Custom Classic 50' sloop - Mediterranean circuit
Hi there, I'm Andy - Latest Update as at January 2022:
After two years in the Mediterranean we left Sardinia in July 2021 and made our way back through the Balearics, to Gibraltar and north along the Portuguese and Spanish coasts to Galicia. We have been joined along the way by some fabulous Crewbay applicants (see feedback). Without exception we have enjoyed sailing with them all - some just for a few weeks and others for much longer. We are now looking at plans for 2022 and two of our previous crew are already committed but we have room for one more and can once again offer a berth to the right candidate to join us for the adventure ahead.
Our itinerary is yet to be confirmed (and crew get a vote too). At the moment it looks likely that from late May we shall head back into the Mediterranean and hopefully towards the Adriatic which I want to visit for family reasons before turning west to return the boat to the UK by the end of the summer. We cannot guarantee exact destination or itinerary but we can offer adventure, fun, lots of sea miles (5000+ if you stay with us throughout ) and to pass on whatever experience we can.
We are no strangers to longer, adventurous and ocean passages having previously brought the boat back from Hawai'i, taken her north to Svalbard and back and some more gentle cruising in the Med. We cannot guarantee where we'll end up going but we can promise to make it fun, exciting, safe and rewarding for those who sail with us.
What we ask from you is being prepared to stand watches, play a full part in running the boat, basic maintenance and normal housekeeping in exchange for time at sea and joining us for the adventures ahead. No experience or is necessary although some basic maintenance skills and a willingness to learn would be a bonus. We don't mind if you have tattoos or smoke (on deck only) but do ask that you are enthusiastic, keen to learn and determined to get the most from life. We are NOT looking for paid crew, delivery skippers, romance or partners. Our style and preference is to seek out quieter deserted anchorages rather than nightlife or parties. This call for crew is intended to offer opportunity rather than to fulfil a need. Several of our previous crew have found it a good way to gain experience (and go on to successfully pass Yachtmaster assessments), skills and sea time/miles before moving on to professional employment - and have met their future employers in the professional yachting business through meeting them along the way on our travels.
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Background
My wife and I have been cruising away from UK on our classic sloop from UK towards, and within, the Med since mid June 2019. We have had friends, Crewbay applicants and family join us onboard for varying periods along the way. It is most fun and rewarding if crew can stay for an extended period and get settled into the wonderful rhythms and simplicities of life at sea. The yacht is a well maintained and fully equipped with modern and well maintained safety equipment.
2020 and 2021 plans were obviously more restricted than we'd have liked, although, despite Covid, we did enjoy some really enjoyable sailing with fabulous crew (male and female) found here on Crewbay. We hope we'll sail with them all again but are now looking to offer similar opportunities to others. As mentioned above, we are not looking for a delivery skipper or paid experienced crew.
My wife has work commitments that prevent her doing longer passages. I'm happy to single-hand but it is more fun (and practical) sailing with like-minded souls who'd be keen to come along to gain miles, experience, stand watches and to enjoy the thrill of exploring by sea. In return, I pay onboard expenses and have done, and will do my best to pass on as much of my own experience as possible (I’ve circumnavigated the globe under sail (Whitbread) and spent time sailing to both the Arctic and Antarctica - I'm a commercially endorsed YM(Ocean) with over 280,000nm logged on sail and power vessels of all sizes and shapes. I do the odd delivery too and would hope that people who sail with us will form a pool of people we'd ask if we need delivery crew at any time.
Our ideal requirement would suit particularly someone looking to gain experience at sea and build miles on a lovely classic yacht, living and sailing in the sun but happy to enjoy the excitement of worse weather if and when it is necessary. We are looking for someone who will, in effect, become part of the family, who we can trust absolutely, stand watches as our 'eyes and ears', fit in with other members of the crew (all found here on Crewbay), provide an extra pair of hands and possibly boat-sit for periods if I/we have to return to the UK.
I offer no formal wages but I would pay onboard living expenses and provide accommodation onboard. I'm not keen on schedules (and the COVID rules keep changing too) so the mood will be flexible and to go with the wind and whim; and to take time to explore places we find along the way. We enjoy sun and being in the water as much as sailing on it! Anyone joining us gets a vote in the plan.
The yacht is a classic steel sloop, sound, well maintained and equipped. She’s is a traditional vessel so there are no private cabins, little or no privacy and few mod cons like air-con, showers, freezers, washing machines or TVs.
The only real 'rules' are no drugs or firearms of any type please. What you do ashore is up to you - but not on (or from) the boat. You'll need a passport and, if applicable, visa for the EU.
We are free spirited and love adventure, being at sea (or in it) and enjoy the fun and freedoms of being totally unshackled from the conventions of life ashore and other peoples’ expectations; able to sail, to swim, sunbathe, read, sleep and think. Living barefoot, free from phones, technology, clothing, whatever. Free, for a while at least, to live in harmony with ourselves, those around us and the wonders of our maritime environment.
Trip on Atlantis
I came into contact with andy through Crewbay and immediately got a good feeling about his experiences and plans. I was going to sail a ship with him from Latvia to Amersfoort, but the weather made it impossible. Then we flew to Atlantis (his boat) and we had a super week in Spain. I learned a lot and had a great time. Hope to come back on board soon to have a nice adventure and if you would like a nice trip this is the one.
24th Sep 2021