Hitchhikers of the seas—Europe (flexible to anywhere, will travel across the continent to sail)
Hey there! We're traveling around Europe and are happy to sail with you and make sure everything is running smoothly. We have just returned from traveling in East Africa/Indian Ocean, where we sailed relatively short distances in yachts and pirogues. In 2023/2024, we're happy to travel across Europe to come sail with you, be it the Med, the Baltics, or the North Atlantic Ocean.
I've been traveling and writing about my travels virtually non-stop since 2013. My main method of transportation is hitchhiking (5 continents) and I've hitchhiked a few boats. In 2019, my partner Jonas and I spent three seasons paddling down the Danube river from Donaueschingen (Germany) to Mohács (Hungary) in an inflatable kayak - with kayak sail! That was 1253.7km (677nm, but the Danube uses regular kilometers) over 49 paddle days. We hope to continue that trip in (2021) 2022 to the Black Sea.
My sailing experience starts in childhood on the Loosdrechtse Plassen (lakes) in the Netherlands. I sailed Optimists (solo) three summers, then a Laser (duo) one summer, and finally a Valk ('Hawk') type boat with a total crew of five, also one summer.
As a hitchhiker, I once hitched/crewed a yacht between Corfu and Malta (340nm) over 2.5 days. My main job there was to do night watches and help out with anything that needed more hands than the couple that owned the boat. Since then, my boathitching/crewing experience has dried up a bit, but I'd change my plans in a heartbeat for any cool sailing opportunity.
Now I'm traveling with someone who has quite a recent sailing experience (Croatia). Jonas and I work very well as a team and this would definitely help you as someone seeking a crew. We still plan on getting certified as well.
What I can do:
- I'm a travel writer, so I'll keep records of the trip for sharing or reminiscing.
- I love navigating. It's always been my task to prevent us from running aground with the kayak on the Danube river while simultaneously dodging big cargo ships in the shipping lane. I'm ready to learn more about sailboat navigation.
- Watchkeeping including night watches. I've done them before. I stay awake.
- Knots. I've been responsible for knotting on the kayak trip.
- Languages.
- Cleaning/organizing tasks.
- Basic food preparation.
It's also important to mention that I've never gotten seasick. I've gone on many ferry rides like between San Andrés and Providencia (Colombia) and back when 60% of the boat vomited. I did Aberdeen to the Shetland Islands (UK) and back during a winter squall. On the Fast Ferry between the Cabo Verdean islands (São Nicolau - São Vicente - Santo Antão - São Vicente --- Fogo - Brava - Fogo - Santiago), I've been the one handing out vom bags to people. I know many people think it's just a matter of time before one gets terribly seasick, but I have yet to encounter a trigger big enough to start spewing.
You can see what I am currently doing and follow my journeys at www.mindofahitchhiker.com
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Hello/Bonjour! We are in Madagascar and are happy to sail with you and help out aboard. We are definitely down to join you on voyages to/from Madagascar, Mozambique, Tanzania, Seychelles, Mayotte, Comoros, La Réunion, Mauritius, Agaléga, Saint Brandon, Rodrigues, and anywhere else.
Bonzur/Bonjour/Hey again! We are in Mauritius and are happy to sail with you and help out aboard. We are definitely down to join you on voyages to/from Mauritius, Agaléga, and Saint Brandon, Rodrigues (previously visited), La Réunion, Australia, wherever
While we're eagerly awaiting a message from you, we're doing dinghy sailing (pirogue + catamaran) in the lagoon of La Gaulette in Mauritius and in Trou aux Biches (Laser 2000, Laser Pico, Hobie 15, Hobie 16). We've completed RYA courses in those boats.
Hello! We are in Istanbul now and can help crew your boat to the Med or to the Black Sea. Shoot me a message anytime, I check this quite often!
Привет, моряки! Я и мой партнер в настоящее время находимся в Украине. Мы можем приехать на Азовское или Черное море, чтобы помочь на борту парусника. Я изучаю русский язык и уже немного говорю. Мы рады присоединиться к международным морским путешествиям.
More updates: we're going to Ukraine! We're down to come sailing on the Black Sea with you and perhaps the Med.
Another update: from the UAE we went to Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. Though there are large inland bodies of water, we're heckin' far away from the sea. And yet... HMU with any sailing opportunities and we'll see what we can do :)
Lockdown update: the coronavirus got us in lockdown in Malaysia. In 2021 we traveled to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) where we are now, ready to sail.
Hello! My name is Iris and I'm currently traveling in the UAE. ]
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