Finding people to sail with

[Striped_Bass]

I am a trailer sailor. I've put my 170 into various waters around Beverly MA for the last 15 years, at first with family and friends, but for the last few years, mainly solo. I've gone looking for people to sail with but share others' results - Craig's list folks are usually not sailors, but looking for lessons; friends are fair weather sailors who come once in a while; and some are what I call anal or control freaks - they don't want to sail WITH me. The notion of sharing control never enters their mind; I bring a book and try to keep them from hitting anything.

After I retired, I moved to mid-week sailing, mainly to avoid the crowds at the ramp, and lost most of my options for finding people.

My best results come from parking myself at the ramp (with the boat), on a nice day, in a comfortable chair, with a good book and watch people launch/retrieve their boats. I introduce myself to prospective fellow sailors, especially those with similar size boats and sailing either alone or with one other person. The ensuing conversation is very revealing about the prospect of pairing up or joining them as crew. Having my own boat parked nearby is helpful as it establishes a basis for conversation; usually we've shared trials and tribulations. And it further helps if I help them launch or retrieve their boat. Sometimes we sail together that day; or exchange phone numbers for another day. But neither have led to long term connections for one reason or another.

Still, I love to sail, I'm partial to dinghies, and I have a low threshold; your boat or mine, just to get on the water.

 

[Wugwa]

Sailing crew

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?

The finding of crew is an 'occupational hazard' of owning a crewed yacht. Its a major consideration and a problem.

I write as I live near Pomona and have been sailing for more then 30 years, all over the world. I am not offering to teach or to be taught, I qualified as an instructor many many years ago. Its a pastime that takes over and becomes a passion.

Clubs are a good source of crew, but then one has the cost of club membership Etc. I am only too aware of what the pastime needs and if you can find a reliable crew, consider your self lucky. Perhaps the dinghy clubs may be of help.

Paul

 

[YVRguy]

Sailing companions

Unless you're looking to race, my advice would be to learn to single-hand. I started single-handing this year and I can't believe how much more value I get out of my boat for not having to worry about finding someone to sail with all the time. Plus, if you can handle your boat on your own you don't have to worry about finding an experienced sailor. Frankly, I far more enjoy taking someone new who is just delighted to be out on the water than going with someone who might be debating sail trim with me. This summer alone I've gained a list of people who smile whenever they see me because I introduced them to sailing. Guess it all depends on the experience you're looking for.

 

[Stu Jackson]

As I noted earlier, I agree with Doug. It also makes you a better sailor.

How?

First you'll need an autopilot. This teaches you how to properly trim your sails, because if they aren't, the ap doesn't work very well. Plus, it's satisfying to learn to do it right. Buy Don Guilette's Sail Trim Guide from this website, best $50 you'll ever spend.

Second, you'll learn to handle your boat properly, docking and leaving. Do a search here on midships spring line, lotsa discussions.

In many cases, many skippers have noted that even with someone else on the boat you end up singlehanding anyway.

I always ask: "What do you need anyone else for?" If it's fun company that' one thing. If you NEED them to sail your boat, think of what will happen if they get hurt.

 

[justsomeguy]

Plus, you'll know where everything is.

(Or have no one else to blame for losing it!)

 

[uncledom]

The Admiral loves to sail also! She is all the crew I ever need. We do love sharing the experience and always make a few calls before we go out. It's alot easier with crew leaving and returning to dock. And the more often the same people come out, without saying a word they start to unplug shore power, take the covers off the binical and instruments.... They get it! You put your stuff on the boat and you have arrived! The day has started and is full of possibilities. All the other kinds of people don't get a second call.

I usually plan on single handed sailing with some assistance from"Otto" the AP. Some times people want to help but either way I'm sailing! I don't mind teaching or getting out of the way and letting a few hands take over, either way I'm sailing! Did I mention I love sailing?

Ask everyone because you'll get more no's than yeses. Family, friends, people in the marina that you have seen around. Yacht clubs are also an excellent place. I'm A bit leery of having more strangers than known crew aboard unless it's a business arrangement, I have a masters. But people don't understand what the boat is worth unless they're paying for it. Free rides to strangers seems to invite damage, don't ask me why but it trends that way in my experiences. If people are traceable, like via their cc or yatch club they tend to be more responsible.

 

[Kings Gambit]

As I noted earlier, I agree with Doug. It also makes you a better sailor.

How?

First you'll need an autopilot. This teaches you how to properly trim your sails, because if they aren't, the ap doesn't work very well. Plus, it's satisfying to learn to do it right. Buy Don Guilette's Sail Trim Guide from this website, best $50 you'll ever spend.

Second, you'll learn to handle your boat properly, docking and leaving. Do a search here on midships spring line, lotsa discussions.

In many cases, many skippers have noted that even with someone else on the boat you end up singlehanding anyway.

I always ask: "What do you need anyone else for?" If it's fun company that' one thing. If you NEED them to sail your boat, think of what will happen if they get hurt.

I don't know if recommending that our OP learn single-handing right away is the best, or even good, advice, frankly. Whereas it might appear a better option to staying ashore, SH increases the risks associated with sailing, which vary depending upon the sailing venue. SH requires a lot of forethought and planning about how something is to be done (and turn out the way you expect it to); e.g., sail changes, freeing an overwrap somewhere; getting an anchor up & stowed; or even taking a leak. It could also require expensive, specialized equipment if it is to be done properly and safely.

The best solution I've found is a companion (= wife) who enjoys sailing w/me even though she gets seasick occasionally, and does not especially like either cold or hot weather. I don't think we'll ever sail around the world together, etc., but we've covered all of the sailing ground between Ensenada and Santa Barbara; visited all of the harbors and nearly all of the yacht clubs of Southern California from sea, many anchorage spots around Santa Catalina & Santa Cruz islands, plus visits to Santa Barbara, Santa Rosa, and Anacapa islands. Also, a lot of racing plus BB chartering in the Caribbean, British Columbia, & New South Wales. That should be the long-term plan (IMHO)!

 

[uncledom]

The secret to single handing is staying on the boat. Put on your PFD, clip in, sail. After you dock, unclip and take off your PFD.

 

[moehorenfeldt]

I have a similar problem, with a twist. I sail out of Bluffers Park, in Toronto, on Lake Ontario. I am reluctant to sail alone because of the inherent problems with going out alone on a big, cold-water lake. My regular sailing crew of 25 years fought throat cancer valiantly, but succumbed to it and past away in October. He is greatly missed.
He would call me when the weather was great for sailing, and I'd finish up my work for the morning, I'd pick him up, we'd stop for a bit of lunch, and then head to the club, and get out on the lake for a glorious sail. If I had no appointments that day, we'd come back in and enjoy a relaxed dinner, or if I had appointments, we'd come back in about 5 p.m. and I'd head home take a shower, and get back to work. Lee, my deceased crewman, also had a wonderful woodworking shop, and he made great stuff for the boat. He also was a good sailor, although we had great arguments about the rigging or the sails, or our heading,-whatever. When we reached an impasse, I had to remind him that it was MY BOAT. Crew like that will be very difficult to replace!

 

[caguy]

I used a couple of sources. I have a few friends on this site that I sail with but not on a regular basis. I also sail with some friends that I have made on Meetup.com. On there is also a sailing group called Marina del Rey Sunday Sailors. They get together and take people out on the 2nd and 4th Sundays each month. They are always looking for skippers. I sailed with them a couple of times. Nice group of people.
I also have about 30 friends from my phone contacts list that I have organized into a group called Sailing Buddies. When ever I go out and want company I will send out a group text to them. I can pick and choose who I want in the group text that I send out very easily. I tend to be a little spontaneous and my notifications go out pretty much last minute. If no one answers I will go out solo which also has its merits.
It is generally difficult to find someone to go out mid week as most of my friend are working.
If you ever want to get out sent me an IM with your phone number and I will add you to that list. During the winter time I only get out about once a week but come spring I can also do weekdays as the days get longer.

 

[sherwood77b]

Sailing Clubs

I found some sailing clubs in my area. Members are a combination of Boat Owners and Crew. The 'Crew' are always looking for crewing opportunities so I have not had any challenges finding crew, regardless of weekends or mid-week sailing.
.

 

[Bad Obsession]

I bent over backwards to get my wife to like the boat. Ask Jim Seamans! LOL

I got her a hair dryer that worked when we were on the hook, did other things to extend more creature comforts.

The biggest thing I was lacking was a good AC system because of the hot weather. I was always nailed with hot weather when we went sailing. It would be early May and I would see freakishly high temperatures near 100 degrees.

I Really thought that there was hope because we sailed to a Bed And Breakfast for our Honeymoon. It was a good trip, but it got hot the last day on the boat.

 

[Kings Gambit]

I bent over backwards to get my wife to like the boat. Ask Jim Seamans! LOL

I got her a hair dryer that worked when we were on the hook, did other things to extend more creature comforts.

The biggest thing I was lacking was a good AC system because of the hot weather. I was always nailed with hot weather when we went sailing. It would be early May and I would see freakishly high temperatures near 100 degrees.

I Really thought that there was hope because we sailed to a Bed And Breakfast for our Honeymoon. It was a good trip, but it got hot the last day on the boat.

In FL during summer I carried a small second-hand AC window unit that I used to mount in the companionway of my Pearson 30 when the weather was hot, and we sailed to a marina. Sit under the AC until late, then hit the pool; showers, then dinner ashore; back to the AC comfort for sleeping. Also, would often sail late in the day on the sea breeze which was slightly cooler. Rarely (if ever) did we go out in mid-day when it was going to be above 90 deg in FL unless we expected a good breeze. You have to work with what you got! ALWAYS avoid unpleasant conditions when you can--hot, cold, rough--even windless days, sometimes.

Got to play the averages. If most trips out are fun with only a few crummy ones along the way due to unusual conditions; she'll hang in there with you!

 

[jwing]

The biggest thing I was lacking was a good AC system because of the hot weather. I was always nailed with hot weather when we went sailing. It would be early May and I would see freakishly high temperatures near 100 degrees.

I solved that problem by buying a swim ladder.

 

[PaulK]

Our club has Wednesday night races during the sailing season with an understanding that no one who wants to sail gets left on the dock. The Fleet Captain is responsible for making sure everyone is taken care of. After I've determined that they know which end of the boat is pointy, I tell any prospective crew to simply show up at the club at 5:30 and to look for me, my boat, or the Fleet Captain. Sometimes we sail with six or seven, sometimes with fewer. After a few weeks, some become regulars, some switch to other boats, and some drop out. We use it to help us recruit new members to the club, too. Checking around in MdR might lead you to a club with eager sailors and not enough boats for them. They'd likely be happy to hear from you.

 

[caguy]

Here is their website.
http://marinasundaysailors.org/membership.htm

 

[caguy]

Wait a minute you didn't say this is your picture.

 

[Wugwa]

Dreams

Wait a minute you didn't say this is your picture.

[/QUOTE

The only time I saw women like this onna yacht was to stuff up the opposition in a race. Totally buggered the fleet at the first mark!!!

 

[waternwaves]

"Crew" is a state of mind. and since I don't really mind .

Captain is something you can't really stop on your own boat.


Sailing is something I just keep trying.

 

[FlightRisk1]

Meetup.com
I was new to Charleston sc sailing and someone told me about meetup. Com. I take folks out every Sunday weather permitting and they help offset some of the costs. Can't be beat.