Skip to main contentFast Track® Sailing Courses at Offshore Sailing School
America’s #1 Sailing School® — Our 60th Year!
Offshore Sailing School has received many recognitions and awards and is acknowledged in the sailing industry as “America’s #1 Sailing School®” offering a full roster of US Sailing certification courses. The Offshore Sailing School exclusive Fast Track® series of sailing lessons and powerboat lessons provides comprehensive beginner to advanced sail-training and power-training opportunities in delightful resort settings.
Fast Track® Sailing Courses
- Fast Track® Cruising combine OSS 101, OSS 103 and OSS 104 in an eight day sailing course, learning on a monohull. The same 8-day Fast Track® course adds OSS 114 when learning to cruise on a catamaran.
- Fast Track® Coastal Passage Making is the next step in blue water sailing certification, combining OSS 105 and OSS 106 in an eight-day passage making course.
- Fast Track® Offshore Passage Making is the highest confidence builder in cruising certification, combining OSS 107 and OSS 108 in a 10-day blue water sailing school course.
- Fast Track® Performance Racing combines OSS 102 and OSS 109 in a 10-day course for competitive sailors who want to learn to win sailboat races.
The Most Comprehensive Sailing School Curriculum You’ll Find
Please see the Sail and Power Course page for a quick description of all the individual courses in the Offshore Sailing School curriculum or click on each course below for more information and book-online opportunities.
- OSS 101 – Learn to Sail/Basic Keelboat
- OSS 102 – Performance Sailing (pre-req is Basic Keelboat)
- OSS 103 – Basic Cruising (pre-req is Basic Keelboat)
- OSS 104 – Bareboat Cruising (pre-req is Basic Cruising)
- OSS 114 – Catamaran Endorsement (pre-req is Bareboat Cruising)
- OSS 105 – Coastal Navigation (pre-req is Bareboat Cruising)
- OSS 106 – Coastal Passage Making (pre-req is Coastal Navigation)
- OSS 107 – Celestial Navigation (optional)
- OSS 108 – Offshore Passage Making (pre-req is Coastal Passage Making)
- OSS 109 – Performance Race Week® (pre-req is Performance Sailing or commensurate experience)
Your instructors are caring sailors with extensive sailing, boating and teaching experience who give you the skills, knowledge and confidence to enjoy the sailing lifestyle – all under the guidance of our founder, Steve Colgate, who was inducted into the National Sailing Hall of Fame in 2015 and his wife and partner, Doris Colgate, who was inducted into the National Sailing Hall of Fame in 2022.
Why Offshore Sailing School Is America’s #1 Sailing School
- Our founder and Chairman, Olympian and America’s Cup competitor Steve Colgate, the pre-eminent sailing educator and world-class racing sailor.
- President and CEO, Doris Colgate, who founded the National Women’s Sailing Association, and Women’s Sailing Foundation, dedicated to getting women, men, and families into the sailing lifestyle.
- 60 years of award-winning sailing and boating instruction with more than 160,000 graduates.
- Professional faculty certified by the U.S. governing body of sailing, US Sailing, licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard.
- Greatest variety of sailing power cruise course offerings – from live aboard sailing and boating lessons to cruising adventures, team building programs, racing clinics, and an online sailing course.
- Comprehensive curricula and textbooks for each sailing course, written by the Colgates and US Sailing’s National Faculty.
- Excellent teaching platforms – award-winning sailboats designed for safety, comfort, and performance.
- US Sailing Courses and Certification at all levels recognized by world-wide charter companies.
- Superior resort locations that allow you to immerse yourself in the learning experience.
Sailing Courses with Expert Instruction and Real-World Practice
Offshore Sailing School delivers industry-leading sailing and powerboat instruction for individuals of all skill levels, from beginners to advanced sailors. With over 60 years of experience, we offer comprehensive training programs designed to build your confidence and competence on the water. Whether you dream of cruising the world or competitive racing, our expertise, structured curriculum, and hands-on approach ensure a safe and effective learning environment. Offshore Sailing School empowers you to pursue your sailing aspirations with skill and assurance.
Who Our Sailing Courses Are Designed For
Our sailing courses are tailored for a diverse range of individuals:
- Beginners with no prior sailing experience seeking a solid foundation.
- Experienced sailors aiming to refine their skills and knowledge.
- Individuals pursuing certifications for chartering or advanced sailing endeavors.
- Corporate teams looking for unique and engaging team-building activities.
- Anyone with a passion for sailing and the allure of the open water.
Course Options for Every Experience Level at Offshore Sailing School
We offer a variety of sailing courses to match your specific goals and experience:
- Learn to Sail Courses: Comprehensive courses for beginners covering sailing fundamentals, ensuring a strong start to your sailing journey.
- Fast Track® Sailing Certification Programs: Accelerated programs to gain certifications quickly, perfect for those eager to get on the water and start cruising.
- Advanced Sailing and Coastal Cruising Courses: Advanced training for experienced sailors, enhancing your skills for more challenging voyages along coasts and in open waters far from land.
- Private and Custom Sailing Lessons: Personalized instruction tailored to individual needs, providing focused learning and development.
- Performance Sailing Courses: Sailboat racing classes to master performance techniques, ideal for competitive sailors.
- Learn to Cruise Courses: Transition from day sailing to confident cruiser, expanding your horizons for chartering and longer trips on your own yacht.
- Passage Making Courses: Focusing on night sailing out of sight of land, standing watches, voyage planning and provisioning, celestial and electronic navigation, preparing you for offshore adventures.
- Powerboat Training: Learn to skipper a big powercat, manage its electronics and systems; dock, moor, and anchor in various wind conditions, broadening your boating expertise.
- Flotilla Vacations: Combine gaining bareboat cruising experience with leisure through sailing vacations and flotilla cruises, hosted by experts, offering a unique and enjoyable experience.
Locations to Take Your Sailing Course with Offshore Sailing School
Florida-Based Training Locations
Experience the ideal sailing conditions at our Florida-based training locations. With warm weather, beautiful beaches, and diverse coastal waters, Florida provides the perfect setting for learning to sail or gaining bareboat cruising certification. Whether you’re working toward basic navigation skills or exploring the art of sailing, our Florida locations offer the ultimate environment for hands-on experience. Students benefit from modern amenities, a range of boats, and real-world exposure to conditions that reinforce practical skills and the joys of sailing.
Destination Learning in the British Virgin Islands
Combine learning with a vacation in the British Virgin Islands. Our destination sailing courses offer a unique and unforgettable experience in a stunning tropical setting. While enjoying breathtaking views and crystal clear waters, you’ll learn essential maritime skills and gain practical experience with our experienced instructors. This is more than just an introduction to sailing — it’s a gateway to exploring the intricacies of sailing, building collision avoidance techniques, and understanding the knowledge of sailing required to become a competent sailor, certified for bareboat chartering.
Year-Round Courses in Ideal Sailing Conditions
Take advantage of year-round courses in ideal sailing conditions. Whether you prefer the warmth of summer or the mildness of winter, our locations offer consistent and favorable weather for safe navigation and effective water training. With a curriculum that blends theoretical knowledge with practical experience, Offshore Sailing School supports everyone, from beginners to seasoned sailors — in reaching their sailing and powerboat cruising goals. You’ll train in environments that foster the essential skills needed to sail confidently using both basic concepts and modern technology.
Why Choose Offshore Sailing School for Your Training
Offshore Sailing School offers a unique value proposition:
- Legacy of Excellence: Over 60 years of experience in sailing and boating education, ensuring a proven track record of success and a deep combined experience among instructors and staff.
- Expert Instruction: Programs created by Olympic sailor Steve Colgate, providing unparalleled expertise and insights from truly expert instructors.
- Proven Results: Trusted by thousands of confident graduates, demonstrating the effectiveness of our training methods in shaping competent sailors and power boaters ready for any journey.
- Comprehensive Curriculum: Structured courses for all skill levels, catering to a wide range of learning needs — from your first introduction to sailing to advanced Passage Making.
- Hands-On Approach: Experiential learning for maximum skill development, ensuring you gain not just experience of knowledge, but real hands-on experience that prepares you for the realities of the sea — and helps you realize your sailing and boating dreams.
Enroll Today and Begin Your On-the-Water Adventure with Online Sailing and Boating Courses
Ready to take the helm? Our online sailing courses make it easy to start your journey from anywhere. Learn the fundamentals, build confidence, and prepare for real-world sailing — all at your own pace. Enroll today and take the first step toward an exciting life on the water!
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I expect from an introduction to sailing course at Offshore Sailing School?
Our introduction to sailing course is designed to provide a solid foundation in the basic concepts and essential skills needed to become a confident sailor, able to confidently handle sailboats up to 30’. You’ll receive hands-on experience guided by an experienced instructor, covering topics like basic navigation, sail handling, and collision avoidance. We combine theoretical knowledge with practical experience to ensure you gain a well-rounded understanding of the art of sailing, setting the stage for your sailing dreams.
Are your sailing courses suitable for seasoned sailors looking to advance their skills?
Yes! We offer advanced programs tailored for seasoned sailors who want to refine their maritime skills, dive deeper into the intricacies of sailing, or work toward mastering Coastal and Electronic Navigation for passage making adventures. These courses are led by expert instructors and incorporate both modern technology and proven techniques. Whether your goal is professional development or personal growth, we help you align your training with your sailing goals.
How do Offshore Sailing School courses combine theory and practical sailing experience?
Our programs are built on a balanced approach that blends experience of knowledge with water training. You’ll learn theoretical knowledge in the classroom and then immediately apply it on the water. With access to a range of boats, each specific for the course you choose, from smaller vessels to cruisers, students practice everything from safe navigation to sail trim under real-world conditions. This approach ensures you gain the practical skills and confidence needed to become a competent sailor.
