So You Want To Be A Crew Member

I'm sure many avid sailors like myself are not boat owners. That doesn't mean we aren't interested in boats and sailing. I hope this article will give prospective crew members some tips to make their crewing experience easier and more enjoyable. 

How to get a spot crewing

Read local yachting magazines and newspapers. You can also place your own ad and put up notices at yacht clubs and marinas. Stop by some of the local hangouts around marinas such as bars or marine hardware stores (These are also good places to post your notices.) Attend yachting events such as races or even volunteer your services at such events.  Use Google to search for crewing opportunities. Check out Latitude 38 magazine. This is a SF Bay area sailing magazine.

Necessary Skills

You might think sailing skill is the most important thing for a crew member. Wrong--the most important thing is the ability to get along with others and work as a team. There can be only one Captain on a boat and if you have trouble taking orders, you're going to be very unhappy. If you prefer giving orders, consider buying your own boat and then you can be the Captain. Remember, the Captain already knows how to sail the boat. If you don't know how to sail, he can teach you, but he doesn't have the time nor the inclination to teach you how to get along. A lot has been said about Captains yelling. I think much of it is because it's hard to hear on a boat with the wind, waves, and maybe the engine. It's not always possible to use please and thank you in the middle of an important evolution like during anchoring or reefing sails. 

Like most activities sailing has a language all of its own. If you have no experience whatever, your best bets are: Take sailing lessons; read basic sailing books; volunteer to help work on someone's boat at the dock and volunteer to crew on a race boat. Racing is probably the best way to learn to sail and also to learn boat jargon. When the Captain asks you to get a snatch block out of the lazarette, it will help if you know what he's talking about. 

It helps to have some mechanical ability. If you're not too good with things mechanical, you should learn some basic tools such as vise grips, crescent wrench, end wrench, Phillips screw driver, channel locks, etc. When the Captain needs to do some repairs, you will be the one digging out and handing him the proper tools. When he asks you for a 12mm socket with a 3" extension, you don't want to stand there with a blank look. 

I think in the final analysis, attitude means everything. Most Captains I know are more than willing to go out of their way to help someone who's genuinely interested in learning all about boats. 

Bowline Knot

Knots

The most important concept behind a knot tied on a boat is that it should not come untied inadvertently but is easy to untie. The most useful knot is the bowline. Learn to tie it without even thinking about it. It is used to tie sheets to the sails, through rings at a dock (usually when you are on your belly with your head over the edge of a dock), and for a multitude of other things. Learn to tie fenders on to the lifelines or stanchions. Learn to properly coil a line. Ask advice about the different types of knots and their uses. 

Packing Tips

Pack only one soft bag or duffel and maybe a small day pack because space is limited on a boat. Don't bring your best "yachting" clothes because they will get ruined. I suggest several pairs of old shorts and T-shirts. I like old white dress shirts (100% cotton) from the Goodwill or a thrift shop. They will give you good protection from the sun and they can be washed in a bucket with a little bleach when dirty. I usually throw them away at the end of a voyage. I take two pairs of shoes. The first pair are leather boat shoes. Always wear your shoes when the boat is under way because there are too many sharp objects on which to stub your toes. Injuries of this nature are slow to heal in the damp and heat of the tropics. A fall on a boat can result in a serious injury and it also increases your chance of falling overboard. Leave your high tech sandals for going ashore. My second pair of shoes are running or walking shoes such as Nike, etc. 

I bring two hats. The first is a broad brimmed hat with some kind of chin strap or you'll lose it the first day out. The sun is really brutal when out to sea especially in the tropics. If the boat you're on doesn't have a dodger or bimini top for shade, you're going to get cooked. The only solution is to wear plenty of sun screen and long sleeves and pants if the weather permits. Sun glasses are essential and if your eyes are especially sensitive, consider taking a pair of glacier glasses which are extra dark. Don't forget a strap to hold your glasses on. 

I suggest two pairs of gloves. The first pair should be something like a handball or batters glove to wear when you are pulling on sheets attached to sails, etc. The second pair should be the rough leather kind that they sell in hardware stores. This pair you wear when you're handling anchor chain, lines covered with barnacles, and any other rough objects. 

Bring a personal flashlight with an extra bulb and batteries. Bring a Swiss army or riggers knife. A small day pack is handy for carrying groceries back to the boat. Bring an old towel and wash cloth. 

Seasickness

Even the best of sailors get seasick at times. There is no magic cure or preventative. Most pills and patches have unpleasant side effects. That doesn't mean that an occasional dose of Drammamine can't be taken. Believe it or not most people do get their "sea legs" after a few days at sea. 

The usual suggestions to minimize seasickness are: (1) Don't overeat especially greasy foods, (2) Stay above deck if possible, (3) Keep busy like steering the boat, and (4) Keep your eyes looking out toward the horizon. 

Most skippers try to avoid heavy weather and usually try to sail in the best seasons appropriate for an area. 

Some people do use wrist bands that have small plastic knobs that press on "anti-motion sickness" pressure point. If they work for you, go for them. 

On the boat Hints

The first thing you want to know on a boat is where all the emergency gear is stowed like PFDs (lifejackets), safety harness, fire extinguishers, EPIRB, etc.. The Captain should also go over his emergency plans for abandoning ship and his man overboard drill . 

There is almost no privacy on a boat so if you are sensitive about your toilet habits or have trouble sleeping with noise--be prepared. Ear plugs can be used when tied to the dock but shouldn't be used at sea because you need to be alert in case of an emergency. 

In this day of water makers on boats there may be a tendency to not conserve water. I think this is a mistake because the water maker can quit at any time. At sea you can survive a lot longer without a GPS than without water. The last two boats I crewed on had non-operating water makers. With limited amounts of fresh water on a boat, you need to readjust your thinking considerably. The act of bathing in our modern age is more of a cultural ritual than a necessity to remove grime from our bodies. 

Here's the best way to take a bath on a boat: (1) Find a flat spot to sit on the deck, (2) take off all of your clothes, (3) pour a bucket of sea water over yourself and soap up with green Prell shampoo, (4) rinse off with copious amounts of sea water, and (5) take a final rinse with a small amount of fresh water. 

The alternative to this system if it's too cold, you're anchored in a dirty harbor, or you're too shy, is to take a sponge bath down below. Just remember that you can't turn the tap on like you do at home. Do dishes by placing some water in a pan and rinse them in the same manner. Rinse water can be saved for doing the next batch of dishes. Many cruisers wash their dishes in salt water and then rinse them with fresh water. 

When cruising it's some times difficult to get "good" water. It may be necessary at times to haul water in Jerry jugs from the source to the boat. It's important to drink lots of water to prevent dehydration. If the water has a funny taste, I usually add unsweetened Kool-aid to mask the bad taste. 

The marine toilet or "head" on a boat is a very touchy device. learn exactly how it works. Some require the opening and closing of valves while others work on a vacuum principal where you sit on the closed seat while pumping. There are several common mistakes made by land lubbers when using a marine head. One rule that most boat owners use is that nothing goes in the head that you didn't eat or drink. I think this is a good rule. Toilet paper can be placed in a plastic bag and/or thrown over the side. The second mistake is not pumping the head enough times. The waste may have to go through several feet of plastic hose before it actually goes overboard or into a holding tank. You can always pump 8-10 extra times in doubt because the head uses sea water to flush. The worst job on a boat is repairing a plugged up head. I don't think I need to go into detail. 

Having made all these remarks about roughing it on a cruising boat, I'm here to say that it can be one of the greatest experiences of your life. You will learn a lot about yourself. There's nothing like it to get away from the humdrum of everyday city life and seek adventure. Hopefully you'll learn to enjoy the simple pleasures of life and last but not least, don't forget to have fun.