Advice for Newbie

[a.morra22]

Hi all,
I am new to the forum and sailing world. I would love any advice you have to give on getting a work-trade or volunteer position on a sailboat. :-) I am planning on getting my STCW95 and would like to know if that is necessary.
Thank you in advance,
Amanda

[HappyMdRSailor]

Hi Amanda.... Welcome to CF!

Find yourself a sailing club where you live and join it.... You will meet TONS of people who would love your help.... and company sailing...

[a.morra22]

Thank you for your advice, HappyMsRSailor! I will look into that immediately!

[pablothesailor]

Originally Posted by a.morra22

Thank you for your advice, HappyMsRSailor! I will look into that immediately!

Hi Amanda, welcome, you may also like to look in the ¨Crew wanted¨ section on this forum, good luck!

[HappyMdRSailor]

Originally Posted by a.morra22

Thank you for your advice, HappyMsRSailor! I will look into that immediately!

You're definitely welcome! And..... These are generally "very affordable"

Originally Posted by pablothesailor

Hi Amanda, welcome, you may also like to look in the ¨Crew wanted¨ section on this forum, good luck!

Pablo has got it goin' on too... there are numerous posts looking for crew/company...

Also... You should post another topic with a better title of what you want...
Something like...

New "wannabe salty" sailor looking to help for time on the water

Or maybe something a bit shorter...

[rgscpat]

Amanda, there are many ways for you to experience sailing.
It might help a bit if we know some more of your goals and interests.

Do you want work experience to get into being professional crew on a big yacht?
Do you want to travel and see the world?
Do you want to learn to sail for recreation or as a skill?
Do you maybe want to own a boat some day?
Do you have a special connection with the ocean?
Do you need to find a place where the mob or an ex-lover can't find you?
Do you want to get bruised and sweaty working repairing boat equipment in exotic locations?

Does it matter what size or kind of boat? Racing? Cruising? Oceans? Coasts? Lakes? Live-aboard? Getting wet? Socializing? Escaping?

[HappyMdRSailor]

Originally Posted by rgscpat

Amanda, there are many ways for you to experience sailing.
It might help a bit if we know some more of your goals and interests.

Do you want work experience to get into being professional crew on a big yacht?
Do you want to travel and see the world?
Do you want to learn to sail for recreation or as a skill?
Do you maybe want to own a boat some day?
Do you have a special connection with the ocean?
Do you need to find a place where the mob or an ex-lover can't find you?
Do you want to get bruised and sweaty working repairing boat equipment in exotic locations?

Does it matter what size or kind of boat? Racing? Cruising? Oceans? Coasts? Lakes? Live-aboard? Getting wet? Socializing? Escaping?

I would at all costs avoid posting:

"Looking for a sailing gig to escape the mob..."

OR....

"I want to get bruised and sweaty on a boat..."

[BandB]

Originally Posted by a.morra22

Hi all,
I am new to the forum and sailing world. I would love any advice you have to give on getting a work-trade or volunteer position on a sailboat. :-) I am planning on getting my STCW95 and would like to know if that is necessary.
Thank you in advance,
Amanda

I do recommend an STCW95 as it's required for certain positions but shows you're serious regardless. Also any other applicable courses you take will improve your chances. The sailing clubs was a good recommendation. If you're to the point of making it a career then immersing yourself in the yachting world in Fort Lauderdale from crew houses to dock walking to listing with crew agencies becomes appropriate.

[FSMike]

Originally Posted by HappyMdRSailor

I would at all costs avoid posting:

"Looking for a sailing gig to escape the mob..."

OR....

"I want to get bruised and sweaty on a boat..."

RODLMAO!

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha and welcome aboard!
Persistance is the key to finding the right position so keep trying if you don't find one on the first try.
kind regards,

[Waterway Guide]

Welcome aboard, Amanda!

[a.morra22]

Originally Posted by rgscpat

Amanda, there are many ways for you to experience sailing.
It might help a bit if we know some more of your goals and interests.

Do you want work experience to get into being professional crew on a big yacht? I am open to all types of boats/jobs on the ocean.

Do you want to travel and see the world? Yes :-)

Do you want to learn to sail for recreation or as a skill? Both

Do you maybe want to own a boat some day? Yes, I want to name her Gypsy

Do you have a special connection with the ocean? Yes, I have lived near the ocean most of my life and have always felt a special connection. While my friends are busy tanning, I swim out as far as I can, or just float in the water for hours.

Do you need to find a place where the mob or an ex-lover can't find you? Hahah, no. Nothing that interesting :-)

Do you want to get bruised and sweaty working repairing boat equipment in exotic locations? Yes

Does it matter what size or kind of boat? Racing? Cruising? Oceans? Coasts? Lakes? Live-aboard? Getting wet? Socializing? Escaping?

It does not matter what kind of boat. I prefer sailing on the ocean. Live-aboard, socializing, escaping mentally (not physically from the mob or an ex-lover).

[rgscpat]

Well then, Amanda, just about any kind of time on the water would likely help you get closer to your goals. Even the bad captains can teach you, though some of them may teach you what not to do!

"Dockwalking" is something of an art of using on-line (or dead tree) crew lists at yacht and sailing clubs, checking bulletin boards at marine-related businesses, visiting clubs and marinas, hanging out before races, volunteering for race committees and helping with sailing events, and chatting up sailors wherever they gather, to bum rides, learn boat care, etc.

There are also services where you can sign up as crew for longer voyages, though some basic experience and training would make you more marketable as crew. Also, there are some steps to take to research skippers more carefully for longer voyages for safety, good behavior, and compatibility.

Sailing lessons can be a bit pricey, but may be very worthwhile before spending money on a boat of your own. Sailing co-ops and clubs may be less expensive and a decent way to get boat access at a reasonable price.

STCW and US Coast Guard or equivalent foreign licensure (the professional end of Yachtmaster, etc.), moves into working in the marine industry, of which there can be a variety of paths -- cooking and hostessing on yachts, or apprenticing as deck or engine crew, or going to an academy to become a merchant marine officer, or working on smaller craft as a boating instructor, water taxi operator, tugboat crew, etc. Some of these pay poorly and others require long hours, but such is life. Some schools help people learn to pass exams for licensure, but these don't substitute for experience -- and a lot of on-the-water time is also a requirement for licenses.