Watch: Sail Bat Ami
Guatemala - Honduras - Cayman - Cuba - Mexico - Florida - Azores - Portugal
This November I’ll start sailing again. Looking for one or two good crew members. I met so many new and wonderful people, had the most exhilarating hours at the most exquisite of places, always on anchor, always choosing as if by coincidence the best bays to drop my anchor, in the most perfect timings. They call it serendipity. it's magic.
The yacht is now in Rio Dulce, Guatemala. Docked since last November. I'll return to it this September and start getting her ready. There's a long list of reconditioning, refitting and improvements. I'll also haul her out, do the bottom paint and other out-of-water stuff. It's a lot of work but it is a lot of satisfaction too. She will be ready for a long period of intensive sailing,
The plan is to check out of Guatemala and cross the Rio sand bar in Late October - early November. Sail NE to Utila, Honduras Bay Islands, possibly Roatan too. Check out and sail NE to Grand Cayman and continue to South Cuba. Hang around the Canarreos archipelago for 2-3 months. Sail to Mexico in February, then to Key West, USA, Miami and get ready for the Atlantic crossing East in late May - early June possibly via Bermuda. Arrive in the Azores about 4 weeks later and sail to the easternmost island in preparation for sailing to Portugal, arriving mid summer. This is the plan but with sailing you never know.
Looking for competent crew to sail and maintain the boat. I prefer to enjoy sailing so waiting for fair winds is part of it. Plans are fluid like water so the route is always open.
Some sea / water experience. Responsible, aware, knowledgeable, curious, people whose main motivation is love of sailing, like to share their knowledge and experience and explore new grounds. Crew I can learn from will be the best choice. Male, female. Preferably active people with high energy levels, fit, with good nature and respect for the other.
The boat is a classic British sailboat of a very solid build and was very well maintained by its previous owners for 25 years and by myself since I got it. There are currently some projects - fiberglass & resin, paint, metal, electric, plumbing. Working on the boat, learning and completing tasks is extremely satisfying.
The boat has all that a safe and comfortable sail might require. With aft and fore cabins, each with its own head, one fresh water shower, fully equipped galley and comfortable berths in the cabins, saloon and pilot area, a safe and comfortable center cockpit (long benches!), this boat truly provides exactly what's needed, has no extra fat, is the best for my sailing style and its crew loves it.
Boat expenses such as diesel, berthing, entry/exit fees, docking, food, water and cooking gas are to be shared equally. Crew travel expenses, passport fees and personal fees and expenses are on the crew.
I sail with an open mind, love people, can appreciate their and my privacy when needed and respect the needs and habits of others. I eat fresh, healthy, simple and tasty food of local produce. I do web and content development off of my laptop for a living. I prefer anchoring in quite and protected spots, nature-rich places, and would avoid marinas and busy, noisy, touristic places when possible. Safety is very important, as well as the upkeep of the boat and its ongoing care from the micro to the macro. We see all people on the boat as equal in term of sharing responsibilities.
Crew is expected to participate in the ongoing maintenance and improvements of the boat. There's always a task list going other than the regular stuff. You'll also be helming in shifts while under way, cooking, cleaning and sleeping. I personally never had a moment of boredom at sea on longer voyages. Very dynamic.
This wonderful boat takes care of you, keeps you alive and comfortable while taking you to the most amazing places on earth. You are expected to treat it as the most important item in your life. Other than the crew, nothing is more important than the boat when you are on it.
Getting the perfect sail balance. That's another magic of Bat Ami. Balance.
If you understand what I am doing and how, the responsibility and commitment involved, If you think you have the stamina, please make contact.
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