Get crewed

[Bob]

Spouse

We began Ocean / Bay sailing (versus small lake sailing) 5 years ago. And one of my decisions was that we and my bride is that we would sail together, with crew.(Over the years, I met several people who tried using coercion on their spouses to sail more, and now those guys sail alone or with crew.)While taking the USCG Aux courses on Boating safety, navigation and advanced piloting, we got introduced to a local club that matched qualified crew to qualified skippers. Since then, we have almost always had crew as we needed them. The club spans from Southern CT to Downeast, with about 70% around Buzzards Bay area, with a few isolated members in Florida.This club is called the: Pelagic Sailing Club and has been running since 1967For more information, see: www.pelagicsailingclub.org

 

[Buckshot]

Imme

The best crew I have ever had on my O25 is a lab/grey mix. She was/is the the love of my life. Trying to work her way into first is my current grey (Imme)....she might make it.

 

[Joe11688]

My First Mate, Penelope Pitbull

Years ago, my wife and I sailed our O'Day 222 to Martha's Vineyard and Cutty Hunk Island on the Cape, for about 4 years straight. We also sailed a lot of Narraganset Bay, but today she's all cruised out and just wants to stay home and take care of our grandchildren. We've always had a dog and I would occasionally take her along. My last dog Ziggy, was a Pit Bull Shepherd Mix that loved the water including boats and kayaks. She sailed with me for 11 years and developed Arthritis which ultimately caused her demise. As much as I love to be with my friends, I really enjoy the freedom of being able to go out and anchor in some quiet cove and not have to worry about having to be back at any particular time. I also like to hang out on my boat at anchor and read or do some fishing, or maybe go beach combing. My best sailing pal right now is Penelope Pitbull. She's a medium size blue brindle dog that's part Pit Bull and Greyhound, and she loves the sailboat and the kayak. We enjoy each other's company and she loves to be with me. She was flown up from Little Rock Arkansas along with her four other siblings, and I picked her out on the web and adopted her. She's the light of my life. A couple of my friends complain sometimes because they can never get anyone to go sailing with them, and they don't want to sail alone. I just say to them, "take your dog!"

 

[Franklin]

Wilson and Autopilot

is my crew Now and then I find somebody who wants to go, but I go out just about every weekend and it's hard to find people who want to go that often, so it's usually just me. If you put your mind to it and with practice, you can learn how to sail single handed and it becomes second nature. When I do find people who want to go, I tell them to just sit back and enjoy the ride.I too have found that when I have people on board that I don't enjoy the ride as much, but I enjoy the conversation more though I guess one can't soak in the view and ride if one is wrapped up in a conversation.I'm sure if it's somebody your connected to and feel very comfortable in silence and can enjoy the view and ride together, then that would be different, but I haven't been there yet.

 

[Mark Wieber]

Rules and definitions

My Favorite crew is my wife, and my Dad. Dad is always crew, and my wife switches from passenger to crew depending on the trip. Passengers are not responsible for taking part in the operation of the boat, crew is assigned stations (and watches if the trip is long). As some have noted there are some singular joys to sailing alone. I have arranged my slip so I can launch and dock single handed, but if I plan to stop somewhere besides home I need at least one partner for the adventure.

 

[Beverly]

I am a willing crew of 1

I am a willing crew member who enjoys the water and the destinations. I have crewed for the arrogant captain who thinks raising his voice makes me understand him better. (My hearing is fine thank you!) As well as the thankful captain. Thankful to have someone who can navigate and handle the boat so he can enjoy the ride. Crew is a precious commodity and all captains should be thankful for those of us who love the wind and the water. Whether it be a spouse or friend, we all deserve respect for the job we do so well. Without a good crew, many boats do not leave the dock.

 

[louis]

racing crewman

I have been racing on other people’s boats for over 15 years. I grew up sailing in Ohio but took 25 years off to raise a family. I then tried to get back in to racing with my own boat but found that I did not have the time, money or experience to campaign my own racing boat. I crewed for Captain Bligh for four years and regained a working knowledge of racing and was able to contribute to a racing crew. I then crewed for a cool person, no yelling but always competitive. I crewed on his boat for about 12 years. During this time I crewed on many other boats, did some distance and offshore races.Many times I have been cold, wet and seasick but I have had more than my shore of hearty laughter, camaraderie and have met many wonderful people many of whom have become lifelong friends. I would encourage anyone who has an interest in sailing to just walk the docks several hours before a race regardless of your level of experience. You will almost always get a ride, you will learn something and you will meet the most wonderful people in the world, the sailors. Your contribution is to bring food and drinks, take the skipper and his wife to dinner every once in a while and be a willing crew member. Don‘t yell, give advice sparingly, ask to take on new jobs, learn everything you can and work as hard as you can. You will always be welcome on a racing crew and again you will make wonderful friends and have a great time at the parties.

 

[Joseph Lynch]

I'm the crew

When it comes to crew, its generally me and my wife the captain. She can sail better than I can so its works out well. We generally try to get friends out as guests and or crew throughout the summer. What usually happens is our non-sailing friends beg off at the last minute, so we generally go out together or ask our sailing friends from our Power Squadron or club.

 

[Diane R.]

I'm My Best Crew!

I was so frustrated last season with trying to find someone to crew with me on my O'Day 20. Either they were not interested that day, had to work, etc., etc... So I made a point of becoming captain AND crew this year. I bought new sails, a headsail furler and ran the lines to the cockpit so I could sail alone. Now, with a summer under my belt, I'm becoming quite good at single-handed sailing and would almost feel comfortable at taking a longer journey on my own. I don't mind the solitude. It gives good time for reflection and clearing my mind.

 

[steve hunter]

I prefer to solo

If I single hand the boat I can take off at a moments notice for day trips. I do not have to entertain anyone except the dog and she is easy. On longer trips I have usually had my business partner, his wife and 5 year old daughter. They are easy to travel with and he and his wife are both better sailors than I am so it is usually a good learning experience for me. But most of the time I like my own company!

 

[Roger1250]

me and the radio

Generally, I sail alone. I enjoy the quiet, or simply listening to the radio (CBC radio 2). When I do have company they are generally novices, so I put them at the helm. It does not take them long to get the hang of it, and their actions can be easily directed. This leaves me to manage the centerboard, main and jibsheets. I talk as I do my 'work' and eventually I can flip them onto jib duties, while I manage the main and tiller. I am always at the tiller when leaving and coming back to the harbour however.I also like hanging around the marina, so even if I don't have crew, I get my socializing in before and after.My daysailer is small enough that I can manage it on my own, but I still have all the lines run back to the cockpit for convenience.

 

[JerryA]

Low % for racing buds?

I was surprised by the low percentage for "Racing Buds". It seems that all the mags cover a lot of racing... so I thought the percentage in this poll would be higher. Maybe most of the people that race are so busy they don't have time to participate in the poll. I do like looking at the racing crafts in the mags, though I don't race my boat. Very colorful and technical.Jerry

 

[Ale]

no one asking

I need to get experience before buying a cruiser, so ten days ago put a few notes at the local marina offering myself as crew, no one have called yet. Probably when I buy my boat, then no one would like to crew.

 

[Mike]

Difficult to find crew

Between conflicting work schedules of my wife and some sailing buddies, it's not easy to cold call someone up to go for a drive first, then a day sail. I learned early in my sailing life to rig the boat for single handing, with lines aft to the cockpit, and furling. I'm on my second boat now, and enjoy the freedom of staying out as long as I want, without needing to be concerned with someone else's schedule. The one thing I do find difficult, but not impossible, is setting the whisker pole on a run. I also plan to add lazy jacks for the mainsail, only I'm going to call them lazy mikes

 

[Donald6441]

it would be nice to see a crew wanted/abv board

here on the forums, one big obstacle of finding helpers is connecting with the right people, and the same for people seeking to crew for us...