Dauntless Sailing School

Ready just in time for this weekend's ECSC Mayor's Cup Regatta, our new-to-us J/24 "UNDAUNTED" is making its inaugural regatta debut sporting new GOT-Themed boat graphics and new matching team jerseys.

As part of our Sailing Performance/Regatta Participation course (the next step up from our very popular flagship Adult Beginner Sailing Course) "Team Undaunted" students have the opportunity to improve upon their basic sailing skills in the fun environment of actual regatta participation.

It's not about being a "racer" or being competitive, for Dauntless Sailing School it's about having fun and incrementally improving your sailing skills in an environment where you can actually measure and see your sailing skill improvements through your weekly race results.

We’re launching the new Dauntless Sailing School Scholarship Fund— and we need your help before April 18.

For 17 years, I’ve believed sailing should be accessible to people from all walks of life, not just those with abundant financial means. This scholarship fund will help qualified applicants with financial need access meaningful sailing education and experiences.

One current qualified applicant is Elijah, a neurodivergent young adult I’ve had the privilege of watching grow through sailing and through his experience with Dauntless Sailing School. He completed our Adult Beginner Sailing Class, continued into our Regatta/Performance Sailing Course, and helped “Team Undaunted” finish 1st Place in the ECSC Summer Regatta Series. More importantly, I’ve seen him become more confident, more engaged, and more willing to step forward and participate fully with the team.

His mother is already signed up for our upcoming Exumas Catamaran Sailing Excursion, departing this month, and we would love to help support current and future qualified applicants, including Elijah, through this fund.

My wife and I will match the first $1,000 in qualifying donations, dollar for dollar, for contributions of $100 or more.

$2,295 fully funds one Exumas trip-fee scholarship.

To give:
Zelle:`dauntless-sailing-school`
Venmo: ``
Check: Dauntless Sailing School, Inc., 6300 E County Road 1000 N, Pittsboro, IN 46167
Please write “Scholarship” in the memo line of all giving methods.

**Tax notice:** Dauntless Sailing School is a Section 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization. Contributions are generally not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes. In some circumstances, a business contribution **may** be deductible as an ordinary and necessary business expense. Please consult your tax advisor.

Great "walk thru" of the 48 foot luxury catamaran identical to what we have secured for our upcoming Caribbean (The Exumas) sailing trip this April 11-18.

We still have 5 open spots for anyone who would like to join us for a week in paradise. Perfect for couples, friends, or solo adventurers. No previous sailing experience necessary.

All inclusive, with onboard Executive Chef (Excludes airfare, alcohol, and chef gratuity).

Only $3,395 per person, per half cabin passage
or $2,695 per person for "primitive" passage

DM me for more information.

https://youtu.be/_7CcXodRRJs?si=65zrH1PCT4yVd-al&t=51

Come visit Dauntless Sailing School at the Indianapolis Boat, Sport & Travel show, running now through Sunday, March 1st. We're located in the Corteva Coliseum, booth #3209.

We have several complimentary one-day passes to the whole show for those willing to volunteer an hour or more of help in our booth. I call that a win/win!

Like, Share and Follow! Drop a comment for more information.

Old classic… still funny. Learn proper marina and docking procedures with Dauntless Sailing School, Indiana’s most popular choice for adult beginners. Check out our upcoming classes at www.DauntlessSailing.com.

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Home | Dauntless Sailing School Indianapolis Learn to Sail! Thought about sailing, but never knew where to start? Dauntless Sailing School (a NauticEd-associated sailing school) can help. Our focus is on adult beginners with little or no experience who want to discover the fun and adventure of sailing.

Spot on! The advantage of doing a sailing vacation with Captain Todd and Dauntless Sailing School is experience… experience navigating these elements (and many others that were not mentioned) in order to create a fun, adventurous, yet safe trip.

With 4 open spots remaining, join us for our upcoming sailing vacation aboard a 48’ luxury catamaran cruising the Caribbean region of the Exumas (April 11-18, 2026).

PM us for more details.

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Yacht Charter Planning Mistakes: Skills, Logistics & Provisioning Plan your next charter with NauticEd Yachting Charters—we’ll match you with the right destination and boat, handle the details, and make sure you’re set up t...

It’s Official! We’re excited to announce that Dauntless Sailing School is now officially organized as a 501(c)(4) domestic nonprofit corporation.

As the most chosen organization for adult beginner sailing instruction throughout Indiana — and the broader Midwest region — it’s important to emphasize that this transition does not change how we teach, how we operate, or our passion for helping adults turn their sailing dreams into reality.

What it does do is formally align our legal structure with how we’ve always operated in practice: operating at cost, prioritizing outstanding sailing instruction and serving the sailing community without a profit motive.

New Benefits to Our Students

Long-term stability and continuity - A nonprofit structure is designed to endure beyond any one individual. Governance now rests with a Board of Directors, rather than personal ownership, helping ensure long-term continuity, organizational stability, and thoughtful stewardship of the school’s future.

Expanded scholarship and access opportunities - While course fees remain unchanged, nonprofit status opens the door to new funding opportunities, including foundations and certain state or federal grants aligned with boating safety, education, and access initiatives — helping us expand who we can serve and how we serve them.

Stronger community partnerships - Many public agencies and community groups prefer — or require — nonprofit status for collaboration. This transition strengthens our ability to partner with like-missioned organizations that share our commitment to sailing education, safety, and community impact.

Formal support for boating safety and advocacy - A 501(c)(4) structure explicitly supports public-interest advocacy related to boating safety and access. This gives Dauntless Sailing School a stronger voice in sailing advocacy, boating safety education, greater engagement in initiatives that protect and expand sailing access, and the ability to advocate for the sailing community — not just teach within it. By contrast, sailing clubs organized as 501(c)(7) social clubs are significantly constrained regarding advocacy and public-interest programming without risking their tax-exempt status.

Graduate & Alumni Governance Opportunities - As part of this transition, we are intentionally opening pathways for graduates and alumni to participate in the leadership of Dauntless Sailing School. Opportunities include serving on our Board of Directors and helping influence curriculum development, access initiatives, and long-term strategy.

If you are interested in contributing at a governance, advisory, or advocacy level, we’d love to hear from you and start a conversation.

📩 Contact: [email protected]

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Dauntless choose a 501(c)(4) instead of a 501(c)(3)?

Our mission includes sailing education, boating safety education, access initiatives, and advocacy. A 501(c)(4) social-welfare structure best aligns with that scope while allowing appropriate community engagement.

Are donations tax-deductible?

No. Contributions to 501(c)(4) organizations are generally not tax-deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes.

Are course fees changing?

No. Course fees remain unchanged and continue to reflect the actual cost of delivering high-quality sailing instruction.

In Closing

Dauntless Sailing School remains the same school you know, trust, and love — now supported by a legal structure that fully aligns with our mission and positions us to serve students and the broader sailing community even more effectively for years to come.

We would also like to extend our sincere appreciation to the law firm of Barnes & Thornburg, and in particular Josh Hollingworth and James Collins, whose expertise and thoughtful guidance were instrumental in crafting our new Articles of Incorporation and ensuring this transition was completed with care and professionalism.

If you have questions, ideas, or would like to be involved in shaping the future of Dauntless Sailing School, we warmly welcome the conversation.

-Captain Todd