You’re ready to take the plunge… you have gotten some of the basics of sailing down by reading or taking seminars and classes, and maybe you’ve already been sailing/cruising with friends. So how do you go about finding the right boat to crew on? It isn’t that easy to find the right boat if you hope to have a good experience, and who doesn’t want a good experience, right? First, it helps to know where to look… lots of good options there, but more important is doing your homework and being savvy in your search. Read on for some sound tips to get you started.
Where to Look (for a boat)?
Navigating Crew-Finding Websites
S-A-V-V-Y Searching
Getting Ready to Go
Where to Look (for a boat)?
Finding a boat is one thing, but finding the right boat to join, even for a short period of time, is very important and requires research and effort. There are several ways to go about doing this. It will likely take some time and effort, and you may want to use a multi-tiered approach. Below are a few options to consider…
People you know (and who they know)
The very best and first place to look is within your own circle of friends and acquaintances. If you know people who sail, they will know others who sail. Ask around for recommendations. People your contacts already know will have a good chance of being at least somewhat vetted for you ahead of time.
Sailing Clubs and Marinas
If you live anywhere near local sailing clubs or marinas, you can get involved there and start meeting people. They will have notice boards and newsletters where you can look for opportunities and post on crew lists.
Online Crew-Finding Websites
One of the benefits of modern technology is the ability to search far and wide, casting a net well beyond your local geography. There are a number of websites dedicated to finding crew and boats. There is OceanCrewLink, FindaCrew, Crewbay, SailOPO, Crewseekers, Yotspot, and more. Savvy Sailing Girl has used FindaCrew as well as Crewbay, and has recently discovered Lovesail (for those looking for friendship and dating as well), but prefers Find-a-Crew because of the PIV (personal information verification) feature as well as a comprehensive profile format. There is no single best site. There are many choices, both global as well as regional, and you can find them by searching online for “crew finder” or something similar.
Navigating Crew-Finding Websites
You may or may not have ever used an online dating website, but if you have, you’ll know there are some “tricks of the trade” that will help you create a more effective profile and also assist you when you are searching for crewing (and/or dating) possibilities. First, make sure you complete your profile as much and as completely as possible. The more information you provide about you and what you are looking for, the better. Be specific and be accurate. You won’t waste time sorting through inquiries that are obviously not a good fit.
Rather than just listing information, try to paint a picture and tell a story. Chances are, that will resonate with people better and they may more easily envision themselves in the picture you are painting. Try to start and end with a strong opening statement and closure. Using humor almost always appeals, but if humor isn’t your strong suit, start out with a captivating introduction that speaks to who you are.
The closing should invite the person reviewing your profile to contact you if there’s a good fit… something like, “if you think this is you, please get in touch”, or “if this resonates with you, please reach out!” Savvy Sailing Girl indicated in her profiles that a warmer climate would be preferable to her, but that she would be willing to put on cold-weather sailing gear for the right guy. She closed with, “If you think this is you, please contact me, and if it’s going to be cold, send mittens!”, which she hopes conveyed not only a sense of humor but flexibility and a willingness to compromise.
Make sure you include as many (recent) photos as possible and put dates and locations on them. You love diving but haven’t been for the last 5 years?… okay to include an older diving photo as long as you have the date on the picture so people know. Savvy Sailing Girl has spoken to many people and has been told that a surprising percentage of folks on dating and crew-finding sites fib about their age. SSG does not promote this behavior as she believes that trust is essential and a foundation in any relationship, romantic or not. It is understandable that people do this… younger is better in our society and even more so in the cruising community. People also tend to search in round numbers, so if you just turned 51 and people are searching for crew 50 and younger, they may never see your profile. In that case, you’ll need to work harder and find them instead. If you do choose to shave a few years off your actual age so you can be found more widely in the search process, then consider admitting to that in the text portion or come clean immediately once you start a dialog with someone.
Savvy Sailing Girl likes the PIV (personal information verification) option in the Find-a-Crew website, which checks government identity and then automatically populates the actual age. She had the experience a while back where a skipper listed his age at 58 but, when she saw his passport, his actual age was 65. He didn’t see any harm in the fib. Admittedly, he is a handsome guy and looks quite young for his age, and it’s not a big deal in the relative scheme of things as he wasn’t intentionally harming anyone. But how you feel about that depends on your own value system. He is very nice and SSG sailed together with him for quite a while. She and he are still good friends… but you know what? The lack of integrity was always an issue… if he so easily fibbed about this, what else wasn’t entirely truthful? So, think carefully about what’s important to you, what your values are, and how you want to present yourself to the world. Just sayin’.
S-A-V-V-Y Searching
It isn’t sufficient just to know where to search, but also how to search most effectively. This means not just finding a boat, but finding the right boat and situation to best meet your needs and keeping safety in mind as well. Regardless of where you look – whether through your own contacts, marinas and clubs, or online – using common sense is important, especially for safety reasons. So be careful, be alert, do your homework and trust your intuition. No matter how good an opportunity might sound “on paper” you need to do your due diligence and use the “SAVVY SAILING” approach described below…
“SAVVY” – This acronym stands for those things you need to consider when searching for the right boat and situation… the “whats” to evaluate:
S-A-V-V-Y (what to consider) – Skipper, Arrangements, Vessel, Voyage, You
“SAILING” – This acronym stands for the approach one should follow in the evaluation and decision-making… it’s the process.
S-A-I-L-I-N-G (the process) – Specify, Analyze/Alternatives, Inquire, Listen/Learn, Intuition, Navigate/Negotiate, Go!
S-A-V-V-Y (what to consider) – Skipper, Arrangements, Vessel, Voyage, You
S is for Skipper
Savvy Sailing Girl has found that the most important element in determining how successful an experience will be, is the person(s) you are sailing with. If you are looking for romance in addition to a crewing experience, this is even more critical. Everyone will have their own lists of what’s important to them in a sailing partner, but there are a few key things to be clear on.
Strictly in the capacity of a skipper/captain, you will want to assess his experience, credentials, expectations of crew, and style of commanding the vessel. It’s also helpful if he/she is somewhat mechanically and electrically inclined, and can repair things that break underway.
On an individual and more personal level, personality will play a big role. Being together in a confined space intensifies behaviors both good and bad. Small pet peeves can turn into major irritations at sea. Neat and tidy or clutter? Music on all the time or rather have it quiet? You get the idea. You’ll find a list of things to consider and inquire about in the SAVVY SAILING search table. Also, be prepared to answer lots of questions yourself. Remember, you are coming into someone’s home and they need to make inquiries that will ensure they and their boat are safe and sound. This should include questions about drugs, alcohol, and other substance use, and what you will be bringing on board with you.
If for some reason you arrive and have any suspicions about the skipper at all, ANY or anything that feels uncomfortable, trust your gut and don’t proceed. Make sure you have at least one day or more on board before sailing off, just in case your gut tells you to get off.
A is for Arrangements
Don’t make any assumptions as to what the arrangements might be for any particular onboard situation. That goes for financial arrangements, sleeping arrangements, crew’s responsibilities, and more. This is covered in the “Arrangements” section of “Start Here”, and there is a list of specifics to consider and ask about is in the SAVVY SAILING search table (below).
V is for Vessel
Not only is it important to make sure the boat you are considering will meet your needs in terms of your accommodations, personal space, amenities, and the like, it is also essential that you find out the vessel’s condition – how sea worthy she is. The age of the boat can play a role, but more important is how well she has been maintained. It is also critical that you be aware of what safety gear is on board and whether there are redundant systems and spare parts for essential systems. Savvy Sailing Girl has encountered boats where there was no life raft on board, which is a non-negotiable in her estimation when sailing offshore and even for coastal sailing.
You don’t need to ask about every spare part, but good skippers will be prepared to tell you what safety measures are in place, communications devices, emergency locators, fire extinguishers, and the like. You’ll get a sense pretty quickly upon inquiry as to whether the boat has been suitably cared for. If for some reason you arrive and have any suspicion that this is not the case, trust your gut and don’t proceed.
V is for Voyage
You’ll have already thought about what type of sailing you might want to do, whether offshore or coastal, day sailing, or a week of leisurely island hopping. The length of time you spend on board might be negotiable and extended if all is well, there’s harmony on board, and everyone agrees. But there are other variables… how much time is spent underway versus in harbor, at the dock versus on anchor, and are you doing night sailing or day trips only. Are you doing longer passages or shorter hops along the way?
Also important is where would you be traveling to… do your research as to political or other potentially dangerous situations, visas required (and time needed to prepare, submit, and process visa applications) and length of time allowed in foreign countries depending upon your own citizenship.
Rules can and often do change for boats entering foreign waters, so make sure you are looking at current information and resources. Cruisers joke that sailing plans are always written in the sand at low tide, which means they can (and likely will) change. Make sure you build some flexibility into your timelines. Most experienced sailors will tell you that the most dangerous thing on a boat is a schedule. You simply do not want to take risks and set out with unfavorable conditions just to keep a tight schedule.
Y is for You
The most important aspect of the crewing experience is you! First, you’ll want to be clear about what the skipper (and other crew if applicable) expects of you, and also what you expect of yourself. Know yourself, your desires, your limitations, your budget, and what is inside or outside your comfort zones. It’s fine to “stretch” out of your comfort zone some, but be realistic and don’t leap into a situation that would put you at risk physically, mentally, or emotionally. It is easy to get overwhelmed when things don’t go as planned, and they sometimes don’t, so small steps forward are recommended.
Below is the Savvy Sailing Girl S-A-V-V-Y Searching Worksheet. Use this as a guide for asking and tracking responses for potential opportunities. Download a PDF copy below or in the SSG Toolkit. You can print and use it as is, or add your own questions and comments.
SAILING (the process) – Specify, Analyze/Alternatives, Inquire, Listen/Learn, Intuition, Navigate/Negotiate, Go!
S is for Specify
Before you ever get to the searching stage, try to be as clear and complete as you can about what you want. What type of sailing, boat, accommodations, voyage, companions (who and how many), location, time frames, etc. Write everything down and use that as a checklist to assess the possibilities and determine how good a fit each situation might be.
If you are looking for potential romance, then there’s a whole separate list you’ll need to have for the captain beyond his abilities to skipper the boat safely and comfortably. SSG recommends you list all the attributes you could possibly want, then divide the list into 3 categories: non-negotiable, high wants, and nice to have… this goes for each aspect of the SAVVY things to consider, but for romance, doubly important. Make sure, as you are writing the lists, that you are phrasing them in the positive… there’s an energetic difference when you specify things positively rather than negatively, and the results are usually better. As an example, say, “I want someone who is calm, supportive, and relaxed” rather than, “I don’t want someone who gets angry and yells at me”.
The non-negotiable items are just that… they’re your “deal breakers”. If you long to have a family and it’s essential for you yet he’s clear he doesn’t want kids ever?… deal breaker. If he’s looking for “crew with benefits” only and not a relationship but you want to get married?… deal breaker. And, Savvy Sailing Girl’s words of advice here… do NOT go into any situation thinking, hoping, wishing, that you will be able to change anyone (but yourself) and, if he tells you he doesn’t want a relationship, believe him, period.
If anything on the non-negotiable list is present, it’s a “no go”. That could be anything from excess drinking to prevalent nudity aboard… it doesn’t matter what it is, it just needs to be something you are absolutely unwilling to compromise on. Stick to that list no matter how enticing an opportunity may sound.
The high wants category comes next. There may be some flexibility in things on this list, but not a lot. You’d have to think twice about accepting a situation with several things missing on this list. The nice to have category is just that… things you’d like but that aren’t high priority. All other things being equal when comparing two opportunities, go to this list and see if it sways your preference one way or another
A is for Analyze/Alternatives
Once you have your lists – non-negotiable, high wants, and nice to have – you can start considering the available options. Although a great-looking skipper or luxury yacht might make your heart skip a beat or two, make sure your non-negotiable items are met. Searching and sifting through alternatives is both fun and a good amount of time/work, but it’s absolutely worth the effort. The better you do your homework up front, the better the results (usually).
The first thing to do is gather and review all the information available. Do an internet search on the person and see if what comes up is consistent with what you have been told. If you are looking for boats using online crew finding sites, you’ll find varying degrees of completeness on profiles. DO NOT assume everything you are reading is accurate. Some may be deliberately false, as in stating age in terms of how someone feels rather than their actual (what’s in their passport) age, and photos may be years or even decades old. Other things may be simply a “stretch” and the result of people’s perceptions through their own filters… what?… you call THIS neat and tidy? Or… they say, “I like to have a glass or two of wine with dinner”, only you find out later that they like to drink at every other time of the day as well… big problem.
We all tend to see things from our own perspective and make assumptions based on who we are and how we would behave, but best if you can manage not to make any assumptions at all. As you analyze the possible choices, make a list of things you need to find out in order to ensure your non-negotiable list is met. Some SSG tips… skip profiles that don’t have any photos, and likewise, skip profiles where the person uses “Private” as their user name… in both cases they’re likely hiding something. As mentioned before, Find-a-Crew has an option available that verifies personal information (PIV – Personal Identity Verification), which SSG really likes. It ensures that the person matches their government-issued ID and that the age is stated accurately. That isn’t a guarantee that they are a good choice, but it helps.
Profiles that have recommendations are good, but depending on the type of sailing and how long they’ve been on the site, even good possibilities may not have any recommendations posted. It is always a good idea to ask for references and recommendations. Even if not listed on the site, everyone should be able to provide a contact for you to get in touch with. If you are searching through your own network, this part is easier.
I is for Inquire
This step is super important!!! Ask as many questions as you need to ensure you have all the information required and can make a good and safe decision. If someone isn’t forthcoming, then just say “no, thank you”. Ask about anything missing from their online profile, ask how old the photos are, whether they can take a selfie today and send it and schedule a video chat as soon as possible. Emailing and telephone conversations are good, but a video chat can provide some essential information – read their body language, verify their photos are recent, see how they respond “on the fly”, etc. – that you can only get with a face-to-face chat. If they make excuses and don’t want to do any sort of video, then just say “no, thank you” to the opportunity.
Any discrepancies in information should probably be a “no, thank you” as well. Though you may not want to cut someone loose for shaving a few years off their age, you’ll need to decide what your own comfort level is and where to draw the line.
SSG says, trust is essential in any relationship, but especially critical when you are putting yourself in someone’s hands and boat, so choose wisely. There are several types of questions you can ask… what, where, when, how, and why. However, there’s a lot more to it than that. Questions might be asked in such a way that the person can respond with a yes or no, or with a simple answer. But that might not give you enough information. For example, if it is important for you to be on an orderly boat and you were to inquire about whether the skipper is neat and tidy, you may ask “Do you keep your boat neat and tidy?”, and most likely they would reply with a “yes” or more likely, “I try to”. But a “yes” is only their opinion and it might not be cleaned up as well as you’d like in order to feel comfortable aboard.
So you might ask something to clarify like, “do you like to do dishes before going to bed or is it no big deal to clean up the next morning?” That will give you a bit more info, but even better is to ask open-ended questions. In this example, after the skipper has indicated that he is, in fact, neat and tidy, you could ask him what “neat and tidy” means (or looks like) to him and how important it is to him to keep the boat in that condition”. Not all questions require this level of inquiry, but for the ones important to you, keep digging until you are satisfied with the answer – meaning that you are clear about it not necessarily that it is what you wanted to hear.
L is for Listen/Learn
As you are asking questions, listen carefully. How people answer questions is almost as important and telling as what their answer is. Clarify anything you aren’t sure of… don’t assume what they might mean by something. Continue to check the information you have with your lists and go back to ask (or ask again) about anything unclear.
I is for Intuition
As you gather more information you will start to get a sense for the opportunity at hand. The facts and figures need to be weighed along with your own intuition, or gut feeling. If you have a niggling feeling that something isn’t as it seems or might not be in your best and highest good, don’t ignore it. You may not have to eliminate the option right away or completely, but you do owe it to yourself to explore the feeling and learn more. Sometimes it’s hard to trust our gut and we want to second guess things. Don’t. Our intuition and “gut feeling” are our subconscious’ way of protecting us.
N is for Navigate/Negotiate
You’ve searched and analyzed alternatives, you have inquired rigorously and then asked again if things weren’t clear enough. You have listened and learned then checked everything with your intuitive side – gut feelings – and have proclaimed this to be a good opportunity to pursue. That doesn’t mean that everything is perfect, nothing ever is (and if it seems too good to be true, it probably is… go back and redo the previous steps starting from inquiry again).
So now is the time to navigate the arrangements and negotiate agreements. It is really important to have a clear and common understanding of what is agreed to by both parties involved. This will avoid uncomfortable discussions once on board and will give everyone a sense of ease. Be authentic and as accurate as you can with what you want and what may feel uncomfortable. Negotiate until you find a comfortable set of circumstances and conditions, and if you don’t, then DO NOT proceed. It sounds simple and straightforward, but sometimes we can get carried away with things we find compelling and dismiss possible areas of concern.
G is for Go!
Congratulations, you’ve found your crewing opportunity and navigated the process of discussing then agreeing to the arrangements and obligations on both sides. Now it’s time to get up and go! Depending on the length of time, the type of sailing and the location, you’ll need to prepare and pack accordingly.
Are you traveling to a foreign country? You might need a visa. If you are booking a one-way ticket internationally, then you’ll need an invitation letter from the skipper confirming that you are joining the boat as crew. Flying anywhere one way is a red flag in the airlines’ system and if you don’t have this, you may be required to purchase a return ticket either directly or through a service like Onward Ticket (http://www.onwardticket.com). The skipper will also need to include a copy of their passport (photo page) and a copy of the boat’s current registration as well. SSG says, check visa requirements early as some countries take a lot longer than others to process applications, which could derail voyage plans. Make sure someone back home has the contact information and ID of the skipper and copy of the registration of the boat, for safety, just in case.
Once the travel logistics have been organized, it’s time to start planning what (and how) you’ll pack. See the section on SSG’s Savvy Packing Guidelines.
Getting Ready to Go
Exciting!… all your efforts have paid off… you have made your decision and are ready to plan your trip. For a complete list of recommendations, review the section on SSG’s Savvy Packing Guidelines. Now, let’s get you ready to go! Here is a list of things to check and plan for well before you go…
Visas
If you are traveling to another country, check online details on whether you need a visa and how you apply for one. Also factor in how long the processing time is and add a comfortable buffer.
Travel Documents
There are a number of things you should have with you any time you are joining a boat and especially important if you are traveling internationally…
Passport
You’ll need to have your passport with you. Make sure you have at least a few blank pages available in it and that it’s valid for at least 6+ months beyond your expected travel dates (not just your arrival date) before it expires… some countries require that. Also, make sure you have a photocopy and/or a photo of your passport (photo page) just in case your passport gets lost or stolen.
Tickets
Needless to say, don’t forget your tickets!
Crewing invitation letter from skipper
Ask the skipper to provide you with a letter of invitation indicating that you (your full name and passport number) will be joining him/her on the yacht (skippers full name and passport number, plus boat’s country of registration and registration number) on the date agreed. Any one-way flights without proof of a return (or onward) ticket are a huge red flag and you may not be permitted to board unless you can prove you are sailing out and show documentation. Even if you aren’t traveling on a one-way ticket, having this information is always a good idea.
Skipper’s passport (copy of photo page)
Print this out along with the Crewing invitation letter from the skipper and keep it with your passport.
Boat’s registration (copy)
Print this out along with the Crewing invitation letter from the skipper and keep it with your passport
Immunization card
Depending where and when you are traveling, also check any required or suggested immunizations. Make sure you have a card (signed by doctor or clinic) that documents your immunization history. In some countries, proof of vaccination against yellow fever or other diseases is required.
Medications
Make sure you have an ample supply of any prescription medications as well as over-the-counter meds that you take regularly. If you are traveling for a few months, many pharmacies can request a “vacation override” from your insurance company to fill prescriptions for a longer time period. There are also some basic medications you may want to bring along if you are traveling someplace that is not well supplied. Check out the section on SSG’s Packing Guidelines for a comprehensive list of recommendations for everything you’ll want to bring, and some things best to leave at home.
Money
One of the very important things to ensure is that you have sufficient financial resources while you are away. Take cash, take credit card(s), take debit card(s). You may need all of them. In addition to having sufficient funds to cover your actual travel and personal costs, as well as cash contributions to the running costs and cruising kitty (as arranged with skipper), have enough cash to purchase a one-way ticket out of wherever you are back home or to anywhere else… just as a precaution.
Take cash in NEW pristine $100 bills only (no tears, wrinkles, marks, etc.), as these are accepted in most places around the world. You can request new bills at your bank with no fee. Also take small bills… $1’s and $5’s, for tipping and buying small things where you won’t need to get change in foreign currency. If you are traveling outside your home country, remember to notify your financial institutions. This will help ensure that your credit and debit cards will work when you arrive and not be flagged as fraudulent activity.
Packing
Now it’s time to plan what to take with you in terms of attire. This will be heavily dependent on type of trip, length, climate, and location. For a complete list of recommendations, review the section on SSG’s Savvy Packing List Guidelines. If there’s anything essential you don’t already have, give yourself enough lead time to explore and purchase what you’ll need. Don’t forget the mask, snorkel, and flippers!
