Advice getting started...

[mshale2]

I did a small amount of sailing as a teenager, but my fiance and I are desperate to get back on the water. When she was growing up she lived on a 42' yacht in Cape Town, so we are both pretty sure we're going to love getting back on water.

Here's the problem. We don't have the cash to purchase anything until next year, but we would love to get some experience to make sure it is still what we want to do and to learn the ropes (no pun intended).

Where should we start? It possible to crew as a complete novice? Should we try and gain experience prior to going for any proper courses? Any tips, advice or help would be massively appreciated.

Thanks

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[dutts]

Where are you based? - the guy who owns the boat I crew on is sometimes looking for extra people to crew with him and he's more than happy with novices, otherwise I'd never get on board.......

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[mshale2]

Living in Sheffield. However we are very happy to travel around for opportunities, at the end of the day we only live on a small island. Where is the guy who owns boat you refer to based?

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[dutts]

Southampton. I must also stress that it's not my boat so I can't guarantee anything!

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[mshale2]

Compeltely understand that. Just appreciate any help and advice.

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[AndrewB]

Of course you can crew as a complete novice. That's how most people get started! Your question is something of a FAQ, it may be worth searching old postings, for example <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.ybw.com/cgi-bin/forums/showthreaded.pl?Cat=&Board=ym&Number=190505>HERE</A>.

Answers fall into 6 categories:
1. Visit a nearby yacht club (Friday evening is best), post a card on the noticeboard or better still speak to a committee member. No need to join but hint you might later if you can find a crewing place. Reliable crew for racing (even novices) are in demand in many clubs.
2. Contact a crewing bureau like Crewseekers.
3. Do a few days sailing school course, "competent crew" or even "day skipper" if you've got longer. No experience is needed for competent crew. Or in the winter, a night-school course at a local Adult Education Centre. This will not only make you more desirable as a crew member, but will bring you into contact with people looking for crew.
4. Do 3 and then go on a flotilla holiday in the Med with someone like Sunsail. Quickest route to (almost) skipperdom but expensive though.
5. Post on a forum like this, giving your availability (oh yes, you've just done that). Actually its a bit of a long shot unless someone happens to live near you.
6. Buy a small yacht and just take off under the eye of a mate who once crewed a dinghy on the Serpentine. No qualifications or licencing required in the UK. Er ... no perhaps that's not actually a recommendation - though a suprising number of people did start that way. And you said you don't have the dosh.

One hint, if you do get an offer to crew, accept it if you can, and don't witter on about thinking of doing it later in the year when you've repainted the kitchen and sorted the garden. On no account cancel at short notice. You won't be asked twice.

 

[StugeronSteve]

I might be able to offer you a berth sometime. Not too far from Sheffield myself.

<hr width=100% size=1>Semper Bufo