Offshore Sailing Expands to Key West as Part of Its 60th Anniversary Year
To mark the start of its 60th anniversary year, SAIL magazine spoke with Beth Oliver, Vice President and Director of Sales & Marketing, about a major expansion: Offshore Sailing will open a new instruction location at Stock Island Yacht Club & Marina in Key West, Florida, beginning January 1, 2024. This new Key West campus expands the company’s footprint in the region and gives sailors access to warm-water training in one of the most popular cruising areas in the United States.
The Key West site will offer core US Sailing certification courses, including the basic Learn to Sail program and Fast Track® to Catamaran Live Aboard Cruising, as well as the standalone Catamaran Live Aboard Cruising course. These programs are designed for sailors who want hands-on, practical instruction that leads to recognized certification. Students can expect focused lessons on sail handling, boat systems, basic navigation, safety procedures, and the seamanship required to cruise safely and confidently.
Key West joins Offshore Sailing’s existing Florida locations in Captiva Island and St. Petersburg, plus international sites in Scrub Island and Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. The expansion reflects the school’s ongoing investment in new courses, expanded staff, refreshed yachts, and a wider portfolio of Colgate Sailing Adventures®-hosted vacations in ports around the world. Together, these locations give learners and vacationing sailors a range of training options—from beginner shore-side sessions to live-aboard catamaran cruising experiences.
Offshore Sailing’s course offerings are structured to meet the needs of different types of students. Novices can begin with an introductory Learn to Sail course that covers fundamentals such as points of sail, basic sail trim, boat handling under power and sail, and crew coordination. More experienced students pursuing certification for catamaran live-aboard cruising focus on systems knowledge, docking and maneuvering, passagemaking basics, and the practical skills needed to operate a multihull safely on coastal cruises. Fast Track® options compress essential training into an efficient curriculum for sailors who already have some experience and want to earn formal certification quickly.
The new Key West location is particularly well suited for catamaran training and live-aboard courses because of its sheltered marinas, nearby cruising grounds, and favorable weather. For those planning Caribbean charters or coastal cruising, on-water instruction in Key West offers relevant conditions and real-world practice opportunities. Offshore Sailing emphasizes small-group instruction and hands-on practice, allowing instructors to tailor lessons to each student’s pace and goals while maintaining a focus on safe, practical seamanship.
Offshore Sailing’s expansion also complements the company’s Colgate Sailing Adventures® travel programs, which pair instruction with hosted cruising itineraries and destination-focused learning. These hosted vacations give sailors a way to continue developing their skills in scenic waters while enjoying the social and learning benefits of guided trips.
For more information about courses, schedules, and certification options, visit OffshoreSailing.com or contact the school directly. Phone: 888-454-8002. Email: [email protected].