Build the Experience and Confidence to Sail Independently

Sailing Lessons
Build confidence to charter and cruise on your own.
Adventure Learning
Combine hands-on sailing with real-world voyages.
Alumni Flotillas
Create lifelong memories exploring the world.
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Sailing Lessons

Sailing lessons specifically designed to build the confidence to bareboat charter, sail, or cruise on your own.
Learning to sail is more than just classes and certifications. Our classes maximize time on the water and provide you opportunities after certification to build experience and confidence as skipper and crew.
We use the curriculum and standards set by American Sailing and currently teach ASA 101, 103, 104, 105, 106, and 114 certifications.
Our base of operations is on Lake Travis in Austin, Texas. We offer sailing classes year round on Lake Travis and multiple other destinations worldwide.
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Sailboat on Dock - Sailing Lessons
OS Students on Catamaran Picking Up Mooring Ball OS Students on Catamaran Picking Up Mooring Ball

Adventure Learning

Combining hands-on sailing with real-world voyages to create confident, capable sailors.
Immersive sailing vacations that combine hands-on training with the thrill of exploration. Aboard bareboat chartered monohulls or catamarans up to 50 feet, you'll operate as skipper, navigator, and crew under the guidance of expert ASA certified instructors.
Our program focuses on developing real-world skills, including navigation, safety, and near-coastal sailing, while allowing you to experience the beauty of destinations like the British Virgin Islands.
These adventures go beyond training — they're about building confidence, enhancing your expertise, and preparing you for independent charters. You'll deepen your understanding of sailing while creating unforgettable memories in some of the world's most stunning locations.
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Alumni Flotillas

Take the next step exploring the world with other alumni as the skipper of your own boat.
Set sail with fellow Outbound Sailing Alumni on unforgettable group adventures to stunning locations around the world. Whether you’re captaining your own boat or joining as crew, our flotillas provide the perfect balance of independence and community.
Enjoy the thrill of exploring exotic waters, anchoring in picturesque bays, and experiencing local cultures—all with the guidance of an ASA instructor as the flotilla leader.
Our flotillas are more than a getaway; they’re an opportunity to grow your sailing confidence, build lifelong friendships, and create cherished memories on the water.
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Jost Van dyke, British Virgin Islands - Alumni Flotillas Spanish Virigin Islands - Alumni Flotillas

What Other Sailors Have To Say

Learning to sail was a scary challenge I set for myself this year. I chose Outbound sailing because I got to learn on a bigger boat at a slower pace. It was one of the best decisions ever! At the end of it, I can now safely dock, tack, jibe... All of it! Jason was very patient with a great balance between teaching and letting you do it yourself.

Anne Drane 04/24/25 via Google Reviews

I had an absolutely phenomenal time when I took ASA101 at outbound. So great in fact that I took 4 more classes and went to the Caribbean with them as well. This is a thorough and comprehensive sailing school that really strives to make sailing fun, safe and accessible.

Chris Redmond 04/23/25 via Google Reviews

I completed ASA 101/103 many years ago out west. Jumping back into sailing, I did a private refresher with Jason Burns recently. Jason is very knowledgeable, concise, and a patient instructor. He also is safety conscious; both for the well being of the student as well as the craft.

John Giammanco 03/24/25 via Google Reviews
Read All Our Reviews

Welcome to Outbound Sailing

Captain Tim Taylor started Outbound Sailing to share his passion for sailing with others and inspire people to weigh anchor and explore the world. Nearly twenty years later, this passion and drive continue to fuel our commitment to our alumni.
Our focus is teaching others who want to bareboat charter, sail, or cruise aboard their own sailing monohull or catamaran up to 50’ in length anywhere in the world.
We have adopted and extended the curriculum and standards set by American Sailing to offer a comprehensive range of sailing courses from beginner to advanced levels, including ASA 101, 103, 104, 105, 106, and 114.
Whether you want to learn to sail on Lake Travis or gain the skills to cruise or charter confidently anywhere in the world, we're here to help. Our goal is to help you become a competent and confident Mariner.
I invite you to join the Outbound Sailing Alumni. Your adventure starts here, but the memories and friendships we’ll make along the way will last a lifetime.
Jason Burns
Instructor | General Manager
(512) 222-7245
P.S. Have questions or just want to talk sailing? I’d love to hear about your sailing goals and help you figure out the best next step — even if that means suggesting a different program or school. Call or text me anytime — I’m always happy to help.

Book a sailing lesson or contact us to start building the experience and confidence to sail independently.
Book a Sailing Lesson
OS Sailing Pathways
OS Sailing Pathways

We don’t just offer sailing lessons. We offer our students and alumni pathways to building the experience and confidence...

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Adventure Learning Vacations
Adventure Learning

All of our advanced sailing classes are taught during our liveaboard 7-10 day adventure learning vacations...

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ASA 101 Basic Keelboat Sailing
ASA 101 Basic Keelboat Sailing

Learn to skipper a sloop-rigged keelboat of approximately 20 to 27 feet in length by day in light to light to moderate winds...

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Driving Distance to Outbound Sailing
Coming from out of town to our home base in Austin, Texas? No problem. Check out great local places to stay near our base of operations on Lake Travis!
PANHANDLE / WEST TEXAS
  • San Angelo - 193 miles ~ 3 hr 13 min
  • Abilene - 220 miles ~ 3 hr 42 min
  • Midland - 305 miles ~ 4 hr 54 min
  • Odessa - 325 miles ~ 5 hr 11 min
  • Lubbock - 366 miles ~ 5 hr 50 min
  • Amarillo - 480 miles ~ 7 hr 32 min
  • El Paso - 575 miles ~ 8 hr 21 min
NORTH TEXAS
  • Fort Worth - 195 miles ~ 2 hr 59 min
  • Dallas - 200 miles ~ 3 hr 3 min
  • Arlington - 204 miles ~ 3 hr 15 min
  • Frisco - 227 miles ~ 3 hr 30 min
  • McKinney - 332 miles ~ 3 hr 36 min
  • Denison - 275 miles ~ 4 hr 26 min
  • Wichita Falls - 308 miles ~ 4 hr 44 min
EAST TEXAS
  • Crockett - 182 miles ~ 3 hr 20 min
  • Tyler - 236 miles ~ 4 hr 1 min
  • Lufkin - 227 miles ~ 4 hr 10 min
  • Nacogdoches - 236 miles ~ 4 hr 15 min
  • Beamont - 266 miles ~ 4 hr 20 min
  • Longview - 281 miles ~ 4 hr 39 min
  • Marshall - 305 miles ~ 5 hr 2 min
CENTRAL TEXAS
  • Austin - 23.1 miles ~ 37 min
  • San Marcos - 48 miles ~ 59 min
  • Bastrop - 50 miles ~ 1 hr 3 min
  • Llano - 62 miles - 1 hr 10 min
  • Temple - 73 miles ~ 1 hr 19 min
  • Waco - 107 miles ~ 1 hr 48 min
  • College Station - 123 miles ~ 2 hr 16 min
SOUTH TEXAS
  • New Braunfels - 66 miles ~ 1 hr 16 min
  • San Antonio - 97 miles ~ 1 hr 47 min
  • Victoria - 143 miles ~ 2 hr 39 min
  • Corpus Christi - 234 miles ~ 3 hr 35 min
  • Laredo - 253 miles ~ 4 hr 18 min
  • Harlingen - 346 miles ~ 5 hr 28 min
  • South Padre - 391 miles ~ 6 hr 9 min
UPPER TEXAS GULF COAST
  • Sugar Land - 180 miles ~ 2 hr 55 min
  • The Woodlands - 176 miles ~ 2 hr 59 min
  • Houston - 183 miles ~ 3 hr 2 min
  • West Columbia - 184 miles ~ 3 hr 17 min
  • Kemah - 217 miles ~ 3 hr 39 min
  • Freeport - 214 miles ~ 3 hr 51 min
  • Galveston - 236 miles ~ 4 hr 3 min
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