For the Media: Colgate 26 News
Steve Colgate
Chairman
Colgate 26 - Offshore Sailing School
866-842-4355 toll free
239-985-7505
We Welcome Your Inquiries
The Colgate 26 has been covered in several boating and sailing magazines over the years, with favorable reviews in Cruising World, Sailing, Boat U.S. Magazine to name a few.
Steve Colgate, who conceived of the Colgate 26 and founded Offshore Sailing School is always available to talk about the boat, its owners, and the fun people have sailing it. Some of Steve’s early memories include the very first fleet (10 boats) he sold to a newly-formed club in Doha, Qatar in the United Arab Emerites; and to the United Kingdom Sailing Academy when he was invited to go to Cowes, England to christen the boats.
In 2006, one of the best recognitions for the Colgate 26 came when the board of the Knickerbocker Cup Foundation chose the Colgate 26 for the professional match-racing circuit, grade two. Ever since, that coveted prize has been vied for on Colgate 26s, some loaned or leased to the event by Colgate and Offshore Sailing School. In August 2009, the Knickerbocker Cup was held again, in Manhasset Bay, NY, on a fleet of Colgate 26s — for the fourth year! Here is a photo of close racing on these boats in the 2009 event.
Most of all is the prestige the boat gained immediately after it debuted when the U.S. Naval Academy chose the Colgate 26 to replace its aging fleet of Knockabouts for training plebes and midshipmen. They now have a fleet of 30 Colgate 26s. The U.S. Coast Guard Academy followed with a fleet of 16 Colgate 26s.
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society asked to use the Offshore Sailing School fleet of Colgate 26s in 2004 for their annual Fantasy Sail Weekend, honoring the top fund raisers in that year’s Leukemia Cup Regattas. In 2008 they returned to southwest Florida to once again sail on the Colgate 26 fleet owned by Offshore Sailing School, with over 90 racers participating. In each case, the event was held at the Pink Shell Beach Resort and Spa on Ft. Myers Beach with the fleet and services of Offshore's staff donated.
In 2008, the St. Charles Yacht Club in Ft. Myers also joined the effort, donating race committee, mark and spectator boats and hosting a fund-raiser at the Club the evening before. Offshore Sailing School is now a proud honorary sponsor of the Leukemia Cup Regattas because of its dedication to this cause. G
ary Jobson, famed sailing commentator and spokesperson for the Leukemia Cup Regattas is shown above participating with the crew from Alabama and at right thanking the Colgates for their support of the 2008 Fantasy Sail Weekend event.
The Colgates are forever willing to help provide Colgate 26s for great philanthropic causes and urge you – members of the media – to come for a sail and see for yourself why so many find this boat so much fun!
We have posted comments from many of our owners, along with reviews of the boat from experts. If you would like to talk with any of these owners, we would be happy to put you in touch. To learn more about our company, please check our fact sheet. Here are some recent press releases; articles will be posted as they occur.
For more information email Steve Colgate at steve@colgate26.com or 239-985-7505.