Before reading on, please take a moment to fill out this week’s survey so we can share your knowledge and experiences with the Cruising Compass family. Thanks.
Do you use an additive to keep the diesel tanks and fuel on your boat as uncontaminated as possible?
Many thanks to all readers who took the time to fill out last week’s survey on crew services. Of those who answered 32$% have used a crew service to find crew for a passage. Of those who took on a stranger as crew, 58% said the experience was excellent, 16% said good, 8% said so so, 7% said not good and 15% said terrible.
Asked to comment on taking on a stranger as crew from a crew service, readers wrote:
Last minute provision of crew is fraught with problems but we were very lucky and were sent a lovely guy with whom we’re still in touch 4 years later.
That was 15 years ago and we’re still friends.
Most people exaggerate their skills. Many people are caught up in the ‘dream’ from YouTube vloggers and know little. So more crew finding tools, some under skilled people.
One was a helicopter mechanic and fisherman who could fix anything and caught a 45# wahoo on the Salty Dawg Rally November 2013. We are still good friends.
Came on deck to find “on watch” crew soundly asleep in lee corner of cockpit. This was in coastal waters. reinforced my opinion that I was safer single handed and relying on radar guard zones for warning of impending hazards.
Jumped through all the hoops to list the trip for expenses covered crew (not paid, but flights, meals, boat costs covered) and got no takers. Was told I need to offer pay. That was not happening. Found a volunteer via Salty Dawgs.
