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  • Andy_B

    • 50ft Custom Classic sloop
    • Spain
    • Checked in 1 year ago

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.

show hide Position

Position

  • Crew positionNovice Crew

  • Availability 25 May 2022 until 23 Sep 2022

  • Expenses to/from vesselNegotiable

  • Expenses onboardPaid by skipper / boat owner

  • Team / SoloNot important

show hide Vessel

Vessel

  • TypeSailing Yacht

  • Make/modelCustom Classic sloop

  • Length50 feet

  • Berth4

  • Sailing from Spain , Galicia

  • Sailing to United Kingdom

  • Language spoke aboardEnglish

  • Boat descriptionOur lovely yacht is a 50' steel classic sloop built in 1957 in Hamburg. Since then she has sailed around much of the globe. She is maintained to the highest standards with a particular focus on safety. She has the beauty of a classic and the strength of steel capable of sailing at high latitudes - in 2013 we took her for an extended exploration of Svalbard. In 2019 we sailed south to the Mediterranean and, when Covid permitted, explored the Spanish coastline, Balearics and Sardinia. This year we have recently returned to Galicia pending new adventures. Safety gear includes satellite phone, HF/SSB, EPIRB and personal beacons, ocean liferaft, modern serviced lifejackets, radar, Class B AIS transponder. With a long keel she is steady at sea and despite low freeboard is surprisingly dry on deck. She is not the fastest yacht in the world but she is safe, steady and comfortable in the worst weather.

show hide Skipper

Skipper

  • NationalityUnited Kingdom

  • Age60

  • GenderMale

  • Fluent languages English

  • Basic knowledge of French
    German

  • Qualifications ISAF Offshore Safety
    Long Range Radio Certificate
    RYA Oceanmaster
    RYA Yachtmaster
    STCW Basic Safety Training
    STCW Fire Fighting
    STCW 1st Aid
    STCW Personal Safety and Social Responsibility
    STCW Maritime Security Awareness
    ENG1 cert.

  • Sea Miles 10,000+

show hide Feedback

Feedback

9

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Trip on Atlantis

5

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

Very knowledgeable skipper and all round good bloke!

5

For a first experience on yachts I couldn’t have asked for a better month sailing the Mediterranean. Andy is a very experienced sailor with a lot to teach and I always felt comfortable on the yacht; which is also a beautiful yacht to sail and live on. Will definitely be rejoining the adventure soon for the next chapter!

23rd Jun 2021

Highly recommend!

5

I joined Andy and two other Crewbay members onboard Atlantis for a week exploring the north coast of Mallorca in June 2021. Despite the short duration of the trip I learned a huge amount and found Andy to be a very kind, fun and generous person with lots of experience and interesting stories! It was an amazing experience - I would highly recommend sailing with Andy and look forward to seeing him again. Thank you for everything!

14th Jun 2021

Amazing experience

5

I sailed together with Andy and another young crewbay member for 3 weeks from Cartagena to Ibiza and Mallorca and it was just an awesome experience! Andy is a very friendly, generous person and a really good sailing teacher. If you have the chance to sail with him, do it! I really enjoyed my 3 weeks on Atlantis and learned a lot. Thanks for everything Andy and see you again on Atlantis or in Germany next time!:)

11th Jun 2021

A December to remember !

5

We were lucky enough to spend a couple weeks exploring the coast off of Cartagena in December. I had an incredible time aboard Atlantis with Andy! Despite the trip being short i learnt so much from Andy, not only is he an extremely knowlegable Skipper, but he also shared alot of wisdom that he has aquired through a very exciting life. I am very grateful for the experience and happy to have made a friend in Andy! I look forward to more sailing in the future.. Much love x

24th Feb 2021

Excellent Sailing Instructor

5

Andy taught me how to sail during a week long trip near Cartagena, Spain. He explained everything very clearly and I went from having no idea of how to sail, to feeling a lot more confident.. even during a man overboard excersise when Andy jumped off the boat and I thought I had ran him over! After Andy returned to the UK for work commitments, I stayed onboard in the marina and did a few painting jobs onboard which was also a great experience as I made a lot of new friends in the marina. All in all, Andy is a great teacher and all round nice person.

20th Oct 2020

Experience of a lifetime

5

In Summer 20' I sailed with Andy for almost two months, visiting the South and East of Spain for more than 1,200 miles, and it's been one of the best experiences of my life. He tried to make the trip as exciting as possible, visiting a bunch of places while enjoying the adventure. He has an extensive knowledge about sailing and loves to share it. He is a friendly skipper, an excellent teacher and a genuinely good person. It's been an incredible pleasure to have the opportunity to meet him and share this summer with him. I would recommend Andy to anyone. I didn't only had a great experience but also earned a true friendship. I'm really looking forward to the next time we see again. Fins aviat!

12th Oct 2020

A friend

5

Searching for boats on crewbay can get quite frustrating after a while but Andy is one of the persons that make it worth to keep on going nevertheless because by finding him I didn't just found a boat but a friend. Although we never met in person we created a deep connection that will last despite of Covid-19 or what else will come. The amount of support and help I experienced thanks to him carried me through demanding times and still do. As long as the wind blows I'll carry on searching for Atlantis and I know I'll end up by standing on her deck, heading into unknown waters and new adventures sooner or later! Thank you for everything! Bis bald! Leon

9th Oct 2020

Very recommend!

5

Andy is a really friendly and open minded skipper. He made me feel welcome from the first day and was always trying to make this adventure as good as possible for me. Before I came on board he gave me the chance to speak to his previous crewmember and also to his wife, which made me feel very safe and comfortable, that he is the right person to go on my first sailingtrip. I felt safe the whole trip and he took good care of me, also in times in which I didn’t feel too good at sea :D We had a good time sailing or motorsailing to Mallorca, Ibiza and back to the mainland. It was a lot of fun and he taught me a lot. Atlantis is a very cosy and beautiful boat! I hope to get to sail with them again and maybe meet his wife the next time. Thank you for everything Andy!

3rd Oct 2020

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