16731 McGregor Boulevard
Fort Myers, Florida 33908

From the Atlantic Coast to the Caribbean, Offshore Sailing School offers training from eight locations. The school originated in 1964 when Steve Colgate began offering sailing lessons off of the coast of New York. A year later, Steve Colgate became the sole owner of the Offshore Sailing School.

The first class recommended for students at the Offshore Sailing School is the learn to sail course. This course is designed for students who have never sailed before, have sailed as a passenger with a crew, need to take a refresher course, have experience but only on small boats or for those who sail frequently but want to expand upon their knowledge.

With four students and one instructor per course, students at Offshore Sailing School get the one-on-one attention they need and deserve. More than 10 additional courses are offered, including certificate courses, Colgate Offshore accelerated sail training (COAST), bareboat cruising preparation, live aboard cruising, fast track to cruising, private live aboard cruising course for two, catamaran live aboard navigation, coastal navigation, coastal passage making, ocean passage making, celestial navigation, fast track to ocean passage making, performance sailing, performance race weeks, women's you can sail escapes as well as corporate programs. All courses have a time range of three to 10 days. The course content does not vary with the duration time, but the shorter course lengths are more demanding.

Quick Facts

Founders Steve and Doris Colgate have received many prestigious awards and recognitions.

Offshore Sailing School has graduated more than 100,000 students since 1964.

Bill Pinckney, the first African American to sail around all five Capes, was one of Steve Colgate's first students.

Testing for a US Sailing certificate is included with most of the Offshore Sailing School's courses.

The Offshore Sailing School will set sail in almost all conditions, except hurricanes. This will give students the know-how they need to combat the elements.

Sailboat and powerboat owners can be instructed on their own boats by the Offshore Sailing School.

This school profile has been compiled and updated by The CollegeBound Network. The school is not affiliated with The CollegeBound Network and shall not be considered a sponsor of this program.