Finding sailors 201

[25yearslater]

A while back I inquired how some folks were finding crew. One of our group here at SBO suggested Meetup.com so I joined a few sailing meetup groups and one adventure meetup group. Lo and behold they went away since it is not free and if people don't participate why spend the money. Knowing a few fellow sailors who didn't launch for lack of people to sail with I teamed up with BlowMeAway, another of our SBO family and formed: http://www.meetup.com/Point-Breeze-South-Shore-Sailing-Meetup/ for Lake Ontario and the Finger Lakes region. Within one week I had virtually everyone who sailed with me last season returning and have added several others. To that end I would invite my fellow sailors in the area to consider joining me in recruiting and nurturing our endeavor. I already payed the first 6 month subscription so it's free for now. If indeed membership blossoms then it will be worth upgrading the subscription. The people you meet are usually enthusiastic about sailing but many can't afford a boat or haven't considered it.

 

[ggrizzard]

Hey Phil,
Why not start a new Thread for match-ups by region?

 

[BlowMeAway]

I just wanted to piggyback on this discussion and confirm the fact that the meetup groups work rather well. The admiral and I were drafted onto an annual bare boat charter in the BVI with an invitation from the meetup.com website. That was four annual trips ago. We've since lost our signing Captain and I need to step up to the plate as the responsible adult. My expectations are to become the signing captain with a charter company in Tortola and my thought process is to develop a more significant sailing resume, allowing me to rent the big boats. Right now, based on my limited skippering experience, they'll only give me a 4 person, 2 cabin, 35 footer or less. Thus the recent purchase of the 1978 H30C. I'm not interested in paying for a rental or 2-day captain that adds about $1K to the charter price.

When 25YL came on the screen here at SBO and we both discovered our reasonably close proximities, one on Lake Ontario and I on Cayuga Lake, this was a no brainer for a group hug...if you will. Captain Reegs has given both himself and I an opportunity to hunt down some crew which we can develop for Sweet or Salt water excursions. My only big charter constraint is that I'm looking for established male/female couples, not really looking for singles, and the interpersonal issues that can develop over 10 days in tight spaces. Once we get strapped back into Cayuga in May, we'll be offering day or weekend trips to anyone interested.

I paid about the same amount for the H30C as a trip to the BVI costs. Also a no brainer. We just get to play on our own boat this summer (and hopefully many more summers). The admiral however wants to hit the Carribean in the winter months, just not going this year.