Offshore Sailing School- Since 1964

Learn sailing from America's #1 Sailing School®

You are about to embark on one of the most exciting adventures of your life. Rather than a vacation that ends on the last day, when you learn sailing with Offshore it is the beginning of a whole new lifestyle. Sailing is a passion that founders Steve and Doris Colgate have dedicated their lives to sharing with you. Our No. 1 sailing school will allow you to do what you have always dreamed of doing: learning to sail out on the open water. Watch this DVD on our Fast Track to Cruising® Course and find out why so many have chosen the sailing lifestyle with Offshore Sailing School.

A sailor since age nine, Steve’s racing career includes America’s Cup Trials, the Olympics, TransAtlantic and Fastnet Races. He has completed numerous class championships and international distance races on maxi-ocean racers. Together the Colgates campaigned their 54-foot ocean-racer Sleuth and have enjoyed cruising all over the world.

Steve founded Offshore Sailing School in 1964. Doris founded the National Women’s Sailing Association in 1990. Both Steve and Doris actively participate on several national boards and committees, including US Sailing (the governing board of sailing in the United States), Boat U.S. and Sail America. Steve was president of the International Sailing Schools Association from 1997 to 2003.

In 1996, Steve and Doris shared the prestigious Sail Magazine Industry Award for Leadership and in 2003 the US Sailing Timothea Larr Trophy in recognition of their outstanding leadership and excellence in sailing education. Doris was awarded the Betty Cook Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award from Boating Magazine and the coveted Leadership in Women’s Sailing Award from Boat U.S. and the National Women’s Sailing Association. Recently the Colgates received another coveted award - the Junonia Award from The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel, for "their tremendous commitment & dedication to the Lee County tourism Industry."  Lee County is where two of the Colgate Offshore Sailing Schools are located.  

When you take a course to learn sailing at Offshore's sailing school, you receive all the benefits of Steve and Doris Colgate’s vast experience! They are continually improving, refining and polishing their curriculum to give you exactly what you need to feel confident at the helm. At this top-rated sailing school, they want you to enjoy sailing to the max!

In May 2010 the Colgates led their 65th cruise for Offshore Sailing School graduates in celebration of the company’s 46th year in business and the Colgates’ 40 years of marriage. In December 2011 they will lead another graduate cruise - this time in Belize.

At home and work in Ft. Myers "we don’t sail as much as want, because we are always working on new programs and staying ahead of the game in challenging times,” says Doris. New cruises are planned every year usually on 44 to 50 footers provided by The Moorings. Take a course with Offshore to learn sailing, then sign up for a fabulous flotilla cruise in dream islands with The Colgates or one of their expert staff instructors. 

Offshore Sailing's unparalleled sailing school has a long history, operated continuously as a private corporation under the day to day guidance of the Colgates and the Offshore Sailing School Team. Founded in 1964, the exact number of graduates who have completed a core course with Offshore Sailing School is unknown. However, the Colgates estimate that number over the years as more than 125,000 individuals who took a sailing course with Offshore Sailing School.  

Check out our video, then call 888-454-7015 to get started with sailing lessons today!

Go Sailing — Good for you. Good for the World! TM Sailing is the ultimate green activity — and we’re keen on green! Because sailing is wind-powered, you’ll use very little fuel, if any. An exhilarating tonic for your senses, it’s refreshing, all-natural and very, very clean!

Call 888-454-7015 to talk to one of our friendly boating school advisers.