One of the most frequent requests I receive from visitors is "where can I rent a sailboat?" or "where can I learn to sail?" Lake Travis is not known for being a Mecca for those wanting to rent sailboats or learn how to sail. That said, options are available. You can "walk the dock" at any of the local marinas hoping to pick up a ride and possibly a lesson, or go the conventional route and sign on with a company for professional training.
Texas Sailing Academy
103-B Lakeway Drive
Austin, TX 78734
Phone: (512) 261-6193
Toll Free: (800) 864-7245
Fax: (512) 261-8351
Email: texassailing@prodigy.net
www.texassailing.com
[Last Update: September 12, 2003]
TSA claims that they are "the oldest sailing school and charter company in the South and Southwest", founded in 1965. They offer sail training (including US Sailing Certification) on Lake Travis in boats ranging in size from 21' to 45'. Private and group instruction is available. Offered classes include titles such as "Sail and Learn on Lake Travis", "Keelboat Sailing Course I", "Basic Cruising Course II", "Bareboat Charter Certification III", "Coastal Navigation", "Offshore Passage Making" and more. Prices appear to range from about $700 and up.
TSA also rents Beneteau sailboats (bareboat or captained) starting at $90 for a half day (1988 Beneteau 235) [as of Sept. 12, 2003].
Corpus
Christi Sailing Center, Inc.
P.O. Box 995
Corpus Christi, TX 78403
Phone: (512) 881-8503
Fax: (512) 881-8504
www.constant.com/sailing
[Last Update: September 12, 2003]
Although CCSC's operates primarily out of Corpus Christi, they do offer limited instruction (ASA 101) on Lake Travis.
This company is one of the regional ASA-certified (American Sailing Association) sailing schools and they claim to instruct over 300 students each year. They offer the following ASA courses: "101 - Basic Keelboat", "103 - Basic Coastal Cruising", "104 - Bareboat Chartering Certification", "105 - Coastal Navigation" and "109 - Offshore Passage Making". Their rates for 2003 are very reasonable: $275 for the two day "101" class and $650 for either the three-day "103" or three-day "104" class. Check their site for other rates and a calendar of scheduled classes. Class size is limited (3 to 6 students); boats range in size from a Beneteau 31' up to a Morgan 46'.
CCSC is located on Shoreline Blvd. on Pier R, just south of Landry's and the Lighthouse Restaurant. I highly recommend the Omni Hotel (Bayside) which is just down the street. Don't be confused when you call for reservations . . . there is another Omni Hotel (Marina) one block south. Jim Schwobel, owner of the Corpus Christi Sailing Center, tells me that he offers lodging as a courtesy to his students on the boats for $50/night per couple or $35/night per person (subject to availability). Of course, for the three-day courses (103 & 104), you stay on-board and the cost is included in the price.
And, if you want to charter one of of the company's boats (either bareboat or captained), you can do this as well . . . from as little as two hours to as much as a week. Sunset "dinner" cruises are also available.
[UPDATE: I spent three-days on a Morgan 46 and Catalina 36 during their November 2000 "103 - ASA Basic Coastal Cruising" course. There were four students on each boat . . . we overnighted in a hole off the ICW the first night; at the municipal docks in Port Aransas on the second. I challenged the prerequisite "101 - ASA Basic Keelboat" class because I felt I had sufficient knowledge sailing my own boat. I enjoyed my time with my classmates and cap'n John. I plan to take my "104 - ASA Bareboat Chartering Certification" class with them soon.]
Austin Yacht
Club
5906 Beacon Drive
Austin, Texas 78734-1428
Phone: (512) 266-1336
Fax: (512) 266-9804
austinyachtclub.org
[Last Update: September 12, 2003]
Although the AYC does not rent sailboats or engage in regular sail training per se, you will find that they occasionally offer training to the general public. And, they offer a summer sailing youth camp for their members. Again, there may be openings available for the general public depending upon member participation. Give them a call.
If you don't own a boat but know how to sail (racing experience even better), then visit their website an offer your services as crew for a member boat. You'll enjoy weekly sailing without the cost and hassle of boat ownership.
Sailing Texas
David Luckenbach
P.O. Box 192
Kingsland, TX 78639
(325) 388 4521
[Last Update: June 1, 2005]
David Luckenbach of Sailing Texas has a two day beginner sailing class on Lake LBJ and will travel to other Texas lakes. He also offers private lessons, on his Flying Scot or your boat. With 40 years experience teaching sailing, on boats from 12 to 26 feet, his lessons are designed for the beginner to learn to control the sailboat. Navigation and motors are not included. See the Sailing Texas website for details.
All-Catalina
Fleet 69
members.aol.com/CatFleet69/
[Last Update: September 12, 2003]
The local All-Catalina fleet offers introductory sail training from time to time. Contact one of the fleet officers to see if a session will be offered . . . usually in May, but not offered every year.
Bay Area
Sailing School
Glen Gordy, Owner
Watergate Marina
1500 Marina Bay Drive, Suite 1410
Kemah, TX 77565
Phone: (281) 334-4179
Fax: (281) 334-0595
Email:
info@bayareasailing.com
www.bayareasailing.com
[Last Update: September 12, 2003]
I don't know much about this organization. They operate out of one of my favorite marinas . . . Watergate Marina, the home of the annual Houston In-the-Water Boat Show on Clear Lake (Galveston Bay).
They offer ASA instruction and offer rentals ranging in size from a Merit 22 to a Morgan OutIslander 41.
At the Helm
The Bradford Loft
505 Bradford
Kemah, Texas 77565
Phone: (281) 334-4101
Fax: (281) 334-4790
www.atthehelmgulf.com
[Last Update: September 12, 2003]
I know little about their sailing school except that it offers US Sailing Certification. Instruction starts at $250 (for two half-days) on boats ranging from 30' to 44' on Galveston Bay.
I've been part of a group that has bareboat charted from this company on numerous occasions and they've proven to be honest in their dealings. Charter fleet runs from at 25' Cape Dory to a 45' Morgan.
© 1998-2003 by
Mark T. Melchior -- All Rights Reserved -
Revised:
20 Dec 2007 16:28:42 -0500
"In a powerboat,
you get there in a hurry . . . in a sailboat, you are already there."