My wife and I have just purchased a Cat 22 and want to take lessons before we take her out. We were hoping to incorporate a sailing school into our vacation in Florida the first week in March. What should we look for in a school and what type of certifications should they have? What certifications should we get? Thanks for the info.
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Ron Barrow
OffShore and J-World
Eric: Sailing school makes a great vacation. My wife and I did this last year in February and it was wonderful. I have experience with both Offshore Sailing School and J-World. Both have excellent programs for all levels. J-World is in Key West, so they might be a bit more difficult to get to, but Key West isn't a bad place... Both offer certifications from US Sailing. The best idea is to call them or visit their web sites and discuss your boating/sailing experience before deciding on what certifications you should get. Enjoy! Ron s/v Counterpoint, Hunter 33.5
Eric: Sailing school makes a great vacation. My wife and I did this last year in February and it was wonderful. I have experience with both Offshore Sailing School and J-World. Both have excellent programs for all levels. J-World is in Key West, so they might be a bit more difficult to get to, but Key West isn't a bad place... Both offer certifications from US Sailing. The best idea is to call them or visit their web sites and discuss your boating/sailing experience before deciding on what certifications you should get. Enjoy! Ron s/v Counterpoint, Hunter 33.5
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Steve O.
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Paul
Each has a slightly different slant
based on what I've read. J-World slants towards racing, while Colgates is more general. Both very good schools. Talk with both as to what perks are also offered. I know Colgates Offshore school used to offer (after passing the USSA certification) an opportunity to use their training boats at various locations (like when on vacation) for minimal charge. I believe J-World has franchised schools where as Colgate is corporate run, (consistancy within the classes and from one level of education to the next, regardless of location). Colgates # 800.221.4326 Best of Luck PJ
based on what I've read. J-World slants towards racing, while Colgates is more general. Both very good schools. Talk with both as to what perks are also offered. I know Colgates Offshore school used to offer (after passing the USSA certification) an opportunity to use their training boats at various locations (like when on vacation) for minimal charge. I believe J-World has franchised schools where as Colgate is corporate run, (consistancy within the classes and from one level of education to the next, regardless of location). Colgates # 800.221.4326 Best of Luck PJ
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Mike
Annapolis
I attended classes at the St. Petersburg branch of the Annapolis school. They sent some very basic but good course materials before the classes so that I could get familiar with the program. The instructor was very good, but there were some drawbacks: there were 5 or 6 students on the boat (a Pearson 26) along with the instructor, so things were a little cramped. Also, the location of the school was less than ideal; it was at a hotel/marina that while not isolated, was not within walking distance of anything interesting. That all said, I would recommend the program. I took the course about 13 years ago, so things have probably changed somewhat. In any case, I have also taken lessons at a local dealer, and have had advanced instruction on my own boat from a licensed skipper. I found the latter to be the most enjoyable and the most instructive. Although the instruction probably costs more than the "school programs", we certainly saved on airfare, hotel, food, etc. Good luck
I attended classes at the St. Petersburg branch of the Annapolis school. They sent some very basic but good course materials before the classes so that I could get familiar with the program. The instructor was very good, but there were some drawbacks: there were 5 or 6 students on the boat (a Pearson 26) along with the instructor, so things were a little cramped. Also, the location of the school was less than ideal; it was at a hotel/marina that while not isolated, was not within walking distance of anything interesting. That all said, I would recommend the program. I took the course about 13 years ago, so things have probably changed somewhat. In any case, I have also taken lessons at a local dealer, and have had advanced instruction on my own boat from a licensed skipper. I found the latter to be the most enjoyable and the most instructive. Although the instruction probably costs more than the "school programs", we certainly saved on airfare, hotel, food, etc. Good luck
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Ed Schenck
See "www.ussailing.org"
Many schools use the US Sailing course material. I don't recall all of the levels but the first level is "Basic Keelboat". It is two days in length with half of each day as classroom and half on a tiller boat. For me it was a great Tartan 10! The next level was a full two days(an overnight) on the boat. Cannot remember the title, maybe "Basic Cruising". The books for each level are keepers, good reference. Have fun!
Many schools use the US Sailing course material. I don't recall all of the levels but the first level is "Basic Keelboat". It is two days in length with half of each day as classroom and half on a tiller boat. For me it was a great Tartan 10! The next level was a full two days(an overnight) on the boat. Cannot remember the title, maybe "Basic Cruising". The books for each level are keepers, good reference. Have fun!
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Eric Lewis
Thanks
Thanks to all who have responded. I think we will start with the basic course in Florida and then move on to some more detailed instruction on our own boat. Eric
Thanks to all who have responded. I think we will start with the basic course in Florida and then move on to some more detailed instruction on our own boat. Eric
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scott
wind quest
If you happen to be in the punta gorda/charlotte harbor area than a nice new school is called wind quest. They will teach you what you want to learn on nice new boats. They taylor each lesson to the student. Give'em a shout, I belive the e-mail address is sailwindquest.com, not sure though. Either way, your doing right, good luck.
If you happen to be in the punta gorda/charlotte harbor area than a nice new school is called wind quest. They will teach you what you want to learn on nice new boats. They taylor each lesson to the student. Give'em a shout, I belive the e-mail address is sailwindquest.com, not sure though. Either way, your doing right, good luck.
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Bob Schmit
St Augustine
My wife and I took sailing lessons at the St Augustine ASA sailing school in March last year, the area is very pleasant, the Keel Boat class was the most resonably priced we could find and the instructor was fantastic. We were on a variety of 30' boats and learned a great deal. The nice thing about that area is the different conditions while learning-off shore, lake & river. The classes are no larger than 4people. It's a nice area to take in the sites also according to the crew (wife).
My wife and I took sailing lessons at the St Augustine ASA sailing school in March last year, the area is very pleasant, the Keel Boat class was the most resonably priced we could find and the instructor was fantastic. We were on a variety of 30' boats and learned a great deal. The nice thing about that area is the different conditions while learning-off shore, lake & river. The classes are no larger than 4people. It's a nice area to take in the sites also according to the crew (wife).
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Bob Schmit
St Augustine
My wife and I took sailing lessons at the St Augustine ASA sailing school in March last year, the area is very pleasant, the Keel Boat class was the most resonably priced we could find and the instructor was fantastic. We were on a variety of 30' boats and learned a great deal. The nice thing about that area is the different conditions while learning-off shore, lake
My wife and I took sailing lessons at the St Augustine ASA sailing school in March last year, the area is very pleasant, the Keel Boat class was the most resonably priced we could find and the instructor was fantastic. We were on a variety of 30' boats and learned a great deal. The nice thing about that area is the different conditions while learning-off shore, lake
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