailing education and training, and covered the Fast Track to Cruising course in a four page feature in 2012, and Southern Living named Offshore Sailing School one of the top 19 gifts for Christmas 2012.
Some of our awards include:
- Sail America Southam Award, January 2000 to Doris Colgate's for her book SAILING: A Woman's Guide
- Leadership in Women's Sailing Award to Doris Colgate in 2004 from BoatU.S. and the National Women's Sailing Association for her dedication to introducing more women to sailing and helping at-risk girls through sailing
- Betty Cooke Memorial Achievement Award to Doris Colgate in 1994 from Boating Magazine and International Women in Boating for her lifelong work in the sailing education industry
- SAIL Magazine Industry Award for Leadership 1996 to Doris and Steve Colgate for their achievements in sailing education
- US Sailing Timothea Larry Trophy 2003 for outstanding leadership and excellence in sailing education to Doris and Steve Colgate and the President's Industry Leadership Award 1999 to Steve Colgate
- Junonia Award 2010 to the Colgates and Offshore Sailing School's for their commitment and dedication to Lee County Tourism Industry from Lee County Visitors and Convention Bureau
Talk to Our Grads
Read our graduatetestimonials and find out why "Trust" is so important when seeking a positive learning experience.
Choose Your Sailing Course, Pick a Date
Call 888-454-7015
Request a Quote to find out how easy it is to sign up for one of our sailing lessons. Our Friendly Sailing Advisors are standing by to answer all your questions!
Community and Giving Back
Offshore Sailing School is a National Sponsor for the Leukemia Cup Regatta programs, which supports the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and its dedication to research and treatment of blood diseases. When you take a course with Offshore, a portion of your tuition goes to this great cause. In addition, Offshore and its founders, Steve and Doris Colgate support many other worthwhile causes, including the building of the new Golisano Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida, local PBS stations and the American Heart Association.
SAILING- Good for You, Good for the World!®