ARC 2009 - Crew

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myoldsailor

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Hey all,

Hope you are all well!!

My contract ends in 3 weeks time, and was thinking..Arc 2009 starts October 22nd.

What's the best method to track down yacht owners and offer myself as crew?

Kind Regards
 
;-)

Sounds like a plan!

Think I'll give ARC a call; However, unsure how many skippers would be happy to collect someone from a pontoon for a 20-30 day trip without any vetting!

S.
 
AIDY said:
arc website or walk the pontoons before the start.... get a job driving the arc courtesy bus and meet all the skipper's ;)
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Having been a skipper recruiting crew for the ARC, I'll go along with the above but walking the pontoons can be pretty dispiriting, for every berth available there are a dozen hopefuls who have gambled on travelling to Las Palmas. You are better trying to get a berth beforehand and the ARC crew forum is the best place to look.

To maximize your chances you need to address the worries of a skipper taking on an unknown person -

If your crewman hasn't got the means to get home from the finish you could possibly be stuck with the cost of repatriating him. A potential crew needs to be able to show a return air ticket from St Lucia or at least a convincing plan for travelling on.

A novice is no use to a skipper (a few may waive the rule for a pretty single girl but a girl would be ill-advised to join an all-male crew without checking them out very carefully). A potential crew needs to show they have done serious offshore passages so they can be trusted to stand a watch, not retire below in a funk (surprisingly common) and, in the case of small husband & wife crews, even take charge in the event of the skipper being injured.

A boat can be forfeit if drugs are found on board. It is essential to convince the skipper you won't be taking a stash on board. I nearly sacked a crew member who was smoking whacky baccy in Las Palmas. I considered insisting on a search of her baggage.

Compatibility is a serious issue that is difficult to assess in advance. Once I realised I was in a seller's market, I insisted that potential crew sail with us beforehand. I turned away several who said 'No, I'm only interested in the ARC' and one who was reluctant even to meet another potential crewman for a drink. Even after those precautions and getting on with our crew members individually, two of them fell out part way across and wouldn't speak for the last week.

Be prepared for some odd sleeping arrangements. Hot bunking is to be expected and you may even be expected to share a double berth with a stranger!
 
myoldsailor said:
Sounds like a plan!

Think I'll give ARC a call; However, unsure how many skippers would be happy to collect someone from a pontoon for a 20-30 day trip without any vetting!

S.
Click to expand...

this time of year there are dozen's of potential crew walking pontoons looking for berths across the pond. I've been in gib for the start of world arc and in Las P for the start of the arc and seen this happen... it's the same as picking someone up of the web this close, but you meet them in person. you could also try 7knots.com. Also sort yourself a sailing CV out.

I'd agree with snowleopard.... sort your means of travel back first, or at least look in to posibilities if you need to be home for xmas, you may find it hard to get a flight back.

best of luck.
 
Last edited:
thanks

Some excellent tips from you both, cheers chaps.

I will think about booking a ticket home to demostrate my keeness.

I still think you're better of trying to contact a skipper now, meet and greet and even go sailing before hand.

Already have a sailing CV ;-)

Now where are those ARC skippers..
 
I'd agree on a meet and great well in advance..... dunno about you I'd like to know what the characters are like and if the skipper's nutter ;)
 
Slight problem - most of the entrants will be in the Canaries or at least well South by now. You would have done better to start looking at the start of the season!

I believe you now have to log in as a 'member' before you can get to the crew forum.
 
myoldsailor said:
and was thinking..Arc 2009 starts October 22nd.
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Actually, if no ones already corrected you, the rally departs on the third Sunday of November each year which this year falls on 22nd November - NOT 22nd October. Good luck finding a berth, I agree with what Snowleopard has written though and wouldn't get too excited until you've actually secured a berth because competition for a berth is high.

Cheers, Brian.
 
>I will think about booking a ticket home to demostrate my keeness.

I wouldn't do that because you can't be sure when you will arrive. Some boats arrive a week plus after the finish of the ARC (had to turn back for repairs, had to stop in the Cape Verdes for repairs, broken boom etc). Better to lodge the return fare with the skipper.
 
arc

good point...but I was so busy working 85 hour weeks and can't wait until a few weeks time and I am free!

Just need to get sailing...my 38ft yacht hasn't moved out the marina for 6 months :-(
 
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