CrewSeekers

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John Barry

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Does anyone have experience of the CrewSeekers web site?

I'm currently looking for crew for a long distance cruise over the next couple of years, and although I've posted on the CA Crewing Service and the YBW Wanted Forum I expect I'll need somewhere with rather wider coverage.

My understanding is that CrewSeekers is the best for non professional crew requirements, but I'm interested in hearing of any experience of that or of any other sites.
 
I've used Crewseekers when I was putting a passage crew together for a Biscay crossing. I put up an ad which genereated a fair bit of interest; in hindsight I'd have done well to make closer contact with the folks who responded before saying yes or no to them, as it became clear that there are some people using the site who are less than frank about their actual skill levels.......

Equally, I've had a couple of people join me for a week or so on board when SWMBO has had to return to UK and that has worked well. Best advice I can give is to try and meet propective crew members before taking them off on a long trip!
 
Make sure your happy with the terms. If you do a free advert the shared contribution has to be less than £15 a day.

There are often adverts that turn out to be charter firms wanting much more. I have made a few good trips that came from the site. I only used it as crew, not sure how many responses boat owners get.
 
duncan99210 said:
... in hindsight I'd have done well to make closer contact with the folks who responded before saying yes or no to them, as it became clear that there are some people using the site who are less than frank about their actual skill levels.......

...Best advice I can give is to try and meet propective crew members before taking them off on a long trip!
Click to expand...

Many thanks for the replies

Our trip is quite long and complex (Denmark Straight and East Greenland during 2014/2015) so we are expecting to try out crew to check their skills (and compatability) before the main event.
 
Hi John how you doodlin. It costs £60 or something for crew to register on that site. and I have met lots of experienced hardcore sailors who,like me,are too proud or tightfisted to "pay for it". I have met a couple of lifelong mates and got a couple of interesting (and paying) delivery trips through Sailing Networks which is free both ways. If you use it,make sure you are specific with all the options and preferences etc,the website is a bit fiddly. cheers Jerry
 
Just curious.
what kind and sise of boat? how many crew? your experiance?
It sounds like an interesting trip. leaving from? How long a voyage? you looking for crew for whole trip only or can some one join for part? is that ither 14 or 15
What are you going to do when you get there?
 
Uricanejack said:
Just curious.
what kind and sise of boat? how many crew? your experiance?
It sounds like an interesting trip. leaving from? How long a voyage? you looking for crew for whole trip only or can some one join for part? is that ither 14 or 15
What are you going to do when you get there?
Click to expand...

Basic details of the trip are here: http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?348747-Crew-wanted

The boat is a Rustler 36, and the cruise to the Denmark Straight and E Greenland will be in 2014 and 2015, returning to Reykjavik for winter 2014. Each trip is a separate entity, and not surprisingly there's no option for part of it - getting off at Ittoqqortoormiit is probably not something most people would want to do for more than a couple of hours, and it's quite a swim back. 2014 and 2015 will probably be about 6 weeks each, because that's how long the season is (it depends on ice conditions, of course), so probably early July to late August. The Sun starts setting in August anyway, and by the end of the month it's nearly dark at times. This year is testing crew, boat systems and compatability on passage to Reykjavik during July, split into four stages.
 
I have used Crewseekers several times as both crew and and as owner/skipper and have found it does exactly what it says on the tin - there's a great range of trips available for prospective crew and for skippers there always seems to be a good selection of crew with varying levels of experience.

I think the charge to crew members keeps the casual traveller types away and means that there tends to be more committed sailors looking for a sailing adventure rather than just hitching a ride - £60 is not really that much if it means your getting to sail on someone's yacht for what may well may be the best sailing trip they have ever had.
 
John Barry said:
Basic details of the trip are here: http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?348747-Crew-wanted

The boat is a Rustler 36, and the cruise to the Denmark Straight and E Greenland will be in 2014 and 2015, returning to Reykjavik for winter 2014. Each trip is a separate entity, and not surprisingly there's no option for part of it - getting off at Ittoqqortoormiit is probably not something most people would want to do for more than a couple of hours, and it's quite a swim back. 2014 and 2015 will probably be about 6 weeks each, because that's how long the season is (it depends on ice conditions, of course), so probably early July to late August. The Sun starts setting in August anyway, and by the end of the month it's nearly dark at times. This year is testing crew, boat systems and compatability on passage to Reykjavik during July, split into four stages.
Click to expand...

Thanks
Sounds very interesting. I'd love to be able to go. Unfortunatly I cant make the time comitment. 2015 vague mabey. realistacaly not. Ittoqqortoormitt quite a mouth full. I'm Hoping to make it to Haida Gwaii and SE Alaska this year. If your looking to hitch a ride try a pm.
 
I have to admit i used Crewseekers approx 15 years ago and found a great boat sailing around the Med, I think it was cheaper back then though.
 
Talulah said:
It's free for Skippers so you don't have much to loose.
I've known several crew via Crewseekers with good outcomes.
Click to expand...

I've been told that you won't get much joy with Crewseekers unless you pay for it even though they offer a free service to skippers. Certainly I never got anything from the site when I was looking for crew.
 
I have met some wonderful people through Crewseekers and the PBO Crewing Opportunities forum.

That said it worries me that all of us can be a bit too keen on counting the pennies and loose sight
of how much money we are saving when we sail on other peoples boats rather than having to buy
our own.

Tailor your epectation of a contribution to what the crew can offer.Expect a newbie to pay more than
an experienced hand.Own cabin is important to a lot of people also.Best to meet people beforehand
but you won't really know who you are sailing with till you get out to sea.

I'm an accountant by the way.
 
I had one couple who were coming cross channel. They were due to arrive at 8.30pm. By 9.30pm still no show. Then a call. We're 30 minutes away. Hour goes past. Then another call. We're less than thirty minutes away. They actually arrived about 12.30am.
Aaaagghhhh.
Check them out first before anything longer than one day.
 
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