Cruising Company

[boatmike]

Now I have to admit to some trepidation in asking this question of the august live aboard community, but having "listened in" to all you obviously very experienced guys and gals who have been at it for some time I would quite sincerely like to have your advice. I have sailed fairly regularly for the last 40 years and think I know how to handle a boat pretty well. My wife and I decided some time ago to build a Prout Snowgoose Catamaran which was not too difficult for me as I have earned my living boatbuilding for the last 20 years of my working life. Unfortunately she died of cancer in 1999 and I am now on my own. The boat is finished to a very high standard (including watermaker and all electronic stuff etc) and I have retired. I am 61 but in reasonable condition and ready to go. I have tried contact ads, crewseekers, and all sorts and have attracted a motley mixture of smelly old batchelors and dubious females that I would not wish to be closeted with in a small boat for more than a week. I am determined to spend this summer visiting Northern France, Portugal, Scillies. Southern Ireland and the West Country and then the Med in 2005. Where the hell do I find crew of either sex with some degree of sailing experience? Surely there are a lot of people out there that would enjoy the opportunity of a free ride in return for good company and can afford to support themselves with expenses only or am I being naive? Any thoughts on how to find reasonable sailing companions would be sincerely welcomed. I am beginning to think I should go single handed......... Anyone got any constructive ideas?


<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[tcm]

There are loads of single blokes advertsing for crew, and it all sounds a bit strange regadless of whether they ask for female (disgusting!) or male (pervert!).

How about advertsing for a couple to sail with you?

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[boatmike]

Well yes I guess that is an idea but I had a problem with that too this year when the wife of a good friend made it clear that she fancied me more than him! Now I don't see either of them anymore..... And that was only after one weekend in the Solent!
You can't seem to avoid the assumption that you are after sex one way or the other it seems even if you are not!
The other thing is that I get to play gooseberry all the time which is not ideal.... Thanks for the thought though. Maybe there's a young couple out there with a widowed mother or something! Plenty of room on the boat for a good looking granny. I am after all a grandad myself!
Live in hope!


<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[charles_reed]

I do understand your dilemma and suggest there is no simple answer, but with 6 years more experience I too have had to tackle the problem.

Here are the alternatives and my suggested actions:

1. Passage-make single handed and, when you get to more exotic climes invite friends and family out to join you for the cruising.
This is my preferred course and as I've got further S I've had no lack of people eager to join me for a week or fortnight or so.
You'll find no difficulty in meeting company ashore - most people seeing you arrive in a boat reckon your arrival to be a genuine compliment, after all you've risked your life to visit them, and welcome you with open arms. Keep away from the more tourist traumatised areas, make an attempt to learn the language (BBC multi-media are favourite for me) the only language, so far, to baffle me is Portuguese, I can read and and understand it but conversation is impossible.
Amongst yachties I've found, once you've got through the reserve, the French the most friendly and Netherlanders the most convivial.
When it comes to welcome ashore, inland Portugal has to be the most welcoming and the most relaxing (certainly not the Algarve).

2. Join a club - the Cruising Association is ideal - where you'll find it far easier to meet like-minded and congenial people and, perhaps find more permanaent crew.
In any case there is a lively Med section, and something is always going on.

3. If all else fails, swallow your pride and go to an agency - a number of single friends (either through death or marriage breakdown) of mine have, over the past few years, successfully found someone. At least 2 are happily cruising together now. This last course is only for you if you're looking for a long-term relationship.

Whatever you decide to do - Good Luck and Happiness.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[boatmike]

Thanks for that Charles. Some good advice there I think. Having been there before I totally agree about Portugal. Very nice lot the Portugese and the seafood is wonderful! Have come to the conclusion myself that sailing single handed (which I have done before) is preferable to sailing with someone you are not comfortable with. The only problem is that after about 7 days I not only talk to myself but start to answer myself too which is a bit worrying!
Thanks again though.... May see you in Peniche.... If you have not yet been there I would recommend it (Just N of Lisbon).
Happy new year and good sailing!
Mike


<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[ongolo]

Hi Boatmike,

If I were you, I would try here. Read it for some time to get the feeling for the type of people advertising.

http://cruiserlog.conforums.com/index.cgi?board=Crew

I really hope this helps, I was 18 months ago in a similar position, now I have found the perfect mate who makes at the moment iroko cleats, grows spinach on the boat and is my very best asset.

I wish you luck. Hope it helps.

regards ongolo

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[sea_hobbit]

If you are happy to handle to boat single-handed I would start off alone - I bet you won't go far before you find someone not too smelly looking for a ride. Certainly don't put the trip off due to lack of company. Also your own company is far preferable to the wrong company.

<hr width=100% size=1>SP
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.subart.net>http://www.subart.net</A>
International Submarine Art Gallery

 

[boatmike]

Don't worry my friend! I won't put off the trip. I have planned for it for the last 10 years. It's like the notice I used to have on my office wall when I was at work.

When all this crap has finished I am going to have a really thorough nervous breakdown.
I have planned it,
worked for it,
deserve it,
and no bastard is going to deprive me of it!

I have worked hard for 10 years to earn the money, built the boat, kept myself entirely focussed on going and you are going to see me out there brother!
Every bloody trip I ever had in the past had to be curtailed to allow me to get back to a meaningless job in a stupid office.
No longer!
This time I keep going!
Again thanks for the advice... Just proves there are real people on this site who have worked out the meaning of life and are living it.
I SHALL BE JOINING YOU SOON!
Thanks again to all......
Mike

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[MedMan]

Charles said: "Join a club - the Cruising Association is ideal - where you'll find it far easier to meet like-minded and congenial people and, perhaps find more permanaent crew. In any case there is a lively Med section, and something is always going on."

I would endorse this whole-heartedly and also add the information that the Cruising Association has a well established 'Crew Finding Service.' You may also be interested to know that the CA's Mediterranean Section holds a 'Mediterranean Forum' each year at which members new and old meet to ask questions and swap ideas. It is an excellent function at which to meet like-minded folk.


<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.yachtretreat.com>http://www.yachtretreat.com</A>

 

[snowleopard]

for what it\'s worth...

i have successfully recruited crew via the internet though i have to say it was for specific trips. i took part in the ARC in 2001 and got my crew via their website, including two who did parts of the passage south as well. i have also obtained crew from this site for trips around the uk.

i have always been happywith the crews though there was a little judicious pruning of applicants. i believe the key factor was that i was looking for people who were ready to commit to going rather than the dreamers.

crewseekers do come up with the goods but though they claim to be free to skippers, in my expereince you get nowhere unless you pay. also look <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.cruiser.co.za/crewfinder.asp>here</A> for ocean going types (i haven't used them in anger so can't comment on quality.

and one final tip. don't commit to taking anyone for a long period, give yourself a way out in case you can't get on.

"all good crew are the same but there are a thousand ways of being a bad crew"

here are a few:
some don't wash
some have moths in the wallet
some smoke, not always tobacco
some avoid work

good luck and nil illigitum carborundum (don't let the bs****ds get you down)

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[boatmike]

Sounds interesting. Might try that. Thanks!

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[ongolo]

Re: for what it\'s worth...

Hi Mike,

It was mentioned here that all crew finders in the end charge a fee, but this is not so.

The link I posted is only a wolrd wide message board run by an experienced world cruiser (american lady I believe) from South Africa.

In contrast to most of the people on this site which seems limited to experiences in the med mostly, crewfinder.co.za is truly international and simply allows you to make direct contact.

The lady running it filters out some obvious duds or weird/ not sincere requests.

You will find guys of all ages and skill level, young girls to mature woman, couples and it changes rapidly. I would highly recommend this site also for questions about world radio nets etc.

regards ongolo and I wish you the best of luck

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[boatmike]

Thanks! Hate spinach though.... Whats her name Olive Oyl?

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[boatmike]

Re: for what it\'s worth...

Yes I have looked at it and it looks useful. All contributions gratefully received.
Thanks

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[ongolo]

boatmike,

why would you want her name??

ongolo

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[boatmike]

Perhaps we have a sense of humour gap here...
Popeye the sailor man ate spinach....
His girl friend was called Olive Oyl.......
Excuse me but perhaps you were not aware of this and don't do irony?
Are you perhaps Swedish?????


<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[ongolo]

Mike,

No I am not swedish, but not being a) english and b) never a reader of comics( I grew up behind the Iron curtain and there were no comics), I was not aware of the characters of popeye and co.

Sense of humor certainly not lacking, I nearly collapsed when I saw the reply to the question, how to attach pictures to somebody's post and (I asume an englishmen) replied:
hammer and a couple of nails.

regards ongolo

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[boatmike]

Then I apologise my friend!
Firstly for the assumption that everyone who speaks good English (as you do) IS English (typical arrogance I suppose), and secondly for any offence my misplaced sarcasm may have given.
Being not only English, but a Londoner, we have a saying that we are only rude to our friends, and polite to people we don't like! Be assured the comment was meant in fun.
Everyone I have had reply to me on this site have been very friendly and helpful, as in the past I have found nearly all the livaboard community to be. The last thing I would wish to do is upset anybody!
Thank you again for your original reply which I appreciated.
I STILL don't like spinach though!
Mike

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Ric]

I thoroughly enjoy single-handing. I never lack for company when I stop at anchor or port. I find that other boats notice quite soon that I am on my own and I get lots of invitations to come over for a drink etc. I would suggest you just set off on your own and see what happens.

<hr width=100% size=1>