Delivery Crew

[Uricanejack]

I have read a few threads from time to time about deliveries. A few regulars appear to be delivery skippers or companies.
I was jus wondering. Do any of these companies provide or recommend crew for a delivery trip.
I don't need a skipper maybe just an extra bod one of my potential crew has dropped out and is unavailable.
I am still looking for crew myself, But time is short.
It would appear crew are often unpaid although skippers are paid quite a bit. So was wondering about going rate for a competent crew with a bit of experience,
One of my concerns would be some kind of reference for a potential crew.

 

[Talulah]

Might be worth mentioning where from/to.

 

[Halcyon Yachts]

I have read a few threads from time to time about deliveries. A few regulars appear to be delivery skippers or companies.
I was jus wondering. Do any of these companies provide or recommend crew for a delivery trip.
I don't need a skipper maybe just an extra bod one of my potential crew has dropped out and is unavailable.
I am still looking for crew myself, But time is short.
It would appear crew are often unpaid although skippers are paid quite a bit. So was wondering about going rate for a competent crew with a bit of experience,
One of my concerns would be some kind of reference for a potential crew.

Hi Uricanejack,

This is a service we provide and I would be delighted to help you. We have a large database of crew based both in the UK and abroad. All of our crew are vetted to a high standard (interviewed, references checked etc...) and the likelihood is that we could provide someone who has already sailed with us.

Delivery crew are often volunteers with all expenses covered (food and travel), although this does vary and will depend on exactly what you require. For example we currently have two professional crew assisting an owner sailing across the Med; both are getting paid reasonably well and they are VERY capable sailors (50,000 miles each, Yacht Master level).

You may get some volunteers come forward from the forum, otherwise if you like then give me a call and we can discuss a few options...

Pete

 

[johnalison]

The only time we used one it was paid for by our agents, So I can't help with the cost. As you say, he was unpaid, and happy to gain experience. I think he was from Professional Yacht Deliveries.

I have always been impressed with the delivery crews I have met and I think that if you deal with a reputable firm you should get a reliable person, not that there are not excellent freelancers.

 

[Yacht Yogi]

If you are just looking for extra hands as opposed to a skipper then visit or advertise on the crew finder pages of the yacht clubs. You then need to look at respondants' sailing cv's and get a reference from a reputable person. Websites to try include www.royal-southern.co.uk which is a rich source of experienced race and cruise crews.

A typical student will probably do an interesting trip for just expenses and subsistence. Don't dismiss this as too inexperienced, for example my son is a student at Southampton and last year crewed a delivery from Mallorca to Cowes, has completed the Fastnet twice and has competed in many inshore and round-the-cans races. He is typical of the student sailors hanging around the Solent.

 

[HinewaisMan]

Over the last couple of weeks, I did a trip from Brighton to the Channel Islands and back.

With Jean still back in Oz, I wasn't overly keen on doing single handed, overnight cross channel runs so put a note up on this forum asking if anyone fancied the trip as well.

A forumite replied, we chatted on the phone first, then face-to-face - albeit it's a bit like sexing a day old chick, he seemed to know his stuff so I invited him along.

It was a good call, he was great. I had no problems slipping down below for a few hours sleep and leaving the boat (and my life) totally in his hands. And he cooked a mean carbonara - although I think he was a tad surprised with the full english breakfast he had on passage the next morning. But then he was a racer, had never sailed on a cruising boat before.

We split the cost of the food - all the expenses like marina, fuel etc that I would have been up for anyway, I paid.

 

[[3889]]

A typical student will probably do an interesting trip for just expenses and subsistence.

This is the basis on which I have acted as crew in the past for both professional and owner deliveries and recruited crew for my own boat. It surprises me how many owners advertise on the "crew wanted" forum expecting crew to contribute to fuel and marina charges as well as transport and food. Maybe OK if they have a say in when and where they sail but a bit rich otherwise.

 

[Uricanejack]

I don't think the details will work for a UK based sailor. But if anyone is interested.
C&C 35, From Portland Oregon to Victoria BC.
Earliest departure 3rd June to Arivie Ganges BC 11th June.
Probabal Stops Astoria, Neah Bay, Possible Port Angeles Some variety open options time wise after Neah Bay.
Currently crew of 2 Skipper and Son. No auto pilot yet. (may change this)
Oregon Bar to Cape Flatery. may be nice in June, could be nasty, expect possible strong headwinds, also Juan De Fuca very prone to fog.
Not ideal for a first voyage.
Though common sense and friendly disposition more important than expierience some expierience of rough weather would be good.

 

[dslittle]

The only time we used one it was paid for by our agents, So I can't help with the cost. As you say, he was unpaid, and happy to gain experience. I think he was from Professional Yacht Deliveries.

I have always been impressed with the delivery crews I have met and I think that if you deal with a reputable firm you should get a reliable person, not that there are not excellent freelancers.

I recently helped with a delivery UK to Spain. The owner (a friend) advertised for and then interviewed a very experienced skipper who had a great number of miles and a respectable CV. The skipper insisted that we would be a 'dry boat' - at that time I actually said, in jest, that I don't trust a man who doesn't drink!!! At our first landfall, the skipper went ashore alone to 'get the weather'. He came back 45 minutes later very happy with himself. Our next landfall was due to deteriorating weather. That night, the skipper went ashore, alone, and returned at midnight. He spent the next two and a half hours going from his cabin to the cockpit talking loudly (to himself). Weather bound for a number of days, this occurred again until the skipper was 'asked' to leave the boat. I should have said 'I don't trust a man who SAYS he doesn't drink".

I certainly don't believe that this is the norm but not all freelancers are excellent... I would post the skipper's name but it is sub judice at the moment. The man is dangerous and I hope that his Commercial Endorsement gets rescinded by the RYA when they consider the circumstances. BE AWARE