Experiences with 'find a crew' etc. websites.

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ross84

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Hi all,

I've started Dinghy lessons. I've scheduled in a Competent Crew Course. But I want some experience before I buy my own boat.

I've signed up to Find a Crew and made a profile. Seems to be a lot of older gentlemen looking for 'females 21-35' only, while others want 50 dollars a day to work, but there do exist some genuine opportunities to sail.

Was just wondering what the forum's experiences were and if you had any advice :)

Thanks!,
Ross
 
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The Cruising Association runs a Crewing Service that I understand works well. Skippers looking for crew can consult a list of crew available with all their details. Articles I have read in Cruising magazine suggest a wide variety of sailing experiences by members, from weekend short distances to trans-Atlantic and long-term Med cruising. Cost £28 per year.
 
IME, Crewseekers is the best place both to find crew and for crewing opportunities. At £100 pa for crew (free for boat owners) it's a bit pricey for what you get but I suppose this helps weed out time wasters.
 
Very few people use the crewing opportunities forum. Perhaps crews do not find this section as it is so far down the page.
 
ross84 said:
Hi all,

I've started Dinghy lessons. I've scheduled in a Competent Crew Course. But I want some experience before I buy my own boat.

I've signed up to Find a Crew and made a profile. Seems to be a lot of older gentlemen looking for 'females 21-35' only, while others want 50 dollars a day to work, but there do exist some genuine opportunities to sail.

Was just wondering what the forum's experiences were and if you had any advice :)

Thanks!,
Ross
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With just your Comp Crew qualification you are unlikely to be offered many crewing opportunities. I recommend that you also complete the Day Skipper course and then try reaching out to yacht delivery companies. For us, Day Skipper is the minimum qualification we would accept for a third crew member.

If you sign up with us and become a member, the benefits include discounts with sailing schools and sailing equipment.

https://www.halcyonyachts.com/delivery-crew/

Pete
 
As a owner/skipper I have had good experiences for many years with crewseekers. The crew joining fee seems to indicate a person can afford the basics such as boots, non marking deck shoes, suitable wet weather gear and can afford to get to the yacht reliably and without hassle for me. Own lifejacket as well is one of my requirements. On crewseekers the early contact via their messaging app probably helps reduce spam and risk of having you email address nicked from someone’s address book.

Looking after my yacht and arranging crew is enough work for me. Having to maintain, check for size and clean after use spare life jackets, boots and waterproofs is just too much.

Strangely I have not found yacht club crew lists very productive. Which I find surprising, not sure why.

I too mostly now look for Day Skipper minimum in crew or plenty of dinghy racing. Though even Day Skipper ticket is often not a lot in sailing experience.
 
Channel Sailor said:
As a owner/skipper I have had good experiences for many years with crewseekers. The crew joining fee seems to indicate a person can afford the basics such as boots, non marking deck shoes, suitable wet weather gear and can afford to get to the yacht reliably and without hassle for me. Own lifejacket as well is one of my requirements. On crewseekers the early contact via their messaging app probably helps reduce spam and risk of having you email address nicked from someone’s address book.

Looking after my yacht and arranging crew is enough work for me. Having to maintain, check for size and clean after use spare life jackets, boots and waterproofs is just too much.

Strangely I have not found yacht club crew lists very productive. Which I find surprising, not sure why.

I too mostly now look for Day Skipper minimum in crew or plenty of dinghy racing. Though even Day Skipper ticket is often not a lot in sailing experience.
Click to expand...

Thanks good advice.
 
rtboss1 said:
I have had 81 enquiries from Crewbay and 6 from Crewseekers.....mostly freeloaders wanting a cheap holiday .
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Yes, but if I've correctly identified it, your Crewseekers advert, to be generous, pushes the boundaries of what is legal on an uncoded vessel.
 
rtboss1 said:
Quiddle said:
Yes, but if I've correctly identified it, your Crewseekers advert, to be generous, pushes the boundaries of what is l

€10 a day if not breaking anyone
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"There is a small charge of €10 p.p. Pd. Goes towards winter storage ,hull cleaning, antifouling."

I think that's what is known as illegal on an uncoded vessel.
You seem to have forgotten to mention the additional payments requested for food, fuel and berthing.
So, as someone who legitimately works in the marine industry, forgive me if I cannot agree with your definition of 'freeloader'.
Click to expand...
 
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Halcyon Yachts said:
With just your Comp Crew qualification you are unlikely to be offered many crewing opportunities.
Click to expand...
I got 3-4 weeks cruising Brittany and Faro to Gibraltar and back (2 weeks) with just competent crew and about 20 or so days on board, replying to ads on the facebook groups (both Crew Wanted Solent, I think).
 
Be careful if you join a club … if your first experience is on a racing boat it might put you off sailing for life! Many tyros out there just waiting to shout at someone putting a genny sheet on a winch the wrong way round! Be warned!
 
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