Ahoy, Sailor! As a child, one of my secret wishes was to become a pirate, arrrgh. In case you want to become one, too, read this article, to know how! We won’t be chasing chests of treasure or besieging ships, but we’ll certainly discover the secrets of defeating the deep blue! If you want to know everything about the basics of boat hitchhiking, you are at the right place!
How to hitchhike a boat and sail for free
Crossing the oceans, and reaching countries by sea even if you do not own a ship, or do not have the appropriate sailing skills, is possible. I personally know people who did cross the Atlantic Ocean on a sailing boat while having zero ocean sailing experience and had never travelled by ship for weeks without seeing land. It is one of a lifetime experience but it’s also a rough one. An adventure only for the bravest and most spirited backpackers out there. Are you ready to dive in?
In order to hitchhike a boat, you can try your luck at the port and ask if anybody needs additional crew members or use dedicated websites (you’ll find links to these platform at the end of this article)
Generally, the latter option is the simplest, but with a little patience and luck, even searching directly can yield amazing results.
So, let’s see how hitchhiking boats work! I’ll share some useful tips and essential information you need before starting your sailing adventure!
Approach #1: Look for a boat at the harbour
Once again, online search is generally faster and easier when it comes to hitchhiking boats, but casting around the harbour usually has its pros.
Boat hitchhiking on the spot:
- Frequent the port and its surroundings to get to know people. Introduce yourself, tell these people about your plans and ambitions, ask questions, and invite them for a drink. More you hang out at the harbour, the more opportunities you have to meet new people who can help you with your research.
- Plan ahead! Chances that get any positive results on the first day are low, but don’t give up. Remember that hitchhiking is based on patience and perseverance. A good ride comes at the right time.
- The important thing is that you give your contacts to sailors or to other crew. Carry a few copies of your CV (werther you have sailing skills or not) and distribute them. Crew knows best which ships still need helping hands. In some cases, one could find flyers on the billboards around the port with direct contact to the captain.
- Especially, when you have some sailing or other special (cooking, handyman etc..) skills, it’s worth pinning your CV or brief introduction message, including your contacts, near the entrance of the port or on dedicated billboards.
Use one of the websites and online forums dedicated to boat hitchhiking
There are many platforms you can check to find a boat, you can already see where they are going, what kind of crew they still need. You can filter your search and find the best ride to reach your destination (or, at least, get closer to it).
Websites where you can look for boat hitchhiking opportunities
The three most known are FindACrew, Crewbay and CrewSeekers, but there are many other popular ones, for example:
While the ones above are international websites, there are some national websites, too: if you are in Germany, you can search on handgegenkoje.de, in France check out vogavecmoi.com and in Spain link to genteparanavegar.com.
There are also mobile apps like SailConnect and Ocean Nomads for the search on the go.
Forums
The culture of online forums never gets old. The savviest seamen and boat hitchhikers share their most insider knowledge on the topic. Ask, discuss and find precious information about boat hitchhiking and anything related to this type of travel. Try these first:
Sailing groups
Similar to forums, dedicated Facebook groups or even sub Reddits are also awesome sources of information. You can directly ask for suggestions, or look for contacts.
Check Atlantic Ocean Crew, Caribbean Sailing Crew, Pacific Sailing Crew, Mediterranean Sailing Crew, Cruising Opportunities Facebook Group, Sailboat HitchHikers & Crew Connection, and Ocean Nomads.
Prepare a killer CV for boat hitchhiking
Now I show a few tricks to make your boat hitchhiking resume stand out.
In fact, many captains are looking for a skilled crew, while others are just looking for some company and are willing to teach you.
So don’t worry if you don’t have any sailing skills!
Introduce yourself briefly and if you have any, tell a bit more about your sailing experiences. List all the skills you think could be useful during the trip (even if they are not closely related to sailing), for example:
- Can do night shifts (no special skills are needed, but to be alert and attentive during late hours);
- ability to manage groceries and inventory;
- Cooking and cleaning;
- Technical knowledge for general maintenance (carpentry, mechanic skills, electrical, plumbing skills are well appreciated)
- Anything that is related to entertainment (such as playing an instrument that you can take on board ) is welcome.
In other words, just write anything that would show you as the perfect candidate for a sea adventure.
lnfo you should know before trying to hitchhike a boat
It is important to know what is the best time to sail (and this differs by each region) before you embark on an adventure to the seven seas. In order to leave at the right time, do some internet research beforehand.
Windy.com is a tool often used by sailors to find out when it’s the best time to leave. If you keep an eye on the website and get some advice from those who are more experienced (remember to sign up to forums and online communities), you may be able to find a ride exactly when you need it!
As you can see, there are so many opportunities for boat hitchhiking! You now have all the information you need for your next, free sea adventure!
My advice is to talk to as many people as you can, visit sailors’ forums, and believe in your abilities.
Arm yourself with patience and let out your inner pirate! Good luck and have a safe journey!
Need to read more information about free sea travels? Then you should read our article where we share general tips to sail for free or on low budget!
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