r/sailingcrew

I thought this would be a fun community discussion. Keen to hear what different traditions different places have for new crew, rites of passage, etc. I will start with an easy and probably ubiquitous one- bring a snack and a sixpack when joining a rum race crew!

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!