Matching crew with boats
Helping sailors gain valuable experience
Helping skippers find qualified crew
The #1 crew networking service in North America
Creating quality offshore passage opportunities for our members

Offshore Passage Opportunities is the #1 Crew Networking Service in North America. OPO has helped thousands of sailors meet and make successful passages since 1993.

Our mission is to seek, gather and create quality offshore passage opportunities for our members.

Offshore Passage Opportunities offers three services all focused around matching experienced crew with qualified skippers -- and helping those who seek more sailing experience to safely acquire it.

  • Experienced Crew Seeking Quality Passage Opportunities


    Your membership connects you with trusted owners and skippers looking for experienced crew. You sail for free since you're helping to move a boat. Some voyages require sea miles with solo, night watch capabilities while others simply need bodies to stand watch.

    New Cruises

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    If you're interested or qualified for some of the posted opportunities, then that is a good indication you should join now.


    Join Now

  • Sailors Seeking Additional Offshore Experience


    Our Swan Program was designed to help knowledgeable sailors gain the blue water, offshore miles required to crew on any boat.

    You pay to crew for a very experienced skipper on a proven boat who will push your comfort zone. You'll learn:

    • Offshore Sailing Strategy
    • Route Planning
    • Important Safety Tips
    • How to Stand Watch
    • How Systems Work
    • What it Takes to Crew

    After one or two Swan voyages, you'll be ready to crew on virtually any offshore passage.


    Learn More

  • Skippers Seeking Experienced Offshore Crew


    We help boat owners and delivery skippers find qualified, experienced crew. Some skippers look for crew in advance while others need crew on short notice. Once you "Request Crew" you'll know within 24 to 48 hours if we can help. Some skippers accept friendly, less experienced crew who are able and willing.

    This service is free to boat owners and delivery skippers. All you need to do is:

    • Complete our "Request Crew"
    • Answer any OPO questions
    • Thoughtfully vet crew inquiries
    • Select your crew
    • Have a great trip

    We welcome inquiries from owners and skippers we know--and those we have yet to meet.


    Request Crew

Delivery skippers and private boat owners quickly realize their friends and family have jobs and cannot always sail with them. So they call us looking for crew. We collect their information and pass it on to our members to help them get aboard. Since you are helping to deliver a boat, you get to go sailing for free. Many are repeat skippers or members so we pre-qualify a majority of the opportunities for you.

Your first offshore sailing experience

Swan Program: A First Experience with Offshore Sailing

If you've ever considering deepwater sailing but were not sure how to jump start your sailing career, our Swan Program is for you.

Our Swan Program was specifically designed to introduce people to the world of offshore sailing by providing hands-on crew experience under the watchful eye of an professional skipper on a proven boat. During your tenure onboard, you’ll learn to keep watch, make log entries, navigate, use the radio, steer the boat  and perform tasks that are essential to safe offshore sailing. The Swan Program offers a fixed price for everything you’ll need aboard—you just pay for your travel to and from the boat. The Swan Program sails south from New England to Bermuda and the Caribbean in the fall, and north from Bermuda and the Caribbean to New England in the spring. Summer trips are also available.

After your first Swan Program experience, you’ll have the skills to sail on other boats. Please view the video below to learn more.

2025 Swan Program

Dear Sailors,

We like to speak with potential Swan Crew before they sign up for any of the following passages. Please let me know if you have any questions before placing a deposit online or by mailing a check.

A deposit is required for any option.

I am in or near the office most of December and January at 631-423-4988. E-mail works very well at hank@sailopo.com

Once we have agreed you are ready to join us, you can make a deposit online at www.sailopo.com/store or pay by check made out to Offshore Passage Opportunities and mailed to OPO, PO Box 2600, Halesite NY 11743.

Best Regards,
Hank Schmitt
OPO

2025 Swan Offshore Program Schedule

We are happy to share our Spring schedule with you. OPO members received this schedule on December 1 which is why a couple of the passages are already filled. We do not know the dates for the summer and fall yet, but will soon after the New Year.

In years past, we had as many as ten Swans sailing between Newport and the Caribbean twice a year. We are no longer organizing our annual NARC Rally after 24 years, but have three Swans still sailing north this May from St. Maarten to Newport RI. If you are interested in taking the next step to become a seasoned offshore sailor, the classic passage from Caribbean to Newport in the spring will help you achieve your goal. We have a Swan 48, Swan 65 and Swan 68 grandfathered into our Swan Program. If you would like to know if you qualify and want to sign aboard, please e-mail me at hank@sailopo.com or call us at 631-423-4988.

Swan Program Spring 2025

  • May 1 to May 17 St. Maarten to Newport
  • June 7 to July 3 Newport to Ireland Swan 68
  • June 13 to June 22 Huntington NY to Bermuda Swan 48 Avocation
  • June 22 to July 1 Bermuda to Huntington NY

May 1 to May 17 We have or A team back together form the Annual passage back from St. Maarten to Newport. Murray Jacob will skipper the Swan 68 Aphrodite. Johnathan Ishmael will skipper the Swan 65 Aurora and Hank Schmitt will skipper the Swan 48 Piper Lance.

May 1 to May 17 St. Maarten to Newport (17 Days)

Crew Arrive Thursday, May 1 St. Maarten
Depart Saturday, May 3 - Arrive Bermuda about May 8 stay 3 days
Depart Bermuda Monday, May 12 and arrive in Newport Friday, May 16 and travel home Saturday, May 17
Price: $4,800
Swan 48 Piper Lance with Hank Schmitt (2 berth open)
Swan 65 Aurora with Johnathan Ishmael (4 berths open)
Swan 68 Aphrodite with Murray Jacob (3 berths open)

June 7 to July 3 Newport to Ireland Swan 68 (25 to 30 Days)

Murray will be skippering the Swan 68 Aphrodite with Cruising World writer Herb McCormick will be the 1 mate. Newport RI to Ireland/Scotland
Arrive in Newport Saturday, June 7
10 June CCA Rally Start to Kinsale Ireland: 15-to-20-day passage
Fly Home July 3 from Ireland. Crew have the option to stay for another three or four days if they wish to sail on to Oban Scotland with Murray and Herb and fly home from Glasgow. July 7 or 8
Price: $6,000 Wait List only

June 13 to June 22 Huntington NY to Bermuda Swan 48 Avocation (10 Days)

Hank will be the skipper on the leg to Bermuda
Friday, June 13 arrive in Huntington and move aboard
Saturday, June 14 depart NY and arrive Bermuda about June 19
Fly home Sunday, June 22
Price: $3,200 (one berth left)

June 22 to July 1 Bermuda to Huntington NY (10 days)

Tania Aebi will be the skipper sailing the boat back from Bermuda to New York
Sunday, June 22- Fly into Bermuda
Tuesday, June 24 - Depart Bermuda for Huntington NY
Arrive in Huntington about 30 June. Depart boat July 1
Price: $3,200 (one berth left)

Plans for the Summer and Fall will be finalized by January 1, 2025

Future passage with Murray on the Swan 68 Aphrodite

Murray Jacob or Tania Aebi will be skippering the next three legs to complete the Atlantic Circuit for Murry and the Swan 68 Aphrodite. We plan to have the dates and prices sent in place by the January 1 Notice to OPO mariners. Murray is offshore now in this year's ARC Rally so I do not want to try and get the exact dates down until he is back in Newport for a few days later this month before going to Australia for the winter. If you are interested in signing up for any of the following three offshore passages, please let me know and I will pencil you in. You DO NOT have to place a deposit down now. I will let you know when we have firm dates and then you can decide if they work for you.

  • Early August 2025 Oban Scotland to The Med - about 3 weeks - With Murray Distance: 2,369 nm
  • Late October Med to Las Palmas - about 3 weeks - With Tania Aebi as skipper
  • November 2025 ARC from Las Palmas to St. Lucia - about 3 to 4 weeks - With Murray (Wait list only)

What's new with Offshore Passage Opportunities

Tips from the Pros: Watch Hank in Action

Hank Schmitt is profiled in the several episodes of a new series entitled "Tips from the Pros." Regardless how long you have been sailing, you will learn something new by watching Hank share some of his techniques based upon decades of sailing.

  • Pro Tips #1
    Crew on an Offshore Sailboat Before you Sail Away!
    (with Patrick Childress)

  • Pro Tips #2
    Peeing Off a Boat ... How to Use a Sailboat Toilet / Head
    (with Patrick Childress)

  • Pro Tips #3
    What if you Hit a Whale and the Whale Strikes Back!
    (with Patrick Childress)

  • Pro Tips #4
    How to Clean the Bottom of a Sailboat Underwater!
    (with Patrick Childress)

  • Pro Tips #5
    Offshore Passage Preparation: Nothing Should Fall Over or Run Out!
    (with Patrick Childress Sailing)

Please contact Hank with any comments and feedback!


Blue Water Sailing Club

Hank Schmitt provides an overview of Offshore Passage Opportunities to the Blue Water Sailing Club, complete with Q & A.

The discussion shares how you can learn to sail offshore, how OPO has helped countless sailors gain blue water experience, and the benefits of crewing on a boat delivery. Importantly, Hank also discusses the Swan Program, the annual NARC Rally (North American Rally to Caribbean) and other rallies. Enjoy!

Blue Water Sailing Club

Click to view
Recent Boat Owner and Crew testimonials

Boat Owner

Almost immediately after your sending out my crew request, I received 6 qualified responses. Through Christmas Eve and day, I have received an additional 4 responses. In a word: Wow.... This is a terrific service that you are providing.    

 

The OPO announcement we put out earlier this year produced several very well qualified crew for my voyage from Annapolis to New Zealand. I’ve filled my crew needs from Annapolis to Galapagos and have one crew for the remainder of the passage to New Zealand, but I would like one or two more for Galapagos to New Zealand.

 

Hank, thanks again for connecting me with crew and running an excellent rally.  I needed the support and appreciated all the hard work you put in to make the rest of us safe and confident. Thank you, Ruth, for crewing on Lady Slipper (this feels so inadequate for the gratitude I have for your support on the passage, thanks).

-- Doug, SV Lady Slipper, Owner/Skipper

 

The response for crew has been fa-nominal !!! I just wanted to say "thank you" and I am sure we will have crew thanks to you. Keep in touch.

 

Thanks a ton for your help. I received a lot of responses from very capable seamen and have filled out my crew. You run a very good organization and I have given your contact info to a couple of broker friends of mine. Great job!

 

Crew

Hank - Just a note to say I had a great experience with skipper Chris. I know he has used OPO before and I would expect him to say I was a well qualified crew member. Nice boat, great guy and an excellent sailor. I only wish I had more time to spend offshore. I am sure I will be looking for another berth. I think the OPO service has been worth every penny for me already just a few months in!
-- Chad

 

Joining OPO has been great for me. I have had great trips and each has taught me a lot. Most recently I joined Jon on his Swan 40 trip from Southport, NC to Fort Pierce. This was the perfect trip for me in this stage of getting prepared to get our own boat. It was just the two of us and I really enjoyed getting to know him. All of these people became friends and we stay in touch. One day I will get a chance to meet you but in the meantime I want to say Thanks for doing what you do.

-- Ken

 

So nice to get to see you again — and to get a look at Avocation — in Newport and in Bermuda. You and OPO are responsible for me racing with Marcus, and I’m grateful. In the last 8 years or so I’ve gone from a pretty novice cruiser to steering a race boat at night through 30 knot squalls and big seas!

 

Hi Hank, First of all, I would really like to thank you for your kindness. I have been emailing and calling every contact I could find since November, and no one has come close to being so genuine and helpful as you have been in just this one email. It really means a lot to me that you would be willing to put in your own time, energy, and offerings into helping me pursue this journey. I think it is so cool that you were able to participate in such an intense level of competitive sailing at the age of just 18 - that must have been such a great experience.

 

Hi Hank! Just saying "Ahoy". Your OPO has changed my life, I showed off my sailing passage list to a friend the other day and he was impressed, I was too!

 

Thank you for all you do to create sailing opportunities for others and to create such a creative community. When I first called you I could have never imagined what OPO would mean to me. I have lifelong friends and lifelong memories. You make everyone feel welcome and valuable. Thank you! I appreciate you!!

 

Skipper

I received a good response for a very short notice transatlantic passage crew spot and was quite pleased with the whole process. I confirmed a very experienced fellow after reference checking him with one of the Captain with whom he regularly sails. Thank you. I am sold on OPO! Of the 8-10 hits, at least 4 filled the bill for this particular spot (needed watch captain level experience) but all of them would have been fine to fill a berth and be able bodied crew.
-- John Youngblood, S/V High Cotton

 

Swan Program

Your Swan Program made my goal/dream of experiencing a multi-day offshore passage a reality! From the first time I contacted you, your communication, follow up, and detailed logistics planning for the trips has been fantastic. The captains were eager to share their extensive knowledge, focused on safety, and made the trips fun with their stories of cursing the world. My fellow crew members were from widely diverse backgrounds and ages, and we all had an awesome time getting to know each other, and coming together as a crew. I'm already looking for my next OPO trip!

-- Steve

 

As this was my first true deep offshore experience, I really did not know what to expect and I came prepared for "anything". Capt. Woody and the first mate were amazing and very knowledgeable and patient.  The 5 other crew members on the first leg and the 3 replacement crew on the second leg were all pleasures to get to know and sail with.  Nothing like a challenge like this to develop a common bond and camaraderie.  The entire rally and organization was well done and the activities in Bermuda especially were a blast.  So many great people there. Your organization and the folks that participated in and help organize the rally were amazing and my Captain and crew were first rate and for all of that, I am thankful.

-- Doug

 

Thanks for letting me be a part of Aurora's crew in last month's St. Maarten to Newport run. It was a great adventure. I think that Jonathan Ishmael is a very good captain and the crew you put together was a fun, congenial mix of men. I have been working toward this trip for four years and it exceeded my high expectations.

-- Charlie

 

One of my new crew mates asked, "Are you always this happy? Is there ever a time when you don't have a smile on your face?" The freedom that sailing a Swan on the Atlantic Ocean gave me to be my own person, and to be happy. To test my limits. I'd been putting off making a life changing decision for some time. I realized that I wanted to remain being this person who was at peace and happy. So, when I returned to the mainland, that's what I chose.

-- Jim

 

More Testimonials

To view additional testimonials, please click here.