Steve Colgate
June 2, 2009 by Chris Wethered
Filed under Trailerable Sailboats
After serving as crew in Long Island Sound. Steve Colgate did his first Transat aged nineteen from Cuba to Spain. His achievements since then establish him as a backbone of modern sailing in the US.
His list of achievements includes:
- 2 Americas Cup trials
- 18 Newport to Bermuda races
- 8 subsequent Transats
- 8 Fastnets
- Pan American Games
Most recently he was tactician abroad the the US twelve meter “American Eagle” at the 150th anniversary of the Americas Cup Jubilee at Cowes UK.
The offshore Sailing School as always been Steve's dream
International Sailing Schools Association
He has also been president of the International Sailing Schools Association. He has helped organize the US governing body of sailing – US Sailing. Establishing rules and Certificate Programs in use across the US. He has also written several highly successful books on sailing which you can purchase from this page soon.
Offshore sailing school
He and his wife Doris set up the Offshore Sailing School forty Three years ago. Along with notable designer Jim Taylor and Precision Yachts. You can learn more about Colgate ’26 here. It is reputed that this school has taught more people to sail than any other!
The yachts are designed to accommodate all levels of sailors. Through feedback from students in the school and by constantly involving Jim and Precision Yachts the 26′ vessel was constructed.
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Colgate 26
June 2, 2009 by Chris Wethered
Filed under Trailerable Sailboats
The producer of the Colgate 26 has over forty years of sailing school management and teaching under his belt. Steve Colgate teamed up with renowned designer Jim Taylor to prove the a design concept that establishment builders did not agree with.
Requirements of the Coastguard
At 25′ 8″ long the design falls into Class 1 specifications, being less stringent for vessels over 26′. This also makes ease of insuring on a lower premium.
Legal width for towing
Unlike other small boats the design legally makes within the trailerable sailboats category. At 8′ 6″ it is on the legal limit. As technology improves. More and more traffic police will be using lasers to determine the width of trailed loads. Some small boat owners maybe in for a shock!
Strength & durability
At 2,600 pounds the Colgate 26 is designed to cope with higher winds than you might expect from a 26. The keel weighs in at 1,200 pounds aiding stability. It has been known for learners to be out in twenty five to thirty knots of breeze!
The team work, so can the family!
Proactive safety
The was a series of fatalities on other small boat designs during the concept period. This lead Steve and Jim to change some key features. The transom should allow ease of access for crews getting from the water. The transom is only a few inches above the water line.
After consulting some novice sailors it was decided to have a barrier between the transom and cockpit for a more enclosed feeling of space. This gave novices and learners confidence with out interfering with the tiller.
The Rudder
Another major factor which aids stability is the rudder. Usually right aft of a vessel on the 26 it is below the cockpit. The reason is that when heading down wind with the kite boats are likely to broach. If a broach is in process and the stern is raised out of the water then the rudder is not able to offer steerage.
By placing the rudder beneath the cockpit this problem is removed. Steerage is maintained and the sailors are not ruffled! We are currently researching the best accessories for the Colgate 26. Please bare with us as we would like to offer visitors the best price – for a last relationship. If you would like to learn about marine finance.
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