Crewing

[Koyukano]

Hi guys, possibly a bit of a long shot here. I have been wanting to get into sailing for the last 4-5 years, I'm 32, I did a level 1 dinghy sailing course last year, but my main aim is to eventually buy my own small sailboat and cruise the north-east of England. When going to the local sailing clubs (live in Sunderland) most encourage me to do dinghy sailing which I understand why as you will get to grips with sail trimming etc quicker. However I would like to do crew for a sailboat if possible as I think this would be the best way to learn when I eventually buy my own boat. I'm free most weekends, although I have 1 (soon to be 2 children) and my other half is a nurse and works weekends sometimes so don't have every weekend free.

Short version would be is anyone looking for crew in the north-east? Preferably fairly close to Sunderland.


Thanks.

 

[johnalison]

Absolutely not my area I'm afraid. What you want can be quite hard to achieve, so have you thought of joining a sailing club? Whatever you may think of clubs, they are likely to be the most certain way of meeting up with sailors, and most of them sell beer at sensible prices too.

 

[PeterWright]

Hi Koyukano and welcome,

Like Johnalison, I'm based in East Anglia, as are most of the people on this forum, and the next highest representation is probably from Kent, but there are a few from the north east coast who post occasionally. Your premise of getting to sail aboard someone else's boat to find out what it's all about is dead right and Johnalison , as always, is right in suggesting that the best way in is by joining a local club. If your nearest happens to be a Royal something or other, don't be put off by the grand title.

I actually believe that the fastest learning comes from racing, even if that's not your ultimate goal and in most racing fleets, there are boats looking for crew which aligns well with what you want, Of course there are aspects of cruising that you won't learn when racing round the cans, but the speed of learning is much increased by the pressure that racing brings with it.

A quick web search suggests you may find what you're looking for either at the Royal Northumberland Yacht Club: http://rnyc.org.uk/ or the Tees and Hartleol Yacht Club: https://www.thyc.org.uk/ , There may be something closer, but those nearer to Sunderland are mainly dinghy focussed. While I learned my sailing in dinghies, so I see the strengths that brings, it's not the only way to learn. I know several good sailors who started out in yachts.

Hope you find a solution that suits you.

Peter.

 

[elton]

Short version would be is anyone looking for crew in the north-east? Preferably fairly close to Sunderland.
Thanks.

Sorry I can't help you with that (long story), but I'm selling a lovely little boat that might suit you, berthed not far away in Hartlepool. https://sites.google.com/view/buytaringa

 

[Andibs]

Try Royal Northumberland Yacht Club at Blyth

 

[Darran1967]

May seem a bit obvious but have you tried Sunderland Yacht Club. This will cost you £96 for the first year. I know of a few people that joined and now regularly crew for boat owners. If you go down to the club they'll make you feel welcome and may even allow you a few visits to ensure that sailing is for you before committing to a membership.

 

[kayenox]

Hi guys, possibly a bit of a long shot here. I have been wanting to get into sailing for the last 4-5 years, I'm 32, I did a level 1 dinghy sailing course last year, but my main aim is to eventually buy my own small sailboat and cruise the north-east of England. When going to the local sailing clubs (live in Sunderland) most encourage me to do dinghy sailing which I understand why as you will get to grips with sail trimming etc quicker. However I would like to do crew for a sailboat if possible as I think this would be the best way to learn when I eventually buy my own boat. I'm free most weekends, although I have 1 (soon to be 2 children) and my other half is a nurse and works weekends sometimes so don't have every weekend free.

Short version would be is anyone looking for crew in the north-east? Preferably fairly close to Sunderland.


Thanks.

Have a look at Crewsseekers - a matching service for yacht owners with not enough crew and crew without a boat. I joined for just 3 months a number of years ago to get experience and miles and with that short time as a member, made enough contacts to get a few regular crewing slots. It's over 9 years since I used it but I still occasionally head to help out, despite now having my own yacht now. As mentioned above, this forum tends mostly to be the mud-bound of East Anglia so may not find anything here.

Good luck with finding time to sail with the arrival of number 2! Last year I sailed in the region of 2,000 nm, this year after the arrival of our number 1, I've managed about 50!