So... I've always wanted to be a sailor, and not just on a cruise ship or something like that, but maybe on a commercial fishing boat. I know most guys who do this probably grew up on the sea, and I didn't. I have no sailing experience; how would I go about just looking into options about if it's possible for me? I don't know how realistic it is, but hey, I can dream right? Any help you can give me would be great. Thanks!
2007-05-06 16:27:56 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Boats & Boating
The other thing I sort-of forgot to add is that I'm a woman... are there many women who do this kind of thing? How receptive are the men on the ships to women sailing with them?
2007-05-07 16:16:21 · update #1
I've been messin with boats all my life, have lived aboard in the Caribbean the last 30, have written a lot for a lot of publications so I can tell you this:
if you really want to go the commercial fishing route, go buy and read Linda Greenwalls books..esp the Hungry Ocean.....remember the woman captain in "The Perfect Storm"? That's her..
Yep, fish, fix and cook is what makes a good crew....and commercial fishing is brutally hard work.......my hat is off to those people....
now, if you want to go sailing or crew on yacht....the mega yacht industry is exploding....there are bunches of 80-200 foot power yachts out there needing crew......and here's the secret....NONE of us were born knowing stuff.we were all ignorant landlubbers at one point.....but there is great camaraderie amongst sailors, for someone...or more likely a bunch of someones.... taught us and we are only to happy........and obligated.... to pass that favor on......this has been going on for about 4,000 years last I checked.....so read Cruising World magazine, Power and Motor Yacht, National Fisherman;
Get yourself down to a seaport and hang out.anywhere on the Gulf for commercial fishing, Ft Lauderdale or St Thomas for the yachting world......a good place to start is at a ships chandlers/marine supply store......you don't make much money but you learn parts and how they go together and you meet boat owners and crews because every boat person is in the marine supply store eventually!
Once you get one line on the resume you're in.'cause we all know each other and talk about each other...if you can say oh yeah I was on the yacht "Pretentious" for three weeks we know who that is and how you reacted and probably what you did......
Go for it!!!
2007-05-08 04:31:51 · answer #1 · answered by yankee_sailor 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check out the book by Harry Pidgeon, another Midwesterner who had a penchant for travel but no sailing experience. He ended up in LA and realized the cheapest way to see the world was to build his own boat and sail it. He was the second person to circumnavigate the world alone, and he did so with little drama. ... dare to dream.
And as far as the woman-thing goes, most of us end up sitting anyway when the seas get real rough, so what's the difference?
2007-05-07 17:28:19 · answer #2 · answered by Dan B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Join the sailboat leaving for an ocean passage for instance from Florida to Europe. If you do not like sailing you can be disambarked somewhere on the coast, but passed C. Hatteras only Bermuda(7-10 days), next Azores (3-4 weeks from Florida)
2007-05-07 12:24:35 · answer #3 · answered by dziadek_jacek 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are many agencies for finding crew!
Crewseekers International is a good one. Just sign up with one or more & list your resume or profile.
Although, as stated by another, the best way is to be readily available & willing in the harbour at the right time.
I'm sure you will be taken aboard quickly; however, check government requirements for necessary papers, such as workers comp, insurance, log book, etc. Not necessarily sailors experience. papers.
Commercial Fishing is a business like any other! It pays to be legal.
2007-05-07 11:04:38 · answer #4 · answered by izzard33 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you want some experience try Alaska, plenty of jobs and get some good pay at the same time.
I am sure you can find out if you like the sea and are adapted to sea life. Most will initially experience sea sickness, you just have to go out and see if you can adjust.
2007-05-06 21:00:36 · answer #5 · answered by jay_d_skinner 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
So what are you doing in Kansas. Get out to the coast, go down to the docks and hang around. There you will find out what a fisheman looks like. Then get your fisheman outfit and go back down to the docks and hang around. Fishing boats need three kinds of people. Those who can fish, those who can fix things, and those who can cook. Find your place and offer to do anything for whatever they offer you. Get some experience, and then you will know how realistic it is for you.
2007-05-06 16:37:50 · answer #6 · answered by Campo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am ready for the thrill ride of my life....I have my sails set, my engines started, and gung ho to go! Now it is time to 'Kick back' and go! Can I travel anywhere I want to ? Can I let 'Up" live up to it's title? Can I bring my Sweet enhancements with me, and use all my wonderful senses? You know, my songs, wit and emotional warmth, all those parts of myself that give pleasurable escapes? Is this like a the menu of life? Can I cram my senses with fun and make this my most entertaining ride, cuz I don't want to do this with halfway measures? Knowing that I will love myself for this later when I give my all! Edit: Goldberry gave a beautiful answer! Smile!
2016-04-01 00:10:04 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
ever spent any time on the ocean ? It's a lot like the desert, only easier to drown.
2007-05-06 23:20:55 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋