55ft Fast Catamaran - Young crew sailing around the world
Aloha! Eric (30) here. I’ve been circumnavigating the world on my performance catamaran for more than two years and 30k miles now. Along the way I pick up crew as I go to share in and create the adventure.
Upcoming Opportunities ———
Sailing to Norfolk Island from NZ and back during June of 2022. It should be good way of getting a bit of ocean sailing in on a 500 mile passage. Looking for crew who are a great vibe and keen for the experience of doing a small ocean crossing who are eager to help out with all the work that goes into such a thing!
Unfortunately this is the only opportunity coming up for the near future
Recent adventures:
July 2020 - two week trip and managed to catch crayfish, paua, as well as a 100kg tuna while enjoying some anchorages along the way.
Nov 2020 - circumnavigated NZ, 2400 miles of hard sailing but so epic and worthwhile. Visited Stewart island and fiordland.
Jan 2021 - Great Barrier Island, Mercury Islands
Jan 2022 - Great Barrier Island, Poor Knights, Mokes
Long term I’m sailing around the world so south east Asia, Australia, Africa, Antarctica and the NW passage are planned destinations for the future. Don’t be shy about reaching out and making a connection even with the long horizon, many of the crew I invite out I’ve known for a good amount of time.
About Me —————
I grew up in a cruising family sailing around French Polynesia, Mexico and the Salish sea. At 23 I bought my first boat, a 43ft Beneteau. 2 years later I bought Zephyr in French Polynesia and sailed her over 6k miles back to San Francisco with a crew of misfits. In 2018 I left to sail the world heading up to Alaska, then down to Mexico, then across the Pacific. All in all I’ve sailed over 30k miles in the last few years.
I’m an engineer by training and used to design consumer electronics that people seem to love. I dig the meditation that comes from days at sea and love falling asleep to waves gently passing under the hull. Very into living off the land or sea whether that be gathering coconuts/passion fruit ashore or going out to the reef pass for a spear. Loving making sushi or poke bowls with the catch of the day.
The best experiences in my travels have always been on the roads less traveled. The people are friendlier and its the people that make the place.
About Zephyr ————
Zephyr is an Outremer 55 Light. Outremer designs catamarans for one purpose - owners circumnavigating the world quickly and safely. She is robust with solid fiberglass hulls that have put up with their fair share of ice and logs in my time owning her. She’s damn fast and in the right conditions can sail at nearly the true wind speed. She can even beat monohulls to windward using her daggerboards and low windage.
Lots of solar. I try to be as green as possible minimizing the use of any sort of generator. She’s got a few paddleboards too.
About You ——————
Being able to handle all the adventurous ups and downs of this lifestyle with poise is probably the most important thing. That means handling challenges with grace and positivity, preferably laughing about it on the way.
Being an expert at sailing isn’t necessary. Knowing the basics though will help you learn 10x as much about sailing during your time on board. With that being said, I take on folks who have other skills they can add to the crew who know little to nothing about sailing all the time,
The best groups are always the ones where everyone is generous towards each other with their time, support and positivity. With the right group, the whole is always greater than the sum of its parts.
Food ——————
Generally we try to pack the boat up with as much greens as possible at every port stop. If fish can be caught, they will be caught. I don’t personally eat much meat or dairy but don’t mind if you do. If you’re vegan no worries, as long as you can make awesome vegan dishes to share!
Money —————
Its normally been easier to do a very very reasonable fixed amount per day that includes food, fuel, propane etc. Ive been told it’s normally less than what traveling and staying in hostels costs . I am not trying to make or lose money doing this as I feel that its a better group dynamic that way. Some legs would be more expensive than others due to local costs (like French Polynesia for example). Booze is best done as an addition because people have wildly different habits in this area. Other costs that would be shared:
- Immigration/Visa costs
- Marinas if we want to tuck in somewhere for convenience so everyone can get on/off the boat easily, for example for some weekend nightlife. Zephyr spends most of her time at anchor though.
Safety —————
Safety is critical. Zephyr has not one but two EPIRBs (satellite emergency beacons), top of the line arctic life raft, 5 survival suits for immersion, and a satellite iridium phone for weather, basic email and emergencies. I take care of Zephyr and she’ll without a doubt do her best to take care of us.
Other Stuff ————
If you enjoy spending time in the water, you’re probably on the right track. Cold or warm, lots of activities on zephyr tend to involve getting in the ocean.
If you have a desire to help out with photography, have a drone you can fly, a GoPro you can plunge, or just have experience creating awesome photos/videos that’s a huge value add.
Fundamentally, if we’re all generous towards each other, keep each other safe, look out for the ship, then the whole will inevitably be greater than the sum of its parts.
If you just want to follow along on the journey find Zephyr on:
Instagram @voyageofthezephyr
Facebook Voyage of the Zephyr
Web: www.voyageofthezephyr.com
If you’ve made it this far, congrats! You’re keen as.
When you send me a message make sure to include a bit about your cool self.
Cheers and fair winds all
- Eric
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