Yacht crewing

Fancy spending your time island-hopping in the Caribbean or sailing around exotic locations of the world? Well, many people have been able to do just that by either catching a lift, delivering a yacht, or by finding a position as a crew member on a boat.

Catching a lift

Wherever there is open water you will find some kind of yacht. The best way to find a lift is to frequent yacht clubs where yachts are moored and speak to the captains. Before you board, keep in mind that while, for you, a yacht may be just a means to get from A to B, for some yachties it is home, so make sure you first seek 'permission to board'.

You may like to place an advertisement on a yacht club's or sailing school's noticeboard stating that you are looking for a lift. include where you would like to go and when. And don't forget a contact number.

Depending on the captain, you may find you either have to contribute to the running expenses of the yacht (including food) for the length of the trip (usually worked out per day), or you may be able to work your passage. Some people have saved thousands of dollars in travel costs by working their passage. Do note you may be required to pay a bond and you should find out about insurance for any mishaps at sea. Popular places to catch a lift include:

Sydney for the Whitsundays in Queensland or to New Zealand;

Darwin for Asia;

Auckland Harbour for the Pacific and the USA;

Balboa (Pacific Ocean end) or Port of Cristobal (Atlantic Ocean end) of the Panama Canal;

any of the Caribbean islands, particularly Antigua (English Harbour), Jamaica (Montego Bay) and the Isle of Martinique;

Gibraltar: at the mouth of the Mediterranean, this is often a stop-off point for yachties to pick up supplies after crossing the Atlantic;

Nice and Monte Carlo: in the Mediterranean, these are very popular;

any of the Greek islands.

Many yachties spend the northern hemisphere summer sailing around the Mediterranean, then cross the Atlantic Ocean (which can take around six weeks) for the Caribbean, where they island-hop between September to April.

If you are worried that you don't have any experience, you may wish to undertake a sailing course to learn the basics.

Delivering a yacht or motor cruiser

Sometimes people prefer to arrive at their destination by quicker means yet still have their yacht or motor cruisers available to them on their arrival. While others who have bought a new vessel require it to be delivered to them. This is why crew are required to deliver a yacht or motor cruiser to its destination. There are therefore opportunities available to work on these vessels to get them to their destination.

Finding a position

There are many who 'drop out' and like to spend their time in exotic locations. Some either own their own yachts or charter them. Depending on the size of the vessel, there can be positions onboard. These include: captains, mates, engineers, chefs, cooks and stewards/stewardesses.

Work can also be found during times in 'dry dock', cleaning and scrubbing hulls, painting, re-fitting, mending sails, etc.

Besides speaking to captains and leaving advertisements on noticeboards in yacht clubs, positions can be found by contacting a recruitment agency. There are a number of agencies that can link crew (from novices to professionals) with captains/owners of boats who require staff or a boat to be delivered. Most of these agencies have websites listing positions which you can apply for on-line.

Work Overseas > Yacht Crewing

Catching a lift

Delivering a yacht or motor cruiser

Finding a position