Archive for the ‘Colgate 26 sailboats’ Category

38 Years in the British Virgin Islands

Saturday, August 28th, 2010
The Moorings fleet in the BVI

Some of The Moorings fleet in the British Virgin Islands

In 1972 Steve and I put together the first of more than 100 cruising vacations for our growing list of Offshore Sailing School (www.OffshoreSailing.com) graduates who wanted more. We got on a plane in the heat of a New York City August morning and sped down to the British Virgin Islands with 34 graduates – all for less than $500 per person including air! It was beastly hot when we changed to a puddle jumper in Puerto Rico, but on the ground at Beef Island a steady breeze off the water wafted through the air. We got to expect those cooling Trade Winds any time of year and, along with our graduates, fell in love with those beautiful, lush islands. A year later, we forged a partnership with The Moorings and started teaching cruising courses on their yachts.

 Today, 38 years later that partnership is going strong. Offshore Sailing School has taught thousands of would-be cruisers to take the helm of a bareboat charter yacht. I can’t think of a better place to fulfill your sailing goals and enjoy a refreshing and rewarding learning experience than from The Moorings Village at Wyckham’s Cay in Road Town, the capital of the British Virgin Islands (http://www.moorings.com/vacation-options/bareboat-yacht-charter/destinations/caribbean/british-virgin-islands/tortola).

This is the place to Learn to Sail, take the Fast Track to Cruising course, our Live Aboard Cruising course and get into Passage Making. You can get US SAILING certification or Colgate Certification and start cruising all over the world at The Moorings bases after just one course. Offshore Sailing School’s Colgate 26 fleet at this location provides a five-day relaxing vacation with certification at the Day Sailing level. It’s also the stepping-stone for Live Aboard Courses on gorgeous 43′ to 51′ cruising yachts, even power cruising on super comfortable Moorings 47′ power cats.

Here’s an excerpt from The Moorings website: The British Virgin Islands (BVI) are comprised of more than 25 beautiful jewels set amid the sheltered, turquoise waters of the central Caribbean Sea. Tortola, Jost Van Dyke, Virgin Gorda, and Anegada are the major isles of the archipelago. The smaller islands, many splendid for day or overnight visits, add to the varied mix of tropical pleasures, which can be as laid-back or as active as desired during a British Virgin Islands yacht charter. White-sand beaches, luxury waterfront resorts, sailor-friendly bars and upscale restaurants, chic boutique shopping, snorkeling and scuba diving on coral reefs teeming with sea life, it is all the perfect blend to create a delightfully rejuvenating experience under sail.

The Baths in the British Virgin islands

Learning to Cruise on a power boat or sailing yacht in the British Virgin Islands

No matter when you go, you’ll enjoy temperatures ranging from 70 to 80 with constant breezes and beautiful crystal clear waters. At this location you can spend your time learning while staying in a lovely room ashore (our five-day Learn to Sail course on a Colgate 26), go from novice to ready-to-cruise in an accelerated Fast Track to Cruising experience with two days learning the basics on a Colgate 26 and then five days mastering the techniques of handling a beautiful 43’ cruising yacht. Or, if you already have the basics you can step right into the Live Aboard Cruising course and earn your bareboat cruising certification in five action packed days.

Then the world is yours – chartering with The Moorings back in the BVI, heading abroad to the Greek Islands or the South Pacific, or one of their many other locations in the Caribbean, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean, Far East, South Pacific, Mexico and Pacific Northwest.

But you gotta start somewhere, so send me an email (doris@offshoresailing.com) and I’ll get you hoooked up with one of our super sales associates for a learning vcation you’ll long remember!

Yours truly,

Doris Colgate of Offshore Sailing School

Doris Colgate, forever sailing and loving it

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Posted in Caribbean sailing, Colgate 26 sailboats, Colgate Certification, Cruising courses, Fast Track to Cruising, Learn to Sail, Leopard 46 catamaran, Offshore Cruising club, Sailing lessons, Sailing vacations, Steve and Doris Colgate, The Moorings, US SAILING, bareboat cruising, passage making, sailing lifestyle | No Comments »

New Colgate 26 Sailboat is “Best Birthday Present”

Wednesday, August 18th, 2010
George and Trudy Allen

George and Trudy Allen

 
This past weekend Colgate 26 hull # 323 was delivered to her new owner George Allen of Jackson, Mississippi, by Offshore Sailing School COO Doug Sparks.  The Jackson Yacht Club on beautiful Barnett Reservoir is Hull # 323’s new home. This is one nice club. Yes, the club building is unique, the view of the lake fantastic, the food is really good, and the docks and facilities are in pretty good shape. All important attributes of a first rate yacht club no-doubt. However, what makes this club so nice is that it is the home club for some of the nicest and friendliest sailors I have ever met. They redefine the meaning of “Southern Hospitality” and take it to another level.
 
Trudy Allen, George’s wife, surprised him with what George called, “the darn best birthday present a man could ever have,” with a huge grin on his face when he saw “The Breeze” for the first time at the club. The Allen’s have a great friend named Ken Allen (no relation, but George swears that somewhere along the line they must be related because Ken is such a nice guy and so is George), who does most of the rigging for the fleet at the yacht club. Ken was a psychologist in his pre-sailboat life with a very successful practice and he gave it up to do what he does best, mess around with boats. Needless to say I learned a lot from Ken about the club, about boats, and about the love of sailing that is shared by many in this part of the country. According to Ken this C26 is only the second “new” boat on the lake in a very long time.

 Back to Trudy and George. The boat was rigged, sails bent on her and off we go for her maiden voyage on Barnett Reservoir. A very light SE breeze, 6 adults onboard and “The Breeze” sailed like a dream.  

George Allen's New Colgate 26

"The Breeze" on Barnett Reservoir

 “We looked at a lot of different boats over the last few years. We knew what we wanted and what we did not want. We found everything we wanted in the C26,” says Trudy. George is very happy with his new boat. ” The boat has a great feel, the cockpit is great, lots of room for us no matter what we do, go racing the boat or just out with the grand kids. It is very solid and safe, easy to maintain and will be lots of fun for us. I wanted a new boat so I would always know how every single ding, dent or scratch came to be.”Trudy is just as excited about their new Colgate 26. Both Trudy and George have done lots of sailing over the years. They had a new Hunter on the lake at one time named “Some Assembly Required.” George will tell you that Trudy’s nickname is NPR, Never Pay Retail. She became a Hunter small boat dealer several years ago and when they went and picked up the first Hunter for the dealership they realized they had to rig the boat – Some Assembly Required. 

So, Hull #323, now fondly called “The Breeze”, is laying in her custom slip courtesy of the many talents of Boat Psychologist Ken Allen at the Jackson Yacht Club on Barnett Reservoir. Did I mention that some of the nicest people in the world sail here? Thanks for your business Trudy and George - enjoy many happy days on your new C26! 

If you’d like to learn how to sail on a Colgate 26 check out Learn to Sail  and  Performance Sailing and Racing Courses at Offshore Sailing School – www.offshoresailing.com.  

For more information on The Colgate 26 please go to www.colgate26.com or call Steve Colgate @ 866-842-4355. 

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Posted in Colgate 26 sailboats, Learn to Sail, Performance Race Week, Performance sailing, Sailboat Racing, Sailing lessons, sailing lifestyle | No Comments »

Offshore Sailing School and the Gulf Oil Spill

Tuesday, June 1st, 2010
Leopard 46 on Gulf of Mexico

Offshore Sailing School catamaran course enjoys good winds and clear water on the Gulf of Mexico

There is a misconception among some vacationers, who seem to be putting travel plans on hold to sanctuaries and beaches of the Gulf of Mexico.  It is almost 5 p.m. on Tuesday morning, June 1, and our beaches remain pristine, our waters clear and enticing.

Yesterday and today our boats were sailing in the warm waters of the Gulf and on Tampa Bay, in a delightful breeze with dolphins playing in our wakes. Eager sailors were pariticpating in the Offshore Sailing School Learn to Sail, Fast Track to Cruising and Bareboat Cruising courses with big smiles on their faces.

The sky was bright blue all day with puffy clouds and, though there were predictions of occasional afternoon showers, none appeared.  On the beaches of Captiva Island and Ft. Myers Beach and in Tampa Bay, we are hundreds of miles from where the terrible oil spill is occurring.  So far no currents are bringing any of that huge plume our way.  And we don’t expect that to happen for quite a while (obviously hopefully never).

Bruce and Sean Hoffman from Washington, DC took the Offshore Sailing School 5-day Learn to Sail course at South Seas Island Resort on Captiva Island, Florida.

Meanwhile, our courses are in full swing and before the Memorial Day Weekend I received some wonderful evaluations from recent graduates.  We urge you to look at your vacation plans and join us this summer in one of the most beautiful close-to-home regions you’ll ever find.  For some of you it’s a short or long car trip, for others a short or long flight.  Whichever you choose, your decision to come on down and share the riches of this beautiful area – learning to sail or sail better – on a very affordable vacation, will be one of the best moves you’ve ever made.

To allay any “fears” here is our cancellation policy for our three Florida locations: http://www.offshoresailing.com/gulf-spill-update.aspx this summer.

Kids and Teens Learn Free Learn to Sail Course

Kids and teens "learn free" with their parents in Offshore Sailing School Learn to Sail course on Captiva Island

Sailing is one of the most rewarding, refreshing activities there is.  It’s absolutely awe inspiring to glide along in a soft breeze with nary a sound but the shooshing of waves against your hull.  You are commanding a sleek sailboat, with no throbbing engine, no fuel fumes hovering around your stern.  You are sailing with wind power alone. Each little move of the helm points the boat to where you want to go – in excited anticipation of reaching your destination and learning the ropes at sea. This kind of freedom, sense of accomplishment and thrill cannot be matched in any other activity.  It won’t scare your pants off like level 5 white water rafting, and the feeling you get under sail is long lasting — in your thoughts when you head home, lulling you to sleep in the quiet of the night.

Here’s a note we recently received from Indiana resident, Bryce Kibbel, who recently took our Fast Track to Cruising course in St. Pete. “I had a great time learning with the instructors. The Colgate 26 was incredibly fun to sail and the Hunter 49 was like having our own personal yacht. Well worth the time and money. The Mansion House is to be highly recommended. If traveling to St. Pete, that is where we will be staying.” This isn’t Bryce in the photo, it’s one of our teens who participated with his Dad in a Learn to Sail course last month.  Does he look like he is having a good time?  You bet!

Treat yourself, treat your kids to some quality time on the Gulf of Mexico – sailing, learning, living the start of a whole new lifestyle! If you’d like to chat about what sailing can do for you, just give me a call.

Doris Colgate
CEO, President and Avid Sailor
239-985-7511

South Seas Island Resort from the Sound

Pristine waters and gorgeous skies at South Seas Island Resort on the Gulf of Mexico

Offshore Sailing School – 46 years of making people happy campers (er sailors)!

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Posted in Captiva Island, Colgate 26 sailboats, Cruising courses, Florida Sailing Instruction, Learn to Sail, Sailing lessons, bareboat cruising, sailing lifestyle | No Comments »

Colgate 26 #320 going to North Idaho College for Sailing Instruction

Wednesday, February 24th, 2010

I’m so pleased that the 320th Colgate 26 sailing instruction boat hull to come off the line is moving across the country to Idaho.  Jon Totten, the college’s Outdoor Pursuits Coordinator, just sent me some of the reasons they chose the Colgate 26 for sailing instruction so I thought I’d share them with our followers. Here’s what he wrote:

Colgate 26 for sailing instruction will be sailed at North Idaho College

New Colgate 26 heads to North Idaho College

“North Idaho College (NIC) is a community college located in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho.  We have approximately 5000 students studying everything from nursing to auto mechanics. The Outdoor Pursuits program (www.nic.edu/op) , which has included a sailing element since its inception, has been getting students on the lake and in the surrounding mountains for over 30 years.

Our sailing program has evolved significantly over that time. The addition of the Colgate 26 is the final step toward our goal of owning all of the boats used for the program.  As you can imagine, this will eliminate many headaches. Last season we had over 100 sailing students in our program.  Due to the fact that we only had Hobies to teach on, our offering was limited to basic sailing only.  The addition of the Colgate 26 will allow us to offer advanced courses such as racing, cruising, advanced sail trim and more.

The Colgate 26 will be sailed primarily on Coeur d’ Alene Lake.  NIC has a mile and a half of lake front, which is where our summer program resides. Wind speeds range from 5–15 knots most days.  The lake’s a bit tricky due to the surrounding mountains’ influence on the breeze.  Our season begins in April/May and ends in October/November depending on the year.  We also plan to put a student race team together and campaign the boat regionally.  Regattas on nearby Lake Pend Oreille (Sandpoint, Idaho) and Flathead Lake (NW Montana) will be first on the list.  Eventually I’d like to race the boat at Whidbey Island Race Week in Washington’s Puget Sound.

We chose the Colgate 26 mainly due to the fact that is was designed specifically for instruction.  I’ve taught on a lot of different boats in a lot of different conditions.  The only challenge that’s consistent is the boat itself.  I was able to sail aboard a fellow instructor’s Colgate 26 in Bellingham, WA while I was working for San Juan Sailing.  I was immediately impressed with the function and form of the boat.  I’m confident that it will be a perfect fit for our program.

Colgate 26 is great boat for racing and sail training

Colgate 26 used by many schools and service institutions, including Offshore Sailing School and U.S. Naval Academy

This boat will be an excellent addition to our program and community.  The excitement is mounting on campus as we have announced the purchase and we will be holding a student writing competition to decide on a name.  Very cool.”

I (Steve Colgate) designed the Colgate 26 primarily for my 46 year old company, Offshore Sailing School back in 1996. It debuted at the U.S. Sailboat Show in Annapolis, MD that fall and won the coveted Cruising World magazine Boat of the Year Award in the Pocket Cruiser Division in 1997. The U.S. Naval Academy chose it as their training boat that year (they now have a fleet of 30) and other academies have followed suit, including the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and Maine Maritime Academy. A lot of our boats (see www.Colgate26.com) are now day sailing and racing around the country in local fleets, owned by individuals. There’s even a sailing club in Qatar with 10 Colgate 26s going strong.

It warms my heart to see the 320th hull roll off the line, and have it go to a college with such dedicated goals. We wish Jon and North Idaho College all the best for their sailing program.

Steve Colgate
Chairman and Founder
Offshore Sailing School

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Posted in Colgate 26 sailboats, Learn to Sail, North Idaho College, Performance sailing, Sail trim, Sailboat Racing | No Comments »

Sailing, Leadership, and Teambuilding with the Quality Life Center

Tuesday, February 16th, 2010
Teambuilding and leadership sailing instruction for at risk kids

Offshore Sailing School hosts team building and leadership program for Quality Life Center

One of the great things about Offshore Sailing School’s corporate culture is the company’s willingness to give back to the communities that we live and work in.  Teambuilding and leadership programs are prominent in the sailing school’s outreach programs. A great example of this is Offshore Sailing School’s innovative sailing and leadership program called Leadership at the Helm™.  

This winter, Offshore Sailing School brought team building to a wonderful group of young adults through  The Quality Life Center of Southwest Florida, based in Ft.Myers. Quality Life Center has been providing educational tutoring and mentoring services to children since 1992. Through a holistic approach they strive to help the children and their family manage day to day challenges and help those in need gain a better quality life. They are in the trenches fighting everyday for the less fortunate, underprivileged and disadvantaged youth of North Ft Myers Florida. These programs produce positive results and are a beacon of hope in the lives in of the children and families they touch.

As a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization they constantly are coping with funding and resource issues in this tight economy.  One of the many successful programs they run is called “Believe to Achieve”  focusing on the individual as a leader and team member in building positive outcomes in their own lives and as a member of society. Enter, Offshore Sailing School. During the holiday break and through the first weeks of 2010 sixteen young women and sixteen young men along with facilitators from the Center were introduced to a ground breaking leadership program. Learning how to sail on the sailing school’s Colgate 26 sailboats with expert sailing instructors, the children were introduced to leadership theory and teambuilding concepts that will

Quality Life Center boys learn how to sail

Quality Life Center boys concentrate on learning how to sail

help them in their everyday lives as sons, daughters, students, and community members.

Facing very unusual temperatures in mid 30’s and winds 15 knots and higher these first time sailors were awesome. The enthusiasm, fun, joy and respect these young men and women brought with them was infectious. “Very smart, polite and excited to learn how to sail made this one of the best programs we have done, I really enjoyed these kids” said one seasoned Offshore Sailing School instructor about the group.

As we move forward with The Quality Life Center and prepare for the next group it is good to hear in the halls and classrooms at the center the occasional  “Jibe now,” “Let’s tack”  or ” Uh Oh, I’m in Irons now!”

I was lucky to be in on the groundwork in setting up this program and actually teach the kids. It was a truly inspiring experience and we look forward to many more opportunities to help these children develop into shining adults.

Doug Sparks, Offshore Sailing School Chief Operating Officer

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See Colgate 26 at Chicago Strictly Sail Show

Wednesday, December 9th, 2009

Colgate 26 hull #319 has been bought by Richard Tamplin and you can see this wonderful sailboat at the Chicago sailbot show, January 28 – 31, before we deliver it to Richard in Alexandria, Virginia. I will be at the show on Saturday, January 30th to answer any questions about purchasing a Colgate 26 for family fun, racing, single-handing and just “messing about in boats.”

This is the boat Offshore Sailing School uses for Learn to Sail, Performance and racing courses. Come on down to Florida this winter and give it a try.

Steve Colgate

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Posted in Colgate 26 sailboats, Learn to Sail, Performance sailing, Sailboat Racing, Sailing lessons | 1 Comment »

Sailing Lessons are a Great Gift

Wednesday, November 4th, 2009

Over the yearMini Cindy Dunn on jibsheetss we’ve had a lot of customers take our courses because someone gave them a gift certificate to use at Offshore Sailing School. It’s a pretty nice way to say “I care about you!” At first thought, you might think, “Why should I learn to sail?” Well, the biggest reason we can think of is FREEDOM.

At the annual meeting of the governing body of sailing – US SAILING – our newly elected president, Gary Jobson, used that very word. He talked about the reasons to get into sailing. First and foremost, he said sailing creates “freedom” and most of all we must never forget that it is FUN. We heartily agree, and that’s why we recommend sailing as the perfect gift for loved ones and friends for any occasion. We all have far too much on our plates: far too many emails coming in at rapid pace all day long; far too many fires to put out and challenges to meet.

Geting out on the water, doing something productive and healthy, using wind driven power instead of carbon-laden fuels, sensing real freedom OSS Andy and Jill red vests-275and having fun – that’s what sailing is all about. So think about giving that gift to yourself, to your family, a close friend or loved one.

We still have some really great weather-proof sailor’s vest to include with a $200 gift certificate for sailing lessons. It’s made by Gill, our favorite marine gear supplier, and it’s a very cheerful bright red. I wear it all the time when it’s chilly outsdie.  It’s light, but warm and pretty classy.  Another reason to go sailing, truly.

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Posted in Caribbean sailing, Colgate 26 sailboats, Learn to Sail, Sailboat Racing, Sailing lessons, Specials, US SAILING, bareboat cruising, sailing club, sailing lifestyle | No Comments »