Sailing Schools In Tampa/St Pete

[Pono]

Anyone reccommend a good sailing school in The Tampa/St. Pete/Clearwater area. Have little experience and want to learn right for retirement of sailing. Thanks.

[dhartdallas]

Pono.

I recommend Steve Colgate''s Offshore Sailing School. The live aboard fast track course is excellent. Gets you U.S. Sailing certification in Basic Keelboat, Basic Cruising, and Bareboat Cruising. You can challenge the Basic Keelboat if you think you are good enough. You get three days in a nice, homey bed and breakfast while you do Basic Keelboat in a Colgate 26 day sailing. Then you move aboard a hunter, probably a 46 for six days live aboard. Instructors are good, lots of nuts and bolts, lots of boat handling. www.offshore-sailing.com will give you all the scoop on class dates, cost, courses, etc. E-mail: sail@offshore-sailing.com. Ask for Suzanne. Tell her Dean Hart sent you. Have fun. (If you want a little more exotic, they also operate out of Captiva Island.

[DuaneIsing]

Pono,

I echo dhartdallas'' recommendation for Colgate''s Offshore School, based upon our recent experience in Captiva, Florida.

They send you reading material in advance, and I highly recommend you study it well. You will get the most out of the course if you are as prepared as possible.

Good luck.

Duane

[sailinfla]

I was considering the SEA SCHOOL at 8440 4th ST N St Pete FL (727)577-3992. I am looking to get OUPV (6 pak) captains license, but they have all kinds of classes. I have years of experience but want to brush up and learn the ropes. I''m in Sarasota and they hold classes down here also. The price is right also. $495 and I have known some that have got their papers from this school. They have much more experience than I do so I am still doing some research. I got info off the net but I can''t find their address now but I will look for it and send it to you when I find it. I would appreciate an feedback from anyone that knows of this school. Thanks
Charlie

[WATERNUT]

Charlie, They just reopened their new facility on Fourth st. I think they are somewhere between about 70th and 84th on the West side of 4th.
Great people
Good luck
waternut.............

[Eaugallie]

Pono,

Try Sailing Florida, Inc, they are an ASA certified school located at the Vinoy Marina in St. Petersburg. I just completed my Bareboat Chartering Certification (ASA 104) there and was very happy with the school. The Boats were new Hunters ranging from 29 to 38; we used the new Hunter 320. Make sure you get Capt. Andy.

http://www.sailingflorida.com/

Eau Gallie

[captsoncall]

Try Sunsail Tampa Bay''s ASA school. Nice boats, great instructors - experienced cruisers, not racers. Ask for Capt. Gail Eades.