How To Choose A Cruising Crew

My partner, Jeff, and I needed crew for a two- to three-week sail down the Mexican coast of Baja California on our new-to us Antares 44i catamaran, El Gato, so we put an ad in one of our local sailing publications.

- Jules Fredrick

We received some promising letters of introduction, but thanks to social media, I was able to delve a little deeper.

For example, Bettina was a bikini-clad European bombshell whose motto was, “No clothes? No problem.” Delete. Dolph, a chain-smoking ex-military sergeant, “suggested” that he serve as co-captain. Alexa and Damien were allergic to dogs, could we just not bring them? Nope, nope, nopety-nope.

Six weeks before our departure date, we received a response from a couple that seemed a comfortable fit. We spoke at length to Jim and Jess, and met them on El Gato the following week. Since this was our first experience having strangers as crew, Jeff and I wrote down what we felt was acceptable, and what was not.

1. Commitment: One flight, train, bus and taxi ride later, Jim and Jess arrived at the marina. This showed dedication, right? Pretty quickly after meeting and sharing a few beers, it was obvious that we would work and play well together on the voyage. They spent three nights aboard El Gato, during which we took the boat out for a bit of sailing. On departure, they left behind some items they would need for the trip south. Done Deal.

2. Fun: This ranked high on the list. We wanted 1+1=3. Not ones to miss an opportunity to dress up for Halloween, they were happy to throw on costumes with us, despite the fact that we were alone, at sea, on an overnight passage. Another time, declaring an ‘80s Day, we outfitted for the part and listened only to ‘80s music. Entertaining oneself and others aboard is serious business, and we have the videos to prove it.