What to look out for when crewing on someones yacht over blue seas??

[brodie88]

Originally Posted by robert sailor

I would not purchase anything for someones boat. The $100 bucks is sort of mmmeh! Maybe the skipper has run into lots of flake crew that commit but don't show up. I sailed offshore when there were no EPIRB's and all the rest of the current safety stuff so if his battery is only a year out it wouldn't keep me awake.

Thanks Rob. I agree about the $100, it doesn't bother me, especially if it is put towards the cursing kitty of food/fuel. and it is because he has had a lot of flakey people pull out last minute and he has been left to foot the bill in the past.

As for the GPS SD card, I'm ok with buying this, as long as it comes out of my total contribution of $20 per day for the trip. Also, i understand that it is more responsibility for the skipper to have me aboard and so it would be good to have in depth GPS maps. Its just that i assume this SD card would be left on the boat and would be his gain. So i wouldn't be happy with purchasing it unless he either bought it off me or the cost came out of my total contribution.

[StuM]

If he doesn't keep his EPIRB battery in service, and is looking for you to buy navigation equipment, that's a pretty good indication of his level of maintenance generally in an ocean going vessel. I'd be very suspicious of things like the condition of the rest of his safety equipment, when he last changed the oil and filters on his engine, the condition of impellers, hoses etc and sails and running rigging.

[Badsanta]

The few times I have sailed with strangers before we left I sent photos of the boat and skipper and of his ID card to family. I also used a SPOT gps locator with emergency help button. Its very small and he will never see it and your family can follow your bread crumbs online and see where you are every 10 minutes. If he does not like the photo and ID check, well that tells you something. Best of luck.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[Wulf]

Originally Posted by brodie88

and it is because he has had a lot of flakey people pull out last minute and he has been left to foot the bill in the past.

There may be a reason why the "flakey people" ran. Personally I would not consider committing without meeting face to face and having a real good look at him and his boat. If you don't have the time for that you are not ready. There will be other opportunities when you truly have the time to do your homework...just sayin...

[boatman61]

25 potential crew.. 11 go for the $100 deal.. Yaaaay cruising kitty... BYEEEEEeeeeeeeee

[ontherocks83]

If you're in the trusting mood can you send me $100 to hold your spot on this forum while you're gone?

All this sounds too flakey and shady to be true. Send me money, buy me updated maps, my epirb is expired but don't worry it's cool.

My feeling is if he can't buy a new epirb battery then what other systems is he neglecting.

The only thing you can do is find a way to get out there. Meet the guy and the boat. Half of your questions will be answered in the first minute of meeting him and the boat. The other half will be answered after talking to him for a few more minutes and finding out where his head is at and more importantly if you think you can tolerate being on a boat with him for an extended period.

Good luck but if you don't do your homework ahead of time and things go south it's your fault not his.

[MarkJ]

Hang on mate! Its f'ing Cyclone season till 30th April and you want to sail INTO a cyclone area in the beginning of march?

Are you stark raving bonkers?

Death by cyclone on a 38 footer is not a fun way to die.

The typical Australian tropical cyclone season:
has most tropical cyclones between 1 November and 30 April;

So from carnarvon you go through the whole cyclone sector, from bottom to top, dont you?

Theres a few West Australian sailors on this forum that may offer some advice... Its night time in Australia 2am, so they are all tucked in their bunny rugs.

[ontherocks83]

Originally Posted by boatman61

25 potential crew.. 11 go for the $100 deal.. Yaaaay cruising kitty... BYEEEEEeeeeeeeee

this answers the question of an old thread. How to make money while cruising. See above

[Cap Erict3]

The challenge to starting a journey is walking out the front door. Do it. Don't do it. It is to easy to find reasons not to follow a dream. At least you can speak this fellas language. I had to become a master of street Charades in my travels. Men plan and Gods laugh.

[STG]

Originally Posted by boatman61

25 potential crew.. 11 go for the $100 deal.. Yaaaay cruising kitty... BYEEEEEeeeeeeeee

This was my first thought too.

[ontherocks83]

Originally Posted by Cap Erict3

The challenge to starting a journey is walking out the front door. Do it. Don't do it. It is to easy to find reasons not to follow a dream. At least you can speak this fellas language. I had to become a master of street Charades in my travels. Men plan and Gods laugh.

Nobody has said don't follow your dreams. They've only said don't fall for a potential scam. There's a difference between charging ahead and charging ahead with your head up your rectum.

Everyone is just trying to say cover your bases.

[atoll]

sounds like you could learn a lot from this guy...........go for it!

i dont think sending a deposit and him asking you to get hold of a data card is unreasonable,considering his location ,which is about 1000 miles from any where!

canarvon is more or less all ready in the tropics,with a good 7 day forcast the chances of running into a cyclone are minimal.

sounds like a genuine guy...the worst that can happen is you lose the $100 deposit,and have to resell the data card.

people seem to have lost their sense of adventure these days!,if you prefer go on the moorings website if you want some guarenteed sailing,but it will cost a lot more than $100 up front!

[tomfl]

Originally Posted by Wulf

SNIP

Personally I would not consider committing without meeting face to face and having a real good look at him and his boat. If you don't have the time for that you are not ready. There will be other opportunities when you truly have the time to do your homework...just sayin...

Best post of the thread. Kinda along the lines of 'if you don't have time to do it right the first time when will you ever have time to do it right'.

[MarkJ]

Last year....

[KDH]

Listen to MarkJ. Not to mention Malaysia is known for it's issues with piracy. The whole situation seems funky. There will be other opportunities down the way.