By Derek Escher via Multihulls Quarterly
Many people who are considering going off cruising wonder how they can gain offshore sailing experience and credentials. Whether your dream is to sail your own boat offshore, to do deliveries or to captain for others, how do you get the background you need?
First off, try to get on a crew. Most boat owners, sooner or later, are desperate for crew. The biggest thing is to find them. Get your name out there. Visit the Caribbean 1500’s website (www.carib1500.com). Get signs up at popular marinas on either end of your passage route. Know that in the spring, and again in the fall, there are many opportunities. Let us know that you are looking. Talk to brokerages. These days, social networking will get you where you want to go.
If you have enough sailing experience, consider a USCG license. There are a number of ways to prepare for one, including sailing schools. I did it by reading a book, floundering mightily the first time I took the test, then being advised by the Coast Guard on how to study, what to know and what I had to memorize. I passed the next time.
Consider this as well. The ideal crew for a passage includes a captain, a cook, a mechanic and a monkey (someone young and crazy who will climb things, etc). Figure out your best strength, hone it, and your desirability as a crewman will be much improved.
Take at look at a sailing school and see if it fits your need. Here is a list of just a few sailing schools and opportunities out there:
- Offshore Passages Opportunities in Huntington NY (matches crew with boats) – www.sailopo.com
- Blue Water Sailing School (does offshore courses) – www.bwss.com
- Offshore Sailing School (Doris & Steve Colgate run several offshore and live aboard courses) – www.offshoresailing.com
- San Francisco’s Modern Sailing Academy (runs several long courses in monohulls) - www.modernsailing.com
- John and Amanda Neal’s Mahina expeditions (a highly-respected learn-as-you-go offshore sailing program) – www.mahina.com
- ASA (Great instruction with a certificate at the end) – www.american-sailing.com
Like Derek’s suggestions? Check out his blog on all things multihull at www.multihullsquarterly.com!
You forgot perhaps the most important crew placement service there is http://www.SailOpo.com. Hank Schmitt has over 100 members that get email messages announcing crew positions available on boats sailing from Newport to the Caribbean and back to Newport, New York, Ft. Lauderale, Europe, Bermuda — all over the place. The deal is: you get yourself to and from the boat when it lands, and the owner provides the on-board expenses.
Hank also runs the NARC, the North Atlantic Rally to the Caribbean each fall. Departure from Newport to Bermuda than on to St. Martin. There are usually two to three dozen boats involved, and most are looking for crew.
John Kretschmer also provides offshore sailing trips. Check out Yayablues.com
Ahoy Mates! I’ve done the Caribbean 1500 several times and the Atlantic Cup twice. Heading down to Nanny Cay next week to prepare to take a boat to Bermuda. For those who want blue water experience I highly recommend this group of well experienced,old salts. You get to meet many fine folks; some remain in your life a good friends. If you are from the Great Lakes, have done Mac races and do the 1500 or the Atlantic Cup you earn the right to be a Prairie Pirate complete with ceremony and logo for your Mt. Gay hat. If you are looking for a school to get your Captain’s license check out http://www.chicagocaptainsclasses.com run by US Maritime Academy-Chicago…….or call me for details. 312-259-5125 Sea ya on the H2O!
Thanks for the added suggestions!