Chris hi and welcome to CF.
To be honest I would be reluctant to take a complete stranger who had no previous sailing experience across the Channel.
Is your adventure going to be back packing across land or across oceans. If it's the second then you would be well advised to gain the RYA Competant Crew qualification which takes a weeks course. At least then you can prove you know the basics and enjoy sailing.
There are opportunities to sail from say the
Canaries to the Carib each year normally starting in Nov through the
winter in you can get yourself or sail to the
Canaries. However, again skippers will want some experience. Have a look at the Atlantic Rally web site.
Event Information for World Cruising Club: ARC
But do consider that once you leave that's it, there is no turning back, its a one way ticket across the Atlantic.
Pete