Crew wanted

[markborley]

I need crew to help me sail my newly acquired boat down the West and South coasts during May and June (from the Island of Bute to East Anglia). Each leg will be 9 days i.e. from early Saturday through to late Sunday. The boat is a 26’ long keeled yawl built of wood in 1971.

I have more theoretical sailing experience than practical, so it is essential the crew is experienced in UK coastal sailing. I have completed the RYA Coastal Skipper course and have some practical experience in sailing boats, but not much.

I am not in a position to pay for crew so you need to want to sail for the fun of it, not for profit. I will provision the boat so at least you won’t be out of pocket.

My plan (subject to weather conditions) is to complete the first 2 legs around the time of the 2 Bank Holidays in May. If you would be interested please contact me on crew@conselo.co.uk

Thanks,
Mark Borley


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[tcm]

Re: Dear Captain Hopeful

I am in receipt of your kind offer regarding sailing you new (to you) boat from the Isle of Bute to East Anglia. Although i myself am busy at the time, there are a few points which should surely be raised.

Amongt the many questions is - the conditon of the boat. If you haven't or can't sail it- how do you know it actually works as it should? What equipment does it have, and does it work? This is not a trip that can be undertaken lightly as amongst some of the many consideratuions are that the sea temperatures at that time in those regions will be the very coldest occurring around the UK coast. And it seems foolhardy to set off on a long trip when none of the crew will know if or how the boat performs.

The second question relates to the fact that you are contemplating a potentially arduous trip and need crew (by your own admission) with more experience that your good self. However, I would suggest that you actually need a "crew" that comprises a skipper and first mate. You'd be the on-board owner, mucking in - but decisions regarding whether to go, turn back, stay in port and even the route to be taken would sensibly be the ultimate responsibility of someone else - and hence they are the skipper. Put another way - a good test of the right person is that if they'll happily report to you as their skipper ojn this trip - they aren't experienced enough!

I strongly recommend you investigate road transport, and then invite crew along in more sheltered waters with a less ambitious target and during more benign weather.

good luck though!

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[Aeolus_IV]

Re: Dear Captain Hopeful

As the vessel is not overly large, and the distances quite significant - would it not be plausible to consider overland transport? I know of a Contessa 32 brought from South Wales to Sussex this way, I didn't think that the cost was too extreme, compared to the time and effort required to bring the boat round "the wet way".

Jeff.

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[bendyone]

Its a fair old trip you are planning. What about going the other way North and down the east coast.
I would suggest a couple of weeks local sailing to get to know the boat first before setting off, also good for any crew to get to know you.
Unless you can get a good strong crew together think about a road trailer or a short delivery trip to the East side and then sail.

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[snowleopard]

i agree with the other posters. get some sea time in the boat to find out what breaks while still in sheltered waters and in reach of a port of refuge. you wouldn't want to be crossing cardigan bay when something breaks!

i too would go through the canal, in fact i have done just that 3 times in the last 3 years. (a) its a sight shorter (b) it's protected from westerlies and (c) there are more bolt holes in case of trouble. in the irish sea you're likely to meet a lot of headwinds.

any sensible crew would ask questions like: has the boat been surveyed? what safety bear do you carry? what's your range under power? what storm canvas do you have? what is your heavy weather survival plan? what sea experience do you have? it's a good idea to ask yourself these questions before someone else does. if you're satisfied you could answer them positively you're well on the way to being ready.

having said all that, i may be able to help with some of the trip though may is a busy time for me.

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[Trevor_swfyc]

You have obviously made a route plan as you say each leg is 9 days and nights. Can I make an observation it sounds like you expect a crew and yourself to run the boat, I would say three would be the minimum what if one person is sick you would soon be in trouble.
You said the person would have to be doing it for the fun of it !
The person would have to have a strange idea of fun one night crossing the North sea with a crew of three was enough for me trust me fun it is not.
Seriously those that suggest going by road in view of the time of year are giving you good advice.

Take Care !
Trevor


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[Jeremy_W]

Lower the mast and go through the Forth & Clyde Canal. After that you've a lot shorter trip and can wait for suitable weather to do each leg.

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[snowleopard]

Forth & Clyde

...remembering to hire an armed guard while passing through Maryhill!

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[Rowana]

Re: Forth & Clyde

You go through Maryhill at 0200 hrs when the locals are all sleeping off their daily intake of Buckfast !

Seriously though, I believe that the canal folks are organising "Convoys" both east and west.

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[Bejasus]

Re: Forth & Clyde

Oi.....whit's wrang wi Maryhill, it's aw thae buggers frae Temple an Possil ye huv tae watch oot fur. Oh aye, an thon bamsticks frae Port Dundas ur just as bad. Jist think yersel luck the 'nally disnae run thru Cumnock. There's some right we nyaffs fae doon thon way.

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[Bejasus]

Just as well you never said it was a catameran. That one lying on the bottom of Rothesay Harbour is a sorry looking sight.

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