Loco

Before the human race got a hankering for fossil fuel-powered industrialisation, it was our good old friend the wind who transported us to the far corners of the globe (mainly for war, plunder and rape, but we’ll put that aside for the moment). Contrary to popular belief, it is still possible to get around the world in this way, and with the right planning it can be extremely low carbon and even free!

The experience of sailing can vary greatly, from a small  jaunt in an over-sized pond, to an epic adventure across oceans and through storms. It probably makes sense to do one before the other, but it is possible to get passage on a vessel with more experienced crew members without ever having set sail before.

The basics

If you want to find out whether or not sailing is for you (be warned – some seasickness is inevitable at first!) then you can learn the ropes with one of the many short courses offered by organisations such as the British Offshore Sailing School (BOSS) in Southampton. To get a qualification that is widely recognised amongst crew seekers, you could also consider a RYA Competent Crew sailing course. It’s suitable for complete beginners and costs about £300. After a 5 days course you’ll have 100 nautical miles under your belt, and four nights as sea, not to mention all manner of skills that will make you all the more attractive to prospective captains. Skullduggery, piracy, and walking the plank lessons are not included in this price.

Finding a boat

It can be rather expensive to buy your own yacht, and in fact some people have likened this hobby to standing in a shower while tearing up money. But this doesn’t mean you can’t travel around the world on one, and as an international hitchhiker you can be happy in the knowledge that at least it’s not your money.

There is some paid work available as crew for yacht deliveries, and some larger yachts seek cleaners, cooks and stewards for their vessels. Alternatively seek out private yacht owners who might be willing to take extra crew along for the ride. Expect to contribute to food and fuel costs, and be prepared to take on a fair share of the work; from cooking, cleaning and scrubbing the deck, to 2 hour watch shifts in the middle of the night. The challenge with this is planning your travels in such an unpredictable environment. Also, it is of course crucial that you get on a safe vessel with nice people!

Boats have the equivalent of MOT tests to guarantee their seaworthiness. If you choose to try and find passage on a yacht without getting a qualification like Competent Crew, then larger vessels are probably your best bet – as well as being a more stable ride, there are more decks for you to scrub in order to earn your keep! Be sure to ask about lifeboats and life jackets, drinking water storage, desalination equipment, and radio and navigation technology to name but a few. This isn’t something that should be taken lightly, so do weigh your options carefully before you hop aboard a tin can destined for distance shores.

Useful sites

Travelling on a yacht that is not your own is never going to be as reliable or predictable as a mode of transport that you can actually book a ticket for, but there is an increasing amount of information available for people seeking passage on a ship. The following sites let you register as a potential crew member and browse yachts who are seeking crew:

• Crew seekers - does what is says on the tin. You can register as an amateur or experienced crew here and find an exciting adventure. You are able to view potential positions on this site but must pay a joining fee in order to reply to ads. While this is a pain it does mean that most people using this site are serious about finding crew
• Yacht Movers – for those who are already qualified sailors and are seeking more responsibility, these folks are specialists in delivering yachts around the world
• Work On A Boat – a company that offers training as well as crew placement, and forums
• Global crew network – offers positions for amateur and experienced crew, though as a fairly new website it’s yet to see how many yacht owners post vacancies on this sites

What’s it really like?

Using one of the above websites, Kate, co-founder of Loco2, was able to find passage on a yacht from Mexico to Australia, spending in excess than 4 months living at sea. She was totally inexperienced in the world of yachting but secured her passage by offering her skills as cook and smiling a lot. Read all about her experiences on the blog.

Depending on the nature of your adventure, and whether you are combining sailing with other modes of transport (maybe you got the train to Spain and now fancy being spontaneous), a good way to find passage is to actually ask around at marinas themselves. Posting a notice saying ‘crew available’ might give better results than trying to secure something via a website before you get to the sea. If you’re flexible and willing then there are all sorts of opportunities available so get out there and have a go. The golden rule of course is safety first. Never do anything you don’t feel comfortable with, especially if you are travelling on your own.

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