North Fort Myers, Fla. – Going on 30 years in business, Florida Sailing & Cruising School and its sister division, Southwest Florida Yachts, have announced a three-year promotion for boating courses and yacht charters.

Barb and Vic Hansen, who started the businesses in 1984, announced that sail and power students at the live aboard yacht school graduating between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2014 will receive a free Weems & Plath navigation tool, either parallel rules or dividers depending on availability.

Most courses at Florida Sailing & Cruising School last three days and are limited to four students. Instructors are Coast Guard-certified captains. By day students learn by doing – steering, plotting, casting-off, docking, selecting and trimming sails, tacking, operating the marine radio, anchoring and more. Evenings, students study textbooks and prepare for the big test.

Charter customers also get an anniversary spiff. Manager Barb Hansen said Southwest Florida Yachts will give charter customers free cruising days. In the high season between December 15 and April 30, cruises of three-days or longer between December 15 and April 30 become four-day cruises at no extra charge. Summer cruises of three days or longer become five day cruises at no extra charge.

Today, the company’s five-vessel sailing fleet base is Burnt Store Marina in Punta Gorda on beautiful Charlotte Harbor. The firm maintains 11 power yachts from 32 to 50 feet at its headquarters at Marinatown Marina in N. Fort Myers for live aboard courses and cruising famous and scenic Gulf of Mexico barrier islands like Sanibel, Captiva, Useppa and Cayo Costa.

For more information visit www.flsailandcruiseschool.com, email info@swfyachts.com or phone 800-262-7939 or 239-656-1339.