Caribbean Travel – To Get Into The Sailing Community 4

 
•Be Flexible

Maybe you have your eyes set on going to the Bahamas but suddenly find yourself with a better offer to sail to Aruba. Take what you can get and enjoy the journey. Its also helpful to learn the Caribbean sailing schedules. Many sailors work around the rainy seasons, hurricane season, and high tourist seasons.

•Be flexible with finances as well. Some sailboat owners will be willing to take you along for just your help around the boat. Others will ask for you to contribute to gas and food. If anyone asks you to pay $100+ each/per day, they are looking to make a profit off of it… just say no thanks and keep looking.

Chelsea Schmidt  (to be continued)

Caribbean Travel – To Get Into The Sailing Community 3

 • If all else fails, google “crew wanted” and your starting point. There are multiple forums out there that list jobs (both paid and unpaid) on sailboats around the world. The only problem is that most of these ads are looking for people with sailing experience.

Don’t expect to dictate the schedule and sometime you wont even get a say in the destination. Hitchhiking on sailboats is all about going will the flow.  

Chelsea Schmidt  (to be continued)

Caribbean Travel – To Get Into The Sailing Community 2

 • Find out if there is a morning radio “show.” In a lot of sailing destinations, the ships get together every morning over their radios to share news, offer services or ask for help, and to update everyone on possible sailing and weather conditions. 

If you can get someone to let you use their radio, politely introduce yourself and ask if anyone is looking for some extra (unpaid) help on their boat.

Chelsea Schmidt  (to be continued)

Caribbean Travel – Ways To Get Into The Sailing Community

 There a are a few ways to get in:

• Just hang around the docks. Sailors are in general friendly folk and they love to chat about their boats. Don’t jump right in with “Can you give me a lift on your boat?” or you will come off as a bit creepy. Remember, these are their homes. Sometimes the docks will have a bulletin board where people post looking for help. You might start with washing a deck and end up with a ride.

Chelsea Schmidt  (to be continued)