Coastal cruising from France to the Mediterranean
Hello! VanChang is an all electric sailing catamaran. I (Luke) completed a solo Atlantic crossing this summer and have been exploring the northern coast of France (Brittany).
Jen isn't currently on board and so I'm looking for 1-2 crew interested in joining for some coastal adventures to explore and enjoy the land as much as the sea. It's been such an amazing experience sailing the Brittany coast so far and I really enjoy sharing that with others. So, this isn't a good fit for folks primarily looking to put in miles for certifications.
The boat is currently in Brest and will be slowly heading south along the coast of France, Spain and Portugal--eventually into the Mediterranean for a grand tour of all the amazing places there! Joining for at least 5 days is best for figuring out pickup and drop-off logistics.
There will be some overnight sailing, but in general it's day sailing between amazing anchorages, followed by a hiking trip on shore (for me at least). Also, there are paddle boards and snorkeling gear available to use. The vibe onboard is very relaxed and I'm happy to let crew take on as much of the navigation and sailing as they are wanting to do/learn. I'm getting better at teaching (I think) and I find I learn a lot from others in return--often about life in general if not sailing.
About me:
I'm very active, energetic/playful, politically liberal, and environmentally conscious. I love sailing and then getting on land for a trail hike/run. I converted the boat to 100% electric propulsion and galley so we can travel free of fossil fuels. The system includes 60 kilowatt hours of batteries and 2kW of solar. While we have a lot of capacity, it does require conserving energy and so we sail 95% of the time--including just hanging out and waiting for the wind at times. This requires keeping the schedule flexible and not motoring just to keep an itinerary.
I work in technology on hardware and software projects and will sometimes spend part of the day working when at anchor.
What I'm looking for in crew:
- of a similar mindset and temperament.
- progressive, open-minded people who are concerned about the environment and willing to sacrifice certain comforts if necessary to protect it.
- looking to learn and also teach.
- self motivated and willing to share in the responsibilities of being on watch and caring for your fellow crew and the boat.
- being comfortable on a moving boat. We will try to find calm anchorages, but it's not always smooth. Also, if we sail overnight there will be lots of moving around. A catamaran doesn't heel as much as a monohull, but it does still move with the seas.
- take part in the journey! Where do you want to go? Let's make it happen!
Expenses:
Crew need to be able to cover their own food and daily costs but I'm not charging any other contribution to be on the boat. The primary focus is finding new friends who want to come on sailing adventures.
Expectations:
Equal share in keeping watch and helping keep the boat clean and in good order. We won't ask you to do anything we wouldn't do. If we are not sailing overnight, then there will be a more flexible watch schedule.
Maintenance and other repair work is not your responsibility, but any help is welcome. Otherwise, have fun! Our destinations and schedule are flexible and you will have a say in what we do. There are two paddle boards and a two person kayak available to play. (We do not have a dingy right now).
We are not into fishing on the boat - we love fish, but the oceans are dying and we believe there's no such thing as sustainable seafood. We also do not allow raw meat on the boat, our refrigeration capacity is limited and we are prioritizing other food items.
Before making any decisions ideally we will all be able to meet in person or at least a couple of video chats. We have had crew before and have some ideas for what works and what doesn't.
Thanks for reading - I look forward to hearing from you!
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Unforgettable sailing experience in the Sea of Cortez
We had such a great time with Jen and Luke on their catamaran VanChang. Initially we wanted to join them for the crossing from Baja California to French Polynesia and cruising the South Pacific. Due to Covid restrictions that plan changed to a 2.5 week cruise from La Paz up to Loreto and back. We are so happy that we could still join this lovely, kind, knowledgable and very welcoming couple. We learned a lot about sailing on a cat, the marine life of the Sea of Cortez and unforgettable night hikes on fascinating islands. We had great conversations about any kind of topic, spent great times on their SUP board and kajak, enjoyed sundowners and felt so comfortable in our cozy cabin. We can highly recommend Jen and Luke for being lovely people and hope they continue having a good time sailing in Mexico and make their way to Hongkong in time. All the best and thanks again so much. This was a blast!
9th Feb 2021