NEW POWER CRUISE SCHOOL LAUNCHED
Founders of America’s #1 Sailing School Join Industry Efforts to Spread Education

FT. MYERS, FL – (January 2004) – After forty years of demonstrating the highest standards in sailing education, Offshore Sailing School has joined with Mainship Yachts to introduce Steve and Doris Colgate’s Power Cruise School. The two companies have a long-standing association with an impressive history of expertise in the yachting industry.

A proven coastal cruising yacht, Mainship’s Pilot® 30 II Rumrunner is the training boat used in a two- or four-day program at the school’s premier base on Captiva Island, Florida.

“We chose the Mainship Pilot® 30 II Rumrunner because it is an ideal training vessel,” said Doris Colgate, CEO of Offshore Sailing School. “Remarkably quiet underway, it is perfect for learning in the back bays of the Intracoastal Waterway and more exciting conditions in the Gulf of Mexico. This boat has great fuel efficiency, rides swells comfortably and is perfect for long-range cruising or an afternoon picnic or fishing trip. With excellent visibility at the helm and full keel stability, it is truly fun to run!”

In addition to the Mainship line of powerboats and trawlers, the Luhrs Marine Group offers a full spectrum of boats that include Silverton Yachts, Luhrs Sportfishing Boats and Hunter Marine, one of the largest production sailboat manufacturers in the world. “We recognize an important need in the industry to offer training to enhance the enjoyment and safety of boating,” said Jim Krueger, Mainship’s Director of Sales & Marketing. “Steve and Doris Colgate’s high standards, dedication and proven leadership in education makes them an ideal choice for establishing a school for power boaters,” said Krueger.

Power Cruise School instructors are USCG licensed, seasoned sailors and boaters, certified to teach the Power Cruise course through US SAILING’s new Safe Powerboat Handling instructor certification program – the only one of its kind.

Home to Offshore Sailing School since 1975, South Seas Resort on Captiva Island is known for its luxury accommodations, wide variety of amenities, a beautiful yacht harbor and excellent cruising grounds that surround it.

Offering certification and learning vacation programs taught by certified instructors, Steve and Doris Colgate’s Power Cruise School combines classroom and on-water instruction in a formula that provides maximum skill training. All students receive a comprehensive textbook in advance to study. Each classroom session is followed by hands-on practice on the $150,000 Mainship Pilot® 30 II Rumrunner: How to properly dock and leave a dock; maneuvering in tight, congested areas and backing down; proper use of lines and knots; anchoring; using bow thrusters; crew-overboard pick-ups; use of electronics aboard; Rules of the Road; safety procedures; heavy weather and sea techniques; routine engine maintenance. Navigation techniques are stressed and practiced in a destination cruise the final session.

Included in the course is US SAILING’s Powerboat Student Certification, awarded at course end. “I’ve been on the water most of my life,” says Steve Colgate, “but when I took the instructor certification course I was amazed at how much I didn’t know about proper power boat handling.” National Safety Boating Laws Certification (NASBLA), covering state boating safety laws is expected soon as part of the program.
Tuition is $995 per person. Introductory and group discounts are available. Packages include tuition, US SAILING powerboat certification, accommodations, room taxes and gratuities starting at $1230 double occupancy for a three-night stay, $1385 double occupancy for a five-night stay. The latter allows free time with family and friends who are not in the course.

Headquartered in Ft. Myers, Florida, the Colgates own and operate sailing schools in three Florida locations, the British Virgin Islands, St. Martin in the Leeward Islands, New York City; New Jersey; and Newport, Rhode Island. The Sagamore on Lake George in upstate New York is a licensee.

Since 1964, Offshore Sailing School has graduated over 100,000 men and women who have gone on to enjoy the boating lifestyle. As part of its 40th Anniversary celebration, all those who take a regular course in 2004 are eligible to win prizes that include a luxury villa stay worth over $6000 at South Seas Resort, a weeklong charter with The Moorings in the British Virgin Islands, a four-day stay at Hawk’s Cay Resort in the Florida Keys, a brand new Hunter Xcite® sailboat, and a $1,000 gift certificate for the latest tech-wear from Gill USA.

For more information, contact Offshore Sailing School at 800-221-4326 or visit the school’s website at www.powercruiseschool.com.

Editor’s Note:
For high-resolution digital images to accompany this article please contact Mary Orme at mary@amcenergy.com or 727-733-9332.