Need crew for a Gulf crossing in March — how do people actually find reliable crew?

Question

Running Tampa to Isla Mujeres in March and want one more competent body aboard for the overnight legs. Crew-finder sites are full of people who've 'always wanted to try sailing.' How do you find someone who can actually stand a night watch without it becoming a babysitting job?

capt_marcus · Answer

Day-sail them first. Non-negotiable. Four hours tells you more than any resume — can they steer a compass course, reef without drama, and are they still pleasant at hour 3. Skills you can teach; temperament you can't.

riggerjim · Answer

Local sailing clubs and the racing crowd beat the apps every time. Racers can stand a watch and fix things. Post on the club board: 'experienced hand wanted for offshore passage, share expenses.'

catalina_kate · Answer

Be blunt in the ad about the hard parts: night watches, no privacy, seasickness possible, cook your own. The people it scares off were going to quit in Mexico anyway.

gulfgypsy · Answer

Day-sail vetting it is. Already had one 'experienced' applicant ask if the boat had wifi for the crossing. Next.

Need crew for a Gulf crossing in March — how do people actually find reliable crew?

4 replies