How to Find Crew for an Atlantic Crossing
Looking for crew members or a skipper to cross the Atlantic? Here's how to find crew for an Atlantic crossing.
Héloïse Everytransatlantic6 min readUpdated on
Contents
In practical terms, setting off on an Atlantic crossing means spending up to 30 days with the same people on a boat. To make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible, you'd better choose the right crew!
This crucial choice affects both the safety and efficiency of the passage and the atmosphere on board. Committed, supportive crew members can turn the crossing into a real adventure. On the other hand, choosing the wrong sailing partners can make the voyage unpleasant, or even dangerous.
Today, we share some practical strategies and key criteria for finding the right crew for an Atlantic crossing.
Where and how to find your crew
1. On specialised platforms
These days, many skippers and crew members find each other online, on specialised platforms often called "crew finder" sites.
These platforms let sailors post detailed listings, with:
- travel dates,
- the route,
- the level of experience required, etc.
Thanks to these platforms, you can easily narrow down your search using filters, then chat with skippers and crew members through built-in messaging. A tool that makes the search process much easier.
2. At sailing clubs
Prefer searching on the ground and talking face to face?
In that case, you can meet sailors by reaching out to sailing clubs and associations, such as the French Sailing Federation (opens in a new tab).
- These organisations regularly run sea outings and courses, which are a great way to make contacts with other sailing enthusiasts.
- It's also an excellent way to assess everyone's skills during trial sails, and to get recommendations from instructors.
3. Through social media and word of mouth
Social media has its upsides too!
Through it, you can easily find accounts and discussion groups dedicated to offshore sailing.
- Users post detailed listings for Atlantic crossings, share their experiences, and even run waiting lists to join a crossing.
Beyond the virtual world, don't underestimate word of mouth either. You may well have a sailor friend among your contacts who knows some keen crew members! Nothing beats a personal recommendation for finding the ideal crew.
5 criteria to keep in mind when choosing your crew
1. Sailing skills and knowledge
On an Atlantic crossing, some basic knowledge is essential for smooth, safe sailing:
- reefing,
- hoisting a sail,
- helming,
- holding a course,
- standing your watches, etc.
So when putting your crew together or joining a crossing, don't overlook your crewmates' practical skills.
Likewise, knowing the essential safety rules is a must. Some training courses, such as the STCW module (opens in a new tab), are a real plus, though not mandatory. The most important thing is knowing how to react when the unexpected happens.
2. Level of experience
Knowledge is essential, but it's of little use without a minimum of time on the water. That's all the more true for offshore sailing! It's very different from coastal sailing, with nights out at sea, the lack of visual landmarks, and swell that can sometimes be very powerful.
When selecting your crew, you will therefore have to take their level of offshore experience into account. A sailor with a thousand hours of sailing under their belt will have a definite edge.
Also, if you're a beginner crew member yourself, you'd do best to set your sights on a seasoned skipper who can guide you.
Note: That said, it's important to stay open to different profiles and skill levels. Sometimes a motivated beginner who's eager to learn is better than a veteran crew member with no team spirit!
3. Personal compatibility
This may well be the most important criterion. Even a technically competent crew can make a crossing very unpleasant if the personalities don't get along.
When you first meet your potential crewmates, take a moment to check in with yourself:
- how do you feel around these people?
- Is the conversation warm?
- Do you click?
A crew with a friendly atmosphere and mutual understanding will cope far better with the difficulties inherent in any Atlantic crossing. Better still, the crossing will be a true human experience that you'll come out of having grown, with your head full of wonderful memories and some new friends as a bonus!
4. Availability and commitment
An Atlantic crossing is demanding both in terms of time and personal investment.
- First, it requires advance planning, including preparing the boat and provisioning, for example.
- It can also be delayed by weather conditions or unexpected technical problems.
When looking for your crew, it's best to favour sailors who are fully available with flexible dates. Also make sure your crew members are completely ready to commit and pull their weight for as long as it takes.
5. Health and physical fitness
It will come as no surprise: an Atlantic crossing is physically and mentally demanding. Good general health and a degree of stamina are therefore required for the voyage to go as well as possible.
From the outset, check whether candidates suffer from any:
- severe allergies,
- asthma
- or chronic digestive problems.
Good physical and psychological resilience is also important.
Caution: However, don't underestimate a candidate's potential based on a single first impression, and focus on their adaptability. It would be a shame to miss out on a golden crew member because of a prejudice, such as age or gender. Motivation, attitude and team spirit often make all the difference.
How to select your crew
1. Post a listing
Start by writing an effective, detailed listing to attract profiles suited to your crossing, whether you're looking for crew members or a skipper.
In your listing, be sure to mention:
- The type of boat.
- Your availability dates or the crossing dates.
- The route, and the departure and arrival ports.
- The needs of the passage.
- Logistical and financial details.
- A bit about yourself: your temperament, your strengths, your hobbies, what you expect from the crossing.
2. Hold interviews
A listing alone isn't enough to find your dream crew! Plan interviews with your future skipper or crew members to make sure you click and to discuss the project in person.
This will let you make sure the personalities are compatible and that everyone's expectations match the crossing.
3. Organise a trial sail
Nothing beats a few days at sea together! To be sure you're joining the right crew or taking on the best crew members for your crossing, organise a first trial sail with all the candidates if possible.
This way you can:
- assess everyone's skills,
- their level of commitment,
- and observe how they adapt and handle stress.
It's also the best way to see whether the interpersonal chemistry is really there!
With these tips, you're sure to find your dream crew! And for crew members looking for a crossing, also find out how to find a boat, with tips to maximise your chances of getting aboard!
