Message Board: Sailing Opportunities

OPO Crew Request # 25-41 Boat Owners and skipper XXXXXX is looking for one more crew for a total of four crew for his annual passage north on this very well maintained and equipped Swan 53 named XXXXXX. He has gotten crew from us before and it has worked out well. He e-mails: We're Planning to deliver Antares from St Lucia to the Chesapeake Bay this spring. Current plan is to depart from Rodney Bay at the beginning of May. One of our crew isn't able to join. I'm looking for a reliable, physically fit and congenial sailor to add to our crew for a total of 4 sailors aboard. We'd prefer someone with offshore experience and some big boat experience. This is a recreational gig. I'll cover provisions aboard. We run a dry boat while underway and a 4 on/ 8 off watch system. I've owned and maintained Antares for 25 years and have sailed her single handed and crewed 35000+NM.Antares is extraordinarily well maintained and wonderful to sail offshore. The passage is free with all onboard boat expenses and provisioning included. If interested please send your sailing resume to him at XXXXX@XXXX

OPO Crew Request # 25-39 Captain and boat owner XXXXXX is looking for one or two more crew for a total of three crew for his sail north this spring. The boat is a 1983 Passport 40 named XXXXXX that he has owner for 16 years. He has a web site at www.UUUUU.com He plans to sail with three crew, but plans short hops up the coast as he is in no rush. While he states the passage could be done in as little as two weeks, weather and waiting on a good weather window could delay the passage. This is a good miles building passage for someone who plans to buy a boat and make this passage in the future. Learn from a pro who has made this passage many times. He has gotten crew from us before and it has worked out well. He Adds: Malay carries all required safety equipment as well as a full suite of electronics, vhf, AIS, radar, 2 independent chart plotters, satellite communications. Inspected life raft. This passage is an early season move from Florida to New England and will be accomplished in short 2-4 day passages unless we get a lucky weather window allowing more days offshore. Currently it is expected we will sail Vero Beach to Fernandina Beach FL (2days), then to Beaufort NC (3days), then 4 days on ICW to Norfolk VA, thence to either NYC(2days) or Block Island RI (3days) then onto Salem MA, 2-day sails. This trip can be done in under two weeks with good weather but considering time of year and likely short weather windows it could take as much as 4 weeks. This trip is perfect for those considering moving their own most along the US east coast as we will sail the route commonly used by migratory boats traveling from New England to Florida and the Bahamas. Should we have to wait on weather we will stop in interesting places such as Cumberland Island National Seashore. Malaya is a carnivorous boat. We cannot accommodate diets that do not eat meat or fish. Crew should know their motion sickness limits and how to deal with them, must carry own motion meds. The passage is free with all onboard expenses included, but you end to get to and from the boat and have money for meals and drinks at stops along the way. If interested please send your sailing resume to him atXXXXX@XXXX

OPO Crew Request # 25-36 Boat owner and skipper XXXXXX is looking for two more crew for a total of three crew for his passage north. He has a 2018 Beneteau 40 named XXXXXX from Miami to Boston. He says crew do not need a lot of offshore experience but he wants crew that do know how to sail. If you have been seeking offshore sea time and want to build miles this may be a good opportunity. I assume he has a good autopilot and will make the passage in about 7 to 10 days. He does not include much information in his e-mail to me that you will have to ask a few more questions and decide if you want to e-mail him your sailing resume and phone number so you can ask more about his plan. We assume the passage is free with all onboard expenses included but you end to get to and from the boat. Send your sailing resume to him at XXXXX@XXXX

OPO Crew Request # 25-34 Nassau Bahamas to Hilton Head Island, SC - Boat owner and skipper XXXXXX is looking for crew for this passage on his 2001 Amel 53 named XXXXXX. He is looking for one more crew for a total of three. You will be expected to stand a solo watch. He has gotten crew from us before and we believe it went well. He Adds; She is a well maintained boat and is sound. Genoa and mizzen sails were new 4 years ago, main sail is still in good condition. The AIS currently will receive but not transmit, the main mast steaming and deck light is inoperable. All other systems work normally. Myself I learned to sail when I was 6 and sailed actively until I was 18 then sailed to Hawaii twice. Once on a 33ft Trimaran from San Francisco to Honolulu, a 2nd trip on an Amel Super Maramu and more recent on my own boat from Grenada to the Bahamas logging 3600 miles on an Amel Super Maramu. Crewmember Racing skipper and crew on different racing boats. Boat has a generator, watermaker 220Vac electrical, v Berth with separate head that is a wet head. 1/4 Berth and pilot Berth. Liferaft Epirb, ditch bag, flares. She is a true bluewater cruiser that has electric furling genoa, main and a manual furling mizzen, electric winches. Captain has experience in ocean crossing as a crew member and also has experience on his current boat sailing from Grenada to the Bahamas. In total the captain has 3900 miles of experience sailing an Amel Super Maramu in various conditions He does not leave crew a lot of time to plan. He did not specify terms so we assume the passage is free and he pays all boat expenses. You need to get to and from the boat. You can ask. If interested, please send your sailing resume and questions to him at XXXXX@XXXX

Short Notice - had an OPO crew drop outHank OPO OPO Crew Request # 25-15 25 March 2025 Starret Jenkins 45 Puerto Rico to Bahamas - Retired charter boat captain XXXXXX is looking for one or two crew to join him for this downwind sail from PR to the Green Turtle Cay in the Bahamas. He is about to close on this classic Starret Built Jenks 45 that has a new rig, new engine and new sails. I spoke with him and all seems well. He plans to add a new dodger and have the boat ready by the end of March or early April. He has spent 20 years in the Caribbean working for others and now wants to sail his own boat with this 1st leg from St. Thomas to the Bahamas. He would like to sail with three in total, 4 max if there is a couple that would like to join. He will pay for all boat expenses and onboard food. W will let common sense help decide what you want to add to the pantry. You pay to get to and from the boat and have money for meals and drinks ashore. While he has his fist destination set, the departure and arrival time is still in planning stages so you will want to be addresses up front. I spoke with him who is looking forward to his sailing his own boat where he wants for a change. If interested please send your sailing resume to him at XXXXX@XXXX

OPO Crew Request # 25-29 Boat owner and skipper XXXXXX and his wife are looking for at least two and possibly three crew (A single and a couple?) for a total of five crew to help sail their 2004 Hylas 46 named XXXXXX from Derecktor Shipyard in Dania Beach Forida to the Bridgeport CT area on Long Island Sound. They would like crew with some offshore since you will be expected to stand a solo watch sometimes. While Mike has owned several boats in the past including an Ericsson, Sabre, captained a 130-foot 3 masted topsail schooner The boat is new to them. They bought her from the owners in Panama and sailed her to Fort Lauderdale. Trip was 12 days. Mike has over thirty offshore passages on previous boats. She Adds: The boat is in excellent condition, all new electronics, new sails and rigging, bottom freshly painted with new folding propeller, too many upgrades to list. All state of the art, everything has been professionally serviced including engine, auto pilot, generator, water maker. She’s been completely looked over and have survey if needed. He is a very experienced sailor. I have less experience, limited blue water miles and mostly coastal sailing. We are looking forward to experienced crew. Experience on a Hylas would be bonus. The boat is in Derecktor shipyard on Ft Lauderdale having her hull blasted and repainted, new folding propeller, and other engine maintenance. The plan is straight shot from Ft Lauderdale to Beaufort to reprovision/refuel, then straight shot to Connecticut. We would only stay in Beaufort 1 day/ 2 days max or what the weather window shows. Crew can arrive 1 day in advance or earlier. I have rented an Airbnb big enough to house crew. It would be nice to have the crew get acclimated. The Passage is free with all onboard expenses included, but you need to get to and from the boat and have money for meals and drinks ashore. If interested please send your sailing resume to her at XXXXX@XXXX

OPO Crew Request # 25-25 Boat owner XXXXXX and his wife are looking for two or three crew (One couple would me perfect to share a cabin) for a total of four or five crew for this upwind passage from Florida to the USVI. The boat is a new Seawind 1370 which is a 45foot Catamaran. He has owned or chartered two previous catamarans. He knows this is an upwind passage from Florida to the Caribbean, but the winds are much calmer this time of year so hopefully with the weather cooperating this passage may take as little as 10 to 14 days, but one has to understand that you cannot make miles if the winds or sea are up and you have to wait on weather. He adds and explains: Will most likely port into Key West then Turks and Caicos to refuel, provision and a two-day fun/rest. Anticipate arriving in St Thomas before May 14th. My wife and I will be aboard and looking for 3 crew, no hot bedding but two will share a cabin. Karen my wife is cook and chief bottle washer. I have brought two cats up from the BVI’s to Fort Lauderdale once as crew and the other as skipper, both in later May. Sold the lagoon and chartered in the Carib whilst I waited for the Seawind to be delivered. I use Predict Wind which I have found very accurate if the polars are set conservatively. Flat out no stops is 8 days but a lot of motoring, thus two stop overs for fuel. I run two 57hp Yanmar’s with Gori props. I find cruise speed at 7.5 to 7.8 knots where she likes to cruise and calculated 1.4 gallons per hour with 166-gallon capacity of fuel. The passage is free with boat expenses and onboard food included, but as usual you need to get to and from the boat and have money for meals and drinks along the way. If interested please send your sailing resume to him at XXXXX@XXXX

OPO Crew Request # 25-26 Long time OPO member and good friend XXXXXX is looking for additional crew to join him for a pleasure cruise for 10 to 12 days. You would join him in St. Lucia and sail north for a couple of days and then south to Grenada where he will be laying up the boat for the off season. He has a 2010 X-yacht XC45 named XXXXXX which is their cruising model. Not a race boat like most X-Yachts. We have been getting crew for him for many years and most have become good friends who have continued to sail with him on his sailing vacations in the Caribbean for the last five years. Since this is a cruise and not a delivery, He asks crew to chip in for some provisioning. Plus he likes to eat ashore more than onboard so you will want to make sure you have money for food and drinks ashore. He e-mails: this would be a week to ten-day sail stopping for snorkeling, dinners on the French islands, exploring the islands, and sailing my ‘new’ 2010 X-Yacht xc45 in the trade winds. I bought this boat in Hamble, UK, and my crew and it sailed it down to the Cape Verde islands and across to Sint Maarten and finally to St. Lucia. it is a great 46’ sailing yacht with 3 staterooms and 2 heads, 2 lee cloths in the saloon midship and still set up to cross oceans. safety features include jack lines, EPIRBS, Predict Wind for weather updates and routing, inflatable life vests and tethers but bring your own if available, Ray Marine chart plotter, radar and autopilot, etc. and have a general familiarity with da island chain between the Virgin Islands and Grenada since I have owned a sailboat down there since 2009 and have been chartering in the lesser Antilles since the 1980s. I do not have a lot of mechanical expertise but rely on either a crew so inclined or I am familiar with many of the individual mechanics on the various islands e.g. the moorings, etc. at this point there are no known issues with this yacht and this will be my 5th sailing adventure for the ‘24- ‘25 sailing season. I’m primarily looking for sailors who would like to sail a great sailing yacht but also enthusiasm for the adventure goes a long way too contributing to the team sport . . . If interested please send your sailing resume to him at XXXXX@XXXX

OPO Crew Request # 25-24 Boat owner XXXXXX sent us this crew request Sunday evening. We all know this is very short notice, but this is a great boat with a very experienced skipper and mate so I decided it was worth a shot to send out and see if we have any OPO members who are ready on short notice. The boat is a 2012 Oyster 575 named XXXXXX that had a refit in 2023. This is a very well-equipped boat. They do not require crew with a lot of offshore experience. More important is that you are available, will be a pleasure to have aboard and can follow instructions. The skipper is an Annapolis grad, former Naval officer, boat owner, experienced racer, multiple ocean crossings. The 1st mate has sailed multiple transatlantics. He Adds: KOA MOANA is a cutter rigged, Oyster 575 with hydraulic in mast furling. We will be carrying an asymmetric downwind sail with a sock and a reacher with roller furling. She has the standard Oyster conveniences i.e.: generator, water maker, microwave, A/C, etc. Electronics include radar, three chart plotters and autopilot. A refit was completed in 2023, including all new working sails and standing rigging. The passage is free with all onboard expenses and onboard provisions included. Normally OPO crew pay their own way to and from the boat. Since this was shirt notice I dd not take the time to ask him if he is willing to offer a travel stipend “Within reason” for good crew who can drop everything and get to the boat in Georgia and help with this upwind delivery to St. Maarten or Antigua. He did not specify which one so you will also have to ask where the boat will end up so you can plan to travel home. If interested please send your sailing resume and phone number to him so you can make plans. His e-mail address is XXXXX@XXXX

OPO Crew Request # 25-22 Boat owner and skipper XXXXXX is looking for two or three more crew for a total of four for this passage from the Caribbean side of the Panama Canal to Nova Scotia. He has one repeat crew who may be coming but is not 100% sure yet. The boat is a 1989 47 foot Van De Stadt named XXXXXX that he has owned for 15 years and has made 5 Trans-Atlantic crossing. Since you will be standing a solo watch sometimes you have to have some offshore experience doing solo watches. The boat is “fully equipped for passage making and cruising with a full sail locker and racing history. Comfortable downstairs. Strong, aluminum build with solid dog house which makes watch keeping a joy. Well-equipped for long distance cruising, water-maker, 2 x fridges, 800Ah house battery, separate nav battery, star link. Cat 0 offshore boat, all the safety equipment from life raft to epirbs to lifejackets with AIS beacons.” He has a web site https://www.UUUUUU.com. He has no set itinerary, which is a good things, as a schedule can be the worst plan, but explains his outline. He explains: In terms of the actual passage I am in the early stages of planning. I am getting back to the boat on the 2nd of April having left it on a mooring for 2 months. Need to unpack the boat, rerig the sails, basically take it out of storage mode before getting passage ready (buy food and diesel etc.). I reckon it will take at least a week, more like ten days to get her ready, quicker depending on when the crew gets to the boat and how much help I have recommissioning. My passage plan looks something like: 2 April I arrive at boat 4 - 8 April crew arrives 10 to 12 April Depart from Shelter Bay Marina heading ultimately for Halifax Nova Scotia or somewhere in that region, I am looking at stopping at the Cayman Islands on the way, maybe the Bahamas and probably Chesapeake and/or New York. I could well stop in Chesapeake for a few weeks and do some boat work there. So I am looking for crew for two passages really. Ultimately, I want to get the boat to the Gulf of St Lawrence by the end of May. As usual you need to get to and from the boat and have money for meals and drinks ashore. He will pay for all onboard boat expenses and provisioning. He says he normally eats out when not sailing eating at local places. If interested in speaking with him to help zero in on a plan you can send your sailing resume to him at XXXXX@XXXX

OPO Crew Request # 25-20 Boat owner and skipper XXXXXX is looking for two more crew for a total of four for his passage from Newport to the Azores this spring. The boat is a 2008 Contest 48CS named XXXXXX. He estimates the passage will take 14 days. The Contest 48 is a safe comfortable centre-cockpit cutter-rigged sloop, 3 cabins, 2 heads. Since there will be only four crew in total you need to be able to stand a solo watch. The passage is free with all onboard boat expenses and provisioning included, but you need to get to and from the boat and have money for meals and drinks ashore. If interested please send your sailing resume to him at XXXXX@XXXX

OPO Crew Request # 25-16 Sarasota FL to Daytona FL - Boat owner/captain XXXXXX and his wife XXXXXX are looking for one crew or a couple who would like to help handle lines and navigate the Florida ICW from the West Coast to the East Coast. He is a lifelong boater with plenty of experience and owns two Trawlers, the other being a 44’ Nordic Tug on the Northwest Coast. They boat this 2005 Selene 45 Trawler named XXXXXX to complete what is referred to as the Atlantic Loop, (in stages over the next couple of years) going up the East Coast of the US, through the NY Canal System, across the Great lakes and down the Mississippi River. Part of the year they will go back to the other boat. He and his wife heard about us through another boat owner and called us to seek a crew for only this leg. Docking and maneuvering any boat between docking piles and fixed bulkheads is a lot different than docking in marinas with floating docks common in the Northern half of the US with bigger tidal ranges. The crew would have their own head and cabin forward. The passage is free with all onboard expenses and provisions included. If you are looking for some time on the water making day-passages and enjoying the scenery, this may be of interest to you. For the right person he would be willing to help with a travel stipend, within reason, since this is short notice. I spoke with him this morning and he sounds like a very nice guy who has been boating for a long time, but after running around once and wanting help docking in tight quarters would welcome a good crew for the passage from Venice Florida across the Okeechobee Canal and up ICW to about the Daytona area. He figures about three weeks. While they would leave earlier if you are ready (They have paid for dockage until Feb 28th) they would like crew who could join them asap. This is a nice miles builder on power boat. If interested please send your sailing resume to him at XXXXX@XXXX

OPO Crew Request # 25-17 Sarasota Florida to New Bern NC - Boat owner and skipper XXXXXX is looking for crew to join her for her passage from the west coast of Florida to New Bern NC. She has a very nice 1984 Young Sun Westwind 35 named XXXXX, which is a double ended boat built in the Young-Sun yard in Taiwan. I had a very similar looking Tayana 37 for 20 years. She has her captains license and is comfortable sailing shorthanded, but prefers at least one other crew for this itinerary. One or two crew for a total of two or three crew depending on the situation. She was referred to us by another delivery skipper who I have known for many years. I spoke with her recently and she was happy to find a closed system like OPO that does not rely on a social message board to attract potential crew. She is a full time live-aboard who has been sailing and cruising most of the last 30 years, first with a significant other and now on her own. She is in no rush but also does not want to linger going up the ICW. Depending on crew she will first plan short hops around the bottom of the Florida peninsula, but then pick up the pace sailing up the East Coast stopping to break up the passage but also take advantage of the Gulf Stream and prevailing southerly winds. She Adds: I've been sailing most of my life from dinghies to 40' boats. Enjoyed living aboard for 4 years in the VI and captaining small power and sail boats there. I sailed for years in the Chesapeake with several trips up and down the ICW and for the past 15 years in the Gulf of Mexico from Apalachicola to the Keys. I enjoy outdoor sports - hiking, birdwatching, kayaking and skiing. The May passage to NC from Florida will be a combination of offshore and ICW hops as weather permits. We plan to break it up into 3-6 legs with a little time onshore so I'm open to crew doing the entire passage or one of the legs. Crew should have some offshore experience and bring along their own life jacket/harness with tether. As usual the passage is free with onboard boat expenses and provisions included, but you have to get to the boat and have money for meals and drinks ashore. If interested, please send your sailing resume to her at XXXXX@XXXX

OPO Crew Request # 25-14 Boat owner and skipper XXXXXX e-mailed today seeking one or two crew to join for 5 days of racing across eastern Lake Erie aboard his 1985 Soverel 33 named StarLite. He is planning well in advance. Since this is not an offshore “crew request” I do not feel I need to call him and ask about safety gear etc. He did a good job writing up his “crew request” following our format making it very easy for me. I am sure his attention to detail and planning in advance speak well for how his runs his boat and a crew he is forming for a fun week early in the season. While obviously a member who lives within easy driving for the race might be ideal, there is no reason why you cannot plan to join for a fun week if planned well. He and his local crew have a few pictures on https://www.UUUUU.com showing a well-maintained boat. The event is scheduled for June 27th to July 2nd, with a July 3-4th extension to move the boat back to its home port. More race detail found on website https://www.UUUUU.com . He Adds: Crew must have sailing experience though offshore racing experience not required. Crew should bring their own personal gear and be able to enter Canada. This is our annual inter-club event so crew should be willing to socialize after each day race. We are not a die-hard competitive boat so do not expect a high stress environment. Because this is a racing vessel, crew can expect few creature comforts. Will do my best to adjust to crew skillset - likely a trimmer role. As usual you need to get to and from the boat and have money for meals and drinks ashore. Owner works in Cleveland and is willing to pick up from airport for easier travel. All onboard boat expenses and onboard provisioning is paid by the owner. If interested please send your sailing resume to him at XXXXX@XXXX

OPO Crew Request # 25-12  Boat owner and skipper XXXXXX is looking for one more two experienced crew for this two-week leg aboard his 1983 Passport 40 named XXXXXX.  He and his boat are profiled on their web site www.UUUUUU.com. He has over 100,000 miles and has been in the marine industry long enough to be called an old salt. I am confident the boat is in very good shape. This is a downwind passage sailing with the trades. While the 700 miles downwind passage should only take about five days at sea, He is planning 1) To pick a good weather window. 2) Allow crew to arrive up to three or four days to get acclimated and/or enjoy the USVI. 3) Allow crew to also spend a couple of days in Georgetown after you arrive.  His sailing partner is also in the marine trade business and she is too busy working to make the passage. (Someone has to make some money??). He is in no super rush and would like to share his boat and the route with one or two compatible sailors. If you do not have two weeks you do not have to stay at the other end after helping with final cleanup upon arrival.

He Adds:

Crew should have sailing experience though offshore experience not required, crew must have own sailing gear such as lifejacket/harness and tether, AIS and/or Personal EPIRB beacon, tropical foul weather gear. All gear packed in soft duffle seabag. Crew need to bring all necessary prescriptions in original bottles We are not a vegetarian or vegan boat.  Crew needs to know how likely they are to suffer motion problems and how to handle them so they can function, must also provide own motion meds. This is a downwind/reaching passage. Likely lots of rolling, though we do try to keep it under control as much as possible.

As usual you need to get to and from the boat and have money for meals and drinks ashore. All onboard boat expenses and onboard provisioning is paid by the owner. If interested please send your sailing resume to him at

XXX@XXXX

OPO Crew Request # 25-10 Boat owner and skipper XXXXXX is looking for two or three crew to join him for all or part of his plans to continue moving his boat from Newport (where he bought the boat) to San Francisco (where he lives). He likes to sail with a total of four crew. The boat has 3 cabins and two heads. I made the first leg with him from Newport to Chesapeake Bay along with two other OPO members last year.  He is a nice guy and it went well. He has used OPO crew to move the boat since breaking up the passage into legs as time allowed since he is still working part time. He has sailed the boat to the Pacific side of the Panama Canal and is now planning his crew for the next few legs over the next few months. The boat is a solid 2002 Oyster 47 named XXXXXXX.  He e-mails: Below is the outline of the next 4 legs of the journey that gets EVERLOVIN' from Panama to Ensenada Mexico. I am seeking 2 to 3 crew for each leg. That would be 4 people total (counting me) on this 3 cabin / 2 head / 47-foot vessel. If interested please send your sailing resume to him at XXXXXX@XXXXXX.

OPO Crew Request # 25-08 Boat owner and captain, XXXXXX is looking for one more crew, for a total of four for his passage home in May. The boat is a 2001 Sabre 402 that he has owned since 2014. I have known him for a long time. He sailed in our NARC Rally more than once. He has gotten OPO crew several times and it always worked out well. He is a nice guy. He has two returning crew who have sailed with him before. You would be the 4th and final crew. He is a lifelong sailor and has the boat well outfitted for offshore sailing. He has sailed back and forth about 10 times. You would plan to fly into St. Thomas a day or two before departure. Our small Swan Feet of three boats will be leaving from St. Maarten on the same Day May 3rd. If you have to stop in Bermuda we will see you. If the boat does not stop in Bermuda the passage will be about 10 to 11 days. If you do need to stop for weather or fuel you might see us, but this would add a day or two to the passage. The boat will make final landfall in Dutch Harbor, Jamestown, which is across from Newport Harbor on the opposite of Aquidneck IslandThe trip is free with all onboard expenses included. You need to get to and from the boat and have money for meals and drinks ashore. If interested please e-mail him with your sailing resume and contact information to XXXXX@XXXX

OPO Crew Request # 25-06 Boat owner and skipper XXXXXX sent us an e-mail this morning to post the following “Crew Request”. He and his partner are looking for one more experienced crew to join them for a total of three crew. You can join for the passage or stay longer if you wish. The boat is a 2023 Maverick 440 named XXXXXX . He has owned the boat that since new. You can see the boat and follow them at https://www.UUUUU.com He e-mails: We will be departing Cuba in mid March (2025). We are a cruising couple looking for an experienced and compatible crewmember for this leg. We will be leaving from Cienfuegos on the southern coast of Cuba, with easy access to the Jaime González International Airport (CFG). Given the challenges for US citizens, this might be a better fit for a non-American. We will arrive in Isla Porvenir, Panama near the San Blas Islands which has frequent flights to Panama City. If you desire to visit either area, you are welcome to come early and/or stay later. You will have your own private stateroom and bath with full shower. I am an experienced skipper on a 2-year old 44-foot catamaran. I left Cape Town, South Africa in 2023 and am on an indefinite circumnavigation. The yacht is a Maverick 440 built in Capetown built to my specs. She is luxurious and offers well thought out accommodations. Full electronics for navigation, Starlink internet, washer/dryer, induction stove, gas grill, electric winches, solar panels, Lithium batteries. He has also owned a Beneteau 39 and Hallberg Rassy 352 before moving to two hulls. Travel and personal expenses are on you and we share provisioning expenses. As usual you need to get to and from the boat and have money for meals and drinks ashore. In addition he asks crew to share in provisioning as well. Always ask what he thinks might be in advance so there are no surprises. He has been inviting other crew to join him so will have a very good idea of what this might be. If you are planning to join for more than just a delivery it is common and reasonable to ask to chip in for your share of provisioning. All boat expenses are covered by the owner. If interested please send your sailing resume to him at XXXXX@XXXX and you can schedule a whats app or zoom call after.

OPO Crew Request # 25-04 Boat owner a friend XXXXXX is putting his crew together for the annual passage north from the Caribbean to Pilots Point Marina in Westbrook CT. The boat will be at Nanny Cay Marina in the BVI in April. He used to skipper the passage himself but more recently he has hired a fellow pro skipper Matt, who has skippered the boat the last few times. I also know Matt and he is a very pleasant Brit with lots of miles. They are very safety conscious and run a good ship. The boat is a very well equipped and maintained 2007 Oyster 56 named XXXXXX. The boat has made the passage annually north and south for many years. He used to own a Swan 46 with the same name and I moved it in our Swan Program until he bought his Oyster. He is looking for three crew for a total of four including the pro skipper Matt. Until this year there were always repeat OPO crew aboard. This year all the regular OPO crew have conflicts so this is your chance to get on the list of repeat crew and can be invited back next year for the sail south if all goes well. Plan to board the boat on Sunday, April 13, attend the boat orientation and safety briefing on Monday, April 14th, and depart on Tuesday, April 15th, weather permitting. The plan is to bypass Bermuda unless the boat needs fuel. Once underway it should be about a ten-day passage not stopping in Bermuda. A stop there would add a day or two at most. The passage is free with all onboard and boat expenses included, but you need to get to and from the boat and have money for any meals and drinks ashore. If interested please send your sailing resume to him at XXXXX@XXXX You will then be contacted to arrange a Zoom call to help put a good crew together. He does a thorough job of vetting his crew so do not feel to put out while he does his due diligence. He likes to make sure he puts a good crew together so he looking for crew with “recent blue-water sailing experience.”

OPO Crew Request # 25-02 Boat owner and skipper XXXXXX is putting his crew together for his return passage from Europe to New England this June. He was referred to us by another delivery skipper who knows only to tell nice people with seaworthy boats about us. The boat 1982 Sabre 38 Mk I named XXXXXX. This is a good boat with an experienced owner doing his due diligence to put a good crew together for this last leg to his home port. He will be sailing with a total of 4 crew. He is all set with previous crew who have time to make the first leg to the Azores, but most of his friends to do not have the extra time to make the longer leg back home. The boat is a very well equipped and maintained. New sails and a lot of new gear since 2023 in preparation for his outbound passage to Europe. He has an extensive list of equipment and boat description with pictures that he can share with you. The boat is currently in the marina at A Coruña, Spain (indoors) undergoing the usual repairs and refitting to be ready for the passage home in June. He has been sailing a long time and has a number of long passages completed including, Cape May to Bermuda, Bermuda to Antigua, South Pacific (Fiji to Vanuatu), Two transatlantic crossings (Newfoundland to Bantry, Ireland; Gloucester, MA to Azores), Azores to Falmouth, England, Bay of Biscay: Lorient, and France to A Coruña, Spain. This will be the return leg after spending two years in Europe. He is also a member of the Ocean Cruising Club. While this will be the first time, he is getting crew from us I did speak with him on the phone. He e-mails: I am looking for at least two experienced, competent crew - happy to have women as well as men - In addition to extensive sailing experience. some mechanical aptitude, and congenial personality, it would be extremely helpful to have someone with expertise in electronic/satellite comms, particularly to stay in touch with WRI, the weather routing service I use for departure planning and for guidance along the way. We will depart Horta sometime (TBD) in the middle of June. I expect we will make landfall three to four weeks later. We'll do our best to ensure an uneventful crossing. The boat will cover all costs for the crew once they arrive into Horta, including lodging and meals. He likes to spend the first couple of days ashore before moving aboard and departing soon after. He will cover the cost of all onboard provisioning, and boat expenses. You pay for pay for personal expenses ashore. For the right crew he will also contribute to/subsidize the cost of transportation from the US to the Azores within reason. If interested please send your sailing resume to him at XXXXX@XXXX

OPO Crew Request # 24-123 Most boats looking for crew later in the year like this were late getting a refit or had problems. OPO member and pro skipper XXXXXX is looking for one more crew for a total of four this passage. The boat is a new NautiTech 44 Catamaran. The boat has 100 hours on engines, 3 downwind sails, B and G instruments, water-maker, generator, and AIS. Basically new boat with miles from LaRochelle to Lisbon. Boat departed to the Canaries last October and had autopilot failure. Decided to returned to Lisbon to sort out problems and hire a skipper for the 2nd try. Boat reported by owner to be fully operational. The owner will also be aboard along with one other very experienced crew. He is looking for one more offshore tested crew. He has been an OPO member for over 20 years. He is a good guy and he has gotten crew from us before. He has completed 6 ocean crossings (3 on catamarans) and holds a USCG 100GRT near coastal license and 50GRT USCG ‘Oceans’ license both with sail endorsements. He e-mailed this morning: Pro skipper XXXXXX is assisting an owner to deliver a basically new NautiTech 44 from Lisbon to the West Indies. Crew sought will bunk in port forward “flex cabin” which also contains washer and dryer. One crew (not OPO candidate) likely bunk in main cabin. All onboard expenses covered. Owner has experience chartering in multiple locations but has not done a transatlantic. Owner familiar with all vessel systems and operations. The boat is on hard and departure will should be shortly after 7 January, 2025. Position requires significant offshore experience. As usual you will need to cover your own expenses to and from the boat and have money for shoreside meals and drinks. If interested please send your resume to him at XXXXX@XXXX .

OPO Crew# 24-121 Pro skipper XXXXXX had a last-minute crew cancelation. He sent this e-mail to me this morning. Short on details, but if you are ready on short notice you can send him your sailing resume and you contact info and ask more questions and see if you want to join him. He e-mailed: I had a last minute crew cancellation for a Leopard 45 sail from Annapolis to Ft. Lauderdale, starting this upcoming Monday. I have sailed this cat numerous times before, it is well equipped with all the regular goodies, genset, air/heat, full enclosure, watermaker, electric winches, starlink internet, etc. I am hoping you can send out a notice to your group and see if someone is available for this 9 to 10 day sail. As always, I appreciate your assistance greatly. Kind regards, If interested please send your sailing resume to him at XXXXX@XXXX

OPO Crew Request # 24-119 Boat owner and skipper XXXXXX is looking for two more experienced crew for a total of 4 crew to sail his Oyster 655 named XXXXXX from Bermuda to Tortola BVI. He has gotten crew from us before and it worked out well. He is a very accomplished sailor and we know the boat is in great shape. It is a big fast boat and can make the passage in as little as five days after waiting for the right weather window, but you should plan at least 8 to 10 days if there is adverse weather preventing departure. He completed the first leg from the US but got held up in Bermuda with a series of bad weather windows. He has decided to go home for the Thanksgiving Holiday and fly back when the next weather window opens up starting about 4 December. Potential experience crew will be on standby at home and wait on his decision of when to go and plan to fly to Bermuda when he gives the ok. It is easier and cheaper to wait at home than it is to wait in Bermuda. He e-mails: I’ll need 2 crew to complete a crew of 4 to go from Bermuda to Tortola. The departure dates from Bermuda start around December 4, and run from there, totally weather dependent. Because of the season, www.UUUUU.com, I’m only willing to take crew who have experience in offshore sailing. I can’t take people looking for sea time on this leg. Weatherly is equipped with the latest in electronics for communications and weather. We also have a website that shows our current position and real-time weather, which is useful for interested parties back home. https://www.UUUUU.com New this summer is Starlink. This gives us very fast satellite internet anywhere in the ocean. It also allows us to use our cell phones for WiFi calling, email, and texting. It’s like you never left home. The passage is free with all onboard expenses included, but you need to get to and from the boat and have money for shoreside meals and drinks. If interested please send your sailing resume to him at XXXXX@XXXX

OPO Crew request # 24-111 XXXXXX are looking for one more crew for their passage south from Beaufort NC to St. Maarten departing about Nov 8th or first weather window after that date. The boat is a 1984 Wauquiez 38 named XXXXXX. They had a friend lined up to go with them but he dropped out recently. The Wauquiez is a strong offshore French built boat. You can see the listing at www.UUUUUU.com. I spoke with her last night. The children will be flying to SXM with their grandmother after you make landfall. The have been cruising around with the family for a year and have done some short two and three day hops, but this will be their first big offshore passage. Since there will be a total of three crew you need to be able to stand a solo watch and some offshore experience. The plan is to wait in Beaufort for the right weather pattern to depart and get easting in before turning south to SXM. The passage will take about 10 days once you depart, but you do not want to be constrained by time just in case it is a wait of a few days. She e-mailed late last night: We anticipate it will be an 11-12 day passage, plus allowing time for waiting for weather at the start, please be available for 2.5 weeks. We are easy going cruisers - we have been living and cruising on this boat with our two daughters (age 9 and 12) since January. Our kids will NOT be on this passage, they will be joining us with their grandmother in SXM. We do a lot of cooking, reading, enjoying this adventure. I am the captain and my husband is my co-captain, head chef, fisherman, and mechanic. We've owned two boats together prior to this one, with about 3 years of full time cruising together in the US east coast, Bahamas, and Australia. We don't typically drink alcohol on passage but will look forward to celebrating once we arrive safely! The boat is well made and well maintained. She is a great bluewater cruiser and is rigged with a furling headsail and an inner forestay for a storm jib. We reef early and use jybe preventers and jacklines to keep everyone safe. However, it is a smaller boat - so you will feel some sea-spray, and it is pretty close quarters! There is a single, manual marine head. There is no water maker, so careful water rationing is important. Equipment: - EPIRB, Life raft, SPOT, MMSI and location programmed into VHF. Drogues. Emergency tiller. Ditch bag packed. Backup handheld VHFs, SSB. - Radar - Newer autohelm - Good sails, updated running rigging, recently inspected standing rigging (less than 10 years old) - Starlink - we do have a spare inflatable PFD but crew will need to bring their own foul weather gear - please note this is a Wauquiez 38 Mk II which has the companionway directly from the cockpit, NOT the "swan style" shown on www.UUUUUU.com. The passage is free with all onboard expenses included, but as usual you have to get to and from the boat and have money for any shoreside meals and drinks. If interested please send your sailing resume to them at XXXXXX.

OPO Crew Request # 24-116 Looking to replace one person on 11-6 passage from Portsmouth, RI to Charleston, SC. A 40' Jenneau with all the bells and whistles. He or she would be the 4th person, watch 3 on 5 off. Their responsibility is to get to the boat and back on their own. Owner will pay a stipend of $100 each way. Thanks, Capt. XXXXXX www.UUUUU.com

OPO Crew Request # 24-114 Annapolis MD to Antigua - Boat owner and skipper XXXXXX has a very nice 2023 Hallber-Rassy 57 that he and his and wife and son are full time live-aboard cruisers. Her is looking for two crew to join for this first leg from the Annapolis Yacht Club to the Caribbean. I have talked on the phone with him. Sounds like a very nice guy with a good boat and plan to sail around the world. We were giving him a reference about a common sailing friend from the Caribbean who has signed up for three months in the Pacific. He describes the opportunity so well I quote him here. Saltair is a 2023 Hallberg-Rassy 57. She is a fast and comfortable offshore cruiser with a three cabin, two head layout. Crew share a large cabin with split single berths and share a head with our 12 year old son. We are a family of three and have been cruising the boat since picking her up in Sweden in June of 2023, sailing over 10,000 nm in her. For offshore passages, we typically sail with four adults onboard. Saltair is extremely well equipped as we plan to circumnavigate with her next year. She has dual, redundant autopilots and redundancy in most critical systems, including energy generation, offshore communications, and emergency pumps. We are a fun, easy going crew and are looking for similar people. We are looking for sailors who have offshore experience sailing at night and are comfortable standing solo night watches. We come from a yacht racing background and appreciate others who do as well. We all take turns with cooking and cleanup while on passage as well as pre-passage provisioning and setup and post-passage deep cleaning. Our son is schooled while underway so you should be comfortable sailing in a family environment. Other personal characteristics that we value include: - Positive attitude, easy going and able to get along well with others over an extended passage at sea. A good sense of humor appreciated! - High level of personal integrity (owning and learning from our mistakes) - Young (and/or young at heart!), active and physically fit - Fishing and/or cooking skills appreciated! Non-smokers, flexible eaters please! Note that we are planning on sailing with the World ARC beginning January 2025 and will be looking for crew for portions of our adventure across the Pacific. If you were interested, the passage to Antigua would be a good opportunity to get to know us and the boat. If you believe yourself to be a good fit for us please send us an email explaining why and include your sailing bio and which of our passages (Annapolis to Antigua and/or segments of the Pacific crossing) you would be interested in. We will pay all costs aboard, crew will pay round trip travel and any shore-related costs. Non-smokers, please. We will require some flexibility on departure date as we are awaiting a shipment of anchor chain arriving via container ship on November 4th with some uncertainty as to the exact timing of the delivery to us in Annapolis. We are targeting a November 15th departure based upon our current information. We will plan to celebrate Thanksgiving onboard so interested crew should have flexibility as needed. If interested please send your sailing resume to him at XXXXX@XXXX

OPO Crew Request # 24-112 Boat owner and skipper XXXXXX is looking for two crew to get his 2020 Fountaine Pajot Lucia, 40’ sailing catamaran named XXXXXX from her winter quarters, north to St. Thomas. He has made this passage five times the past three years with his wife. She elected to not make the passage this year and will fly into St. Thomas with their new dog. The boat is presently in Grenada. The boat survived Hurricane Beryl with minimal damage which have been repaired. The boat will be launched Nov 13th and he wants to make sure everything is ready before crew arrive. The passage, after departure will take about 4 to 5 days. All downwind going the right direction as the trade winds are from the east and southeast. If you have plenty of time you can pick a date soon after the 13th to fly down and join the boat knowing you may have a wait. If you have the time, not only can you plan to arrive about Nov 15th, make the 4 to 5 day passage and then stay on at the other end for a few days as a thank you for helping make the passage. If you have less time the idea would be to wait until you hear from him and then fly down and depart soon after and fly home soon after arrival for a 10- day commitment. His wife Patricia sent us more in an e-mail after I spoke with her over the weekend: Boat: 4 cabins/2 heads, spacious galley, salon and cockpit. Boat offers a full range of amenities including watermaker, air conditioning, refrigerator and freezer, filtered water system, etc. Crew: Captain is looking for two more sailors who are able to take solo watches at the helm day/night. They would also help with cooking/cleaning during the passage. Non-smoking and no non-prescription drugs. We don’t typically drink alcohol during passages but look forward to celebrating after arriving safely. Each of the two extra crew members would have their own cabin with comfortable double berths however they would share a head (with toilet, sink and shower area). We are simple eaters-egg sandwiches for lunch, grilled chicken and pasta salad for dinner, but are open to ideas. Prefer non-picky eaters who have no dietary restrictions. Safety: Boat is well equipped with AIS, epirb, Starlink, VHF radio (mounted and handheld), Garmin chartplotter, radar, first aid kit including emergency oxygen. There is a dinghy with outboard but no life raft. Jacklines and plenty of PFD’s but crew needs their own foul weather gear. Helm station has a fully enclosed bimini to protect from elements. Boat recently went through Hurricane Beryl and weathered this huge storm very well. Thorough rigging inspections and necessary repairs have been undertaken at a Grenada marina. Trip: We plan on a direct sail from Grenada to St. Thomas, USVI. This is generally around a four to five day trip. If weather isn’t conducive or we need to stop for fuel (e.g. in Guadeloupe), it could tack on a few more days. Passage is free with onboard expenses included but as usual you have to get to and from the boat and have money for shoreside meals and drinks. Crew are welcome to spend a few extra days aboard Dare Greatly after arrival to enjoy St. Thomas. While in St. Thomas, Captain will be busy installing pet netting and other projects in preparation for his wife and their dog’s arrival. If interested, please email sailing resume to XXXXX@XXXX