Fast Track® to Catamaran Cruising

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OSS 101 / 103 / 104 / 114

Another Offshore Sailing School Learn to Cruise Course Exclusive

Sailing Certification Courses on Catamaran Cruising Yachts

In 2006, before catamarans became so popular, Offshore Sailing School developed the innovative Fast Track to Cruising® course. In those days, monohulls were more popular than catamarans, especially because cats were a lot slower in those days. Over the years, copy-cats have attempted to clone Offshore Sailing School’s trademarked and registered programs. As we stated on our Fast Track to Cruising page, 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 monohulls and catamarans up to 50’ without hired captain or professional crew. Protect your investment with Travel Insurance. View coverage options here.

Catamaran Charter-Ready in Eight Days!

  • Two days learning on an award winning Colgate 26 (101).
  • Six days learning on a 40′ to 45′ catamaran (103/104/114).
  • Four certifications including Bareboat Cruising Certification if learning on a catamaran.
  • 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 on 40′-50′ catamarans through Colgate Sailing Adventures®
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“Buy the Boat” Catamaran Cruising Course Options

Offshore Sailing School gets many requests for private courses – especially from those who are contemplating chartering or purchasing a large sailing catamaran for intriguing family vacation adventures.  All but one of the sail-cats in our fleet have 4 cabins, 3 for participants sharing or private, and one for the instructor.  In the Fast Track® to Catamaran 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. All aspects of the catamaran cruising course are private. Please call 888-454-7015 for availability and catamaran pricing.

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Family Catamaran Courses for Parents and Kids

Learning together on a large catamaran is a rewarding experience that brings parents and kids together as a team. A family of 4 (two adults and two family kids) start with learning to sail the first two days on a 26 footer while staying ashore at an Offshore Sailing School partner resort. Then all  board a 40′-45′ sail-cat yacht for 6 days of big boat training.  This wonderful bonding opportunity has been called nothing short of “amazing” by parents and kids alike. Phones are put away, smiles start to immerge, and a profound sense of “wow, look what we’re doing together” occurs as family members learn how to manage a live-aboard catamaran sailboat. For many families in this course, plans to bareboat charter together are in the near future. Some decide to purchase a big catamaran to sail in local waters or around the world!

Ages for kids in the course are minimum 12, maximum 25.  A fifth family child may be added for an additional fee.

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Private Live Aboard Catamaran Courses for Two

If you are planning to live aboard, charter or just spend short cruising adventures on spacious catamarans, this special learning experience is perfect for just the two of you. Your private sail-cat learning experience gives you the skills and confidence to manage a large yacht as equals. There can be a lot of what-ifs so it’s important that you have ultimate confidence in each other and your own abilities. You’ll learn to share captain and crew responsibilities when anchoring, docking and mooring. You’ll learn how to use and take care of electronics, AC, generator, the engine and more – guided by an expert Offshore Sailing School instructor. And you’ll practice person-overboard exercises until you’re sure you can handle the boat and recovery should one of you end up in the water. It’s not about “fear,” it’s all about competence and confidence, and that’s what you’ll celebrate when you enjoy a lovely dinner aboard at course end!

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Private Group Adventure for Adult Family and Friends

Get your friends together for a “Buy the Boat” group option and learn the dynamics of sharing all the jobs aboard as you gain skills and confidence to share future sailing adventures together. Our popular “Buy the Boat” Women-Only option provides a very special learning ambiance for gals who want to start sailing and cruising together, women whose husbands or SOs are already skilled cruising sailors, and mother-daughter combos. Guys-Only “Buy the Boat” options are available too, for buddies who like sharing meaningful and rewarding adventures, and father-son duos who share other activities at home.

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“It was a wonderful week! We learned much more than expected! The instructors were very professional and patient with the whole family. Every single question was answered and explained in detail. Great experience!”

Sergio Aguiar Viana de Carvalho

Ottawa, CA
OSS 101/103/104 /114- Fast Track® to Catamaran 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 sailboat cruising course. You can learn at our British Virgin Islands sailing school, or at our Florida sailing and cruising schools. You will be amazed at how much you learn, starting with course textbooks sent in advance, then receive comprehensive training in the classroom and hands-on training on the water from professional, experienced instructors who receive accolades from their students on course evaluations.

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“Such a great experience, amazing trip and class! I learned much more than I ever thought possible. Great instructors, incredibly knowledgeable in all aspects of sailing, patient and detailed in their lessons. I recommend this program to anyone interested in learning about sailing, particularly for a novice like me.”

Shea Gottshall

Charlotte, NC
OSS 101/103/104 /114- Fast Track® to Catamaran Cruising
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“Both the Learn to Sail course and the Live Aboard Cruising course on the catamaran surpassed our expectations. Our instructors were very knowledgeable, patient, informative and ready to answer all questions. I gained so much confidence from both of those two amazing people and learned to have confidence, relax and not overthink!”

Magdalena Dillaha

Windemere, FL
OSS 101/103/104 /114- Fast Track® to Catamaran 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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