Crew Wanted: Crew member needed... Deltaville, VA to Bahamas in November

[LooseScrews2022]

Hello I am looking for a crew member for a maiden voyage in November, round trip.

I am new to sailing and would prefer someone with experience.

I do not have a lot of money and this has been a dream of mine for a great many years. Just got the boat, one step closer to the dream.

I will be setting out in a B24...

Male or Female, doesn't matter lol... As long as we can get along and you must have a good sense of humor...lol

Food and booze are a shared expense and you will have to pay your own transportation to and from Deltaville, VA, or the closest airport.

I am figuring a 4 on and 4 off schedule, depending on how the sleep goes... I normally don't sleep very long...

TIA and remember to smile...

[Paul Annapolis]

This B24 you have....I saw some of them in WW2 movies. Are you going to name yours "Liberator?" OK... I'm just joking of course. I can speculate that you might be referring to a Bristol 24 which is certainly capable of such a trip with the right captain and crew. I had two friends who twice sailed their Bristol 24 from Annapolis to the Caribbean and back--as far as Saba. But they did an extensive refit and were both experienced boaters in their 20's. This is also likely to be quite an old boat and while it may be in good shape, you'd be wise to investigate and really get to know its condition.

You say you are new to sailing but want to realize your dream. Go for it! But crew should be the last of your concerns until you can be a good mariner and make sure you and your boat are ready. How you stand watches is way down the order of priorities in this situation and mentioning that you share booze and food is...well even further down the order and as for booze--rather impertinent as well, unless booze is that important to you.

As you said you do not have a lot of money, but it's one step closer to your dream. Lets all hope that it does not turn into a nightmare--learn more basic skills, invest in the time and energy to become experienced and to make sure that you and the boat are up to bluewater voyaging. Let us know! (Is this the same Bristol 24 that was just trailered from a lake to Virginia as seen elsewhere on here on April 17th?)

[LooseScrews2022]

Originally Posted by Paul Annapolis

This B24 you have....I saw some of them in WW2 movies. Are you going to name yours "Liberator?" OK... I'm just joking of course. I can speculate that you might be referring to a Bristol 24 which is certainly capable of such a trip with the right captain and crew. I had two friends who twice sailed their Bristol 24 from Annapolis to the Caribbean and back--as far as Saba. But they did an extensive refit and were both experienced boaters in their 20's. This is also likely to be quite an old boat and while it may be in good shape, you'd be wise to investigate and really get to know its condition.

You say you are new to sailing but want to realize your dream. Go for it! But crew should be the last of your concerns until you can be a good mariner and make sure you and your boat are ready. How you stand watches is way down the order of priorities in this situation and mentioning that you share booze and food is...well even further down the order and as for booze--rather impertinent as well, unless booze is that important to you.

As you said you do not have a lot of money, but it's one step closer to your dream. Lets all hope that it does not turn into a nightmare--learn more basic skills, invest in the time and energy to become experienced and to make sure that you and the boat are up to bluewater voyaging. Let us know! (Is this the same Bristol 24 that was just trailered from a lake to Virginia as seen elsewhere on here on April 17th?)

Not the same Bristol 24...

But yes I am with you on the training and getting to know the ship... Her name is Loose Screws....

I do like to have a drink once in awhile, booze is not that important to me at all...

At present, I can set her in the water right now and run with her, I am just doing some minor repairs at the moment and adding her nav systems...

I guess my biggest concern right now is learning how to reef and when to reef, that has always boggled me lol...

I am very big on redundancies lol... I have backup plans for my backup plans as well as the gear to back them up...

all the advice I can get is most helpful, you can never be too prepared only ill prepared...

[Bill O]

Which B24 did you purchase? The Corsair or Channel Cutter version?

[LooseScrews2022]

Originally Posted by Bill O

Which B24 did you purchase? The Corsair or Channel Cutter version?

Corsair... I fell in love on the spot....lol..

[Jubilee39]

Crossing the gulf stream in November will certainly sharpen your learning curve

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by LooseScrews2022

... I guess my biggest concern right now is learning how to reef and when to reef, that has always boggled me ...

When in doubt, reef*.
* If you’re underpowered, it’s very easy to shake out the reef.

Most boats are designed to require the first reef in around 18 knots apparent wind when sailing to windward. Some lighter, more coastal-orientated boats may struggle in 15 knots, while heavier offshore designs will still be happy at 20 knots or more.

Your Bristol should likely desire reefing at between 15 - 20 knots [maybe a little more], depending upon your audacity.

Here are the basic steps to reef your mainsail:
★ Assume a close-hauled, or close reaching, course.
★ If solo, set the autopilot to, maintain your course under jib alone, or heave-to.
★ Release the mainsheet and vang.
★ Lower the main halyard. Mark the main halyard line, relative to the mast, so you will know how far you need to lower it, the next time you reef.
★ Pull slack out of the reef line so it won’t tangle.
★ Secure the reef tack.
★ Re-tension the halyard.
★ Tension the reef line. It should be very tight, pulling down and out to flatten the reefed sail.
★ If you expect to be reefed for a while, tie the reef clew down to the boom, with a sail tie, to take the load should the reef line fail.
★ Snug the vang and trim the mainsheet.

When, Why and How to Reef your Sails [basic beginner level video]
➥ https://youtu.be/4vgu060sYkA

[Kd9truck]

There’s a group of Cruisers, they push off from Antigua and the usvi to Hampton VA. on the 10th. At 24 ft you will need a big window to get past the stream and Hatteras unless you do the ICW not much fun but sleep will easy provided there’s room.
At we ft, Your struggle will be water and fuel, figure out your vessels range on fuel and definitely get your fuel tank cleaned and your fuel polished. You will not want gunk clogging things up.

[mvmojo]

Originally Posted by LooseScrews2022

I guess my biggest concern right now is learning how to reef and when to reef, that has always boggled me lol...

General rule of thumb is if conditions get to the point where you think you need to reef, you've waited too long. Best to reef early as soon as the boat feels like it's just starting to get over powered. It's much easier to shake out a reef if conditions ease than it is to reef once conditions have worsened!

[MartinF]

You are "new to sailing" and you have just bought a 60-yr old boat of 18ft waterline. Your maiden voyage will be 1000M (2000M round trip)in the N. Atlantic (from your talk of watchkeeping it sounds as tho you aim to sail out of Chesapeake B. and point your bow at Grand Bahama).

If this is indeed your plan I STRONGLY advise a lot more caution. What do you know of the ocean currents on your route, the likely wind patterns in November, and the sea conditions that can be caused by a weather-going current? Sailors with decades of experience and much bigger boats would think very carefully about such a plan. Read Paul Annapolis [above] again and take his advice to gain skill, experience and knowledge.

Good Luck,
M

[LooseScrews2022]

Originally Posted by MartinF

You are "new to sailing" and you have just bought a 60-yr old boat of 18ft waterline. Your maiden voyage will be 1000M (2000M round trip)in the N. Atlantic (from your talk of watchkeeping it sounds as tho you aim to sail out of Chesapeake B. and point your bow at Grand Bahama).

If this is indeed your plan I STRONGLY advise a lot more caution. What do you know of the ocean currents on your route, the likely wind patterns in November, and the sea conditions that can be caused by a weather-going current? Sailors with decades of experience and much bigger boats would think very carefully about such a plan. Read Paul Annapolis [above] again and take his advice to gain skill, experience and knowledge.

Good Luck,
M

Not being rude, so please do not take it that way..

let me ask you something... what, in my posts, states that I have not completely done my research nor checked out currents and such over the past few years???

I have been watching very closely actually and studying the changes in the current based upon the models of that time.

the reason for going in Nov is because that is the most opportune time to make such a trip plus, the calculations come out to 4 on and 4 off unless something kicks off, giving both parties time to get rest...

I plan to do a few shakedown runs way before that time and, if I don't feel like I am ready by November, I will postpone the trip...

the ebb and flow of the sea can never be predicted 100%.

Just like Life, you cannot predict if you are going to wake up the next morning or not...

If I feel confident in my skills, then I will make the trip, if I don't then I will not go this year...

from what I have learned thus far, from a sailing friend up here, is that I have almost everything figured out because I do not take things for granted...

the only things that are absolute in life are death and taxes...

I did not go into this journey without first understanding that I do not know everything nor that it would be easy...

The only Easy Day was Yesterday...

Give you an example... I hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2016, before I attempted that venture I trained and planned and asked for advice from those who had already done it...

I leave nothing to chance but when I set my mind to something I have never done before, I study, train and ask questions... That is how you become good at anything... Anyone who just sets out to do something on a whim, with no experience is a fool but they learn from their mistakes and either tap out or push forward and get better...

I am sure that I will make mistakes as I am sure that I will forget to bring things I planned on bringing when I do leave.

I do not plan very much of anything, that is why there is not a date attached to the month...

A wise man once told me "Son if you just sit on the fence, you will never get to ride."

[dadster3]

I am hoping to make the same trip in November in a Nonsuch 354, but with a different route that you might want to consider. If you are familiar with Pam Wall, you know she is an experienced cruising sailor and sailing instructor. She lives in Ft Lauderdale and says that if you want a pleasant crossing to the Bahama, leave from Fr. Lauderdale. Wait until after a low front moves through, then leave afterwards, sailing more or less due east. The gulf stream will carry you north and, if you left at night, you will greet the morning off of West End.

If you want to meet, my boat is in Urbanna. I have some sailing experience though not as much as I would like. At least one other person would be nice for crew, but sailing together might be another option. Single-handing has special challenges, not the least of which is a viable sleep schedule, and I have given some thought to that and other issues. I have taken a couple of course on single-handed cruising.

My boat is currently on the hard at the Urbanna Port Marina but I hope to have her back in the water in June. It would be nice to meet in any case.

[LooseScrews2022]

Originally Posted by dadster3

I am hoping to make the same trip in November in a Nonsuch 354, but with a different route that you might want to consider. If you are familiar with Pam Wall, you know she is an experienced cruising sailor and sailing instructor. She lives in Ft Lauderdale and says that if you want a pleasant crossing to the Bahama, leave from Fr. Lauderdale. Wait until after a low front moves through, then leave afterwards, sailing more or less due east. The gulf stream will carry you north and, if you left at night, you will greet the morning off of West End.

If you want to meet, my boat is in Urbanna. I have some sailing experience though not as much as I would like. At least one other person would be nice for crew, but sailing together might be another option. Single-handing has special challenges, not the least of which is a viable sleep schedule, and I have given some thought to that and other issues. I have taken a couple of course on single-handed cruising.

My boat is currently on the hard at the Urbanna Port Marina but I hope to have her back in the water in June. It would be nice to meet in any case.

Sounds like a Plan.. I am heading out in two weeks back to Loose Screws because I have some touchups to get done before I put her back in...

I

[thomm225]

Before you do the Bahamas, you may want to just sail out to Chesapeake Light a few times to see how you and your boat handle the conditions.

https://charts.noaa.gov/OnLineViewer/12208.shtml

Lots of folks need an adjustment period just to get used to the change in motion going from bay waves (Deltaville etc) to Ocean Waves VA Beach into the Atlantic Ocean.

Some blow chunks within a couple hours of ocean waves mixed in with bay waves while others have no problem. There is some shipping traffic though so you have to be on watch and sometimes strong currents depending...

Also sometimes the navy patrol/escort boat Skippers can get overly excited about keeping you 500 yards away from the ships/Subs they are escorting

Also the sail just to Chesapeake Light which is maybe 16 miles due East of VA Beach might take you a couple days. You could stop over at Kiptopeke then sail to the light the following day

Anchoring at Kiptopeke can get hairy though if the Wind Goes S-SE and cranks up. You can get in behind the Cement Ships but you better have a good anchor and know how to use it.

[Peterbreit]

My advice is do not go offshore around Cape Hatteras in November. In a small boat it can change from Uncomfortable but doable to dangerously in minute.
It will take you 3 days from Portsmouth to Morehead City. And you can bet on challenging times crossing the Albermarle and Pamlico sounds plus Alligator River. Good way to learn what you and your boat can take.
I always sail from Morehead City to Hillsboro Inlet offshore hugging the coastline mostly going solo. So if the weather turns against me I can head for several inlets reachable within just 3-4 hours. Last time I went to the Bahamas I waited out bad weather for a day in Hillsboro inlet then left at 7am with flat seas and just motored to Grand Bahamas. I reach the marina by 5pm bypassing Bimini.
Disclaimer, I have 50+ years sailing experience and sail a larger boat, Beneteau 46'.
And yes I will leave again this year Kent Island for places warmer. I prefer leaving middle October but family obligations probably will not let me leave until early November.
Maybe I will meet you in Deltaville. Safe travels.