Crew Available: I'm confused -Best way to connect with deliveries needing crew?

[KeepInTune]

I'm recently retired, experienced sailer (cruising) with a very flexible schedule and looking to help out owners who are seeking to move their sailboats anywhere in to/from/around North America, Caribbean, etc.. I'd like to offer my services for any short/mid/longer deliveries, where I will volunteer my time and services. Ideally, flight, food expenses, etc.. would be (justifiably) paid by the owner or captain.

As I'm new to exploring this, I had assumed there are a few go-to organizations or companies which will do crew connects. However, what I'm finding is most of these organizations are wanting a sign-up fee, extracting money from me for offering my potential volunteer service. It seems confusing to me (and a bit of a scam), as I am assuming there might be some semblance of a demand for my volunteer service and experience.

Can anyone offer me advice of the best sources for seeking out opportunities. I understand I can post here but I'm assuming there's a larger market out there.
Thanks!

[SoggyPaws]

I have not needed to offer myself up or find crew in a long long time. But the two that come up all the time are Crew Finder and Find a Crew. I don't know if they require a fee or not. But the structure of these organized sites are worth a small fee, as you can get feedback from others about the people you are getting ready to trust your life to.
The third is OPO https://www.sailopo.com/
Finally, consider Facebook.
One good spot, especially if you are US-based, is the Seven Seas Cruising Association Facebook group. You do not need to be an SSCA member to join the group. That would be a good place to post (occasionally) that you are up for crewing. Regional FB Sailing groups are also good spots.
In our area (SE Asia), there are several groups.
There are a number of groups I am sure for the Bahamas and the Caribbean, also 4-5 groups at least for crossing the Pacific. Plus I know of at least 2 in the Med.
If you are not familiar with FB groups, most require you to have some FB profile visible, so you look like a real person. Having a few shots of you on a sailboat in some capacity is useful. Some will screen you out automatically if your FB profile is less than 30 days old. Pretty much all of them will have "joining questions" that require some answers (FB limits to 3) to also prove you are human vs a "bot" there to cause trouble. So when you request to join, be sure to scroll down and look for the questions, and answer them. There are usually rules posted for each group and most require you to state that you agree to the rules. It's a good idea to READ the rules, so you know what's allowed and not allowed.
It would NOT be a good idea to join 20 groups today and post the same message in each group. FB will normally call that spam and will put you in time-out. Other sailors will get also annoyed with seeing your same post in multiple places.
So, pick a region that you are interested in, find a sailing group, join the group, read the rules, watch the group for a week or so to get the feel of it, and make a post.
There are some significant downsides to joining just any boat with a skipper you don't know, so be cautious, especially if going offshore. You should "vet" prospective boats/skippers, and they should "vet" you, if they are serious/experienced.
Good luck!

[carstenb]

you can post yourself here or look and see if anyone is looking:

https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f30/

[toggles]

I ran into a couple on here needing help from PR to VA about 7 years ago, they were members of https://www.saltydawgsailing.org/ it became a very good friendship and I managed to sail up and down the Caribbean with them over the years.
Salty Dawgs have a lot of rallies, usually there are boats looking for crew, always in November to Antigua/Bahamas, you will need to be a member to join their crew forums, in exchange you will most likely make really good friends and get plenty of opportunities in the future.

Cheers.

https://www.saltydawgsailing.org/rallies
https://www.saltydawgsailing.org/for...ooking-to-crew

[Patrick of M]

I agree that some of the pay for access services seem to be at least somewhat scammy, often stating they can find you positions then afterwards just promoting pay to crew positions etc...
Patience will help, I've done a 2 deliveries inthe last 2 years through FB and this forum .

[Scorpius]

I'm not sure that I would want necessarily to do deliveries. The owner wants it delivered quickly. The paid delivery skipper wants to do it in a hurry, get his completion payment and on to the next job. The boat is unfamiliar to everyone on board and deliveries are often in the wrong direction - i e against prevailing wind and waves. Very often a tough, tough trip.

Take a vacation to Panama. As a line handler, help a few folks take their boats through the Panama Canal. It's an experience in itself - and maybe you will meet some nice folks who want an extra hand aboard for the next leg of their adventure. The canal passage will give you a bit of chance to assess their personalities, competence, skills and compatibility - and also assess the vessel's condition and capabilities. At the other end you can either keep going if all the vibes are right or just get off with no hard feelings either way.

[toggles]

Originally Posted by Scorpius

I'm not sure that I would want necessarily to do deliveries. The owner wants it delivered quickly. The paid delivery skipper wants to do it in a hurry, get his completion payment and on to the next job. The boat is unfamiliar to everyone on board and deliveries are often in the wrong direction - i e against prevailing wind and waves. Very often a tough, tough trip.

I've done a couple of these (from this forum) and have enjoyed them immensely. Yeah, it's a job, not a cruise, the up side is you learn a lot from the professionals and how they do things compared to the cruisers, also seen parts of the world you wouldn't normally see cruising. Knowledge/training is the price you pay for less rum and beach time...

[Hoodsail]

In Tune; I used OPO when I was looking for a delivery skipper. Owner, name escapes me, provided me w/ 3 possible folks all quite qualified. Ended up sailing her home myself w/ 2 crew from Newport 2 Bermuda site. From this experience I would think he could actively match you/your experience to boat(s). Another site that sends me periodic emails is CoBoater. Been on a few of their web calls (never used the service) to learn more about this service and seems to have quite a few folks looking for crew and/or boats...fee is nominal as I recall...thnks

[jeanathon]

Originally Posted by Scorpius

I'm not sure that I would want necessarily to do deliveries. The owner wants it delivered quickly. The paid delivery skipper wants to do it in a hurry, get his completion payment and on to the next job. The boat is unfamiliar to everyone on board and deliveries are often in the wrong direction - i e against prevailing wind and waves. Very often a tough, tough trip.

There are certainly one offs, but there are a lot of repeat deliveries. You can get to know a boat quite well.
It's true you probably will be motor sailing to get the boat there, but minimizing your passage time makes the trip safer because you have less guess work about an extended weather forecast.
Finally although it is work. You get paid to go for a boat ride to someplace you probably want to be.

[KeepInTune]

Thank you all so very much for your insights, advice and knowledge. I'm off and running with your advice! Hopefully there are owners and delivery captains who need some experience, enjoyable and helpful crew to assist.
Cheers!

[Iburry67]

Originally Posted by KeepInTune

I'm recently retired, experienced sailer (cruising) with a very flexible schedule and looking to help out owners who are seeking to move their sailboats anywhere in to/from/around North America, Caribbean, etc.. I'd like to offer my services for any short/mid/longer deliveries, where I will volunteer my time and services. Ideally, flight, food expenses, etc.. would be (justifiably) paid by the owner or captain.

As I'm new to exploring this, I had assumed there are a few go-to organizations or companies which will do crew connects. However, what I'm finding is most of these organizations are wanting a sign-up fee, extracting money from me for offering my potential volunteer service. It seems confusing to me (and a bit of a scam), as I am assuming there might be some semblance of a demand for my volunteer service and experience.

Can anyone offer me advice of the best sources for seeking out opportunities. I understand I can post here but I'm assuming there's a larger market out there.
Thanks!

You will find that you are doing work for free that others consider a profession.

[Darrington]

Darrington
Registered User


Join Date: Dec 2025
Location: Everett WA
Boat: Jeanneau 49 (50') Deck Salon
Posts: 5
Sailing to Washington State from San Pedro first week in April 2026
I have a Jeanneau 49Deck Salon in nesr perfect conditon. All new Standing rigging will be installed in March. Crew will arrive LAX or Orange County Airport and be picked up on or about April 1st. All meals, moorages, and fuel provided by owner. We will day hop for part of the sail untill Sf Bay where we will wait for a weather window for the 4-5 day sail to Puget Sound entrance. This is the best time of year to take this voyage and I expect to be outside the 100fathom line most of the way.The boat will have Star Link so wi fi and full inernet are possible the entire trip.The whole trip may take 20-30 days depending on the weather. We will be in ports about 5 times on the trip: Catalina, Santa Cruz Island, Moro Bay, Monterey, San Francscio, and then home port at Everett, WA.

Looking for 2, maybe three people with sailing experience to join me and another sailor. 4-5 on baord makes for easier shifts . A couple will also work and any specual skills you may have please share. We can do a Face Time interview after I receive your message of intent to join. Include your phone and email in your response. You will need your own PFD and weather gear.

This is a committment, so, make sure your Yes means Yes and your NO means No when replying.
Thanks,
Doug Arrington