Message Board: Sailing Opportunities

OPO e-mail # 21-62 Captain and owner OPOOPO Grande has a 1986 Vagabond 42 names OPOOPO that he has owned for 16 years. He plans to leave at the end of September so about Oct 1st for his passage to warmer climates departing from OPOOPO Marina. He plans to sail with 4 crew and is looking for one more experienced person who can stand a solo watch. I spoke with him a few days ago and he seems like a nice guy and knows what he is doing. The trip is free but you need to get to and from the boat and have money for stops along the way for meals and drinks. If interested please send your sailing resume to Frank at XXXXX@XXXX and inquire about joining him. More on his boat: OPOOPO OPOOPO OPOOPO is a 1986 42' Vagabond ketch. Specifications are: LOA: 41' 08" DRAFT: 5'- 06" SAIL AREA: 871 SF. LWL: 34' 00" BALLAST: 9,200 LBS. WATER CAP. 140 GAL. BEAM: 12' 10" DISPL: 28,500 LBS. FUEL CAP: 100 GAL. EQUIPMENT: New 2017 80 H OPOOPO diesel, air/heat, new refrigeration, new microwave, new 11 gallon hot water heater, new faucets, propane stove, new class 1 EPIRB, life raft, new cockpit enclosure, all new cushions below, etc. ELECTRONICS: All new (2005) OPOOPO 602 VHF, all new OPOOPO GPS, Radar, Wind, Speed, Depth, hydrostatic release E-pirb, Inverter, KVH TV satellite receiver, Jensen 10 CD stereo with 6 speakers, etc. She is a center cockpit ketch with a new full enclosure. This beautiful sailboat has a solid teak interior, with exceptional joinery and is ideal for the weekend or the world. The great aft cabin has a queen-sized berth, 2 hanging lockers with lights and a mirrored dressing area. Two complete heads with showers are conveniently located fore and aft. The galley on port provides a well-ventilated efficient working space with 4 opening portlites and a fan. The roomy main saloon with its teak oval table and functional navigation area provides comfort and convenient living space. MAIN SALON: New (8/1/05) All new ultra suede cushions and backrests in main salon, all new berthing cushions New (2/1/06) Toshiba 23" flat panel TV with DV OPOOPO (6/1/07) KVH TV satellite receiver GALLEY: • New (05/2005) Refrigeration unit by OPOOPO w/ top and and front loading access, and new freezer, (2/1/06). • New (06/2017) Propane stove - new OPOOPO 4 Burner gas stove with oven • Hot and cold pressure water • New (10/2017), 11 gallon hot water heater • New (6/1/07) Sharp microwave oven • Double stainless steel sinks ELECTRONICS: • New (10/2005) 23" flat panel TV with built in DVD player • New (10/2005) Jensen MCDA1 AM/FM 10 disk Stereo system, 200 watt cockpit speakers, 2 new speakers in main salon, 2 new in aft stateroom. • Full chart table and swing out seat • New (05/2005) Icom IC-M602 VH OPOOPO - DSC • New (05/2005) OPOOPO Radar and suit of instruments: • OPOOPO depth, speed and distance log, radar, apparent wind • Autohelm 7000 autopilot ( OPOOPO OPOOPO EV-400 in box onboard, not installed ) • New (06/2017) Hailer, automatic fog horn New (10/2005) Wireless remote control spot light mounted on bow rail . Compass ELECTRICAL: • New (06/2017) All major wiring has been replaced. • New (06/2017 Xantax 150 amp automatic battery charger, 3000 watt inverter • 4 Way switching for shore/generator/inverter/off selector switch • New (06/2019) Batteries: (2) 8 D AGM house bank, 1 engine start, anchor windless batteries • New (06/2019) OPOOPO Cable • 12 OPOOPO fans • Full 12V DC and 120V AC electrical systems • New (05/2005) OPOOPO lightening disperser MECHANICAL: New (2017) 80 H OPOOPO diesel engine, with new OPOOPO and • Hurth transmission. 150 engine hours as of

OPO e-mail # 21-57 Boat owner OPOOPO has hired a delivery skipper to sail with him from Portland to Stamford departing August 22nd on his 2009 Tartan 3700 named “Ourtime”. He is looking for two more crew to join him. They plan a 2 day non-stop passage. You maybe should plan to arrive a day early. Since there will be four people onboard you probably do not have to do a silo watch, Don has owned this boat for 11 years and she is in good shape for the passage. He has done a lot of cruising with the boat and the delivery captain aboard is extra insurance of a good passage home. He heard about us through a friend. As usual the passage is free with all onboard boats expenses and food included, but you need to get to and from the bat. If interested please e-mail Don with your sailing resume to Donaldrsamuels@www.UUUUU.com

OPO e-mail # 21-83Sag Harbor to Philadelphia - Pro skipper and ex Swan owner OPOOPO is looking for one or two more crew to help deliver a Swan 46 named OPOOPO from Sag Harbor NY to Philadelphia. The owner, who is also an OPO member, may be aboard if the delivery can be over a 3-day weekend. In fact, if a weather window opens up next weekend, they may try to leave a week early. Ideally OPO crew has flexibility the next two weekends. You would plan to arrive at the boat on Friday afternoon or evening and depart Saturday am. They hope to arrive on Monday with an early Saturday departure either weekend. I drove out and met the owner of the boat and visited aboard. I have known the skipper for many years through the American Swan Association. Both nice people. The passage is free with all onboard expenses included, but you need to get to the boat and he will rent a car and drive back right after arriving in Philadelphia. If interested please send your sailing resume and contact info to him at XXXXX@XXXX

OPO e-mail # 21-84 OPO member and good guy OPOOPO is looking for crew to join him aboard his Passport 43 that he has been living aboard and cruising for most of the past two years between NY and the Bahamas. This year he plans to depart with the NARC Rally and start his winter Caribbean season based from St. Maarten. He plans to enjoy the full rally experience so will stay a week in Bermuda and then go to the final NARC Party Saturday Nov 20th. The boat is a very nice 2000 Passport 43. All new running and Standing rigging as of 2019. AIS, Radar, Iridium Go, EPIRB, liferaft, and a brand new watermaker. He sailed with me aboard Avocation south in 2019. He started his search for a boat to move aboard soon after. He is much closer to a millennial than baby boomer. In fact, he was the guy holding the Go-Pro in all the videos I did with Patrick Childress (Rest in Peace) except one. He is looking for crew with offshore experience since he knows the passage can be challenging having experienced a challenging passage in 2019. The passage is free but he asks that you pay the rally $100 pp rally fee and get to and from the boat. He will pay for onboard food, but you need your own money for meals and drinks ashore outside of the rally socials. In Bermuda offer to help pay for dockage in Bermuda since it is easier for all to be dockside rather than anchored out and sharing a dinghy. ($2 per foot per day split 3 ways) he and the boat are presently in Brooklyn NY. It would be a great idea to plan to connect and meet each other and see the boat if possible before committing to the passage. If interested please e-mail your sailing resume to XXXXX@XXXX and join our NARC Rally south.

OPO e-mail # 21-69 Noank CT to St. Maarten - Boat owners OPOOPO has a very nice Oyster 56 that he takes south each year. Last year during the pandemic he took the boat to Florida. This year he is returning to St. Maarten. I know him well and have moved his Swan 46 to the Caribbean in the past. He is not sailing aboard this year, but one of his regular crew with many miles and passages on this boat will be taking her south this year. He is looking for two to join the crew this year. He e-mails: We are looking for two crew persons to join us for a delivery passage from Noank, Connecticut, to Sint Maarten aboard Tango, a well-maintained 2007 Oyster 56. We would be departing around Sunday, October 31st, weather permitting. We plan to bypass Bermuda unless we need fuel. This is an unpaid crew position. You pay for your own transportation to and from the boat. We pay for all provisioning, fuel, and other expenses while underway. We are only looking for people with bluewater sailing experience. Also, you must be vaccinated. Please email OPOOPO at XXXXX@XXXX attaching your sailing resume.

OPO e-mail # 21-113 Morehead City, NC to Brunswick, GA - Pro skipper OPOOPO is looking for one crew to assist in delivering an Outbound 46 from OPOOPO NC to Brunswick, GA. The Outbound is a very seaworthy boat and he is top notch. The owners is going and he suggested taking a 3rd crew and he agreed. A good opportunity to see a quality boat in offshore conditions. Plan is to leave Monday Dec 6 or Tuesday Dec 7. This will be offshore and weather dependent with possible delays or shorter overnight legs southbound due to passing unfavorable weather systems, so likely anything from 3 to 5 days. As usual the passage is free with onboard expenses covered but you need to get to from the boat. Ask him how he is getting back home. Some experience and ability to stand watch preferred. If interested please send your resume to him at email XXXXX@XXXX .

OPO e-mail # 21-91 I have been speaking with boat owner OPOOPO for the past few weeks. He bought a Niagara 35 that he has launched and gotten ready to head south. I know most OPO members are not interested in sailing a smaller and older boat, but he is a sailing celebrity and has a lot of knowledge to pass on to interested crew who want to help with his first leg south and possibly longer. He sailed around the world in the BOC (single handed) about 20 years ago. Google him. I have spoken with him a few times and he is a very knowledgeable and nice guy. I know I could spend a lot of time just listening to his stories. He has been getting the boat ready the last couple of weeks and adds: We are launching next Tuesday or Wednesday Departing Wednesday or Thursday heading for cape May then up del bay to C and D. Can offer transport out of canal area and into sandy Hook as will have land support at both ends. Would like one or two crew. Watch most important. Possibility to stay abord for Chesapeake or more Departure weather dependent Thanks sorry it took so long. Had to replumb fresh water and discharge. Bottom is painted deck scrubbed and hull polished. Have inflatable life harnesses life raft offshore out of date. Zode. Radar wind vane steering autohelm "spot" eperb gps vhf marine and aviation handheld. Full instrumentation and chat plotter I am confident she is sea-worthy, but don’t expect perfection. If you want to help an old salt get started on his next adventure please e-you’re your sailing resume to him at XXXXX@XXXX The passage is free and he may be able to help get you back from the C and D canal.

OPO e-mail # 21-59 OPOOPO has a 1997 Malo 39 named “White Ibis” that he has owned for 9 months. But this is not his first boat as he had a Catalina 25, C and C 35: a racer-cruiser that served him well. He is looking for one or two crew to join him for his planned 20 day leisurely passage making the 650 miles in about 3 weeks. He is staying aboard the bat now and is happy to meet potential crew ahead of time and go for a sail on the bay. He adds: The boat is in good shape inside and out. The engine has many hours (5,000) but has been well maintained. Standing rigging was just serviced professionally. She is originally a masthead sloop. A removable masthead inner stay was added. She has a dodger and a full bimini enclosure, which I often fold because its frame obstructs full use of winches. 2 staterooms in cabin. Chartplotter in Nav station. I have done many solo and crewed offshore sails to/from OPOOPO to the OPOOPO and OPOOPO on my C and C 35 and friends’ boats. I have sailed solo from Deale, MD to Norfolk and back on this boat. I crewed for my friends on their catamaran from OPOOPO to Florida around Hatteras. The passage is free with all onboard food and boat expenses are included, but you need to get to and from the boat and have money for shore side stops. (It would be nice to pitch in for groceries split 2 or 3 ways.) Ideally he is looking for the same crew to make the entire passage, but you can save a week by joining in Norfolk. If interested please you’re your sailing resume and contact information to him at AESANDIEGO@www.UUUUU.com

OPO e-mail # 21-76 Pro skipper OPOOPO is looking for one more crew for this delivery of a new 2021 Leopard Cat going into the charter trade. All Leopard Cats Cats are available to be seen at this website https://www.UUUUU.com. He will pay for airfare and ground transfers. Lodging will be on the boat. Andrew has been a delivery skipper for 20 years and has 50,000 miles. I spoke with on the phone today. He lives in Brooklyn but moving out to Long Island soon because he was busy working boats on the south shore this past summer. He has done this before and the plan is to head east over the top of the Bahamas and then turn south to the BVI’s. Great opportunity for someone wanting to get into the trade and get Catamaran sea time. If interested in this free passage opportunity that includes transportation, please e-mail him at XXXXX@XXXX with your sailing resume and contact information.

OPO e-mail # 21-106 Boat owner is taking his 2007 Lagoon 440 catamaran, SV Moxie, from Annapolis, MD to Beaufort, NC this coming Thanksgiving weekend. The offshore passage will take approx. 5 days, with possible lay-up in Hampton, VA for weather window before going around Cape Hatteras. Captain has two years of blue water experience on this boat, Masters License (100 Ton) and lives-aboard with wife who has moderate sailing experience. Looking for one or two crew, or a couple, with some experience who can stand solo watch and share normal duties to join our passage south. Each crew gets their own cabin and will earn appropriate documented sea-time. As usual the passage is free with all onboard boat expenses and food included. Some travel expenses may be covered depending on crew. Arrive sometime on 11/24 in Annapolis, MD , Reach Beaufort, NC sometime on 11/28. Our Lagoon 440 is a safe and comfortable blue water boat. She is a well-equipped with all the comforts of home such as wireless internet, air conditioning, refrigeration, 110 power, microwave, propane stove, induction cook top, icemaker, hot and cold pressure water, three TVs, blue-tooth radio system, dishwasher, water heater, etc. This catamaran is the wide owners-version, 3 cabin, 3 head, teak wood, cushions, hard-top flying-bridge. Mascots include two small, well behaved boat-cats, Skittles and Scout. Full nav system includes radar, autopilot, AIS, VHF, GPS, Wind, Speed, Depth, two chart plotters, duel helm stations. Primary helm station on covered flying-bridge, plus foul weather helm station in main Saloon. Sails include fully battened Main, Genoa and Code-0 with all halyards and sheets managed from helm station which is equipped with two electric winches. Engines and systems all fully serviced and working. Full complement of safety equipment includes class 1 EPIRB, life Raft, Auto fire suppression system, MOB gear incorporates LifeSling and water extraction system. If interested, please e-mail him with your sailing resume and availability to XXXXX@XXXX .

OPO e-mail # 21-63 Boat owner OPOOPO has owned a 2014 Lagoon 39 named Cocozen for one year. OPOOPO last season he worked on her and cruised locally in Guadeloupe because of travel restrictions. This year he will complete an electronics upgrade in St. Maarten and then head south below the hurricane belt soon after. He plans to depart the middle of September for Grenada as long as they lift quarantine protocols as previously announced. If not it will be to Bequia. He is looking for one or two crew with flexibility and time. This is about a 450 miles passage and Ben estimates it will take about 8 days. Weather could delay things. Ben is still at home in Canada for a few more days. Interested crew can speak with him like I did this morning. During covid nothing is set in stone so you will want to speak with Ben before you decide to go and put off buying a plane ticket until Ben does. He is still waiting for things to fall into place the next few days. But he wishes to speak with potential crew while he is still home. As usual the passage is free with all onboard and boat expenses included but you need to get to and from the boat and have money for meals and drinks ashore. Needless to add you must be fully vaccinated and follow international travel rules to fly in and out of the Caribbean. Ben can help with information about travel. If interested in learning more please contact Ben at XXXXX@XXXX with your sailing resume. Then you can follow up with a phone call XXX-XXX-XXXX . We usually do not include a phone number but Ben said it was ok since this is short notice and he plans to fly to St. Maarten in a few days. . We know it does not get posted anywhere or shared with others.

OPO E-Mail # 21-105 This opportunity just came in from OPOOPO. I am sending it out just as he explained it. I am currently sitting Grenada and will leave Port Louis marina about Dec 5 give or take a few days. My plan for the year is to island hop all the way up see the islands ie exploring inland , doing some diving and a couple of boat repairs along the way. I do not schedule period. Did that 3x and 2 were a disaster and 1 was ok as it just cost me a couple of days on my Russian visa ( you have to give the Russians a date of entry when you apply for a visa and i applied in April for a July visa date- almost made it except weather had me sitting for 2 days in Georgia past the visa entry date) – Given that my plan is Carriacou, Grenadines, Bequia, an overnight stay in St Lucia or an overnight sail to Martinique where I will get a new traveler installed and maybe a hold tank, Dominica, Guadeloupe and the Saintes, Antigua, Nevis, St Kitts, St Barts, St Martins, BVIs, USVIs, St Thomas, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Cayman Islands, and then the biggy maybe the southside of Cuba before heading to my next hurricane season which will be either Grenada and that will probably be a direct sail or Panama again a direct sail or the USA and again a direct sail. I don’t need an experienced crew as I have done most of these much earlier – 2012-2013, but this time see the islands a but more and diving. This would be best for people who want to experience the cruising life style just a bit and learn just a bit. Crew can come and go from various places as this will be a 5+month trip and no one really has that much time off unless like me they are retired and want to see the islands. My name is OPOOPO . My sailing experience? Well I think this is year 15 underway. I have done the east coast of the US from Miami to Mass and Maine and Chesapeake Bay, most of the Bahamas twice, Miami to Mexico and sailed down the coast to Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Colombia to Jamaica then island hopped to Trinidad, island hopped quickly back to Antigua, then a 2 handed crossing to Azores to Portugal and 6 summers in the Med and one summer circum nav of the Black Sea with wintering over in Tunisia 2times, Turkey 3 times and Israel once. Visited every country in the Med except those that shoot at you. Back across the Atlantic, 2 handed crossing, from Cape Verde Islands to St Lucia and down to Grenada for the past 18 months due to virus and hurricane season. My boat is a Jeanneau DS40, the only boat I have ever owned, that I bought new in 2003. I just replaced all the rigging, new chartplotter, new radar, new solar, new batteries, a new variable pitch prop this year along with minor upgrades along the way this past 2 years. I DO NOT RACE nor do I care to and I do not stress the boat to see if I can get the extra .2 knots. She is a shoal draft boat so she does not heel a lot and at 10-12% heel I reef to keep her from slipping sideways. She can be a fast boat as in the sail from Cape Verde across I had ¾ genny out on a whisker and never moved it in 2 weeks and was doing 150 to 170nm a day and no main. I am also a weather geek and do not go out when I deem the weather unfeasible. As an old mountaineer and rock climber I do not take unnecessary chances. The reason I am single handing after all these years is my former partner became a huge safety risk and I spent as much time worrying about what she was going to do next as watching what was going on with the boat along and she became a huge liability. I am not sure if your site is the one for me but if people want to experience the cruising lifestyle for a couple of weeks I welcome them on board. I am not a Capt Bligh and want those on board to work as a team and arrive at a consensus on what to do and if no consensus than I will make the decision. They can come and go anywhere along the island chain. Couples would work great as they can see if they can work together or single person. Expenses such as fuel, food would be shared and dockage only if they want to go to a dock. It would be a good way for the “Jimmy Buffet loving fans” to really experience the cruising life before plunging into the life and getting shall we say disappointed. You have no idea how many folks we have seen take the leap and soon quit as it was not what they thought it would be or did not understand that not everyday is sunshine, blue skies, sandy beaches, and rum punch. This is a nice way to see it for real before taking the leap. By the way I have I have written many articles for Lats and Atts magazine and have one on Barcelona coming out in the next edition and will be working on one about the Canary Islands soon. Interested crew can e-mail him at XXXXX@XXXXXX

OPO e-mail # 21-100 Yacht Broker OPOOPO from Bluenose Yachts in Newport had a crew cancel on his client so he is looking for one more. The owner and two crew are lined up so you will be the 4th crew. The owner will pay your travel back from the boat. (He is assuming crew will be local or within a short drive, but if you want to get yourself to the boat you have paid ticket home. The boat is a very well equipped Jeanneau 509 named OPOOPO. The passage will take about 5 days. If interested please contact him at XXX-XXX-XXXX and e-mail your sailing resume to him at XXXXX@XXXX

OPO e-mail # 21-92 Boat owner OPOOPO has a very nice 2009 Hylas 46 named OPOOPO is looking for one crew or a couple to make this passage south. He is in no hurry and last year, coming north, spent time both sailing offshore and on the Intracoastal waterway. He is very experienced as he had Bristol 41.1 for 8 years - sailed off shore OPOOPO 8 years OPOOPO for 21 years. He is more interested in people who are pleasant and willing to learn. As he puts is Bold and willing to learn or experienced. I spoke with him on the phone this evening and he sounds like a very nice man. The passage is free and since the boat has 2 staterooms, 2 bunks with lea cloths, two heads with showers boat is designed for offshore sailing, you will have your own cabin. He will cover all boat expenses and onboard food and although he says you should have money for drinks and meals ashore, He is happy to have nice company and is not worried too much. If interested please e-mail him with your sailing resume and contact information to XXXXX@XXXX

OPO e-mail # 21-89 OPOOPO OPOOPO has a beautiful Hinckley Bermuda 40 named “Gitana” that he takes up to the Hinckley yard for inside storage for the winter. He called this morning as weather window looks good for a Sunday to Monday 2-day long weekend passage. He is looking for one or two crew for a total of three. The plan is to leave Sunday and do an overnight and be in Middletown, just north of Newport, the next morning. Meet him at the Seawanhaka Yacht  Club by car Sunday and he will get you back to your car on Monday late afternoon or early evening. I have actually known his father for many years since I used to work on his boat. Very nice man. He is happy to offer the opportunity for one or two crew to join him for sail to Newport (winds are supposes to be 8 to 12 knots out of the west). The passage is free but you need to get to the club. If interested please e-mail him at XXXXX@XXXX

OPO e-mail # 21-107 Boat owner and very experienced skipper OPOOPO has done our NARC Rally many times, including 2021. He has gotten crew from us before and in fact had three repeat OPO members sail to SXM with us this year. He e-mails: This trip to the San Blass Islands departs about February 1. He is looking for 1 or 2 experience sailors that wish to join him for this 900 mile mostly downwind sail that will take about 6 days to cover the 900 miles. Add a couple of days at the other end and a day or two to arrive and get ready you are looking at about a 10 day time commitment. The San Blass are governed by the Kuna Indians. They run the Island. There is no ATMs, fresh water or fuel on the Island. You can rent a hammock or a hut from the Kuna or there are several lodges starting a $100 per night. The islands are considered the most unspoiled cruising grounds in the world. A once in a lifetime experience. From The San Blass there are several flights a week to Panama City where you can fly to anywhere in the world. The sailing vessel OPOOPO is a 48 foot sailing yawl built by Hinckley in 1973. Michael Labadie has owned her since 1999. He has sailed more than 100,000 miles aboard her including trips to Europe, Africa, Asia and South America. She is set up for offshore sailing and has been kept up to date in every regard. On the boat they run a four-man crew and employ a three hour on nine hours off watch system. Once in San Blass you will have two additional days on the boat. The passage is free with boat expenses included, but you need to get to and from the boat. In his words: Crew just have to get to and from the boat. I pay for all expenses including meals on and off the boat while the crew are with me. The crew shall have two additional days on the boat. Once we arrive at the San Blass, then they need to fend for themselves. I will make my iridium texting available to the crew once we are at the San Blass to help them make plans. If interested please e-mail your resume to XXXXX@XXXX

OPO e-mail # 21-74 This just in from Captain OPOOPO . He gets crew from us often as he is a very busy skipper who I have known since 1992. Very nice guy and great sailor with a circumnavigation. He is looking for only one crew as he has another repeat crew with him. He e-mails: I have moved this Hinckley 42' ketch from Stonington CT to BVI numerous times through the past years. The boat did not move last year because of Covid. She was in controlled storage. The weather in CT at that time (November 21) could be snow, sleet and cold and such, so crew must be hardy with appropriate offshore gear. And obviously must possess a valid passport with 6 months at least to expiration. The boat is very well equipped, maintained and geared up. I have been through a couple Tropical Depressions with her and found her to be easy, seaworthy and sea kindly. That said, personal agility and ease of mobility is important on small monohulls. I would like one crew who knows sailing, can stand sailing watch alone, is aware and helpful. Crew must be verifiably Covid vaccinated, willing to be tested as required and willing to roll with the protocols as we find them on the trip to Virgin Gorda. A stop in Bermuda is possible, but most likely we will sail through non-stop, ten days. The seasonal slip reservation in VG begins December 1, so I have pencilled in departure from Stonington CT November 21, 2021. I am planning this crew assignment early because Covid remains a wildcard and there will be on-line registrations and pre-clearance necessary to complete in order to enter BVI. Expenses on board are covered, including Covid protocol costs. Crew will pay for their own flights to and from the boat, but I will cover ferry costs as needed (say, VG to Tortola to STT). I will fly to Providence airport (PVD) and rent a car to get to Stonington and for provisioning. Interested crew (I only seek one) should email me a brief sailing resume showing their experience and skills. XXXXX@XXXX

OPO e-mail # 21-82 Boat owner and skipper OPOOPO owns a very nice Dynamique 62 named Anahita. We sent out a crew request for him last year when he had plans to go Trans-Atlantic from the Caribbean, but the pandemic cancelled those plans. He is looking for one more crew for his planed non-stop passage from Newport to St. Thomas. he already has one confirmed crew member. And he and his wife make three so there will be a total of 4 crew. They have sailed together over ten years including a number of ocean crossings. He has owned Anahita since 2004 and has made 6 Trans-Atlantics with this boat. She has been very well maintained. He plans to depart if the weather looks good Sunday Oct 31st, so you will need to arrive a day or two before. The boat is a fast boat so the passage may take as little as 9 days, but have extra time built in for a weather delay and travel time. He asks for crew with “with blue water sailing experience, and immunity to sea sickness.” The passage is free with all onboard expenses included, but you need to get to and from the boat. If interested please e-mail your sailing resume to him at XXXXX@XXXX He also has a web site at www.UUUUU.com

OPO e-mail # 21-78 Hampton Virginia to Charleston SC - We met up again with long time SSCA member OPOOPO at the SSCA Gam near Annapolis this weekend. In fact, I am still here. He has a very nice a CT49, a 49’ Kaufman and Ladd designed boat named Scintilla that looks very much like a Swan. Since leaving Seattle in 2012 they have over 35K ocean miles on the boat Including many ocean passages. They have been from Alaska to Australia and Cuba to Maine. Before this boat he has owned an Ericson 39 for 16 years, Columbia 30 for 13 years, Islander 34 for 6 The boat is fully found for ocean cruising and has the necessary safety gear for offshore passage, including 2 epirbs and 2 life rafts. She has modern electronics, navigation and communication gear. She is continuously maintained as we live aboard and sail her full time. Right now the boat will be double handed by knowledge owners and the owner’s brother may be joining for part of the passage as well. All have thousands of ocean miles. But one the 4th crew just backed out so they are looking for another semi experienced crew, and pleasant person to join them so they can sail with a total of 4 crew. He is a very nice guy who we see at the SSCA Gams. He adds: I know this is short notice but if anyone is interested we would be happy to chat with them We are looking for one or two crew. Passage will be from Hampton VA on or about 9/29. Passage to at least Charleston with an option to get out at Savannah, St Augustine, or Port Canaveral. As usual the passage is free with all onboard expenses are included, but you need to get to and from the boat and have money for any stops along the way for meals and drinks. If interested, please sed your sailing resume to him at XXXXX@XXXX

OPO e-mail # 21-85 Just got his e-mail this morning from an old friend and long-time Pro delivery skipper OPOOPO He e-mails: Hey Hankthis is short notice, I am doing a delivery from Tortola to Placencia, Belize, and my crew just pulled out for medical reasons, leaving Tortola about the 8th Oct. New catamaran off the ship, downwind run. John is a very nice and easy going guy who we first got crew for over 20 years ago. He is a partner in OPOOPO Company that moves a lot of boats. www.UUUUU.com He is an Aussie, but lives on his boat in St. Maarten and has been there for many years. He has done work on Avocation for us. He is a very talented electrician and is pretty mechanical and can fix most things. But this is a new boat. And going down wind. The passage is free. He can tell you about getting to SXM and then home. If interested please e-mail XXXXX@XXXX

OPO e-mail # 21-109 Boat owner and skipper OPOOPO has just purchased a like new Seawind 1260 - 41’ catamaran that is currently in Puerto Vallarta. He just flew back and the Surveyor rated the boat at Excellent. It’s well equipped with safety gear including EPIRB, 6 person life raft, type 1 jackets, plus inflatable harness jackets, MOB equipment, AIS, VHF, and Iridium GO communications. It also has a water maker, AC, 1000W solar, tender w/15hp, and sails in very good condition including main, jib, screecher (aka code zero), and asymmetrical spinnaker. I spoke with him a couple of weeks ago before he flew down for the survey which is why we have the delay in the numerical sequence of the # “crew request”. Now that he is back and the boat surveyed well he is starting his early search to secure crew for this leisurely passage from the West Coast to the East Coast through the Panama Canal. He does have a couple who plan to join him after he gets to the Caribbean side of the Canal for the 2nd half of the passage to Florida Keys. He is looking for three crew for the first leg. He e-mails: I'd like to get 3 people, a couple and a single would be great. Ideally, either the couple or the single would disembark in Panama. I have a couple friend that wants to join there. From a crew perspective, he says, “I would love to get a commitment for the Puerto Vallarta - Panama exit (6 weeks +- 2 weeks) for 3 people, and either the single or couple for the full trip. Panama to Cancun/Cozumel (3-4 weeks) Cozumel to Miami (2-3 weeks) Of course I’m open to the same crew for the duration if they are available and committed”. I suggested to him  that he try and get crew for the duration of the passage and not try and make a schedule to meet people along the easy. This is in everyone’s best interest. But it makes it that much more important to pick the right crew for the long passage. He is looking for 3 people for the first 4 to 6 weeks from Puerto Vallarta to the Caribbean side of the Panama Canal. (Three people, or a couple and one other person. If plans for his two friends to join him in Panama fall through then he might be looking for crew for the entire passage.) He looking to board the boat in Puerto Vallarta the first of February. He will take a few days to shake things out locally and get provisioned before starting the journey down to Panama. Planning to stop 2-3 times along Mexico coast with check-out in Puerto Escondido, then head offshore to stay wide of El Salvador and Nicaragua, then into Costa Rica, and then Panama. He expects that initial journey to take 4 weeks with rest/shore days factored in multiple places. There will be multiple legs that are 2-3 days, with the passage between Puerto Escondido MX and Marina Papagayo Costa Rica taking 6-7 days. Then a couple more 2-3 day legs down to Panama City. Once through the Panama Canal (1-2 weeks after arrival depending on scheduling), and a couple days around Colon, he will head North to the Caymans when you have the right available weather pattern, again staying well (200+ miles) offshore the corner of Honduras and Nicaragua. From Caymans you will go over to Cancun or Cozumel, before turning NE around Cuba and into the FL Keys. His experience - He started sailing sunfish at age 6, and Hobie Cat’s at 8. Through the Boy Scouts he learned to sail larger boats on Lake Michigan, and twice traveled to the Boy Scout Sea Base in the Keys to sail on Hunter 25’s for a week at a time. In high school and after he made friends with boat owners and crewed on Lake Michigan on a variety of monohulls before eventually entering a lease-share program in Chicago and sailing Beneteau 37 and 40 for multiple seasons. In 2014 he moved to Florida to extend his boating season and purchased a Maine Cat 30. Used it in the Abaco’s, the FL coast (east and west), and raced in local club races for 5 years. He has also bare-boat chartered in the BVI on a Beneteau 50, and the Abaco’s on a Maine Cat 38 and delivered a Maxim 38 from St Augustine FL round the Keys and up the Gulf 50 miles north of the Tampa Bay. He admits he does not have much “off-shore” experience, but has planned, provisioned, and navigated multi-week trips coastal with 3-4 day passages included. He holds a current USCG OUPV license, and is a retired volunteer firefighter and EMT of 17 years of service. He spent his professional career at one software company for 34 years where he started doing board level circuit repair and retired as a member of the executive team where he led their Cloud division. He has an engineering mindset when it comes to planning, but doesn’t get paralyzed in decision making. He is safety oriented. He expects crew to be kind to each other, help out and share experiences where relevant, but respect each other’s boundaries. There is no smoking on board, and he doesn’t permit drinking while underway. As usual he is planning on covering all boat related expenses including normal provisioning as well as any customs fees for crew members on board when we check in and out of countries. Also as usual you need to get to and from the boat and have money for shoreside meals and activities. If interested please e-mail your sailing resume and contact information to him at XXXXX@XXXX

OPO e-mail # 21-66 Boat owner and past OPO member OPOOPO has signed up for the NARC Rally with his very seaworthy Caliber 40 LRC named Tempest. He has one crew signed up but is looking for one or maybe two more experience crew depending on responses from members. Bob explains it well in an e-mail since he is a past member and has done the passage as crew and knows how OPO works. “Equipped with new GPS, Radar, Ais Epirb, and all safety equipment. Boat is made for long range cruising and sails very well, fuel capacity 212 gal, 175 gal water. Good refrigeration for good meals, I am a past OPO member have crewed from St Martin to Newport, and up the eastern coast from NC to NJ. Sailed my Caliber this past winter to Florida then to Bahamas. Back to the States up the coast to Salem for the Summer. Looking for 1 or 2 crew for the Narc Rally passage From Newport to Bermuda to St Martin. Crew can arrive in New Port early and are welcome to stay in St Martin for a few days if they wish.” The passage is free with all onboard expenses included but you need to get to and from the boat and have money for shoreside activities outside the rally. If interested please e-mail him with your sailing resume at XXXXX@XXXX

OPO e-mail # 22-02 Pro skipper OPOOPO has a late season delivery of a 1985 Benneteau First 42 named OPOOPO. He knows it will be a cold one. He has one experienced crew lined up but the 2nd crew could not get time off from work. So he is looking for at least one more crew, but is happy to take a 4th of they wish to join them. He has checked out the boat and the owners has been cooperative getting her ready. He e-mails, “Boat is in good condition. Full safety gear package including new 6-person life raft, Epirb, jacklines and throwables. New autopilot and DSC VHF.” He plans to wait for a weather window to go around Cape Hatteras as the boat draws almost 7 feet. He expects the trip to take up to 17 days to get around Florida and up to Panama City. Best not to be in a rush. He has gotten crew from us before and I just got off the phone with him. He was very pleased with our crew in the past. The passage is free with all onboard expenses included, but you need to get to and from the boat. If interested please e-mail your sailing resume to him at XXXXX@XXXX

OPO e-mail # 21-73 Pro skipper and good friend OPOOPO is delivering a brand New Beneteau 46 from Willis Marine Center to the show and then back after the show. The passage takes two days non stop but allow time for a weather delay and travel time to and from the boat. Leg # 2) The return passage is after the show, Monday Oct 18th For the leg down he has another good friend of ours who is also a very nice guy. Together I have known them for 75 years. He just needs one crew more crew, but if you can convince him you know how to be neat and keep a brand new boat clean going to the show (You will only use one head on the boat and not use the stove much at all) then he might take two people. All together there is room for three or four OPO members to check out this new boat. He will try and coordinate renting a car to get to and from the boat between NY and Annapolis. The passage is free and the dealer pays for the car rental. If interested please send your sailing resume to XXXXX@XXXX

OPO e-mail # 21-77East End of North fork of Long Island to Upper Chesapeake Bay - OPOOPO bought a 1984 Belliure 41 Named Musetta. He just had her surveyed and splashed and is looking for one or two crew to make the passage back home. He has owned other boats in the past and I just got off the phone with him so I know he is not just looking for a free c-skipper. He has lots of miles and you will learn as well have some good time on the water. The boat is at Brick Cove Marina and his destination is Old Bay Marina Chesapeake Bay. He will plan the route once he knows what crew he will have. He is ready to go solo and take up to 8 days, but with one or two crew he can make it in less. The plan might be to go through NY city and down the Jersey Coast, but with crew he may go around Montauk and to the mouth of the Delaware Bay so the passage would take less time. The passage is free and as usual you need to get to and from the boat. He can tell you how he got to the boat and will answer questions about possible transportation and logistics to the boat and back home. If interested please e-mail your sailing resume to him at XXXXX@YYYYY. He adds: She is well equipped. Double head sail sloop with quite new sails, standing and running rigging (within past 5 years). Almost new Yanmar engine (800 hours). Radar, AIS, plotter, forward looking sonar, depth gage (independent of sonar), Wind gage, SSB, VHF, electric winch, new Spade anchor and all chain rode (200 feet), Fortress with 5o feet of chain and 200 feet of rode. Old back-up CQR. Safety equipment. I do not yet have a life raft, but I'm not planning to go off-shore. I'm planning to run down Long Island Sound, through New York and then down to the C and D canal. There is a the off-shore portion of New Jersey coast. He has owned other boats in the past. A Bristol 35.5, Cherubini Hunter 30, Prairie 32, Lancer 28, MacGregor 26(?) (old original water ballast model), Windrider 17, Sirocco 31 (https://www.UUUUU.com) (That's a European boat not well known here in the US) - lots of sailboats. I've been sailing for over 50 years.

OPO e-mail # 21-65 Boat owner OPOOPO has a 2009 Chris White designed Atlantic 57 Catamaran named Boundless. OPOOPO has over 100K miles with 11K on this boat. He has gotten crew from us before and it worked out well. He is looking for to sail with a total 4 crew so you will have to be able to stand a solo watch. He explains: “Boundless is a high-performance 57' catamaran designed by Chris White and built by Alwoplast in 2009 as the 7th of 11 boats built to this design. We have owned her since December 2018, and have sailed her over 11,000 miles since then including a circumnavigation of Newfoundland and a round trip from the US to the Caribbean. Boundless is very well equipped with gear for comfort, convenience, and safety, and we maintain her to a very high standard. In the last year we have given her three new sails, a complete new navigation electronics suite and autopilot, a new dinghy/outboard, and a new liferaft, among many other smaller updates. We carry two satellite communication systems to be sure of always getting weather forecasts. You can learn a lot about us and the boat by looking at our website - https://www.UUUUU.com Crew must be fully Covid 19 vaccinated with proof - Grenada is not admitting unvaccinated travelers!! Crew must be fit and agile - Boundless is not a push-button boat, and takes some skill and strength to sail. Please know yourself - if you easily become seasick, this is not the trip for you. Crew should have at least one previous open ocean multi-day trip and be able to steer a compass course” The passage is free with all onboard expenses included, but as usual you need to get to and from the boat and have money for shore side meals and drinks. If interested please send your sailing resume to XXXXX@XXXX

OPO e-mail # 21-87 Boat owner and very experienced sailor OPOOPO is looking for one more crew for his annual passage south from NY to SXM. He has a very well equipped and maintained Amel 53 named Kimberlite that he has owned since new. He makes the passage back and forth each year and most of his crew are OPO member and repeat OPO crew. He runs a tight ship and the crew eat well. He is very safety conscious. I have known him for many years which is why I know the boat is in great shape. He likes to make the passage directly from Huntington to SXM and only stop in Bermuda if there is a good reason to stop. He would like all the crew aboard on November 12th and plans to depart on the Nov 13th or as soon as the weather window opens up. The passage is about 1600 miles and will take about 10 to 11 days, but allow time for a possible weather delay or stop in Bermuda. I should still be in SXM when you arrive. The passage is free with all onboard expenses included, but you need to get to and from the boat and have money for any meals and drinks ashore. If interested please e-mail him your sailing resume to XXXXX@XXXX