Message Board: Sailing Opportunities

OPO Crew Request # 23-67 Boat owner and very experienced skipper XXXXXX is looking for one crew to help get his boat north from XXXXXX to Washington. The boat is a 1983 Nauticat 33 (36 feet overall) named XXXXXX XXXXXX is a very well built and solid motor-sailor with a 600-mile range under power. I spoke with Neil on the phone. He is a very experienced boater, sound like a very nice guy, and is in the marine industry. He is also smart as his wife will join him only for the last part of the passage if things go right. He adds about himself: XXXXXX Thompson, owner. 16+ years of sailing experience on a variety of motor, motor sail, and traditional sailing vessels in the XXXXXX XXXXXX XXXXXX Bahamas, and the XXXXXX Islands. And the boat: XXXXXX 33 is in fantastic shape, happy to provide more boat information as requested, including a recent survey. Very well equipped - transit-ready and liveaboard. The boat is very comfortable, has Starlink in motion, unlimited internet, an inverter, generator, radar, and PIB. She has a full set of sails and a storm jib. Average trans speed is 7kts." This is a wrong way upwind passage, but not like you are going up the entire XXXXXX It is a motor sailor, but Neil still knows to wait for a good weather window to start and to duck in if need be. That is why he is allowing 14 days for an 8 or 9 day passage under ideal circumstances. As usual the passage is free with all onboard expenses included, but you should have money for any meals or drinks ashore. Since it is short-notice he is willing to help with travel expenses “within reason” for one crew. He is not against taking two crew since the plan is to go non-stop when possible, but he does not have the budget to pay for two people to fly in and out. So, a 2nd person can go or you can ask a sailing friend or spouse to also join you. If interested please send your sailing resume to him at XXXXX@XXXX

OPO Crew request # 23-43 Pro skipper XXXXXX is putting together a crew to sail a J-105 from Charleston to Annapolis after XXXXXX week. The boat got delayed waiting on an engine part so the original crew had to leave. The skipper is a U XXXXXX who works with John and what they call “ XXXXXX of Sailing”. https://www.UUUUU.com This is part of XXXXXX Programs offshore boat. They plan to sail outside. This smaller more race-oriented boat. They are looking for three or four crew in total. The passage is free with all onboard food and boat expenses included, but you need to get to and from the boat. Since it is short notice should call John at XXX-XXX-XXXX as well as send a resume to him at XXXXX@XXXX

OPO Crew Request # 23-93 Boat owner and skipper XXXXXX is looking for two crew to help move his 2020 SeaWind 40 Catamaran south. He plans to take the longer route out the Saint Lawrence Seaway and then down the East Coast to the Chesapeake Bay. He took the boat north from Florida during Covid soon after he bought the boat new. He got crew from us for part of that trip. He knows this is short notice. He expects it will take him three days to get from the Detroit River to Albany across Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. So, crew can join him early to mid-next week before committing to the longer passage. He is looking for line handlers and semi-experienced crew. He is by himself now and would like to go with two more for a total of three. The passage is free with all onboard expenses and onboard food included, but you need to get to and from the boat and have money for meals and drinks ashore when you stop. Since it is short notice, he made sure we included his phone number as he knows crew will have questions. So do please call if you are interested. If interested you can call him at XXX-XXX-XXXX and send him your sailing resume to XXXXXX XXXXX@XXXX

OPO Crew Request # 23-73 Boat owner and delivery skipper XXXXXX is looking for two or three crew to join him for this return passage from Newport to Annapolis. This is his own boat so you know both the skipper and the boat or good to go. He has a 1985 43 foot Nelson Marek Morgan CC named XXXXXX. He has gotten crew from us before and it has worked out well. He is a nice guy. He Adds: Full safety package, 8 person raft, 2 epirbs, mom9, dsc vhf, radar. 2 cabins, 2 heads The passage is free with all onboard expenses included but as usual you need to get to and from the boat. I imagine you can rent a car to get home with one or two of the other crew once Joe has put the crew together. If interested please send your resume to him at  XXXXX@XXXX

OPO Crew Request # 23-104 Boat owner and skipper XXXXXX is looking for crew for a total of four crew for his passage south this year. He is signed up for the Salty Dawg Rally and will be following their lead. Sailing with a big group has advantages. His boat, named Les Noble, is a 1986 Via Marine 42'. French build aluminum monohull with dual swing keels. Can beach it with keels up. I just got off the phone with him. Sounds like a nice guy with hands on experience. He has been doing a lot of work to get the boat ready and she should be a solid boat with nearly new sails, recently relaunched with a new bottom paint. XXXXXX will be at the Annapolis Boat Show for a week at least and would ideally like to meet any interested OPO crew members who will be at the show are interested in joining him towards the end of October for the non-stop passage from Hampton to Antigua. He e-mails that: He took the boat from Halifax to Rockland, ME then Hampton, VA for 5 year offshore fit-out. Launched a year ago and sailed back to Halifax with 2 crew and picked up new headsail and staysail and back to Hampton with stops at major cities in each direction. Then solo to Dry Tortugas and back to Hampton before hurricane season. Nice 4 day leg from Fort Lauderdale to Beaufort using Gulf Stream, his longest offshore leg and record 200 NM day. He just finished bottom job and couple other projects. He is new to cruising and offshore, so looking for experienced crew. Dry boat until landfall. Gear: single Airhead, Honda i2200 generator, home built watermaker, B and G zeus3 chartplotter, 4G Radar, Forward scan, AIS, SSB, VHF, 6 man liferaft, Iridium GO, Predict wind, Pypilot auto helm (upgrading to hydraulic ram and B and G). As usual all onboard boat expenses and provisioning is provided. You need to get to and from the boat and we recommend that you meet XXXXXX and the boat before booking flights home. You should also have money for meals and drinks ashore and for rally socials. If interested in joining him please send your sailing resume and contact information to him at XXXXX@XXXX

OPO Crew Request # 23-85 XXXXXX has a 1999 Alubat 48 named Anthea. He is looking for one more crew for a total of three crew for this passage on the XXXXXX Crew needs to be able to stand a solo watch. The 2nd crew has some offshore experience. He had crew lined up but one had to drop out recently which is why he is looking on fairly short notice. He has a web site at https://www.UUUUU.com XXXXXX is a very seaworthy metal boat built in Europe. He e-mails: I have been sailing my whole life. XXXXXX was a manger for a local sailing school for 20 years. The passage is free but you need to get to and from the boat and have money for any shoreside meals or drinks. If interested please send you sailing resume and interest to him at A XXXXX@XXXX

OPO Crew request # 23-33 Boat owner and skipper XXXXXX is looking for two crew to sail from the IG XXXXXX St. Marten (where Avocation is berthed) to the Azores. He has a 1981 Rival 38A named Anixa II. XXXXXX is a well found and strong offshore vessel. While we do not know Jose, he comes referred by our friends n St. Maarten. He has a web site A XXXXX@XXXX and Bolg at Https://www.UUUUU.com He adds: XXXXXX XXXXXX and merchant navy master with 400,000 miles. This boat is full equiped to go around world. This trip was from Lisbon to Rio de Janeiro via XXXXXX islands and after french Guiana, Martinica, XXXXXX and now XXXXXX XXXXXX I pretend go across via Bermudas to Azores and Lisbon. XXXXXX retired now but XXXXXX leading a portuguese Expedition with 6 sailing vessels please see Expedição Lusitânia and www.UUUUU.com Absolutly full equiped to go around world the prévios name of the boat was LYNN RIVAL and was the boat ataques by XXXXXX and Paul and Rachel prisioneiras for one year in 2009 The passage is free but you need to get to and from the boat. Ask if you can help pitch in for groceries. This was not included in his crew request so you need to make sure of the terms before booking flights. Please check out his web site and blog. I will be in St. Maarten 30th of April so will most likely see you at the marina before you depart. If interested please send your sailing resume to him at XXXXX@XXXX and see about joining him for this passage.

OPO Crew Request # 23-76 OPO Member graduate and success story XXXXXX and her husband are on the other side of the planet and planning a two week passage. She knows it might be a long shot be thought why not put this out to OPO members and see if anyone is interested in making to long journey to join them. They have a Tayana 52. I had a Tayan 37. The Tayana 52 was my dream boat for years. As usual the passage is free with all onboard expenses included, but you need to get to and from the boat and have money for any shoreside meals or drinks. If interested please e-mail your sailing resume to her at XXXXX@XXXX She knows what information OPO members wish to know so I will copy what she sent to us. She e-mails: We would want the crew member to arrive at Nadi, Fiji by August 15, but it might move up to a few days earlier. The trip to Brisbane, Australia direct from Port Denarau is 1400 miles and will take 10 to 14 days, depending on the weather. We will pay all board expenses, as customary. “Wildstar” is a Tayana 52 ketch designed and built in Taiwan in 1987. It underwent a major refurbishment in 2007-2008. It has three cabins, two heads, refrigerator, freezer, water maker, generator, in-boom furling main sail, 150 furling jib, staysail, and windlass. Since 2021, the jib, main sails, foreword stays on the rigging, lithium ion batteries and battery chargers have been replaced, as well as routine items. The boat has been well maintained all along by the current owners. It has furuno radar and instruments, Simrad autopilot, and Viking 4person life raft? I have over 100,000 miles of ocean sailing, have crossed the South Pacific three times, and completed a circumnavigation the second. I have a USCG 100 ton masters license. My first passage as crew with OPO was a 3000 nm passage from Cape Verde to Wilmington in 2010 (I think) with XXXXXX as captain, without an autopilot. My husband has over 30,000 ocean miles and sailed from the Philippines to the US east coast using only a sextant. We each have heavy weather experience, though alway do our best to avoid it always. We left Annapolis, MD (the boat's home port) in November 2021, went through the Panama Canal in March of 2022, and headed west. We are pretty easy going but expect care and attention. There is no smoking onboard and no alcohol when underway. We are looking for someone with ocean experience for this passage, male or female. If you would like any additional formation, please let me know. Thank you for your assistance.

OPO Crew Request # 23-106 Southport NC to BVI - Boat owner XXXXXX has hired a delivery skipper from the BVI to help him get his 2004 46-foot Catamaran to the BVI’s.. He has owned the boat for a few years and has done coastal cruising, but wanted to hire a skipper to make sure he got the boat to the BVI ok. He is looking for one more crew for a total of three crew. I spoke with him today and he has had an insurance survey on the boat and is all good to go. He also has a good plan in place. Since it is the first time he has called us for crew you should you ask more questions than you normally would. Like more about the skipper he has hired. He has not met him yet. The date departure date of Nov 1st is the target date so really the best weather window starting Nov 1st. Once you depart it may only take 8 or 9 days to get there, but you want to have a little extra time just in case. 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. If interested, please send your sailing resume to him at XXXXX@XXXX He does not in fact live on this boat full time, but has another boat he lives on further north. He is not a new boat owner and could make the passage himself, but is making doubly sure by haring a skipper to lead.

OPO Crew Request # 23-59 Boat owner and skipper XXXXXX has a 2017 Privilege 50’ Catamaran named SV XXXXXX. He is looking for two crew to join him for up to a three-four day offshore passage. Coy lives in Austin, TX and keeps XXXXXX in Charleston, SC. His plan is to depart from XXXXXX Marina (Patriot’s Point) on or around May 28th (or the safest weather window to follow). I have been in touch with Coy by phone and by e-mail. He is a quick learner and write the following pretty much on his own. He e-mailed: “This is for a one-way passage. Coy would like two additional crew mates (with a safe sense of humor!) for this fun and exciting “mission”. Coy is a professional aviator with multiple jet type ratings, owner of an aviation management company (highly technical and runs a tight ship), flight instructor (loves to learn and teach) and has been a seaman since before he could walk ??. He is married (Loren) with two little girls (Sailor 6 and Landy 7) who are tuckered out from 1600nm of passages through the Caribbean since November. Coy has owned and chartered numerous small and large monohulls and catamarans since a child and has lived aboard XXXXXX, essentially single handing, since he bought it a year ago. XXXXXX has roughly 9000 nautical miles sailed under his belt. He is looking for a set of experienced hands to share the camaraderie, experience, and good time, safely on a capable and stable sailing vessel. XXXXXX is very well equipped with all the latest tech and safety gear, not to mention each crew member will have their own separate state rooms for rest during this journey. He will pay all onboard boat expenses: food, drink, wares, fuel and dockage etc. All you will need is to get to and from the boat, and have money for your own meals and drinks shore. and understand flexibility to meet weather window departure and planning. This will be dry vessel during passage until checked into the destination. We will be sailing (and likely motoring) day and night so we will have three 4-hour shifts day and night.” If interested please e-mail Coy a copy of your sailing CV and interest in joining him at XXXXX@XXXX His web site is www.UUUUU.com”

OPO Crew Request # 23-82 Boat owner XXXXXX was referred to us by a friend and asked if we can post a crew request for a short hop aboard his 42ft 1993 Hunter Passage CC named XXXXXX. He is getting some work done in St. Pete’s and is looking for help on the return passage. He e-mails: I bought the boat recently. She’s received lots of attention and now includes totally new comms and navigation systems, a new electrical system, a tender with electric motor, an upgraded anchor windlass with remote control, new ports, and upgraded refrigeration and freezing. The final major fix is replacement of the headsail furling system, so it's off to St. Petersburg for the rigging work and then an overnight trip back to Carrabelle Florida, her home port. Carrabelle is on the Gulf Coast, south of Tallahassee, the state capitol. I am seeking a mate for the passage from St. Petersburg FL back to Carrabelle FL. This is now my fourth passage. I am a new sailor with good training and adequate experience, and I am super safety conscious. I am seeking someone who would enjoy the sailing experience and can help stand watch. I want this trip to be fun relaxing and non-stressful. Hoping to learn from you as we go! Full private accommodation (forward V berth), all provisions, and transportation provided. Only OPO members who live nearby or who may be on holiday in Florida will work for this short passage. The passage is free with all onboard expenses included, but you end to get to and from the boat. If interested please send your sailing resume and availability to him at XXXXX@XXXX

OPO Crew Request # 23-84 Boat owner and skipper XXXXXX has a 2003 60-foot Privilege 585 named “Less Travelled” that is long term cruising with. It is a big boat and he sails with up to 5 or 6 crew. He has two crew so is looking for two three more who want to join him for this next long leg sailing in South America. Since he has two other crew with lots of experience and he has owned many boats before this one including a Hinckley and an Oyster, he does not require people to have lots of offshore experiences. As you will read in his own words he is looking for interesting compatible people looking for an adventure. He has a web site https://www.UUUUU.com He e-mails: I left the corporate world to sail the world with people from all over, good people who bring something interesting to the table and wish to have a true life experience, not just a delivery. Have had 16 people this far and each one has been a great source of comradery, fun, and growth. We play instruments, dive, sightsee, and proceed slow enough to have a great experience wherever we go. This is not a race, but a journey, and expedition. Fully refit gorgeous Privilege 585, circumnavigating the world. Presently in Grenada, after traveling from the South of France and island hopping the Caribbean, we will next sail South and explore South America clockwise, passing though the Magellan Straits up Chile, and west to Polynesia and beyond. If you truly want to leave all this S and %T behind and do something meaningful, shoot me a note. Excellent. 3 B and G chartplotters, 2 B and G autopilots, Starlink, Iridium, etc. Capt. has been offshore race captain for many boats and all aspects of international racing safety People with eccentric diets make things more complicated and divisive for everyone. Tried this twice with vegans on board and it's not a fit. No other concerns, but just wish to say I left my corporate job to sail the world with great people. I look forward to hearing from you now. Do something magical with us. This is not the normal OPO Crew Request so the terms are a bit different. With most OPO passages you are helping someone move their boat. In this case it is more a dream charter opportunity so all crew contribute to the cruising kitty to help pay your own way. After all he is not looking to adopt you??. He has had people join him in the past so he can give you a good idea of how this works and what that cost will be to chip in and help. Please make sure you know all the terms before booking your flight to join him. OPO does allow boat owners and skipper to ask to chip into a cruising kitty if the passage opportunity is a long cruise and not a forced march from point A to pint B like most of what our passages are about. As usual if interested please send your sailing resume to him at K XXXXX@XXXX and then plan to talk with him on the phone.

OPO Crew Request # 23-51 XXXXXX and XXXXXX are looking for one more crew to join them for this sail to Panama. They have a 2007 Catalina 47 named XXXXXX This is not a forced march delivery. They plan to wait for the best weather window after the 15th. They plan to take their time and get there in about 3 or 4 weeks. They sailed the boat down from Canada. They e-mail today: Catalina 470, monohull. Pullman berth. We are seeking 1 crew member to assist with watches and general boat life chores such as cooking and tidying. We are a live aboard couple. 5000 nautical miles between XXXXXX and Ocean sailing. Both of us are captains but Garry is the primary captain and Sheryl is first mate. Garry has several years of boating experience on the XXXXXX and together we have sailed our C470 from XXXXXX through the XXXXXX out the St. Lawrence and via the XXXXXX to the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos and are currently in the XXXXXX awaiting our weather window to embark on passage to Panama via Jamaica. The boat is fully equipped with modern navigation and safety gear. The passage is free with all boat expenses included, but you need to get to and from the boat and have money for shoreside meals and drinks. They prefer crew with some offshore experience since you will be a crew of 3 and may need to stand a solo watch. If interested please send your sailing resume to them at XXXXX@XXXX

OPO Crew request # 23-45 Boat owner and skipper XXXXXX is looking for replacement crew. XXXXXX has a 2004 Beneteau 423 that has two cabins and two heads. He started the delivery with two OPO members who he met through OPO years ago and become repeat crew. XXXXXX was delayed by bad weather on this passage that started in Florida so both crew had to leave. XXXXXX will decide to go outside around Cape Hatteras or inside the ICW as weather dictates. The passage can take three to six days depending on which way. Since it is short notice XXXXXX is happy to pay partial travel expenses depending on where you are coming from and going to. XXXXXX is a nice guy and good sailor. He adds: I'm wondering if you have two sailors who could start a delivery from Southport to Deltaville in the next few days. In view of the short time frame, I am willing to pay half of their airfare from their home to Wilmington, the closest airport of any size. If interested please send your sailing resume to XXXXXX at XXXXX@XXXX

OPO e-mail # 23-28 XXXXXX and his wife are looking for one crew to join them for his annual passage north. The vessel is a 62 Nordhavn 68 feet long 19' 6" beam 7-foot draft 83-ton displacement. This is a big power boat in the trawler family. This is not a rushed delivery and they expect to take up to two weeks stopping along the way. Ron and his wife are very accomplished on the water, but seek one crew to help make this luxurious passage north this year. They have gotten crew from us before and it has always gone well. They need someone who can handle dock lines and keep watch. Ron will even pay your travel expenses home, depending on where you live. (Or if you live near Falmouth he will pay to fly you to the boat. He will pay one-way to or from the boat for the right person) Non-smoker please. No alcohol underway. The passage is free with all onboard expenses included. If interested please e-mail Ron with a brief sailing resume to XXXXX@XXXX The vessel is a 62 Nordhavn 68 feet long 19' 6" beam 7-foot draft 83-ton displacement. She has been in our family for 13 years and approximately 80,000 miles. She was purchased in XXXXXX then brought up to XXXXXX Columbia and refit at Philbrooks boat yard, if you go online to Philbrooks boat yard you will see pictures of her refit. You can also see pictures of the boat if you XXXXXX Buffett boats as she was owned by XXXXXX We then brought the boat down the XXXXXX through the XXXXXX XXXXXX XXXXXX to XXXXXX XXXXXX Vie has four state rooms all with flat screen TVs, climate controlled, and 3 1/2 heads. She has a single lugger diesel, emergency engine, three generators and a 1000 gallon a day water maker. Both myself and my wife have 100 ton captain’s licenses and this will be our 11th trip Northbound in this specific boat. I also have a pilot’s license, helicopter license, motorcycle license and of course a driver’s license. Crew would only need minimum boating skills but certainly the ability to not get seasick. It would be a large plus if one of them had some mechanical skills. I have completed the trip in as little as one week and as long as two, please be available for a minimum of 2 weeks. XXXXXX router gives me a go or no go and I listen to her very closely. She is involved from the beginning of the trip to the very end. As you can imagine I will pay for all room and board and we all eat like kings. I will also pay for either getting to or getting from the boat on the XXXXXX of the XXXXXX

OPO Crew Request # 23-87 Pro skipper XXXXXX has another delivery. He is looking for two crew to join him aboard a very well equipped 2020 Leopard 58. He e-mails: The cat is very well equipped, even down to ocean starlink. Genset, ac, all electric winches, full fly bridge enclosure and every other goody imaginable. The sail should be quite nice, broad reaching to Cuba and then up toward Florida. 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 meals and drinks ashore. If interested please send him your sailing resume to XXXXX@XXXX

OPO Crew Request # 23-105 Boat owner and skipper XXXXXX has a 2007 Hanse 400 named XXXXXX. He is looking for 2 more crew for a total of 4 crew for this passage south. Ideally crew will be on stand bye as he is planning to leave between Sept 27 Oct 2, weather dependent. The passage will take about 7 days, but is also weather dependent. I spoke with XXXXXX this morning. He has a sound plan and seems like a nice guy and has the proper plan in place. The Hanse is a very well made boat. This one has a tall mast (over 65 feet) and draws 6 ½ feet so CANNOT go down the ICW. The plan is to go offshore to Norfolk stopping in for fuel only as need be, then wait for a weather window to get around Cape Hatteras and then maybe Beaufort NC and finish up Hilton Head. He e-mails:    Hanse 400 with self-tacker jib. Eclectic winch to raise mail sail. Boom Brake to avoid accidental jibing. Running backstays. The boat is very well appointed and equipped. Smoking allowed in cockpit. Crew should have own PFD and tethers. The passage is free with all onboard expenses and onboard food included. You get yourself to and from the boat and have money for any meals and drinks ashore. If interested please send your sailing resume to him at XXXXX@XXXX

OPO Crew Request # 23-90 This is a challenging opportunity that I am sending out only because it is from a pro skipper I know well. Pro skipper XXXXXX is taking over a failed delivery of a Jeanneau 54DS that another crew started last spring and abandoned in the Azores. He has been hired to go finish the delivery. At this point he knows it is going to the Med, but not sure where. The boat has been getting work done in a yard and he will fly over next week to inspect and get the boat ready for departure a week or two later. He explains in his e-mail: Hope you had a great summer? I have been busy doing deliveries, 2019 Swan 65 in the Med from Croatia to XXXXXX what a treat! Heading to Nantucket today and sail to Annapolis this week. My next delivery is from Horta (Azores) to the Med (TBD), probably around Spain or France. To be transparent the boat left Antigua in May and the crew abandoned the delivery in Horta after a rough passage and poor seamanship? This was handled by PYD. The full story is unclear but it left the boat in shambles and stranded. XXXXXX boat yard has been diligently working at fixing the issues ever since and I am heading over there on Aug 28th to better assess the situation and prepare the boat for a delivery from Sept 6-13 (assuming it is safe and comfortable to do so). I am looking for 1 to 2 experienced crew with offshore experience for this trip (i will get one more professional crew onboard to make it total of 4). Owner is a little cheap but airfare to/from will be covered as well as all onboard expenses. Can you send out a post please to fill the roster? Thanks in advance XXXXXX you can see, he is paying travel expenses for crew and there will be one other pro crew aboard. JC is a very nice guy and competent skipper, but he is going into this with “eyes wide open”. If interested please send your sailing resume to him at XXXXX@XXXX and make sure you ask questions like, “where is the boat ending up and should you wait to buy tickets until after he gets to the boat and lets you know how long it might take to get ready.”

OPO crew Request # 23-61 Pro skipper XXXXXX needs crew on short notice for a sail from Bermuda to Newport on a Swan 58 named XXXXXX He was sailing up from the Caribbean and due to a weather delay lost some of his crew. He was a referral from our Swan Broker/Son-of-a- XXXXXX connection. He text: Passage will be 4 day. Crew needed from XXXXXX 26th to XXXXXX 30th as a weather window opens. The boat has a permanent crew of two. He seeks one watch leader and two crew. Flight plus XXXXXX Please Note: Since it is short notice he is paying transportation and also and day rate for the right crew with offshore experience. If interested please e-mail your resume and phone number to him at XXXXX@XXXX

OPO Crew Request # 23-49 Pro skipper and his wife and 1st mate, Stephen and XXXXXX are looking for crew to join them to move an Oyster 825 (82 feet) named Reina from Antigua to Newport. They most likely will stop in Bermuda so the passage will take about 12 to 14 days including time at each end and a short stop in Bermuda. Crew should plan to help with watch keeping as well as treating the boat well. XXXXXX just e-mailed us this afternoon. He confirms: The crew would either need to have their B1/B2 visa or be American. Sailing experience is essential. The passage is free with all onboard expenses included, but you need to get to and from the boat. If interested please send your sailing resume to him at XXXXX@XXXX

OPO Crew request # 23-32 St. Thomas USVI to Newport, RI - Boat owner and skipper XXXXXX is looking for crew to help sail his 2007 Outbound 46 named Nomad. He has gotten crew from us before and it has worked out well. The Outbound is a very well-found offshore boat. Since he has used our services before he does a good job of explaining what at he is looking to do. As usual the passage is free but you need to get to and from the boat. He e-mails: I am looking for crew to sail Saint Thomas to Newport RI on NOMAD, a 2008 Outbound 46. I ask that crew have some blue water experience and are comfortable with solo night watches and have sail trim knowledge. I intend on leaving May 10, weather permitting. We are sailing as part of the Salty Dawg Rally and the passage should take 10-12 days. NOMAD is superb sailing yacht with good manners on all points of sail. A solent rig with new standing rigging, she is equipped with a self steering vane, wind generator, solar panels, duel alternators, DC water maker, 190 gallons fuel, 200 gallons water, 4 person life raft, EPIRB, InReach and Iridium Go sat phones, and just added Starlink. We use Predict Wind and Chris Parker for weather routing, in association with the Salty Dawg Sailing Association. Crew is responsible for their transportation to and from the boat and onshore expenses. I will carry all onboard expenses such as food. I am intending on a safe and fun passage. Interested crew should email or text their sailing experience to him: XXXXXX@XXXXXX or call or text me on my cell phone at: XXX-XXX-XXXX. Thanks! XXXXXX

OPO Crew Request # 23-47 St. Thomas, USVI to Newport, RI - Pro skipper and longtime friend XXXXXX has another delivery before the run from PR to Annapolis at the end of May. He is looking for two crew for a faster delivery, this one on an Outremer 51 catamaran. XXXXXX has moved the boat before and knows it well. He is looking for two crew He e-mails: It is well cared for and equipped and loved and used. He seeks: Helpful crew qualities include some blue water experience, some catamaran experience, good situational awareness, teamwork, and ability to tie a bowline knot. The trip is 1500 NM and should take between 9-10 days. A stop in Bermuda is possible, so a valid passport is required. We fly to STT on May 7 and depart soon thereafter. We will meet the owner there. Since this is very short notice, I can pay crew transportation in both directions, within reason. Also expenses on board are covered, as per OPO style. Interested crew should email me a brief sailing resume showing valid experience to XXXXXX at XXXXX@XXXX

OPO Crew Request # 23-65 Charleston SC to Norfolk VA - Pro skipper XXXXXX is looking for two crew to join him for this delivery of a 2022 Leppard 45 Catamaran. He e-mails: She is very well equipped with full enclosure, genset, air conditioning, electronics package, electric winches and all the other goodies people have on their boats these days. The trip starts on June 19th and should not take more than 4 of 5 days. Richard has gotten crew from us several times in the past. The passage is free with all onboard food and boat expenses included. As usual you need to get to and from the boat. If interested please e-mail him with your sailing resume to XXXXX@XXXX

OPO Crew request # 23-39 Boat owner and skipper XXXXXX is looking for one more crew to help sail his 2000 Contest 48 CS named XXXXXX north. He has owned her for seven years named. Crew should have offshore experience and be able to stand a solo watch. There will be a total of four crew. The other crew are his wife and 28-year-old son. Both are capable experienced crew. He was referred to us by another happy boat owners who has done our NAR XXXXXX three times and gotten crew from us several times. He Adds: Ernestina is a heavy, safe, comfortable center-cockpit cruising yacht with 6 berths in 3 cabins, 2 heads with showers. Cutter rigged sloop. She has EPIRB, zodiac 6-man life raft, spinlock offshore life jackets with AIS beacons, offshore Danbuoy, AIS, broadband radar, Satellite phone. The passage is free with all onboard provisions and boat expenses covered, but you need to get to and from the boat and have money for shoreside meals and drinks. If interested please send your sailing resume to him at XXXXX@XXXX

OPO Crew Request # 23-98  XXXXXX sailed with me over 15 years ago. Very nice guy. He did several longer passages over the next few years until he bought his own boat. He now finds himself looking for one crew to join him sailing his boat back from Maine. The boat is a seagoing Pacific Sea Craft 27. Sinc it is a small boat he is looking for one experienced crew since you will be standing a solo watch. His wife is not making the passage, but he still plans to stop at least once and maybe twice. He is in no rush, but wants to get there in 3 to 4 days once you depart and want to pick a window where the winds are not from the Southwest, which is the predominant directions this tie of year. Since he lives in CT, he plans to drive up to the boat soon after determining what the latest Hurricane Lee will do in the next few days. You could drive up with him. He is happy to pay all boat, food expenses, both onboard and ashore, and travel expenses with a travel stipend to get home. If interested please send your sailing resume to him at XXXXX@XXXX

OPO Crew Request # 101 Pro skipper and friend XXXXXX is looking for two or three crew to join on a delivery from Beaufort NC to XXXXXX NY. The boat is a properly outfitted Mason 53 ketch that is currently in the last stages of an engine rebuild. Steve is joining the boat September 27th to make final preparations for delivery. Steve plans to depart Beaufort on the first good weather window to ‘round Hatteras and make for NY harbor, then into XXXXXX Sound. In the event the weather doesn’t cooperate, the route will be up the ICW to Norfolk, adding a couple days to the trip. (Mast clearance 63.4’…ever see a vhf antenna bend on a bridge?). Steve was a skipper in our XXXXXX and teaches ASA cruising classes. His request: “Good crew qualities are enthusiasm, sailing knowledge, compatibility, and respectfulness. You must have experience standing a night watch and understand ship’s nav lights. Physical dexterity is required. The vessel is equipped with life raft, AIS, radar, chartplotter, and auto pilot. All crew members will share onboard cooking, cleaning, and deck duties. Crewmembers will bring their own lifejacket, foul weather gear, and red/white headlamp. All onboard boat expenses are covered. Interested crew are asked to email Steve a sailing/personal resume and other relevant info to XXXXX@XXXX . Please include M53 CREW in the email subject line. Thank you.

OPO Crew Request # 23-63 Boat owner XXXXXX has a 1972 Formosa 41 named XXXXXX He keeps her at the XXXXXX XXXXXX We first met him a few years back in Bermuda in 2019. We helped him get crew for a return passage. It went well and we have sent out more crew request for him ever since. The boat is in very good shape. This classic ketch has crossed the Atlantic twice and sailed to Bermuda and back three times, last in 2019. He is now looking for one or two crew who wish to join him for at least the one week that he plans to take to get north to P-town or even Maine. He would be fine if you could join him for as long as the entire two weeks. He will pay for all onboard expenses including onboard food and dockage etc. All you need to do is to get to and from the boat and have money for any meals or drinks ashore. While not an offshore passage this is a nice offer to join him for a couple of weeks cruising in the high season month of August. If interested please send your sailing resume to him at XXXXX@XXXX . You can plan to talk on the phone and perhaps meet sooner to make sure you are set to join for one or two weeks this summer.

OPO Crew Request # 23-75 Pro skipper and friend XXXXXX is looking for one more crew for a total of 3 to deliver a “nice 44-footer” from Halifax to Maine. He just got the delivery yesterday and sent me an e-mail while I was on a short delivery yesterday. He has over 300,000 miles, has his own Baltic 49 and has been delivering boats for as long as I have. He is looking for an experienced person who can stand a solo watch and is pleasant to be with. He will pay travel expenses, within reason, as well as all boat expenses. If interested please send your sailing resume to him at XXXXX@XXXX

OPO Crew Request # 23-91 Boat owner and skipper XXXXXX is looking for two more crew for a total of 4 Including himself for his annual passage from NY to SXM. He has made the passage many times on his very well equipped and maintained Amel 53 named XXXXXX that he has owned since new. The target date to depart is Oct 30th but of course he will wait for the right weather window. He plans to sail straight through from Huntington to SXM unless there is a weather issue that dictates a stop in Bermuda. The passage takes about 9 or 10 days, but you need to add a few more days just in case for a weather delay or stop in Bermuda just in case. He has gotten crew from us before. This is a very seaworthy and offshore built boat. He has been making the passage for as long as I have. He is looking for crew that are team players and willing to follow instructions and learn so previous offshore experience is nice, but not the most important criteria. (Although aversion to sea sickness or knowing how to take medication to prevent is key.) Crew will stand watches and help keep the boat safe and in good order. The passage is free with all onboard expenses included, but you need to get to and from the boat and have money for meals and drinks ashore. If interested please send your sailing resume and phone number to him at XXXXX@XXXX

OPO Crew Request # 23-107 Annapolis to St. Maarten - Boat owner XXXXXX is putting the crew together for his passage south this year. He has hired a good friend and pro delivery skipper (XXXXXX) to sail with him. I have known him for a long time. He is a very nice guy. He is offering to help with travel expenses in compensation for the right crew, but you can also offer to pay your own way if you think that will help you get aboard. This is a great opportunity to meet a boat owner who is looking to make friends to join him for longer sails in the future. Here is his crew request in his own words. Hee-mails: Pro skipper / good friend XXXXXX and I are looking for crew to help deliver a beautiful 2015 Beneteau 55 from Annapolis to SXM. With lots of miles on different boats, is a natural teacher and has shared his experience before with crew members from OPO. The boat crossed the Atlantic in the ARC in 2022, and made the voyage to the NorthEast U.S in 2023 and has all safety equipment required for safe and comfortable offshore sailing. All equipment serviced and many spare parts onboard. Owner will be onboard for the passage. The vessel has all the sailing gear it can have and comfort equipment. Owner would love to develop a relationship with a crew who may make further passages up within the Caribbeans and Latin America. USA or Canadian passport holders only. Previous offshore experience preferred. Needs to be able to stand a solo watch. All onboard expenses covered. Possibility to cover flight for the right crew. Planned departure is November 1. Distance approx 1,660 NM or 10-12 days. Sail nonstop unless weather or equipment failure. Please contact me by email with your sailing resume. M XXXXX@XXXX

OPO Crew Request # 23-42 Just had a call yesterday for finish a short run down XXXXXX Sound for a new Beneteau 40.1 The owner ran out of time (or weather) so left the boat in XXXXXX We will bring her to her summer slip in XXXXXX The plan is to depart near daybreak on Wednesday so we can finish in daylight. My wife can drop us off and pick us up. This will most likely be a motor sail since it is much easier to arrive in daylight in a tight marina. If interested please e-mail me and we can make plans. One crew is fine, but if two people want to spend a day on the water that will be fine. Hank OPO

OPO Crew request # 24-41 XXXXXX is buying a 2003 Amel 53 named “XXXXXX”. He is flying down to Antugia later this weekend April 30th. The boat will be surveyed next week. Unless there are major issues, he will close on the boat soon and move aboard. After that he is looking to stay south and cruise the Caribbean for the spring and summer. He is looking to meet people who would like to island hop for a while. His preliminary plans are to head south to Trinidad and then West towards Mexico. He ultimately wants to cruise up to New England next year. We suggest anyone interested in looking for someone to cruise long term with should contact him right away by phone before he flies down to the boat in the next few days. We do not suggest buying a ticket and joining him until he knows 1) he is 100% buying the boat 2) Has more of a plan in place that he will formalize as he speaks with potential OPO crew and 3) Make sure of the terms of what he wants to charge per day or per week for fuel etc. This could be a good opportunity for long term cruising, but we do not know XXXXXX enough to suggest more than calling him and see how things go. He has owned other boats in the past from a Tartan 10 -33 ft then an Ericson 32 and a Hunter 41AC. While the last boats were starter boats, this is the one he plans to live-aboard and cruise. He is looking to meet new people who may want to join him and chip in for provisions and some boat expenses like fuel and dockage while exploring the Caribbean while deciding where to go next. He adds: It is my intention to use the wind as often as possible. I would like crew that are not in a hurry to get to the destination, washer that they enjoy the journey. I have no problem jumping off a sailboat doing 1 knot or less to swim and cool off. If interested please call him at XXX-XXX-XXXX and send your sailing resume to him at XXXXX@XXXX

Note: We get crew requests that are short notice and we get crew requests that are long term and still in planning stages. We got this request last week. The owner is flying down this weekend to make sure 1st that he is buying the boat. He is pretty sure it will go through. If so then he is looking for up to 2 to 3 crew who may want to join him for extended cruising. If interested we suggest speaking with him in the next two or three days while he is still in the USA and see if you will be interested in joining him once he puts a plan together with input from potential crew.