Now just looking to help out on a local classic or traditional boat
I’m a friendly, well travelled and accomplished yachtsperson (Mid 50s) with ample previous experience; trained as a kid by my merchant seaman father in navigation and good seamanship; ex STA cadet, and in teens and twenties, pursued a casual, semi-professional and professional career (First mate, Steward) in yachting, chartering, some racing, and deliveries: and lived abroad a number of times. Not many formal qualifications as they were frowned upon early on but picked up a few relevant ones like RYA Competent Crew (while sail training)
, Marine VHF operator and just recently a RYA powerboat 2 certificate and ICC for power vessels up to 10m. Haven’t done any really serious sailing for a while; apart from some gentle coastal cruising in Sweden and the West Coast of Scotland. Now looking to help out and crew on a classic or traditional boat that’s not too far away for occasional weekends.
Still fit and healthy, good humoured and safety conscious; respectful of chain of command regardless of age, gender or experience. Can hand, reef and steer. Enjoy and skilled in watch keeping and navigation. Experienced helm with good coxswain skills. Have been Bosun on both traditional and modern vessels; extensive and varied maintenance skills. Enjoy rope work and boat maintenance. Happy to adapt to how the skipper likes it; rather than to impose.
Can cook and was a professional steward at one point; modern Oyster 80’ Schooner but prefer keeping watches; although happy doing dishes, tidying and keeping everything shipshape. Spent some time working in a large yacht chandler, so knowledgable on a lot of gear and equipment, including winch maintenance but my engine mechanics are a little basic and agricultural.
Also spent some time as a rigger so happy up the mast and at heights although I’m definitely a lot heavier than I was and not so lithe!
Like music and play the guitar and ukulele to campfire standard: but really don’t have to!!! Avid reader.
Don’t smoke anymore but do still discretely vape,
Generally don’t drink much and not at sea but enjoy the occasional anchor beer or a few glasses on shore as the opportunity arises.
A note about traditional and classic sailing vessels: having spent my early days on a 72’ Robert Clark Cutter, I have particular experience in traditional and classic sailing vessels, including sea time and/or maintenance work on: 105’ Brixham Trawler, 45’ Maine Schooner, 54’ Olin Stephens 1930’s yawl, 24’ Falmouth Pilot, 40’ Ibbold Pilot House Sloop and a transatlantic crossing on an un-renovated J class with no engine and flush decks. Early in my career I was a cadet on STS Malcolm Miller, one of the UK sail training schooners, which had a profound positive influence.
That being said, I have no prejudice or preference for any type of vessel; traditional or modern, sail or power, cruiser or racer; but my proficiency as a Bosun does also include some archaic traditional skills from the use of tarred marline, rotten cotton and whipping to making baggywrinkles and Turks heads.
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