Anyone used Crewfinders?
Discussion
Having done some sailing with friends who are yacht owner's and very experienced (including a great 2 man trip from Corfu to Sicily last year), I'd never heard of Crewseekers...... I know what i'm doing when the kids have left home.... i'm going to cadge crew berths and see the world... (might have time to do some sailing courses and get some experience in between!).
What a great way to spend your free time...
What a great way to spend your free time...
Owner of the boat I sail on did both the RORC Middle Sea race and the Caribbean 600 via a post that popped up on my FB feed advertising for crew... but these were both paid berths (ie; he had to pay for the privilege). He's late 50's, and the crew on both boats was typically 40-60 years old.
If you're going to do delivery trips, it will typically be a small crew to keep costs for the owner as low as possible, and everyone on board will need to be competent on all tasks, including the helm... as an example, 4 up is typical for a transatlantic delivery on a 50fter.
Have you done any long-distance sailing before? 3-4 days at sea can be very tiring if your a small crew and the weather turns heavy.
I'd also want to be 100% sure the boat was fully prepared, and had a recent inspection.... Google 'Cheeky Rafiki' to undertand why.
Having said all of that, it can be really enjoyable with the right crew. 4 of us are delivering our owners boat to Northern Spain from Portsmouth 1st week in June (600 miles across the Bay of Biscay - 3-4 days at sea). He'll then fly down with his wife and couple of friends to do the ARC Portugal Rally, before we bring it back to Southampton in August ready for the 1st Fastnet qualifying race in September.
If you're going to do delivery trips, it will typically be a small crew to keep costs for the owner as low as possible, and everyone on board will need to be competent on all tasks, including the helm... as an example, 4 up is typical for a transatlantic delivery on a 50fter.
Have you done any long-distance sailing before? 3-4 days at sea can be very tiring if your a small crew and the weather turns heavy.
I'd also want to be 100% sure the boat was fully prepared, and had a recent inspection.... Google 'Cheeky Rafiki' to undertand why.
Having said all of that, it can be really enjoyable with the right crew. 4 of us are delivering our owners boat to Northern Spain from Portsmouth 1st week in June (600 miles across the Bay of Biscay - 3-4 days at sea). He'll then fly down with his wife and couple of friends to do the ARC Portugal Rally, before we bring it back to Southampton in August ready for the 1st Fastnet qualifying race in September.
I have been and am a current member of Crewseekers.
Hit and miss really. Currently not getting much of a response from adverts that I reply to, and I pounce quick.
Some take a while to get back but could be at sea !!
Some ask for a 'shared contribution' - could be 5 quid a day to 100 quid a day.
Some ask for no contribution but you cover your own travel costs.
Some pay for your flights and no costs.
Just ask those questions before hand, if there's a cost try and get them to agree an amount per day.
Ended up on an 11 month trip from New Zealand to Thailand, paid 12 a day.
Help deliver a new 74ft Sunreef from Poland to UK, free.
10 days in and around Corfu, split the food bill and the diesel.
Other trips I can't remember.
You can sign up to Findacrew.net for free to browse the adverts, plenty more on there.
Got a five month trip from Australia to New Caledonia and Vanuatu and return, free onboard.
Also 10 week Solomon Islands and PNG trip, shared food on that.
Other sites too I can't remember but will have a beer and think......
Hit and miss really. Currently not getting much of a response from adverts that I reply to, and I pounce quick.
Some take a while to get back but could be at sea !!
Some ask for a 'shared contribution' - could be 5 quid a day to 100 quid a day.
Some ask for no contribution but you cover your own travel costs.
Some pay for your flights and no costs.
Just ask those questions before hand, if there's a cost try and get them to agree an amount per day.
Ended up on an 11 month trip from New Zealand to Thailand, paid 12 a day.
Help deliver a new 74ft Sunreef from Poland to UK, free.
10 days in and around Corfu, split the food bill and the diesel.
Other trips I can't remember.
You can sign up to Findacrew.net for free to browse the adverts, plenty more on there.
Got a five month trip from Australia to New Caledonia and Vanuatu and return, free onboard.
Also 10 week Solomon Islands and PNG trip, shared food on that.
Other sites too I can't remember but will have a beer and think......
Gassing Station | Boats, Planes & Trains | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff