Colgate Sailing School

[Colorado Dreamer]

I just got my info today on the Colgate Offshore Sailing School. I was thinking about taking their "Fast Track to Crusing". I was wondering if anyone else here has done that, and has any feedback. Private Message is ok if you dont want to publicly post.

Would also appreciate any tips on other schools with similar programs that are respected.

Thanks in advance. - Michael

[Lynx]

Go to a school. Any. It is up to you to make the best of it. However, you will need water time/miles to become really good.

[elf]

My husband and I did the Basic Keelboat class through Offshore Sailing, and a few other students were doing Fast Track to Cruising at the same time (on a larger boat). They are a first class operation - I would highly recommend the school. We learned a great deal, the instructors were highly professional, and we left with nothing but good feelings about our experience in Ft. Myers Beach.

They are expensive, but you get what you pay for. Good luck!

elf

[S Campbell]

I was considering taking the same course (Fast Track to Cruising).How Much does it cost?..

My Captain....er wife wants to go to.

[sck5]

I went to the Maryland School of Sailing for some of the courses and Annapolis Sailing School for others. They were both really good. You can do combo courses that will get you through the bareboat cert pretty quickly. They run them in Florida and the Caribbean in the winter

[svHyLyte]

The Colgate School has excellant programs. We have been acquainted with Steven and Doris since they opened their first "Offshore", Offshore program, in Tortola back in the mid 70's, based at a hotel then owned by friends of ours (they let us use one of their Soling's to sail around the BVI!). There is a very good program at South Sea Plantation on the West Coast of Florida. We have met some of the young instructors and were impressed. You'll like it!

Cheers,

s/v HyLyte

[Sandero]

I took the Learn to sail course in 84 in City Island and found it excellent. No complaints. First class.

[fastfilm]

Bluewater Sailing in Fort Lauderdale is first rate as well. About 9 years ago my wife and I did a five day course that took down to the top of the Keys and back. We stayed on board the boat (Beneteau 463, I think) so had a very valuable experience and my introduction to bigger boats. I felt very confident when I got to Tortola that summer for my first bareboat charter, both sailing and boat systems. So really recommend a stay aboard class. Figuring out water system problems has more urgency when you know you won't be going back tto the hotel for a shower that evening.

[elf]

Originally Posted by S Campbell

I was considering taking the same course (Fast Track to Cruising).How Much does it cost?..

Depends completely on the school. Exotic locations (for example, the BVI) cost more than stateside. Taking it on a catamaran is more than on a monohull. Taking a private couples class is more $ than taking it with other classmates. Check out the websites of the school(s) you are interested in - many post costs online.

Good luck and enjoy!

[S Campbell]

Wow, I put in an e-mail request & that same day (night) I got a call at home. Very friendly knowledgeable person on the other end (of the phone) too !.
Very Impressed. My wife says that will definately be the Next Vacation. Yippie......I'm stoked!...
Thanks for all the positive feedback everyone.

[Tom and Maje]

We have just committed to the COAST program. The first segment is the Fast Track to Cruising, or what I call 0-60. The second is Fast Track to Costal Navagation which we will take next Spring. We are going to try to, if money and time allows, charter a boat so that we can practice between the first course and the second.

Maje

[Tom and Maje]

We just finished the Colgate School's Fast Track to Cruising. I would highly recommend it. You will be pushed, pulled and exhausted. But after 10 days I, who cannot back a minivan up, can stern dock a 43' catamaran. We passed with good grades the first three US sailing qualification courses and felt very confortable sailing without our instructor on the last two days.

Maje

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by Tom and Maje

We just finished the Colgate School's Fast Track to Cruising. I would highly recommend it...

At which location did you take your Fast Track to Cruising course?
Captiva Island, Ft. Myers Beach, The Keys, St. Petersburg, British Virgin Islands, Spanish Virgin Islands, Chelsea Piers NYC, or Jersey City, New Jersey.

Are there differing prices for the same course, at differing locations?

Colgate / Offshore ➥ Sailing Schools, Catamaran Sailing Schools, Sailing Vacations, Sailing Lessons

[donradcliffe]

I (and others) would recommend that couples who attend sailing schools be split up (different boats, or different times), so each person gains the self-confidence that comes with dealing with the various situations by themselves instead of deferring to the dominant partner.

[Tom and Maje]

[quote=GordMay;318153]At which location did you take your Fast Track to Cruising course?

Are there differing prices for the same course, at differing locations?

We took it in Tortola, BVI. The prices very by location, time of year and the type of boat you want for the crusing portion of the course. The boat charter cost and hotel (the first four nights) were the major cost. We committed to the entire COAST program which includes the 10 day Fast Track to Costal Navigation which is a savings over booking both Fast Track Courses separately.

Maje