Fast Track® to Cruising

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OSS 101 / 103 / 104

An Offshore Sailing School Learn to Cruise Course Exclusive

Sailing Certification Courses on Monohull Cruising Yachts for Beginners and Small Boat Sailors

Couch to Captain’s Chair in One Week!

When Offshore Sailing School started to teach cruising courses in the early 1980s, only monohull sailboats were commonly used for cruising.  “Learning on a large monohull is absolutely thrilling,” says Doris Colgate, Offshore’s co-owner and avid cruising sailor who was inducted into the National Sailing Hall of Fame in 2022.  The Fast Track® to Cruising course on 44′-50′ monohulls taught at all Offshore Sailing School locations, provides the ultimate experience managing a large yacht in all weather and sea conditions. In recent years, the Offshore Sailing School catamaran cruising course has gained popularity because those boats appeal to sailors who want more space on deck and inside to hang out. For a complete description and photos of learning on a catamaran, please visit Fast Track® to Catamaran Cruising course.

Don’t be fooled by copy-cats trying to trade on the Offshore Sailing School brand and trademarks. There is only one program – the Fast Track to Cruising® Course developed by Offshore Sailing School in 2006 – that truly takes you from no sailing skills to charter certification with the knowledge, skills and confidence you need to handle monohull and catamaran sailboats up to 50’ without hired captain or professional crew. Protect your investment with Travel Insurance. View coverage options here.

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The Complete Monohull Cruising Yacht Experience

  • Two days learning on an award winning Colgate 26 (101).
  • Six days learning on a 43′ to 50′ monohull (103/104).
  • Three certifications including Bareboat Cruising Certification if learning on a monohull.
  • Eligible for next steps – advanced sailing courses.
  • Many alumni benefits including memberships, discounts and more sailing opportunities.
  • Easy to apply for US Sailing IPC, International Proficiency Certificate, required to charter in most European countries.
  • Sailing vacation opportunities through Colgate Sailing Adventures®.
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Buy the Boat” Monohull Cruising Course Options for Couples, Families and Friends

We often get requests for private courses – and can make this happy for most courses provided by Offshore Sailing School. This includes this Fast Track to Cruising course plus sailing lessons for beginners, sailboat cruising courses and powerboat courses for couples and families who want to learn together. Most of the boats used for cruising courses have 4 cabins, 3 for participants sharing or private, and one for the instructor. In this Fast Track® to Cruising Course, you may request that the 2 days of basic keelboat lessons on the Colgate 26 (101) are private, but shore classroom sessions are open for all those in the course in the week you choose. Below are some options we offer. Please call 888-454-7015 for more information, availability and monohull or catamaran pricing.

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Couples Truly Benefit When Participating Together in a Private Fast Track Monohull Cruising Course

If you are taking the course with a spouse, partner or friend, you may ask for a “Private Couples Buy the Boat” option. This is a popular way to learn for those who plan to spend time on charter vacations, or purchase a boat and cruise together without a captain, or others to share the duties aboard. With just two aboard, it’s important that both are confident steering, crewing, anchoring, docking, picking up moorings, taking care of electronics, generators and engines; and especially knowing what to do should one of you become incapacitated or go overboard. A private course for two is a great way to gain ultimate confidence in one another and your own abilities.

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Mom, Dad and the Kids Discover that Sailing and Cruising is a Great Adventure

Bring the family for an amazing bonding experience you’ll long remember. A family of four (two adults and two family kids, minimum age 12, maximum age 25) enjoy learning to sail on a 26 footer the first two days of course 101, then board a 40′-50′ cruising yacht for 6 days of monohull Basic Cruising and Bareboat Cruising training.  This is the perfect opportunity to reunite family members, learn to handle a big boat together, prepare for bareboat chartering or cruising on your own yacht as a family, and enjoy countless future boating vacations! A fifth family child may be added for an additional fee.

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Adult Families and Friends Choose Sailboat Cruising as a New Lifestyle Activity

If you are a couple planning to bareboat charter with another couple, the Fast Track® to Cruising Course is a wonderful way for everyone to gain equal sailing experience and skills. Or you may be a single gal or guy who wants to share a passion with like-minded friends. It’s not much fun to be told to pull a line or be relegated to the galley when you don’t know as much as the others. So why not learn together, and then start exploring the world together on sailing vacations? Choose the Offshore Sailing School “Buy the Boat” option, as a group and learn the dynamics of sharing all the jobs aboard. In this case, you may request having up to 6 aboard the cruising boat, as long as all or some are willing to share cabins.

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Women-Only and Guys-Only Fast Track Cruising Course Options are Truly Fun

Hey gals and guys, sign up for a “Buy the Boat” women-only or guys-only Fast Track to Cruising® Course and discover the passion you all can share together. Enjoy camaraderie with your pals while you learn to sail and learn to cruise as captains and mates.

It is often said that women learn differently from men, that women like to study what they are doing before jumping into a new activity, and that women enjoy helping one another in a learning experience. And as for guys . . . there’s no better way to get away than on a sailboat learning adventure together.

In addition to the US Sailing textbooks, and Steve and Doris Colgates’ Fast Track to Sailing textbook, for women-only courses Doris Colgate’s SAILING: A Women’s Guide book is also part of your Fast Track package!

Regardless of how you learn, not only is a women-only or guys-only Fast Track® to Cruising course a fun adventure for all, it sets the stage for future trips sailing together all over the world where charter fleets are available!

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learn to sail,learn to bareboat charter,charter sailboats,sailing courses,sailing certification courses,American Sailing Association courses,US Sailing certification courses
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“My wife and I had an absolutely wonderful experience in the Fast Track to Cruising Course in the British Virgin Islands. The instructors were excellent – extremely knowledgeable and patient. I had some small boat experience and my wife was a complete novice, but we’re now comfortable and excited to take our first bareboat charter on our own.”

Wyatt Blasingame

Morrison, CO
OSS 101/103/104 - Fast Track® to Cruising

No Experience Required

Whether you have no sailing experience, sail small boats, or are returning to sailing after a long hiatus, this is the perfect sailing training course. You can learn internationally at our British Virgin Islands sailing school, or learn in the States at one of our Florida sailing and cruising schools. You will be amazed at how much you learn, starting with course textbooks sent in advance, comprehensive classroom follow-up before each on-water session, and superb hands-on training on the water from professional, experienced instructors who receive accolades from their students on course evaluations. Protect your investment with Travel Insurance. View coverage options here.

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“One of the most productive vacations I have ever been on. The instructors were amazing, I learned a lot and had so much fun. I can’t stop telling everyone I know how cool this experience was. I will be sending my parents this trip as a gift.”

Charles Zahalka, MD

Las Vegas, NV
OSS 101/103/104 - Fast Track® to Cruising
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“Loved the Fast Track to Cruising Course!!  It was a great experience for both me and my son. Thanks!!”

Tim Yrastorza

Lincoln, NE
OSS 101/103/104 - Fast Track® to Cruising

A Note About Night Sailing

Most charter agencies do not allow night sailing and require that you are anchored, docked or on a mooring before sunset. Night sailing is not covered in this course, but is covered in Passage Making courses (OSS 106 and OSS 108), the next step in your learning process.

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