Message Board: Sailing Opportunities

OPO e-mail # 21-04 3 week cruise and back. Boat owner and skipper OPOOPO has a very nice 2004 Trintella 55 named Paradigm that he has owned for 6 years. He explains his plans very well. I will let him explain in his own words what he is looking to do in May and June. Plans for later in the summer will come together as the season progresses and he has the option of reaching out to us again or choose past OPO members he has met and ask them to join him again. For this first 3 week passage cruising the Chesapeake Bay he is looking for two crew or an experienced enthusiastic couple (don’t talk your wife into joining you if she is not a sailor and wants to pitch in and be a full participating crew) to enjoy 3 weeks of day sails exploring the Chesapeake Bay. He adds in his own words to my request for more specifics: Okay let’s get specific good idea. How about Saturday, May 1st leaving Gibson Island (GI) retuning Sunday, May 23rd to GI. Sailing will be in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Looking for two crew a couple works. There is an opportunity to stay on Paradigm for some June sailing. I need to be in Ohio Memorial Day weekend and at the GI Commodore’s Review Saturday, June 5th, since I am on the GIYS board. June 6th to June 24th is also a possible sail. Destination undetermined however Paradigm needs to be back at GI June 24th for a weekend teen overnight sail. Later summer cruise north is a possibility. Crews with more experience is always a plus. Cooking skills are helpful however I can be a very simple eater. Basic marine mechanical skills are a plus however Paradigm is in excellent condition so this should be only things like a strainer sucking something in while we are out. Paradigm is fully maintained by the Gibson Island Boat Works and they are on call if needed 24/7. The most on board would be six. Likely four. I will pay all expenses on the boat including fuel, food and beverages. Some dinning ashore which could be split however that is limited currently. I will have had the vaccine so my world is opening up. We will sail when the weather is good for sailing. We will not be on any schedule. This worked very well last fall. Remote working to some degree by the crew can work. The Bay has cell coverage. He has over 10,000 miles offshore including trips on Skip Novak’s Pelagic Australis in the southern Ocean. He has been sailing since college competitive sailing. Owned and raced many boats, owned, chartered and crewed open ocean on sailboats up to 74 feet. Completed RYA Offshore Yachtmaster ocean miles and written. He adds: “The Trintella is a Ron Holland design one off 55 foot monohull sailing yacht built in England. And then sailed across the Atlantic to be featured during the US Sailboat Show in Annapolis. Feature article in Cruising World. A complete refit was finished fall 2019 including new sails, new standing and running rigging, most equipment new including B and G navigational electronics, radar and KVH Satcom. Equipment not replaced was serviced. Added a Bauer dive compressor and scuba tanks. Paradigm is very easy to sail with power winches, twin headsails (a self-tacker and a code zero) both with Harken power furlers and a LeisureFurl power main furler making her very easy to sail.” The trip is free with all onboard expenses included, but you need to get to and from the boat. While eating ashore often may by limited because of Covid restrictions, you are responsible for paying for meals ashore. Plan to be chip in and help keep the boat tidy and share in the meal planning and preparation. If interested please e-mail him with your sailing resume and contact information OPOOPO @www.UUUUU.com .

OPO E-Mail # 21-44 OPOOPO is seeking crew with some experience to sail with him aboard his 41 foot Formosa named Sweet Harmony. He would like crew to arrive August 7 for and August 8 departure. He plans to leave Nova Scotia around August 24th. Departure point is East Hampton is Maidstone Harbor and crew should plan on 7 days for each leg. He writes: The boat is a 41' Taiwan Ketch with a new engine and a complete refit three years ago including a new deck. I have sailed it back and forth to Bermuda three times, Nova Scotia twice, and spent two years aboard crossing the Atlantic, cruising the Med and returning in the ARC spending a winter cruising the Caribbean. I am leaving East Hampton around August 8 for and returning to East Hampton around August 24 and plan to have three or four crew.. I will sail offshore and make stops along the way. The boat is fully equipped with an SSB, 3 VHF's, Radar, 3 GPS's, EPIRB and hard sturdy dinghy. All onboard expenses are included but the crew has to get to either East Hampton or Nova Scotia depending on which leg they want to sail. If possible I would like to meet the crew ahead of time and possibly do a sail. Interested crew can contact XXXXX@XXXX

OPO e-mail # 21-20 Pro OPO skipper OPOOPO got a call today to go fetch a Swan 43 for a family whose owner tragically and suddenly passed away. He is looking for two crew for a total of three people, so you have to be able to stand a solo watch. He  will drive from Newport RI and can pick people up anywhere along the way if you can meet him near I-95 or the Garden State Parkway. The passage will take about two days, is free and he is a great guy. Food and all boat expenses included. If interested please e-mail him at XXXXX@XXXX

OPO e-mail # 21-11 Start in the Med and then … - OPO is not a dating sight nor often do we put out a crew request looking for a long term sailing arrangement. We do know we have introduced many people to each other who have become friends through sailing because of OPO. I know of at least two cases of people getting married. It is in that spirit that I am sending this “crew request” to OPO members knowing that most of you are not qualified. Even the skipper of the boat knows it is a long shot, but you never know what can happen unless you out it out there. The owner of this boat, found us through our Scuttlebutt advertisement. If interested please e-mail him at XXXX@YYYY.com with your sailing resume. Hank

CREW REQUEST: (In his own words) “i want to go saling mixed gender double handed on the races like aegean 600 middle sea race rorc transatlantic, and others to be suggested... thats this year, and if the two of us gradually like each others company/become friends, and define common goals, i want to circumnavigate the globe in two to three years, doing regattas such as the sidney hobart and the transpacific race and cruise remote exotic destinations in between this is not a payed position, we will share costs related to our trip, i will continue to take care of the boat the rig sails electronics etc. i am not counting on help with my boat the program is gradual, first we chat online, than meet in person, than we go sailing than we do the aegean starting july 4th this year, than maybe the giraglia or the barcollana then cruise around the med, get to know malta... than do the middle sea race october 23rd... return to lisbon... than sail to the canaries and do the rorc trans-atlantic in the end of november... than early next year sail south and go from the caribean around capetown into the indic/southern ocean to australia/new zealand... do the hobart race. cruise the pacific and the followinmg year do the transpacific regatta ... than cruise from hawaii to the eastern south pacific to round the horn sometime early 2023 to arrive in the uk early spring, in time to rest and prepare for the north atlantic regattas, AZAB, RBI, fastnet etc the boat is a tried and tested OSTAR veteran (3rd/2009), first generation class 40, cedar strip/epoxy composite racing sloop, a carbon spar, and appropriately equiped. it has been sitting on the dry for the last almost ten years, so i have just finnished a thorough in depth re-fit, changed tons of equipment and has only been lightly used, with very little miles but is ready to go... im only missing a female co skipper my age or a little younger (30-50), to hop onboard im a veteran dinghy sailor with two pre olympic campaings in the star class under my belt (1992/1996). i have c. www.UUUUU.com nm done in the north atlantic/med. im an attractive, easy going, gentleman! and an experienced serene sailor searching for kind hearted experienced female match (preferably ex dinghy sailor too, as my boat behaves like a large dinghy on steroids... and helming mistakes cost dearly...) that wants to race offshore sometimes, and see the exotic/remote world, (off the beaten track), for the rest of the time our trip takes to reach full fruition. sharing adds spice to life! so, many thanks! i dont create expectations but im looking forward to seeing the outcome of this OPO at this point a female co skipper is the only remaining `part`of the process i have NOT YET sorted out as soon as i do, we will be set to go sailing asap! kind regards OPOOPO ps with all the crazyness going on at present with covid, i would be lead to assume that any smart middle aged lady will also want to escape the covid madness and go around the globe on a safe fast very strong boat with an experienced sailor/civilized middle aged gentleman”

OPO e-mail # 21-16 Boat owner and skipper OPOOPO has a well-equipped offshore 1982 Pan Oceanic 46 named “Interlude of Hamble.” He has owned her for 10 years. He is looking for one more crew for a total of 4 on board for this 1000 mile mostly downwind passage from English Harbor Antigua to Ft. Lauderdale Florida. Martin has over 5000 offshore miles on the boat. He adds that the boat has ” LIFERAFT NEW ,EPIRB SAT PHONE GPS ALL NEW RUNNIG RIG NEW ENGINE”. She is a Blue water Cutter with all required safety gear cutter rigged solid and sea worthy”. Potential crew must have some offshore experience and be able to stand a solo watch. The passage is free with all onboard expenses included, but you have to get to and from the boat and have money for shore side meals and drinks. If interested please e-mail your sailing resume to him at XXXXX@XXXX

OPO e-mail # 21-12 Pro skipper OPOOPO just got confirmation on this short notice delivery today. OPOOPO is flying to the boat on April 2nd for planned departure April 3rd. The boat is an Oyster 53. The boat is reported to be in very good condition. OPOOPO is looking for one or two more crew as he has a mate lined up. The trip should take about 7 or 8 days but allow 9 or 10 just in case of any delays. OPOOPO is one of my Tier One Pro Swan skippers and a very nice guy to sail with. The passage is free with all onboard expenses included, but you need to get o and from the boat and have money for shore side meals and drinks. If interested please e-mail OPOOPO with you sailing resume to XXXXX@XXXX

OPO E-Mail # 21-45 This opportunity just came in from Pro Skipper Capt. OPOOPO who writes: I have an OutreMer 45 catamaran going to Annapolis. This is the same boat I delivered from France earlier this year, so she is seaworthy and comfortable. The trip should be 5-6 days nonstop. Crew must get herself to and from the boat, but expenses on board are covered. They should fly into FLL Airport. Crew must know how to sail, be able to stand night watch alone, be enthusiastic, a team player and helpful. OPOOPO email: XXXXX@XXXX

OPO e-mail # 21-14 Very experienced boat owner OPOOPO has a very nice well known branded 1995 Nordhavn 68 named BONNE VIE (this is a Trawler power boat, ) that he is moving north. He has owned the boat for 17 years, has over 90,000 miles on her and has a 100 Master license .He has gotten crew from us before and it worked out well. He and his wife (and pet) are looking for two or even three OPO crew to help make their annual passage north to Safe Harbor Marina in Falmouth MA. It is an 800 miles passage but he plans to wait on a good weather window or maybe travel inside if need be so as he says “the passage can could be as short as 4 days and as long (weather etc.) a 14 days”. He is looking for a pleasant crew or even a couple who can handle dock lines and help make the passage an enjoyable trip. He says he is not worried about experience and can train crew. Pictures of the boat are on his face book page which he can direct you to. For the right crew and good job he is happy to help with travel back home at the end of the passage. Of course all onboard food and boat expenses are included. If interested please send your sailing resume to him at XXXXX@XXXX

OPO e-mail # 21-22 Boat owner and skipper OPOOPO is looking for one more crew to complete his crew of five in total for this 2100 mile passage on a Little Harbor 52 named “High Cotton”. Crew must have offshore experience and be a team player. He  e-mails: “This vessel is in superb bluewater condition. I bought her in 2016 and have had a professional caretaker and Little Harbor expert of 30+ years overseeing her upgrades and maintenance from the start. We were ready to do the Atlantic Circle last year but have postponed to 2021/22 due to Covid. I can send any information via email attachment to any interested and reasonably qualified crew. Looking to fill a 5th berth on the first passage to the Azores.” The other crew are: “Three crew committed: my 23 year old nephew and a 45 year old former crewmate of my nephew on an offshore passage winter of 2020 from Tortola to Grenada. The third is a highly experienced bluewater sailor-70 years of age, a recently retired physician and in excellent health.” The Passage is free with all onboard expenses included, but you need to get to and from the boat and have money for any shore side meals and drinks. If interested please e-mail him your sailing resume to XXXXX@XXXX Picture at: https://www.UUUUU.com

OPO e-mail # 21-30 OPO member and boat owner OPOOPO is looking for one experienced crew to help sail the 1200 miles offshore from USVI to Charleston SC. He is sailing with his wife and another couple. He has a few offshore passages under his belt, but none as captain. He bought a 2020 Lagoon 45 and has been using her in the Caribbean part of this past winter. The other male crew aboard has some sailing experience and is mechanically inclined. But they would like one more crew who has some offshore miles. Since it is short notice he will pay your travel expenses to and from the boat and of course cover all boat expenses. I have sailed with him and he is a very nice guy and I would sail with him any day. If interested please e-mail him at XXXXX@XXXX with your sailing resume.

OPO E-Mail # 21-27 OPOOPO is asking for one crew to join him aboard his Lagoon 420 on a trip from Ft. Pierce, Florida to Albany, NY. The crew should have some offshore experience and be able to stand a solo watch. Crew should arrive at Causeway Cove Marina in Ft. Pierce on May 27th with an expected departure date of May 28th. He expects the trip to take 10 days. He has had 14 passages between the NE and the Caribbean. Crew are responsible for their transportation to and from the boat with onboard expenses covered. You can contact him at XXXXX@XXXX

OPO E-Mail # 21-18 OPOOPO is requesting crew to join him and other experienced crew to sail from Key West, Florida to Newport, Rhode Island. The boat is a well-equipped Jeanneau 50 named “Amitie”. He would like crew to arrive on April 23 with a departure date the next day. Crew should have some experience and be comfortable standing a solo watch. Crew are responsible for transportation to and from the boat and should allow 7 days for the trip. You can contact him at XXXXX@XXXX

OPO e-mail # 21-01 Boat owner OPOOPO was referred to us by OPO member who is sailing the first couple of legs with him from Key West to Panama and then on to the Galapagos Islands where they will spend a month. The boat is a very nice well equipped Hinckley 51 named “Marlow” (I went through the canal in 1999 on a Hinckley 57. Very nice boats HS) He has owned and sailed the boat for the last 20 years. He is looking for two experience crew or a couple to join him and his brother for the leg from the Galapagos Islands to Mexico. He understands the challenges of travel during Covid and we all hope things will be a bit better by April, but not over yet.

He explains: “I fully understand the challenge during COVID, and hopefully, we are far enough in advance and close to people getting vaccinated that something will break our way. I am sailing Marlow to the Galapagos starting March 1st, and Eric is on the leg from Key West to Panama. Then I am spending 30 days in the Galapagos with different crew members flying in and out, which just about uses up all of my sailor buddies. My brother is the one who is signed up to sail out on April 19th. Two experienced crew or a strong sailing couple would be ideal-we'd have up to four days together in the Galapagos on the boat (they could come early and grab a hotel if they liked), and then we would depart. The COVID protocol for flying into the Galapagos requires a negative test within 96 hours of arrival. They would fly into Baltra Airport. My blog linked from my profile has pictures of the boat and a collection of emails sent home while at sea on some of these various adventures. Marlow is in great shape-plowing tons of money into her right now while she is on the hard in Key West.” The passage is about 1400 miles. He has built in plenty of time for the passage to Mexico. You can learn more about the boat and skipper at https://www.UUUUU.com If you would like to inquire about joining him please e-mail your sailing resume to him at XXXXX@XXXXXX. The passage is free but as usual you have to get to and from the boat, plus have money for meals and drinks ashore.

OPO e-mail # 21-06 Boat owner and very experienced skipper OPOOPO is looking for one or two crew to join him for his annual passage north. He has a nice Hinckley 48 that he has owned for many years. He knows the boat very well and has sailed north and south between the Caribbean and Newport many times. I have known him for many years and he is a very nice guy. He is looking for crew with experience, but with 4 crew in total you may not have to do a solo watch at first until you get comfortable. He just e-mailed me with his plans for his trip north this year. Since he has built up a nice crew list of OPO members he enjoys sailing with, he first sends an e-mail to those crew. If they can’t join him he then asks us to send out a “crew request”. He has one repeat crew, but covid has many of his other regular crew not joining him this year. Here is your chance to sail with him and maybe get on his crew roster for future passages. He plans to depart April 15th from St. Maarten and make the 6 day passage to Bermuda where he will wait for the next weather window before departing for Newport. The entire 1500 miles passage with a stop in Bermuda will take about two weeks, maybe a bit longer with any weather delay in Bermuda. The passage is free with all onboard food and boat expenses included, but you need to get to and from the boat and have money for meals and drinks ashore in St. Maarten and Bermuda. He has also offered to pay for any covid tests taken in St. Maarten or Bermuda as required. If interested please e-mail him with your sailing resume and your contact information at XXXXX@XXXX

OPO e-mail # 21-48 Boat owner and skipper OPOOPO had crew lined up for his passage north, but the last one just reported in with a bad back so he is stuck looking for replacement crew so he can depart. The boat is a 16 year old Hanse 40 that he has owned for the past eight years. He has sailed the boat offshore between CT and the Caribbean before. He is an experienced sailor that is looking for 2 or 3 crew that would like to join him. The passage is free with all onboard expenses included, plus there is a travel stipend for one or two experienced offshore crew “within reason” for doing a good job. The passage is over 1400 miles and will take about 10 or 11 days of sailing plus time at both ends. He is anxious to get going. There is a weather window right now, but things can change so be ready for delays. He will give you a ride to the airport at the other end as well. If interested please send your sailing resume to him at XXXXX@XXXX and you can talk on the phone. I spoke with him today.

OPO E-Mail # 21-26 OPOOPO is requesting one crew to sail with her and a friend from St. Augustine to the Chesapeake, specifically to the Liberty Marina in Edgewater, Maryland. The boat is a beautifully refit Endeavour 42 foot with all the comforts of home. She has a generator, a water maker, a relatively new Yanmar, air conditioning, refrigeration, two-year-old Garmin, electric wenches, roller furling, sail pack, Winslow life-raft and new 11’ Caribe hard bottom inflatable with 20HP Suzuki outboard. OPOOPO plans to depart St Augustine in third week of June, weather permitting. Crew is welcome to come early and spend a night aboard in order to explore St. Augustine. From there she will proceed north ducking in every night to stay at anchor or a marina. She has one other crew member aboard. The idea is to have a fairly leisurely cruise up the East Coast mainly on the outside and then from Morehead City, NC come inside through the intercoastal up to the Chesapeake. This cruise might take from at least a week to perhaps 10 or 12 days. The boat has plenty of sleeping room for three people and a meals will be provided including eating out. Interested crew can contact OPOOPO at XXXXX@XXXX

OPO #21-37 I am squeezing in a delivery next week on a very cool OPOOPO called a Brenta 38. We are taking her up for the N NY Yacht Club Race Week. I am looking for only one crew since we need to keep the boat very clean and it is a daysailor with no dodger or amenities. So it may not be an easy or warm passage as it will start next Wednesday morning and we will arrive Thursday morning. It may take up to 20 to 24 hours depending on weather and current. Probably pretty cold at night. Another problem is that I will be staying in Newport another day and night seeing the Swan 68 off so will not be driving back. So you will have to try and meet me in Riverside near the club (I plan to have my wife drive me) and then you will have to figure out a good way to get home from Newport. Having just one crew makes the travel logistics and neatness of the boat much easier. If interested please e-mail me with your sailing resume and we can make plans and stay in touch as we get closer to departure next week. Hank OPO

OPO E-Mail # 21-41 This short notice opportunity just came in from pro skipper OPOOPO . He writes: I am moving a Beneteau Swift Trawler 41 from near Destin FL to Anna Maria Island, also FL. This is about 300 NM and we will allow 2-4 days to complete. The boat cruises at 16 kts, but that would require one fuel stop. If we go slower, say 8 kts we could make it overnight without extra fuel. Also the first half of the trip may be ICW route, this in the FL panhandle. The second half would be more open water to Anna Marie Island near the mouth of Tampa Bay. Those decisions come later, based on weather, say. The boat is new and typically equipped as needed. So I seek a single Able Bodied Seaman who can drive, stand watch and generally be aware and helpful. The crew must get herself to and from the boat, but expenses on board are covered. This should be a very interesting and relatively enjoyable trip, especially if we do the ICW. I will fly to Destin/Ft Walton Beach airport (VPS) arriving June 17 at 0830. From there we LYFT to the boat at Emerald Coast Marina in Niceville, with some provisioning and try to get underway ASAP. Interested crew should send me a statement of your experience and desire to do this trip. Capt. OPOOPO email: XXXXX@XXXX

OPO E-Mail # 21-17 OPOOPO is looking for one additional crew to accompany him and his experienced first mate on a delivery from the USVI to Annapolis Md. The boat is a Beneteau 45 monohull. They would like crew with some experience who are able to stand a solo watch. Crew should arrive on May 29th with departure shortly after. Plan on 14 days for this passage. If interested you can contact OPOOPO at XXXXX@XXXX .

OPO e-mail # 21-35 Boat owner and skipper OPOOPO, past president of Beneteau USA and the 2 additional crew will cast off the early morning of 7 June 2021, IF Mother Nature Cooperates, and go 4-5 days offshore around the 3 Capes (Fear/Lookout/Hatteras) to Atlantic City to refuel and have a fine dinner. Then continue on up through New York harbor (glorious at any time) into Long Island Sound; normally arriving New London or Mystic 2 days later. Voyage time, with good weather is 6 to7 days. Crew should arrive in Charleston on the afternoon of 6 June and stay at the home of OPOOPO and his wife for that night at 409 Bay Crossing Rd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464. The trip is free with all onboard expenses included, but crew needs to get to and from the boat and have money for shore side stops. OPOOPO has gotten crew from us several times over the years and it has always worked out very well. He is a very nice guy. IF weather dictates, we may go inside the capes as prudence demands. NB: Offshore there is NO cell coverage until we make Atlantic City. Marion Maid, US Coast Guard Documentation # 1095902 is a bright blue hull with sail number 51511, very well equipped, 1999 Beneteau 411 in good shape with recent engine/sails/etc. A Garmin InReach will be on and also a Personal Locator Beacon is aboard. InReach has text capability anywhere in the world and SOS/location ability. Family members can follow the InReach map online at https://www.UUUUU.com to see a real time track. Safety gear aboard includes a 4 man liferaft, jack lines, spare harnesses and all necessary USCG required gear, VHF, AIS etc. Crew must to be able to stand watch alone. Upon arrival in CT, OPOOPO will rent a car to drive crew to the Providence or Hartford airport. Please respond ASAP to XXXXX@XXXX or text OPOOPO ’s cell XXX-XXX-XXXX

OPO E-Mail # 21-22 OPOOPO would like one crew member to join him aboard Kimberlite, his Amel sailboat on a trip from St. Maarten to Huntington, New York. Crew should arrive on May 17th or 18th with departure planned for May 20th. The trip should take about 10 days. He is a very experienced sailor who has done this trip many times. We have gotten him crew often. The boat is well equipped and it should be a great trip. Crew is responsible for their transportation to and from the boat with onboard expenses covered. Contact him by e-mail at XXXXX@XXXX