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Brush Up on Your Bareboating Skills in St. Petersburg

"Chartering" from our December 2006 CW Reckonings.

CharterChatterDec

If you’ve never been on a bareboat charter before, or if it’s been a while and you’d like to brush up on your skills, consider taking a course at The Annapolis Sailing School, which recently announced its return to the Tampa Bay area in Florida after a three-year absence.

The school opened a St. Petersburg branch in 1967 but closed it a few years back when the operation became no longer profitable. The branch reopened December 1 with a fleet of charter boats leased from Sail Florida, and will operate year-round. The school’s Maryland branch continues seasonal operation.

Annapolis Sailing School’s St. Petersburg location offers a full range of beginning to advanced cruising courses, and American Sailing Association and U.S. Sailing certification is available. During on-the-water training instructors remain on board at all times to answer any questions, help with maneuvers, and handle any maintenance issues that may arise. The school’s “Preparation for Bareboat Chartering” course is extremely popular and is often the last step many prospective cruisers take before setting out on a bareboat charter of their own.

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Even if the rest of your family or friends aren’t as keen on spending their vacation in “school,” they can still enjoy the many attractions of St. Petersburg. The school is located on the grounds of the Harborage Marina, and many students stay at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort and Golf Club, which features six restaurants, two heated pools, three spas, a fully equipped fitness center, 12 tennis courts, and an 18-hole golf course.

For more information, call (800) 638-9192.

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