Finding people to sail with

rardiH36 · Nov 30, 2014

Get to know your dock neighbors. People tend to on their boats just futzing around with small tasks. A simple suggestion to go sailing instead often is enthusiastically accepted.

Stu Jackson · Nov 30, 2014

Or learn to singlehand. Then, when you DO want to go out sailing yourself, tons of folks will come over wanting to go with you!

Actually, many racers have noted that it is better to have people who are new to sailing to come with them, since they don't have to "unlearn" old bad habits.

MDR is a huge place, but if it is anything like many of the harbors I have been in, there just aren't too many folks just hangin' out. Lotsa boats don't ever get used, a whole 'nother subject.

Rick D · Nov 30, 2014

Yacht Clubs at al

MdR has a ton of yacht clubs, see link that follows. You should visit some and see what your comfort level is. They are a great place to meet people and get crew. Also, Womens' Sailing and Single Sailors are two other organizations where I know that many people got into sailing on OPB's (Other People's Boats). These are a lot more effective than ads and allows you to check out the person ahead of time. http://www.asmbyc.org/members/

Eddie7045 · Nov 30, 2014

I got used to it.

It seemed odd to me at first that so few people that I knew were not the least bit interested in experiencing sailing. Half the time that I took passengers, they had boats of their own and only wanted to get together on a sail. Of the new people many had some discomfort, usually seasickness and did not like it. Most of the others enjoyed the experience but saw it as a one time thing, like seeing the Statue of Liberty. A rare few were eager for a repeat sail and joined me for a another sail later.

patrickince · Nov 30, 2014

In the new year, say around Feb we could provide you with a couple of experienced Canadian sailors who would go out every day for about two weeks.

Picflight · Nov 30, 2014

pupluv said:
I have a sailboat in Marina del Rey but I live an hour away in Pomona. Consequently it is hard for me to find folks to sail with. I put an ad on Craigslist but all I got were people that wanted me to teach them to sail. I don't want to teach.

I'm looking for sailors with some experience who are interested in sailing on my boat. Where can I find them?

Sent you a PM.

arf145 · Nov 30, 2014

Well that posting here appears to have helped! And you might want to try the Crew Wanted area over on Sailnet.

Kings Gambit · Nov 30, 2014

pupluv said:
I have a sailboat in Marina del Rey but I live an hour away in Pomona. Consequently it is hard for me to find folks to sail with. I put an ad on Craigslist but all I got were people that wanted me to teach them to sail. I don't want to teach.

I'm looking for sailors with some experience who are interested in sailing on my boat. Where can I find them?

In more than 25 yr of sailing, I (and my wife) have had very little luck with that, and as little luck with companion boat sailing. I believe we've had multiple sail trips/days with only two couples on our boat, and one of those couples we'd known for many years going back to the 1970's. So, one new adventuresome couple who made perhaps four [overnight] trips with us before moving away from our area. Perhaps we do not ask often enough; but there is ALWAYS a scheduling problem it seems. Short notice rarely works out. It's a lot of work for us even for a day sail--experienced guests or otherwise.

Frankly, most casual "crew", even those who own sailboats, seem to have only modest sailing ability if any. They typically cannot hold a course to the trim of the boat's sails. Cannot anticipate boat handling movements/activities of my wife or me. I'm still doing most of the work, but now with more people to maneuver around [in a modest-sized cockpit] who have next to no knowledge of what I'm tugging on, or why. They usually bring too much stuff aboard. They cannot read a paper chart for basic information. They spend as much time these days exchanging I-phone emails/texts with someone as participating in the sailing experience at hand; etc. Sometimes, it's hardly worth the effort to bring guests aboard.

Just to illustrate one example. We were day sailing with a couple on our boat who had owned a 36' boat for many years, and supposedly had many hours of sailing off Long Beach. We're heading upwind, close-hauled, to round a spar buoy near the Long Beach Breakwater when the wife asks: "Where are we going?" I answer--"We're going to round that yellow buoy over there [which was dead upwind from us]." So, she replies- "If we need to go around it over there, then why are we sailing in this direction?" Duh!!?

Bad Obsession · Nov 30, 2014

This has been an issue that I have had some. Once in a while I have had someone sailing with me but that is not that often. Often I like to single hand. Now that I am in a smaller boat it makes more sense because trying to deal with another hand aboard this small boat would be a pain. Especially if I was cruising and I really don't day sail.

I have friends that get crew more frequently from their friends and co-workers. They are lucky in that aspect but getting experienced crew is rare.

I have also had tough times getting a bunch of boats together to meet-up somewhere. I have a group at my marina and several area marinas that we have met up with a few times but it is hard to get people to commit. You never know who will actually show up. It could be everyone, you could be the only one.

Singlehanding does get old. It gets lonely.

Some of you guys are so lucky to have wives that sail with you. I had my wife aboard when we were dating and she didn't mind sailing. After we were married it changed. She complains about the heat, the long hours, not having the comforts of home, etc etc etc. I won't go into this whole thing but if your significant other sails with you count yourself fortunate because most of my friends have the same issues I have.

In this fast paced world where everyone wants things to happen now and we need instant gratification, most people don't have time for sailing. They simply don't understand that the journey is the trip, not the destination. How many people own sailboats and REALLY sail?

jibes138 · Dec 1, 2014

Bad Obsession said:
This has been an issue that I have had some. Once in a while I have had someone sailing with me but that is not that often. Often I like to single hand. Now that I am in a smaller boat it makes more sense because trying to deal with another hand aboard this small boat would be a pain. Especially if I was cruising and I really don't day sail. I have friends that get crew more frequently from their friends and co-workers. They are lucky in that aspect but getting experienced crew is rare. I have also had tough times getting a bunch of boats together to meet-up somewhere. I have a group at my marina and several area marinas that we have met up with a few times but it is hard to get people to commit. You never know who will actually show up. It could be everyone, you could be the only one. Singlehanding does get old. It gets lonely. Some of you guys are so lucky to have wives that sail with you. I had my wife aboard when we were dating and she didn't mind sailing. After we were married it changed. She complains about the heat, the long hours, not having the comforts of home, etc etc etc. I won't go into this whole thing but if your significant other sails with you count yourself fortunate because most of my friends have the same issues I have. In this fast paced world where everyone wants things to happen now and we need instant gratification, most people don't have time for sailing. They simply don't understand that the journey is the trip, not the destination. How many people own sailboats and REALLY sail?

one large issue is making plans ahead of time when sailing is highly dependent on instantaneous conditions. For example, weather forecast is 75 degrees with 8 mph winds. You get to the shore and find pea soup fog.

shnool · Dec 1, 2014

I've had no less than 6 people join me for races out of the blue. 1 was 2 hours drive from home and had a good time and we won our race for the day (a truly experienced sailor)... the rest were various people who had just completed ASA 101 (a couple were also ASA 103)... each of them brought a pretty good bevy of experience with them (our local school is quite good)... They understood the mechanics of sailing, but not the nuances. With a race or two under their belt they each got better quite quickly.

One of them has sailed in EVERY race with me for 2 years. He's got his own boat, a cruiser, and still sails with me for races. He's turned into a helluva sailor in his own right.

I am NOT taking full credit for it. I think, honestly, that some people just have the native drive to learn it, some do not.

I agree with what others say that it is better to take complete newbs out than "experienced sailors." The experience they have sometimes isn't quite what you might expect.

I don't have a sure-fire solution for you as I am once again begging for more crew for next season. 2 people does not a complete racing crew make. I WILL be contacting the local sailing school though, as they are a good source of people who WANT to sail, and have JUST enough experience to NOT be scared when we start to heel.

Good Will Hunter · Dec 1, 2014

Finding Sail mates

Ahoy,
I have had some interest in finding people to sail with too. I started my own sailing club on a site called Meetup.com. There you can find a club for almost any hobbie or interest. For a very small fee. ( about $30.00). You can start your own sailing club and attract the type of people and experiences you want. My club is called Space Coast Social Sailors. On Meetup.com. In a matter of a few weeks the club grew to over 30 members.

Good luck, Will. Hunter23

frimi_captain · Dec 1, 2014

Good Will Hunter said:
Ahoy,
I have had some interest in finding people to sail with too. I started my own sailing club on a site called Meetup.com. There you can find a club for almost any hobbie or interest. For a very small fee. ( about $30.00). You can start your own sailing club and attract the type of people and experiences you want. My club is called Space Coast Social Sailors. On Meetup.com. In a matter of a few weeks the club grew to over 30 members.

Good luck, Will. Hunter23

I will second this method. In Austin Texas there was a guy who wanted to share his sailing experience back in the '90's. So he started a website. He decided to go sailing around the world so the fellow who took over moved the site to meetup. We are a pretty active group.
It might take a while to build up a following and it helps if you can have more than one boat in the group so there are often boats going out. We also have a group meeting once a month at a local restaurant. http://www.meetup.com/AustinSailingSociety/
We also have a big event once a year at the beginning of the sailing season the ASS Hunt
http://www.meetup.com/AustinSailingSociety/events/164594532/

Good luck

sailersteve · Dec 1, 2014

I find getting people to commit is the hardest . I've learn't not to let anyone onboard know my destination plans , just tell them were cruising out to go swimming and have lunch .They usually have a great time . When i did make the mistake of giving our destination , it was ( are we there yet ) we should have a motor boat , this takes to long . etc. The thing is people want it now ! And can't have a good time unless they get it . When theres nothing to want, people kick back & enjoy . my 2 cents .

vernl7 · Dec 1, 2014

I'm new to sailing and have only sailed on an inland lake. I would like to try the sound(Long Island) but have no idea on how to keep track of where I am. I know how a land GPS works but how does a GPS workmover water.

Capt Guido · Dec 1, 2014

I solved this issue by getting a USCG 6-Pak license at start a charter business. Not only do I meet interesting people, but my annual boat ownership expenses are paid for. It's the best of both worlds.

Kennyge · Dec 1, 2014

A friend of mine in Fort Lauderdale started his own Meetup and always has people to sail with. Check it out on Meetup.com

Don Guillette · Dec 1, 2014

Bad Obsession: I'm lucky that my wife enjoyed the boat as much as I did. On my dock at Shoreline Marina in Long Beach, Ca there were a bunch of married guys but I saw very, very few wives -- some I never saw!!

I had to make a few concession to keep my wife interested in the boat. I installed every home convenience she said she wanted. When I finally sold the boat, the water line came up 3"!!

The trips to Catalina Island were another matter. Many times I sailed the boat and she took the Catalina Express ferry over and back. That was a pain for me but "you do what you've got's to do to keep the lady happy".

Another thing my wife liked to do was recline in the cockpit with her back against the cabin in order to catch the sun's ray's. Many times I ended up sailing in a direction I didn't really want to go so the sun came over the stern!!

Carolyn M · Dec 1, 2014

Kennyge said:
A friend of mine in Fort Lauderdale started his own Meetup and always has people to sail with. Check it out on Meetup.com

I scheduled a sail every Sunday and had a regular core group every week. I had to close membership when it got to be well over 100. Most of those were not active but I made some good friends and always had someone to sail with. Have fun!