Go Back   Cruiser Log World Cruising & Sailing Forums > Cruiserlog's Yacht Club > The Tavern | Welcome Aboard
Cruiser Wiki Click Here to Login

Join Cruiser Log Today

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 06-16-2013, 02:59 AM   #1
Ensign
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Home Port: Darwin
Posts: 12
Default New Member

Ahoy mateys!

I'm Simon Ochen (pronounced 'Ocean'). I've decided to drop everything that is involved in the rat-race of life and barter my way around the world for the next 10-15 years.

I'm a writer so I've decided to become a Nomadic Writer and sail to get across large areas of water rather than fly.

I'm currently in Darwin seeking passage to Indonesia. I've placed signs at the Darwin Sailing Club, Tipperay and Bayview Marina and also at the Dinah Beach Cruising Yacht Association where I'm also doing some work to gain some experience (sanding, buffing, polishing and waxing of hulls so far).

I love the water. It's where I'm most comfortable. I surf, play guitar and am a pretty good cook (modestly speaking).

Would appreciate any assistance helping me realise my goal.

Thanks for checking this out.
__________________

__________________
The Nomad is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-16-2013, 06:49 PM   #2
Moderator
 
redbopeep's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Home Port: Washington DC
Vessel Name: SV Mahdee
Posts: 3,236
Default

A lot of people think they're checking out when the decide to set sail. You'll find it's not so--the requirements of traveling country-to-country mean the cruising boat will be dealing with not just one country's bureaucracy, but that of many countries. Money is something needed to clear in and out of country and you will need to carry your own weight in terms of having money for your own clearance as well as sharing in the costs of food aboard ship. Rarely will it be a barter-ride for crew unless that crew is unusually skilled (read "sailor") and bringing a lot to the ship besides a friendly attitude.

For the best results, suggest you learn how to sail locally (volunteer to crew for some of the racing boats at the local yacht club for example or take some lessons --you may have to pay for the lessons with real money though ) and then you'll have some skills that a cruising boat might be interested in having you aboard for. Those local sailors will know people traveling and they can hook you up with a reference as well.

Further, if you make some friendships with those racing skippers, you might find yourself invited on a few little overnight or fortnight trips. On those trips, you might learn if you get seasick or have other problems that will make your dream of hitchhiking the oceans less of a good idea.

Remember when you're out there trying to get sailing experience (local at the clubs at first or with a cruising boat) the whole conversation is about what you can offer to the team or boat--not about what you want to get from it.

So think long and hard about what you can really offer and what would be valuable to the skipper. You need to become a desirable hand to have aboard any boat. If you have no idea of what those things are--think about cooking skills, mechanical fix-it skills, athletic ability (going up the mast, even if someone is winching you up in a harness is not easy), strength, good health, ability to get along with ANY other crew members, ability to take orders and do what the skipper tells you to (the boat is not a democracy), a personal nature that is clean, neat, organized but yet doesn't care if the other crew members are slovenly or less than ideal. Ability to stand watch, ability to navigate (another thing you can learn with a class before you set out so you'll have skills to offer).

If you don't have a big ego, are particular enough to learn new skills and do things properly but yet have the laid back nature needed to not let oddities of other personalities get under your skin, you'll have a great time crewing.

Good luck.
__________________

__________________
"Do or do not. There is no try." - Yoda

What we're doing - The sailing life aboard and the Schooner Chandlery.

redbopeep is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-18-2013, 11:50 PM   #3
Ensign
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Home Port: Darwin
Posts: 12
Default

Thanks for the tips. Most helpful.
__________________
The Nomad is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Test - For Member "promotion" To Full Member Lighthouse Test Drive These Boards 26 08-09-2016 09:34 PM
New Member rbiffle The Tavern | Welcome Aboard 1 12-24-2009 05:56 PM
Hello From New Member chrokeva The Tavern | Welcome Aboard 6 12-16-2009 01:25 AM
New Member Sunseeker The Tavern | Welcome Aboard 4 11-19-2009 02:54 PM
New Member Carter33 The Tavern | Welcome Aboard 1 03-27-2009 10:12 PM

Our Communities

Our communities encompass many different hobbies and interests, but each one is built on friendly, intelligent membership.

» More about our Communities

Automotive Communities

Our Automotive communities encompass many different makes and models. From U.S. domestics to European Saloons.

» More about our Automotive Communities

RV & Travel Trailer Communities

Our RV & Travel Trailer sites encompasses virtually all types of Recreational Vehicles, from brand-specific to general RV communities.

» More about our RV Communities

Marine Communities

Our Marine websites focus on Cruising and Sailing Vessels, including forums and the largest cruising Wiki project on the web today.

» More about our Marine Communities


All times are GMT. The time now is 04:28 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
SEO by vBSEO 3.6.0
×