RYA Day Skipper (Power & Sail) plus SRC/GMDSS & Radar - Looking for crewing opportunities
Although I recently took the leap into boat ownership and now own a 1/4 share in a Hanse 400e I learn something new every time I go out on any boat, so I love to be able to sail with skippers and crew who are willing to share their knowledge and experience. In return, I pay my way, pay attention, recognise my place, and carry my weight! :-)
My list of the most important things to bring onto a boat? In no particular order I'd say: All the essentials for safe sailing, plus respect for the skipper, my crewmates and the boat, an easy-going personality, an appetite for fun and adventure, (tempered with a large dose of common sense), a 'can-do' attitude (no job too small) and, above all, a good sense of humour! It's also what I ask of anyone that crews with me.
If I sound like someone you'd like to go sailing with then please get in touch. I'm available most weekends at short notice to go sailing on the Solent and, with a bit more notice, for longer passages in the UK, Europe or even further afield.
If you can bear to read on I've included a bit about my sailing background and experience below...
I started my formal training and certification for power boating several years ago, but have always been in love with sailing too, so in April 2017 I added RYA Day Skipper (Sail) to my other RYA certifications. I'm currently preparing for my RYA Coastal Skipper (Sail) certification, which I plan to complete this year, on my own boat!
I have experience on a variety of yachts including a Moody 29, Westerly Conway 36, Bavaria 37, Beneteau Oceanis 38.1, Hanse 385, Hanse 400e, Dufour 375, Dufour 520, and an Arcona 410.
On the power side I have skippered and crewed a variety of boats including a Beneteau Antares 30, Sealine S34 and a Jeanneau Prestige 36 flybridge
Passages have including weekend sailing, short-handed sailing, some 'gentle' racing in the Solent, plus longer/overnight passages to the West Country, cross-Channel to Cherbourg and St Vaast, Northern Sicily and the Aeolian Islands, and a delivery from Cowes to Numansdoorp in the Netherlands. The more challenging ones included prepping and crewing the Farr 65 racing yacht "Spirit of Juno" on a passage from Antigua to Barbados to compete during Barbados Sailing week (we finished 2nd in our class!), safely crossing the Channel shipping lanes in sea fog with <50m visibility, and sailing through an F8 gale.
It's a privilege to meet and spend time with like-minded people doing something that I truly love, and to make new friends along the way.