Build the Experience and Confidence to Sail Independently

Sailing Lessons
Build confidence to skipper large sailboats on your own.
Adventure Learning
Combine hands-on sailing with real-world voyages.
Alumni Flotillas
Create lifelong memories exploring the world.
Start Your Sailing Journey

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

Jason Burns at Outbound Sailing provides sailing experience and patient instruction with hands-on practice focused on safe acquisiton of sailing proficiency. Instructional craft is substantial and of cruising class, not kids' dinghy. Better beginner instruction is not to be found.

Michael Denyer 12/02/25 via Google Reviews

Skipper Burns is an outstanding teacher. Initially, the idea of getting familiar with 30ft boat with dozens of ropes everywere, was unthinkable. Not only did Jason help use cover the basics quickly, but we actually could operate the boat and sail within 2 days. That said, we continue to learn new details on every community sail. Waiting to gain enough experience to go out single-handed. A note for noobs, as all crewmates will attest, the most nerve wracking aspect of sailing is taking the yachts in and out of the slip.

R K 11/12/25 via Google Reviews

Perfect Birthday Gift & Amazing Sailing Experience! My partner surprised me with an intro to sailing class with Outbound Sailing for my birthday, and it was an incredible experience! Jason was an excellent instructor — knowledgeable, patient, and made learning fun and easy. The class was the perfect mix of excitement and relaxation. I left feeling confident and inspired to continue sailing. Highly recommend Outbound Sailing to anyone looking for a unique gift idea or unforgettable day on the water!

Dean Blanchard 10/23/25 via Google Reviews
Read All Our Reviews

Welcome to Outbound Sailing

Almost twenty years ago, Captain Tim Taylor started Outbound Sailing to share his passion for life under sail and to inspire others to weigh anchor and explore. That same spirit still drives us today.
At Outbound Sailing, we teach people who want more than a one-time experience. Whether your goal is local day sailing or building the skills to confidently bareboat-charter and cruise worldwide, our training turns beginners into capable, independent sailors.
Our curriculum builds on American Sailing standards, offering a full progression of courses — ASA 101, 103, 104, 105, 106, and 114 — designed to turn curiosity into competence and confidence.
Whether your dream is cruising Lake Travis or exploring the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Tahiti, or beyond, every course moves you closer to real independence on the water.
Because when you learn to sail, you don’t just gain a new skill — you open a new way to see the world, one horizon at a time.
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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