Hitchhiker of the Seas — West Coast to Pacific (flexible to anywhere)
Hey there!
I'm currently based in the Bay Area. I'd be happy to sail with you and make sure everything is running smoothly.
I've been traveling and writing about my non-stop travels since 2013. My main method of transportation is hitchhiking (5 continents) and I've hitchhiked a few boats. I've kayaked the entire Danube River from Donaueschingen to the Black Sea.
My sailing experience starts in childhood on the Loosdrechtse Plassen (lakes) in the Netherlands. I sailed Optimists (solo) three summers, then a Laser (duo) one summer, and finally a Valk ('Hawk') type boat with a total crew of five, also one summer.
As a hitchhiker, I once hitched/crewed a yacht between Corfu and Malta (340nm) over 2.5 days. My main job there was to do night watches and help out with anything that needed more hands than the couple that owned the boat. Since then, my boathitching/crewing experience has dried up a bit, but I'd change my plans in a heartbeat for any cool sailing opportunity.
What I can do:
- I'm a travel writer, so I'll keep records of the trip for sharing or reminiscing.
- I love navigating. It's always been my task to prevent us from running aground with the kayak on the Danube river while simultaneously dodging big cargo ships in the shipping lane. I'm ready to learn more about sailboat navigation.
- Watchkeeping including night watches. I've done them before. I stay awake.
- Knots. I've been responsible for knotting on the kayak trip.
- Languages.
- Cleaning/organizing tasks.
- Basic food preparation.
It's also important to mention that I've never gotten seasick. I've gone on many ferry rides like between San Andrés and Providencia (Colombia) and back when 60% of the boat vomited. I did Aberdeen to the Shetland Islands (UK) and back during a winter squall. On the Fast Ferry between the Cabo Verdean islands (São Nicolau - São Vicente - Santo Antão - São Vicente --- Fogo - Brava - Fogo - Santiago), I've been the one handing out vom bags to people. I know many people think it's just a matter of time before one gets terribly seasick, but I have yet to encounter a trigger big enough to start spewing.
You can see what I am currently doing and follow my journeys at https://mindofahitchhiker.com
[Previous version:
While I'm eagerly awaiting a message from you, I'm doing dinghy sailing (pirogue + catamaran) in the lagoon of La Gaulette in Mauritius and in Trou aux Biches (Laser 2000, Laser Pico, Hobie 15, Hobie 16). I've completed RYA courses in those boats.]
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