U.S. COAST GUARD PURCHASES COLGATE 26 SAILBOAT FLEET
FT. MYERS, FL (September, 2004) – A brand-new Colgate 26 just completed a tour throughout the eastern United States and Great Lakes Region where interested clubs, schools and individuals saw and test-sailed this versatile and exciting sailboat. One of the stops en route was the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, which recently purchased sixteen Colgate 26 sailboats to replace a fleet of J-22’s at its New London, CT headquarters. Created by Steve Colgate, founder of Offshore Sailing School, the Colgate 26 fills the demand for keelboat instruction and recreational boating by combining excellent sailing performance with safety, comfort, durability and minimum maintenance.
“The Colgate 26 is an ideal boat for introducing students to sailing and basic seamanship,” explained Allen Kruger, Waterfront Director of the U.S. Coast Guard. “We wanted boats that were a good balance between performance, safety and durability,” he said. “We have intercollegiate sailors who are very skilled so the boats need to be fun and fast to satisfy experienced sailors. And, we have 300 new students with little to no sailing experience, so it is necessary to have a vessel that will stand up to the rigors of beginners. The Colgate 26 does both. It is unique in that its cockpit is big enough for six students plus an instructor’s platform; he can stand safely aft and teach while having a birds-eye view of everything around him,” said Kruger.
The safest boat on the market, the Colgate 26 is virtually unsinkable, even if holed, and the cockpit is completely self-bailing. It is consistently winning PHRF competitions nationwide and has its own one-design class association. “Although widely used for training purposes, most of the 230 boats out there were bought by individuals who sail on lakes and bays for recreational fun, racing or both,” said Colgate. The Coast Guard purchased Colgate 26 hulls #231-246.
Steve Colgate worked with naval architect Jim Taylor to create the Colgate 26, built by Precision Boat Works in Palmetto, Florida. In addition to the U.S. Coast Guard, the C-26 is used for training by the U.S. Naval Academy, Maine Maritime Academy, Offshore Sailing School, the United Kingdom Sailing Academy and Club Nautique. Fleet discounts are available.
The mission of the United States Coast Guard is to protect the public, the environment, and U.S. economic interests in the nation’s ports and waterways, along the coast, on international waters, or in any maritime region as required to support national security.
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