Offshore Sailing School and Jeanneau America have joined together to provide a premium learning experience for those who want to own or charter sailing yachts. At the 2017 U.S. Sailboat Show in Annapolis, Offshore Sailing School will take delivery of the newest addition to its cruising course fleet - a four-cabin Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 479.
“This new Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 479 is the start of a long relationship between our companies to provide premium cruising course experiences on brand new yachts each year,” explains Doris Colgate, President and CEO of Offshore Sailing School. The 479 has been leased through Florida Yacht Group.
During the Sailboat Show, the Sun Odyssey 479 will be one of four Jeanneaus in the Take the Wheel Interactive Workshop and boat demo program. An Offshore Sailing School skipper will be at the helm of the Sun Odyssey 479 during the show and then the boat will head south to its new home on Captiva Island, FL, where the school will conduct week-long cruising certification courses and other training programs. “This impressive yacht is perfect for those who are thinking about owning a large cruising boat, or planning to charter 48 to 54 footers which have become so popular in the islands and abroad,” explains Colgate.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to partner with Offshore Sailing School,” said Catherine Guiader, sales director, Jeanneau America. “One of our primary missions is to support the health and growth of sailing. By partnering with Offshore Sailing School, we are now able to offer additional opportunities for students to learn from highly experienced and professional instructors on our boats. With a rich 60-year history of boat building, Jeanneau is committed to being an integral part of educational programs that help individuals, couples, and families get out on the water with confidence.”
Students who learn on the 479 will receive a gift from Jeanneau, and a UV protective shirt and commemorative hat from Offshore Sailing School.
Offshore Sailing School currently has two Jeanneau 439s and a Leopard 48 catamaran in its Captiva Island cruising fleet – in addition to 10 Colgate 26s used for entry-level, performance sailing and racing courses, and team building events. “The 479, queen of the fleet, arrives just as Offshore Sailing School celebrates its 54th anniversary,” says Colgate with a smile. “A fitting tribute to everything our founder, Steve Colgate, has done to promote sailing through the years.”
Offshore Sailing School was founded in 1964 by Olympian, America’s Cup Sailor, and National Sailing Hall of Fame Inductee, Steve Colgate. The school provides a full range of sailing instruction on 40- 50-foot cruising yachts and catamarans, with US Sailing certification – from beginning sailing to racing, advanced cruising, and passage making – at five locations in Florida and the British Virgin Islands.
In addition, the company conducts team building programs for corporations and groups, and leadership training for universities. More than 140,000 adults and families have graduated from Offshore Sailing School programs over the past 53 years.
