Sailboat hitchhiking can be a unique and rewarding way to travel the world. Close your eyes and imagine the open sea, the wind powering up the sails, dolphins playing in the bow waves, and the most incredible sunsets.
When looking for an experience of a lifetime, this has got to be up there with the most adventurous. Moreover, as you’re about to find out, it isn’t as hard to make it happen as you might think.
Guest post by Emily Nancolas from Two Get Lost
What is sailboat hitchhiking?
Sailboat hitchhiking is similar to hitching a ride in a car.
It’s a way to travel the oceans without actually owning a boat of your own. It’s also one of the most environmentally friendly ways to get around.
However, there are a few differences between hitchhiking on land and at sea. Although you might get lucky and find a sailor willing to take you from A to B for free, it’s far more likely that you’ll be contributing to the journey in some way.
Sometimes skippers are looking for financial contributions and sometimes they need help sailing the boat. Other skippers will be happy with a skill share arrangement, but in any case, you’ll need to be prepared to bring something to the table.
It isn’t quite as simple as standing on the side of a pontoon and sticking your thumb out. You’re going to need to put in a little more legwork to find a ride on a sailboat. Let’s dive into how to successfully hitchhike on a sailboat below!
Finding a ride on a sailboat
So how do you go about finding a sailboat to take you around the world? Luckily, the internet has made this task a whole lot easier. Gone are the days when you would have to camp out for days on end near a marina and walk around the pontoons begging for a lift (although if you have time on your hands this is still an option). These days, all you need is a little know-how and a decent WiFi connection.
There are a whole lot of websites out there that connect crew seekers and sailboat owners. Most of them require you to complete a short bio detailing any skills and requirements. Then, you’re free to search through the ‘adverts’ from skippers looking for people to help them out, and people can contact you back with offers.
This isn’t an exhaustive list of all the websites out there connecting skippers and crew. However, these are the most popular and therefore the ones that see the highest traffic (and offer the best chances of finding a lift!).
You should be aware that none of these websites take responsibility for vetting their clients. It will be up to you to find a skipper you feel comfortable with, and they won’t come to your rescue if anything goes wrong during the process. Read on to find out more about staying safe while hitching a ride on a sailboat.
Top tips for finding the perfect sailboat ride for you
Although there are usually plenty of people looking for crew members, there are also plenty of people searching for boats. You need to stand out as much as possible to attract the right boat for you. See it as applying for a job, what can you offer, and what are you hoping to gain?
Be truthful
Finding the right boat for you is key. If you exaggerate your experience, you might find yourself doing a night watch when you’ve never done one before, or off on a race boat with no idea how to work a winch. Even if you have no sailing experience, there are plenty of skills you can offer up.
Sell yourself
What’s your set of skills?
Can you speak three languages? Play an instrument? Are you happy washing dishes or scrubbing the deck? Do you take instructions well? Are you a qualified dive instructor or great with kids?
Every skipper is looking for something different from their crew, so make sure you mention your passions or talents. Some skippers prefer their crew to have no experience at all when it comes to sailing so they can teach them to do things their way. Others will need you to be able to sail the boat on your own.
Just make sure you can offer something in return for your accommodation and experience.
Be clear about what you hope to get out of the experience
Sailing is an exhilarating mix of incredible highs and sometimes scary lows. Before you decide whether hitchhiking on a sailboat is the right way for you to travel the world you should do some research. Find out what it’s like to live on a sailboat, what to pack for a sailing trip, and read up on some basic safety at sea advice.
Once you’re sure this is the right mode of transport for you, set clear expectations for what you hope to get from sailing. Would you like to learn to sail? Or are you happy cooking, cleaning, and soaking in the sea views?
Are you hoping to reach a certain destination by a certain date? If so, make sure you communicate this. Sailing schedules have to be flexible and are weather dependent.
If you’re prepared to contribute towards costs, you’ll be a more popular crew choice. Make sure you agree with the skipper on what you’ll be paying for before committing to the trip. At a minimum, you should expect to cover food and drink costs, but many skippers will ask for a contribution towards marina fees and general maintenance. Ask for the figure they have in mind beforehand so you’re all on the same page.
List important details
There are a few things you will definitely want to mention when applying to hitchhike on someone’s sailboat. Remember that sailing potentially means days away from shore and that you’ll be living in a small space with limited storage.
The skipper needs to ensure your needs can be met on their boat, which might mean they won’t take vegetarians on board or avoid people who haven’t been on a boat before.
- Whether you have been on a sailboat before
- If you can swim
- Whether you have any of your own equipment
- If you get seasick/can manage your seasickness
- Languages you’re fluent in
- Any dietary requirements
- Any allergies/medical requirements
Sailboat hitchhiking destinations
When looking for a sailboat to hitch a ride on, it’s important to remember that only certain months of the year are suited for certain routes and passages. If you try looking for a ride across the Atlantic from Europe to the Caribbean in July for example, you’re very unlikely to find one. If you do, you’ll be risking terrible weather conditions on your passage over.
Having a little knowledge about sailing seasons before you start your search will help you out a lot. Here’s a rough guide on where to aim to find a sail at different times of the year.
- Sailing around Europe – May to September. Keep in mind that the sailing season is shorter in Ireland than around Greece or Italy for instance.
- Crossing the Atlantic (Europe to the Caribbean) – November to February
- Cruising the Caribbean – December to April
- The USA:
East Coast – December to February and March to June
West Coast – September to January
Southeast – May to July and November to February
- South Pacific – May to October
- Australia – November to March
Essential packing tips for sailboat hitchhiking
Packing for a sailing trip is a little different from packing for a normal backpacking trip or holiday. You should consider these things before hitching a lift on a sailboat:
Soft luggage bag only. The space on a sailboat is very limited. Take a small backpack that can be stored away easily, and is simple to carry on and off the boat. Hard suitcases are very impractical.
Bring your own sailing jacket. Chances are you’ll experience some adverse weather while you’re out sailing, and a decent sailing jacket that fits you is an essential piece of sailing gear.
Pack a pair of practical sailing shoes. These should be skid-proof, study, comfortable, and non-staining.
Having your own lifejacket will stand you in better stead! If skippers know you’re bringing your own lifejacket, it will be clear you know what to expect on board. That’s extra points towards getting picked if there’s any competition for the ride. Also, it is worth purchasing professional sailing bags and covers.
Take seasickness tablets with you. If you know you get seasick, or even if you don’t think you do, seasickness tablets are an essential item to pack. If you get unwell while sailing, there will likely be no turning back, so you’ll be feeling unwell until you reach the shore. Taking tablets is one of the most effective ways to keep seasickness at bay!
Take essential items only. Traveling with a bike, skis, surfboard, or any other large item is a big ask. Sailboats are small, and they are weight sensitive. Don’t be surprised if your luggage holds you back when looking for a sailboat lift.
Staying safe when hitching a ride
The most important consideration when sailboat hitchhiking is your own safety. Hundreds of people have a positive experience crewing on sailboats every single year, but there are a few things you can do to help ensure you have a wonderful time onboard.
Take your time when choosing a sailboat. You don’t need to head off on the first sailboat that’s offered to you. You should get to know the skipper well before leaving with them, whether that’s face to face or on internet calls. If there’s anything you don’t feel comfortable with, you can politely decline the trip at any time.
It’s a good idea to be cautious of online adverts without filled-in profiles or anyone seeking a women-only crew.
Plan a short passage to start with. Make sure your first sail isn’t a multi-day passage, where there will be no opportunities for you to leave the boat. Head out on a day sail so you can make sure you get along under pressure, can follow instructions, and get to know the boat.
Check safety equipment before leaving the dockside. You want to make sure the boat has adequate safety gear on board, such as a liferaft, points to clip in, fire extinguishers, an EPIRB, and that the boat feels well maintained and seaworthy. Bring your own good quality life jacket and warm weather gear.
Sailboat Hitchhiking Summary
Sailing is one of the most incredible ways to travel. Opting to hitchhike on someone else’s boat is the perfect option for anyone wanting adventure, an eco-friendly form of travel, and tales to tell for many years to come.
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