I'm Available as Experienced (Contributing!) Crew for East-West Transat Crossing - Winter/Spring 2024/25
Recently retired Brit, fit & active at 72, so I finally have time for a long-anticipated Transatlantic passage from Europe to anywhere in the Caribbean - but, small problem - I don't have a suitable boat...! so I'm appealing to owners/skippers out there for a berth in return for helming, watch-keeping, sail-changing, boat/deck work, maintenance jobs, cooking/dish-washing, assistance with chores/navigation, etc. and I would be happy to contribute to all onboard expenses.
My offshore sailing experience started out with the Ocean Youth Club at 16, after graduating from kayaks and dinghies. Since then, I sailed and owned several sailboats over the years, the biggest of which was a 35ft Piver trimaran in Bermuda, where I lived and worked for 12 years, cruising, racing and crewing on a variety of inshore and offshore boats most weekends. Did Newport-Bermuda race as crew, Marion-Bermuda race, a short-handed (2) delivery from Bermuda to the Chesapeake, and numerous other off-shore races. In more recent years crewed on a square rigger from Kristiansand to the Thames, plus pottering single-handed around the UK East Coast in my self-built 23 foot ply cuddy-cabin sailing lugger. In late 2021 I sailed as competent crew on a 36m Schooner from Harlingen (NL) to Madeira (1,650NM), a 3-week passage. And in October 2022 I did a short-handed (just the owner and me) delivery trip from Cadiz to the Canaries (700NM).
To cut to the chase, I'm looking for a berth on a well-found yacht (pref. traditional wooden, but I'm not fussy, so a sleek racer, pocket cruiser, fast multi-hull, or anything in between would be great) from anywhere in Europe to the Caribbean this coming winter (departing any time latish 2024) with some friendly and interesting people. Happy to contribute to costs, provisions and expenses, watch-keep, navigate (GPS), help fix stuff, cook/wash up, and generally muck in and assist with the safe running and handling of the vessel. I am fortunately in good health, and solvent, and it has been a long held ambition to do a trade wind run down to the Caribbean/Windward/Leeward Islands via Canaries or Cape Verdes, and I need to do this in the next few years before I lose my agility. I could also do the return trip via Bermuda/Azores, if things go well... Alternatively, I would be pleased to crew on a blue water passage/delivery anywhere worldwide that's reasonably warm during this winter as unpaid crew.
People say I'm an easy-going non-smoker/drinker, and I'm not out to prove anything - I just like sailing in good company, sharing laughs, singing, swapping stories,and feeling part of a responsible and friendly crew, looking out for each other and taking care of a well-managed 'little ship'. My beliefs centre around living simply, protecting our planet, and taking care of all those we share it with. "Take nothing but pictures - leave nothing but footprints."
I look forward to hearing from you and meeting up (your location - my expense) to see if we get on and can assist each other to realise a safe and fun passage to the islands.
Thanks for reading!
Richard Gardner
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