Best way to gain miles/experience post-RYA quals?

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ross84

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Hi all,

I've got my DS and Practical and Theory and the ICC, but I'm looking for some mile building and well, let's be honest, actually learning how to sail. My job and this country are annoying me so I'm looking to quit/leave.

I signed up to Findacrew ages ago but honestly it seems more like backpackers hitching rides on yachts and single guys looking for young crews rather than a proper sailing community (please correct me if I'm wrong).

I recently found CrewSeekers International and got excited by a ship looking for crew for the Portugal to Lagos ARC - the dates work fine because I'll probably leave my job in the beginning of May. But they want 70 quid to join - seems expensive and there isn't that much on there tbh.

I then signed up to World cruising club / ARC and then was led to Ocean Crew Link, which seems a lot better than Findacrew - but it's a 5er a month - is it worth it? Any other suggestions? Taking part in the ARC events sounds like fun and a good way to get some valuable experience.

As ever, many thanks!
 
Send me a PM with your details and availablity. I will be looking for crew this summer. Sailing is my passion and I enjoy enhancing other's skills.
I will probably be sailing from Portmouth to Scotland in June. Longer term returning to alantic France/Portugal then Med.

Like you I'm disillusioned by the state of affairs in the UK and contemplating upgrading my boat to allow ocean passages.
 
Do you live near somewhere with active weekend racing? It’s a great way to learn, particularly when the wind gets up and cruisers are less inclined to be coastal hopping.
 
Professional Yacht Deliveries are often busy and need crew. The spots get picked up very quick, though, they are good....in my opinion.

You see some excellent vids from Halcyon on here too.

These guys really do know what they are doing. (y)
 
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I was in a similar situation three years ago. I put a postcard in several local marinas and clubs with my details and offering to crew. I had so many opportunities to sail on different boats and with really interesting skippers. It was great experience. Importantly, it also helped me decide on the type of boat I wanted to buy. There are a great many people with boats who are looking for reliable and helpful crew.
 
I’ve used CrewSeekers as crew twice in the past. The first time was a delivery of a ketch rigged Jeanneau Sunfizz 40 from Lisbon to Falmouth. The second time was aboard a Catana 431 catamaran on a transatlantic from Tenerife to Barbados. My experience was very positive from the site and worth the sign up fee.

Another site worth looking at is Ocean Crew Link. I used to get regular updates of new opportunities. It’s also free to join/use.

If you based near the Solent (or can get there for a weekend sailing) there are two good Facebook groups: “Last minute crew wanted Solent” and “Solent Sailors Crew Available” which would be a good way to get some experience on different boats before looking for an opportunity further afield.
 
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capnsensible said:
Professional Yacht Deliveries are often busy and need crew. The spots get picked up very quick, though, they are good....in my opinion.

You see some excellent vids from Halcyon on here too.

These guys really do know what they are doing. (y)
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Another *big* plus for pyd, Professional Yacht Deliveries
Class outfit, you'll get into some good habits :cool:
They sometimes tell of crew needed on twitter when they are busy, if you can jump last minute then you're well in with a chance.
 
Thanks all - PM's sent.

GHA - is it even worth worthing applying to PYD etc. with a DS and limited experience? I am increasingly open to doing a YM in the not too distant future, so thanks for the info nevertheless.
 
ross84 said:
Thanks all - PM's sent.

GHA - is it even worth worthing applying to PYD etc. with a DS and limited experience? I am increasingly open to doing a YM in the not too distant future, so thanks for the info nevertheless.
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Worth a word yes, I've done deliveries for them without a YM. Usually 3 (wo)man crew so you might get in as a number 3. YM is nice to have anyway of course :cool:
 
ross84 said:
Hi all,

I've got my DS and Practical and Theory and the ICC, but I'm looking for some mile building and well, let's be honest, actually learning how to sail. My job and this country are annoying me so I'm looking to quit/leave.

I signed up to Findacrew ages ago but honestly it seems more like backpackers hitching rides on yachts and single guys looking for young crews rather than a proper sailing community (please correct me if I'm wrong).

I recently found CrewSeekers International and got excited by a ship looking for crew for the Portugal to Lagos ARC - the dates work fine because I'll probably leave my job in the beginning of May. But they want 70 quid to join - seems expensive and there isn't that much on there tbh.

I then signed up to World cruising club / ARC and then was led to Ocean Crew Link, which seems a lot better than Findacrew - but it's a 5er a month - is it worth it? Any other suggestions? Taking part in the ARC events sounds like fun and a good way to get some valuable experience.

As ever, many thanks!
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Crewseekers had a poor reputation a few years back, so beware.
 
GHA said:
Worth a word yes, I've done deliveries for them without a YM. Usually 3 (wo)man crew so you might get in as a number 3. YM is nice to have anyway of course :cool:
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The set-up when I did some deliveries for a different outfit (who I wouldn't recommend but they're the first hit if you google "yacht delivery death") was pro skipper, me as mate (YM Offshore) and one or two randoms provided by the company who were supposed to be qualified to stand a watch but quals were not checked and quality was variable. We definitely thought ourselves lucky when we got a sensible and competent dayskipper.

Might be worth googling yacht delivery companies, especially the bigger ones who have contracts with the AWB makers. Put yourself on their books, sign up to the mailing list and be prepared to leave at short notice: often crew drop out at the last minute (or jump ship) so there's often need for urgent replacements.

I see you weren't planning on quitting until May. Earlier would be better as it was my impression (others may correct me) that there are humps in demand for delivery crew in spring when the french AWB manufacturers need to get boats to the eastern med for the start of the season and autumn when shiny new cats need to get to the caribbean.

Personally I'd prefer deliveries to crewing for random strangers: you may not get expenses paid but unless things have really gone downhill you shouldn't be having to pay for your food and a share of costs.
 
Via findacrew I did a 1500 mile passage from Thailand to Maldives 10 years ago, was in Thailand at the time & was able to check out the opportunities on the site before paying the money to get the contact details so as long as you can still do that you might find something to suit. What I would say though and this also applies if you end up as delivery crew is it's a complete lottery who you get to sail with, they might be great or they might be a total arsehole and (obviously) it's not always easy to bail! So as barnacle Bill says I think there's a good argument for getting yourself an inexpensive boat and get going yourself...
 
Bear in mind that 'miles' don't equate directly to 'experience'.

Pilotage in tricky waters, anchoring, and berthing/unberthing in random harbours are among the more challenging bits of sailing you may get little or none of on, say, an ocean delivery trip (not that I'm knocking them). Semi-conversely, you may not get much of in the way of reefing/seasickness/injuries/managing equipment breakdown challenges wafting around in light airs in sheltered waters with a fair-weather weekend skipper who knows the area like the back of his/her hand (not that I'm knocking that, either).

Probably advantageous to mix different types of opportunities, but more important to think critically about what type of issues/experience you have and haven't gained. (Though don't make the mistake, either, of thinking you have to have 'done everything' before you can be a capable and confident sailor.)
 
Hi LittleSister, I know this has nothing to do with this thread, but cannot seem to PM you. I am just about to complete on the purchase of a samphire 29 and there is very little info on them on the web. I saw that you have mentioned these lovely looking boats before and wonder if you have any further info. Please email me on blankothemagnificent(at)gmail.com so we can chat.

On the subject of this thread yacht delivery companies such as pyd will pobably take on a crew with rya qualifications and may pay for flights etc. This will give you the mix of different experiences on a variety of boats that will be invaluable to you.
 
After my DS I got hooked up on here, well the classic boat forum. 1200nm Algarve coast then over to Horta. 2 up in a little Vertue. Learned more on that trip than all my RYA courses including YM.
 
Buck Turgidson said:
After my DS I got hooked up on here, well the classic boat forum. 1200nm Algarve coast then over to Horta. 2 up in a little Vertue. Learned more on that trip than all my RYA courses including YM.
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Absolutely. But you'd unlikely have been accepted as crew in the first place, nor would you have learnt as much as you did, had you not got your initial training/experience.
 
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