Cruising Cards
What they are and why you need them!
What is a “cruising card”? A cruising card is sort of like a business card in that it introduces you, provides your essential contact information and communicates to people who you are and what you are offering. But whereas a business card represents you or your company professionally, a cruising card presents you personally (unless you are crewing and cruising for hire as a professional, in which case you do want a business card).
Many cruisers have “boat cards”, which is the boat owner’s version of cruising cards. Boat cards contain not only the owner’s individual contact details, but also important information about the boat. Many times, it’s easier for people to remember the name of a boat than those who were on it. Boat cards can also be handy for shops and marinas as well as for other cruisers who wish to have radio call signs and MMSI numbers.
As crew, in addition to sharing information, having cruising cards is one of the best ways to build up your network and let people know you’re interested in crewing. They’ll be useful on land, as well as on sea, to give to folks you meet personally, and as an alternative to handing them a business card or a hand-written scrap of paper. You can give people a few of your cruising cards to pass along to others who they know may be seeking crew.
Where you can have cruising cards made:
You can have cruising cards made anywhere that makes business cards… at a local copy shop, an online printer like Vistaprint, or you can make your own if you have a printer and determination. Vistaprint and most copy shops will have an assortment of styles and ready-made “templates” to choose from, but if you’re the creative sort, you can create your own design and then upload the file for printing. Savvy Sailing Girl likes to design her own cards and has had great results using Vistaprint. Their process is straightforward and they have good tools for editing and previewing your designs, so you make sure you print (and get) just what you want.
What you should have on your cruising card:
Your name
Your contact information – email, phone, messaging
Your photo – that’s the best way for people to remember you!
What else you might include on your cruising card:
Hailing port – what country are you from / passport – this could be important in terms of visas if you plan to cruise internationally
Languages spoken – if more than your native language and planning to cruise internationally
Credentials – licenses, sailing, diving or other relevant credentials
Links – to website or profiles on crew-finding sites where you might include additional details of your sailing experience and qualifications.
What not to include on your cruising card:
You can write any of this information, as needed, on the back of your card, but better not to have these things printed there…
Information that you don’t want everyone to have – for example, a satellite phone number
Any limited bandwidth email – such as Sailmail or IridiumGo, etc. Give this out only to select individuals who know how to use these services and won’t attach photos or files.
Home address or mailing address
Home phone
General Design Tips:
Use large enough text and clear font – so that people can read it easily
Make sure the photo of yourself is large enough – so that your face is identifiable
Consider having a 2-sided card – if you have a lot of info,and put some of it on the back instead of squishing it all on the front.
Remember, your cruising card represents YOU – don’t scrimp on design elements (special effects, 2-sided versus single sided and finish), card stock (weight and feel) or shape (rounded corners, specialty sizing). Savvy Sailing Girl likes rounded corners, glossy finish on the front side only (so people can write on the back), and 2-sided full color in premium card stock.
Creative Ideas:
Below are some ideas that might inspire you to create your own. Or, if you’d like a hand with the design, reach out and Savvy Sailing Girl can help!
Have someone take a photo of you holding a white tablet. You can edit the photo later and add any text or images you want! This is not only a fun and flexible idea for your cruising cards, but you can use it to write and send custom message and greetings. Savvy Sailing Girl has also used this idea to create a custom gift card, as you can do with some retailers such as Amazon!
The best option is to use a photo of yourself in a sailing/cruising setting. If you don’t have one already, you can go to a local sailing club or school and have someone take a photo for you… you never know, you might make some good contacts there while you’re at it!
If you don’t have a photo of yourself on or by a boat, and don’t want to go asking people if they’ll take one of you on theirs, then add some graphics with a nautical theme. Also, try getting creative with the angle and positioning of your photo, or use a watermark as a subtle design element…
If you don’t want to use your photo at all (not recommended… as always best to use your photo), then use a stock photo of a sailboat (like the one below) or of a location (like tropical islands) you want to highlight to add interest and intent. Do NOT use a stock photo of someone that is not you… but that goes without saying, right? 🙂
