r/SailboatCruising

Captain delivery with me on my 2021 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440
▲ 107 r/SailboatCruising+1 crossposts

Captain delivery with me on my 2021 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440

I own a 2021 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440 (44 ft monohull) currently in Bellingham, and I'm looking for a captain to help deliver her down to San Francisco. Departure window is September 17-22, 2026, with the passage expected to take 5-7 days down the Pacific Coast.

I'm reaching out because I'd love to connect with someone from your community for this trip. If you have members who take on paid deliveries, or could point me toward someone qualified, I'd really appreciate the introduction. Happy to share more details on the boat, route, and crew plan.

Thanks so much for any help you can offer.

u/jsunnsyshine2021 — 1 day ago
▲ 11 r/SailboatCruising+1 crossposts

Asa 101-104

Hello Reddit

Does anyone know of a place that would allow Asa 101-104 to take place while staying on the vessel? Looking to do this in December.

Thanks for your knowledge!!

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u/SirCadoganFL7 — 3 days ago

Cruisers who do the occasional club race — what do you actually miss without racing instruments?

I know this is a cruising sub, but I imagine some of you take your boats out for a club race or a beer-can regatta now and then.

I'm a sailor developing a phone app aimed at exactly that kind of boat: a cruising boat with no dedicated racing instruments (or just basic ones). It uses the phone's GPS for things like a start countdown with distance to the line, speed and course, wind estimation from your tacks, and post-race track analysis.

Before I go further, I'd love to hear from people who race casually:

  • Would you actually use a phone on deck or tablet for this, or is that a hard no?
  • Is there one feature that would make it genuinely worth it for you?

Not linking anything — happy to share more in the comments if anyone's curious. Mostly here to learn from how you actually sail.

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u/Maxi-Papa — 3 days ago
▲ 147 r/SailboatCruising+1 crossposts

The dreaded screw on deck!!!

Was packing things up after a trip back to nyc from Newport and saw this innocent screw sitting on the hatch. I can’t find obvious location where it might have come from. It is a fairly unique looking screw. Lie to me and tell me it’s not from the standing rigging?

EDIT: the answer will hopefully be revealed (to me) on Friday. I’ll triple check the dodger.

u/Icy_Basil_372 — 4 days ago

Offshore on 26'?

Hi all, New to sailing, just inherited my first boat from a friend, a paceship py26 with a centerboard keel. In doing some looking around, the general wisdom seems to be not to take it offshore, but having seen people cross the Atlantic or pacific in 23' boats, so I'm just trying to temper my expectations.

Would taking this boat out on the open ocean be a death sentence, or just uncomfortable and or tight? Educate me.

u/Scienceaddict77 — 4 days ago

Dinghy for 33 foot boat

Hi all

I have an older 33-foot sailboat and I need a dinghy to sail from the boat to shore or to the marina. Since my boat isn’t the biggest, the packed size of the dinghy is crucial, but I also want it to be able to handle some chop.
I’ll mostly be sailing with 3 people in total.

What has been your experience with sizing, and is it worth paying for brand names?

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u/McScones — 5 days ago

Bahamas vs Belize

We are looking for someplace to stash our Cape Dory 36 that we can fly in and out easy from the states and get to cruising about a week at a time about 10 weeks a year. Considering Bahamas or Belize but open to other suggestions. We are 36’ LOA with 10’8” beam and draft 5’2”. General thoughts and specific suggestions are welcome. Thanks in advance!

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u/Equivalent_Log_6579 — 7 days ago

Request to be part of your atlanticcrossing

Hi,

I am Malte from Berlin Germany. I just finished school and I would love to be part of a your planned adventure before I start my dual studies.

I am sailing for 8 years now. Mainly competitively on dinghies such as IlCA and 420 after my beginnings on the opti and windsurfing.

Two years ago I got my license for vessels up to 20 m for sea and inland waters.

Although I have some experience on larger boats, I have never been on an ocean for a long time before, and I would love to take on this challenge.

What attracts me the most is not only the sailing itself but also the opportunity to be part of a team, learn from experienced sailors and experience life at sea. I know that such trip also requires discipline and a positive attitude, and I am ready to contribute whatever I can.

My mother tongue is German, I speak fluent English and some Spanish.

In my free time I am mostly doing sports so I am fit and motivated. Since I have siblings and always shared a room with my brother I am adaptable and always willing to learn.

I have no allergies or dietary restrictions. I am happy to cook, clean, do little repairs, stand watch and help with any other tasks on board. I don't smoke and drink only for special occasions.

Your description of the trip sounds exactly like the kind of adventure I have been looking for, and I would be grateful for the opportunity to join your crew,I got time from 02.10.2026 till 20.03.2027. Please don't hesitate to ask any questions.

I am looking forward to hearing from you to talk about details.

Fair winds

Malte

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u/Malte7305 — 6 days ago
▲ 3 r/SailboatCruising+1 crossposts

Sailing school recommendations

So lm looking for sailing schools around the world for April 2027 onwards, I’m going to have a couple months off work and I’ll love to focus into getting properly trained.

For context, my jobs takes me all over the world so the country is not really a concern, I heard that Thailand is more cost efficient but I would like to get you guys opinion and recommendations, it would be me and my brother doing the training, we both have been in sailboats but never properly participated in navigating.

- What license and certificate should I aspire to if I want to buy a 37+ ft sailboat end of next year? I have from April to September 2027.

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u/CashFlaco — 7 days ago

Real world sailing experience

Hi all,
My wife, Agata, and I (Alex) are long-term liveaboard sailors. Over the past 10 years, we’ve sailed our Del Rey 50 from the Mediterranean to Australia, including a major refit in the US.
We’re now about to set off on the next chapter of our voyage as we slowly circumnavigate.
I’d love to hear from anyone dreaming of buying their own boat who wants to gain some real hands-on cruising experience by joining us for a passage or part of our journey.
If that sounds like you, feel free to reach out. Happy to share more about our plans and what life aboard is really like.

u/trimsailing — 9 days ago
▲ 5 r/SailboatCruising+1 crossposts

Direct-sails.com experience? Especially how they handled full length battens.

Hi,

I have had a mainsail on order for my 34' boat from Direct-sails.com (a company based in China) for about 6 weeks now and for that entire 6 weeks, I've been trying to find out the size of the battens they use so I can order batten cars since my current sail only has partial battens. I've been unable to get any answer so far. Maybe I don't really need to know the size of the battens since they should handle whatever is needed, but I'm concerned since I'll need to order a mast slider for the full battens. Does anyone know how Direct-sails.com terminates battens at the luff side? It seems that batten receptacles/boxes are highly recommended for mainsails for 34' boats. Does Direct-sails.com include a batten receptable of some kind? I have a Tides Marine mast track, if that matters. Thanks for any insights you can provide.

u/SvLoggedOut — 6 days ago

Anyone recognize this rare Canadian-built Chaser Cat? Trying to uncover its history

Hi everyone!

My family recently acquired this little 18’ Chaser Cat, and I’ve accidentally fallen down a very deep rabbit hole trying to figure out its history.

It was built in Erin, Ontario by Morette’s Limited / Morette’s Boat Division. Ours was built in 1984 as a 1985 model (HIN ZMT00009H485).

What I’ve learned so far is that these were produced in extremely small numbers in the early 1980s. Former owners and people connected to the factory have estimated somewhere around 12–20 were made, but I haven’t been able to confirm an exact production number.

The boat is an 18’ trailerable catboat with a freestanding mast, wishbone boom, retractable centreboard and kick-up rudder. Morette’s advertised it as a little heavy-weather “mini-cruiser.”

I’ve now located a few other surviving Chaser Cats in Ontario, as well as an original factory brochure, but there are still some big mysteries, especially who actually designed the Chaser Cat and whether any production records survive.

So I figured I’d ask the sailing hive mind: does anyone recognize these boats, remember Morette’s Boat Division, or know anything about the Chaser Cat design?

I’d especially love to hear from anyone who has owned one, sailed one, seen one sitting in a marina somewhere, or remembers seeing them at the Toronto boat shows in the early ’80s.

Even a “my neighbour had one!” story could give me another lead. 😊

— an accidental Chaser Cat historian ⛵️

u/Ok-Count685 — 7 days ago
▲ 12 r/SailboatCruising+2 crossposts

Inflatable Dinghy feedback

I’m on the market for a cheap dinghy to keep on my new 34 ft boat. Just to take the dog in to the nearby beach to do his business while cruising. I have an electric outboard to mount. I thought I had a dinghy in my garage, but it has no engine mount!

I have been searching around and it seems like this cheap Amazon one might do the trick. Can anyone offer any feedback based on the specs or personal experience?

https://a.co/d/06p96g5t

For comparison, this is the cheapest on west marine:

https://www.westmarine.com/west-marine-ru-250-roll-up-inflatable-boat-8ft-3in-pvc-material-881lb-capacity-17981143.html

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u/beeboobopppp — 8 days ago

Sump and bilge

Hi all. Have a Caliber 35. There’s a sump in the bilge that’s recessed about 3” below the bilge floor. For the ice box and shower. There are edges that come about 3” above the bilge floor. It had its own pump (died), bilge has its own pump.

Our bilge is a bit wet generally and shallow, so the standard bilge pump has trouble getting the water out.

I want to drill holes on the edge of the sump box so the bilge water drains to that lower area…and have that lower area be the trigger for a pump.

The pump would be outside of that box with an intake hose to the bottom of the box, and the switch at the bottom of the box. Would keep the existing bilge pump that’s in the main bilge as a backup.

This would keep the main bilge area dry. The only drawback I’ve heard is the idea of shower water or icebox water being in the bilge. I can handle that.

Any other red flags??

u/Icy_Basil_372 — 8 days ago
▲ 1 r/SailboatCruising+1 crossposts

Professional live-in childminder on a sailboat - is there a market?

A while ago I came across a post of a couple living on a catamaran looking for a nanny to join them on their sailboat. Is that an actual market - could I find a job like this? I would appreciate any leads/suggestions on where to look!

I have basic sailing skills from a few trips I've been on, so as crew I am helpful, but not professional level yet. I am, however, a professional nanny. I have experience with children from 1 year old and up, I have also taught English and chess to children. I can tutor teens of all ages in mathematics, physics and chemistry. I can cook well, and have particular experience dealing with food sensitivities in children. I have excellent references... the list goes on. Most importantly, I am just great with children and have had success as a (screen-free and engaging!) childminder.

The original poster that got me thinking about this was not for me for many reasons. The couple got flamed in the comments for looking for a full-time nanny with no pay - just food/marina expenses covered. I would be expecting an allowance if constant work with a family is required, or clearly defined part-time hours for expenses covered. I am, however, open to be just about anywhere in the world.

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u/Academic_Pizza_211 — 7 days ago

Join a crew to cross the Atlantic in January (Europe > Caribbean) as a 20yo with a sailing license. Realistic? Estimated costs?

Hi everyone,

I’m a 20-year-old sailor looking to do an Atlantic crossing from Europe (or the Canary Islands) to the Caribbean/Americas, starting around January.

I know November is the "classic" departure month for the main ARC and traditional trade-wind timing, but January fits my schedule much better. I've heard about ARC January and independent boats leaving after the holidays, but I want a realistic perspective from people who have done it.

I’d love your input on a few questions:

  1. How realistic is finding a crew spot in January? Do many private boats or ARC January participants still look for crew around late December / early January?
  2. Realistic costs: I’m looking for a shared-expenses arrangement (splitting groceries, fuel, and harbor fees), not commercial charters charging $5,000+. How much should I realistically budget for a shared-cost crossing?
  3. Best strategy: Beyond CrewBay, Ocean Crew Link, and walking the docks in Las Palmas, are there specific Facebook groups or forums you’d recommend for January departures?

Thanks in advance for any advice, reality checks, or personal experiences!

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u/Proper-Caramel6395 — 8 days ago