The 50 Dollar Cruising Club (as a New CF Social Group ?) - Any Thoughts ? / Input ?

[David_Old_Jersey]

Just a rough idea at the moment, so looking for all input

What I am not trying to do is provide an avenue for illegal / unlicensed / uninsured chartering, but..........

Inspired by Ocean Girl's Soulmates Social Group of providing the opportunity for consenting adults to get together (but her not being responsible for any match making. nor the outcome ) my thought is.................to create a Social Group on CF (The 50 Dollar Cruising Club?) to give the opportunity for those looking to experiance the "cruising life" to hook up with those willing to share - not as a Charter, but on an expenses only basis.

Intentionally not principally about completing long passages (where the extra crew is actually needed) but experiancing and learning from doing the day to day dull stuff (tuesdays are for snorkelling , but the 3rd Thursday in the month is for heading to the pump out station ) whilst also learning over a cold beer from those "out there"......with a ready made intro into the local cruising community / scene. Whether the experiance involved 24/7 winch grinding around various islands or 24/7 "socialising" would depend on the vessel involved........whatever is normal for the boat (plus maybe a bit thrown in). Doesn't automatically have to mean being onboard 24/7 for the temporary crew either.

For the temporary crew member(s) - it's a cheap vacation (I am thinking USD50 per head, per day - bunk and usual ship food / drink, extras by agreement) with the opportunity to learn an enormous amount in a short time. or just to chill Especially if on the size / model / type of vessel they were thinking of buying........no matter how big or small. Indeed the opportunity to share in a real life low budget experiance may be worth it's weight............in gold - if only to persuade a bit more saving onshore

For the Skipper - well, it won't be commercially justifiable in straight $$$ terms. But I am thinking for some the motivation will simply be sharing their experiances and knowledge (see CF!) with interested folks. Enjoying having company onboard - but only now and again! or wanting to try out how they would cope with Charterers - before spending time and money on that idea or setting up a clearly defined basis for freinds / family (and acquaintences of) or even for internet buddies (and buddiesses? ) to come onboard that involves them putting hand in their own pocket ...............or taking the opportunity to raise a bit of money by converting some of their spare capacity into cash........the latter perhaps being more attractive to those on a shoestring or looking for the occassional kitty top up - albeit if they had folk onboard for a total of 1 month in a year they would probably be doing well, so a supplement and not a sole income......................or possibly a combination of the above???

The 50 Dollar thing is mainly a benchmark (and a catchy name ) - The idea is to cover the basic expenses (food, drink in the normal style of the boat - could be porridge 24/7 or caviar!, plus a contribution towards wear & tear / mooring costs / fuel etc)..........if the temporary crew want champagne with their meals (and it is not usual onboard!) then that is an additional cost they bear - as would be Marina living 24/7 if the usual MO is on the hook.

The Devil is of course always in the detail............am looking for the CF Social Group end to require little (no?!) work once set up (links off to own blogs / websites?).........am also thinking the Social Club could host a few (Group Written?) checklists / suggested rules for both parties?

As I said, a rough idea so all input welcome (including from Mods / Admin).

[David M]

On the surface, I have no problem with it. Do goats go for free?

[David_Old_Jersey]

Originally Posted by David M

On the surface, I have no problem with it. Do goats go for free?

Goats always go free - indeed that's what makes them surprisingly unreliable RTW sailors FWIW I still get the occassional postcard, he seems to be having a whale of a time in distant lands

But back on topic Cheers, fair enuf to start with - we see how things develop (or not) and then take it from there (or not)

[SabreKai]

I think its a good idea. I can't do anything about it now but I can see where it would be fun once I get living aboard and out to salt water permanently.

It sort of goes along with what I used to do when I first started sailing. I used to take dockwalkers out for an afternoon if I thought they were interested enough to take a bite. I like to think I got more than a few couples into sailing because of it.


Sabre

[VirtualVagabond]

We're thinking of retiring onto something like a Vagabond 47/Formosa 51, which are fairly hefty chunks of boat.
There are plenty of naysayers and probably with good reason, but also cruisers that have them and love them as ideal liveaboards.
The opportunity to spend a few weeks actually discovering life on board and all that ownership would entail would be brilliant.
Hope this idea flies, its a good one.
Vic

[Therapy]

DOJ

Sounds good, no, sounds really great!

The wife and I would like to spend next April on a Manta 42 Mk III or IV.

We have always liked that boat and think it should be our next.

Having you set it all up would be great. And for $50.00 it sounds like such a deal.

Of course we will help out with anything and are also able to spend more than just the $50.00 too.

[boatman61]

Excellent idea... I can give instruction on gangway testing, how fireproof is your outboard... and half a dozen other fun interesting ways to find out things...
But will have to get serious about pulling delivery jobs to save up for my $5000 30ftr so's I've got more than my v-berth as sleeping quarters..
its a bit cramped for me... another 2-3 people in there could be a problem... my sleeping bags only a double..
Then I can give demo's on how to cross an ocean in a wreck....

Hello... Hello.... Where's everyone gone...?? HELLO.....!!

[Ocean Girl]

I think it is a great idea.
Erika

[roger.waite]

Great opportunity for skippers. $50 donations gratefully received for delightful, practical and eminently sharable experiences with fitting out, swabbing bilges, etc.

Oh Oh. Cap'n Bligh to the longboat please.

[Starbuck]

I'm no expert on what constitutes "for hire," but wouldn't you have to do something like pool the money, then total expenses, pay from the pot & reimburse the remainder in even shares (or something similar), in order to avoid taking profit?

[MarkJ]

Excellent idea.

We can fit 12 on board. Some berths are slightly cheaper than others. The 3 in the chain locker have slightly lower headroom.


Mark

[Springbok]

Great idea , will INDY be President His input would be invaluable as he knows everythingNo-one else would have to speak at a social gathering, it would be like listening to the radio
Clyde

[s/v Beth]

OK I'll bite. Beth will leave for a week- long cruise the 2nd week of September. Will go anywhere in the WA/BC area that the crew decides. I will take 5-6 others. Willing to ferry/drop off at different locations- not willing to drop off spouse at uninhabited island. Will do everything cruising style- incl anchoring out every day. Cost is 50 usd/day plus whatever you eat- lots of space to store everything. Must bring own clothes, sleeping bag and life jacket. Kids under 12 and over 4 half price. All crewing/passage is dependent on interview with the Captain first (me).
I should state that the money is not for my services, but for maintenance and care of the boat. That we are all contributing to that kitty...
We will see how this goes....

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by s/v Beth

Kids under 12 and over 4 half price. .

Kids: 10 times the adult price.

We would do that for a couple provided they pitched in and helped and didnt treat it like it was their luxury cruise and we were the crew.

[cantxsailor]

I know a lot of sailors who would jump at the chance for the right kind of "crew" for $50. You can ,of course, find "crew" like that in most ports of the world.........m