Looking to take your #adventurelife to a whole new level in the new year? Or dreaming of spending the winter in a tropical paradise but want to avoid the high price tag and monotony of a typical cruise or Caribbean vacation? Maybe it’s time to add crewing on a sailboat to your adventure bucket list.
Thanks to a growing number of online services that matches potential crew members with boat captains, adventurous souls looking to take their adventures to the open seas have a slew of opportunities for crewing right at their fingertips—even the least experienced landlubbers. That’s right: You don’t need sailing skills, and thanks to the internet, you don’t have to show up at a dock with your thumb out to hitch a ride and start exploring the world via boat.
Free up a minimum of two weeks and have a solid understanding of what’s out there and which opportunities are best suited for you. Crewing on a boat could mean spending your days cleaning, cooking, and sleeping in a stuffy berth while the boat rocks violently. In fact, there is no average job or experience working on a boat. Whatever your experience or situation, the boats and positions open to you will vary drastically.
Arrangements on boats also run the gamut. Many crewing gigs operate with a shared economy principle, similar to Couchsurfing or WorkAway, in which you pitch in in exchange for a place to sleep. Even so, you may still have some costs while living on the boat. It is common for food to be a shared expense among the crew; in addition, some captains expect daily contributions from the crew (a typical range is $10-$20 per day per person).
On the other hand, some boats offer paid positions for applicants with experience sailing or in another niche. With a standard crewing gig on a sailboat, tasks usually consist of cleaning, maintenance, and cooking, as well as the sailing-related work such as shifts of night watch.
How to Find a Crewing Gig
Online sites offer many ways you can find a crewing gig all over the world. They connect captains and potential crew members with hundreds of active posting and users communicating on a daily basis. Most sites are free to get started, but some also offer paid premium versions.
FindACrew
CrewSeekers
Ocean Crew Ldink
CrewBay
How to Stand Out, Regardless of Experience. Many captains care more about the personality of the person they are inviting on board—and into their floating home—than about sailing-specific experience. Most tasks on a sailboat are basic household chores with a twist, so they are easy to pick up on for anyone with life skills and a good work ethic. Your profile should emphasize your agreeable, up-for-anything spirit and hardworking nature, as well as whatever skills you bring to the table outside of sailing.
It is important to be honest about your sailing experience and skill level.
Which Boat is Right for You? Some captains are preparing to make a passage (a sail across a stretch of open ocean) which are obviously a better fit for more seasoned sailors. Others will be be sticking closer to shore for some coastal cruising, which are a better bet for amateurs. This is a great way to test the waters, and still have the option to back out the next time the boat stops at a port (often just a day or two down the coast).
Second, consider what type of boat you would like to join, since the size of the boat and crew will play an important role in shaping your experience, from small sailboats to yachts. Ask the captain beforehand about group dynamics, amenities, sleeping arrangements, and safety and navigation features on board. Some boats have refrigeration, desalination systems (a way to convert saltwater to freshwater), and showers, while others are far more rustic. Either experience has its own advantages, but it is important to know what you are getting into and what your options are beforehand.
Get to know the captain before you move on board. Ask about his or her experience and expectations for crew members. If possible, speak to former crew to get a different perspective and make sure it seems like good fit for you.
Of course there are inherent risks to both sailing and moving in with strangers—especially into a small and isolated space.