Crew Guide
For most, the first 12 to 24 hours will be filled with either excitement, anxiety, or both while adjusting to life aboard. Once you get the butterflies out and begin to understand the daily routine you will become more relaxed, allowing you to learn and enjoy all aspects of the voyage.
Each type of passage, be it offshore or coastal/island hopping, will have similar duties. The exception is that offshore passages aim to sail non-stop for the entire leg, while coastal/island hopping passages often include one to two night sails and anchoring on other nights.
Expectations during your time as crew include:
Each individual or couple is assigned a berth/cabin. This is the space used for sleep in most situations and where your gear is stowed.
There may be times when conditions require hot-bunking, rotating or sharing berths when not on watch, to make sure everyone gets adequate sleep and rest.
Eating well helps keep morale high during passage-making. Everyone is expected to prepare at least two meals during the trip, one lunch and one dinner.
Before departure we discuss a projected daily meal plan for lunch and dinner, then complete a final grocery run for any missing provisions.
Breakfast: You are on your own. Watch schedules can make group hot breakfasts difficult. If you are preparing food, it is good form to ask others who are awake if they would like some.
Lunch and Dinner: A rotating cooking schedule is created at the pre-departure meeting. One crew member, or two when needed, prepares each meal.
Pack light. Crew usually bring more than they need. A small to medium duffel bag for clothes and foul-weather gear plus a backpack for land excursions, no larger than standard carry-on size, is enough.
Passport: If your chosen passage leg requires a passport, do not forget it.
Not included: Travel to and from the boat, including flights, and any ashore purchases including meals and beverages.
There are plenty of YouTube videos online for learning the basics of sailing. Search for: learn to sail.