[WHOOSH]

Hi, Kim...

You''ve got lots of choices so I''d suggest you refine your objective(s) a bit - IOW be picky and look more closely for what you really want out of a crewing experience. Prep for future offshore work? Just the one-time experience? So you can more comfortably crew in your local/regional waters as opportunities pop up? Refreshing your skills?Depending on what those goals look like, you''ll find options for any of those.

For a true ''cruising, offshore learning experience'' of the first caliber, check out John Neal/Amanda Swan''s ''real'' cruising berths - www.mahina.com. John is a true gentleman with 300,000+ offshore miles and a newer H-R 46 cutter. Amanda''s done it all, in the Big Leagues.

To be considered for a range of crewing opportunities (and the ability to respond on a moment''s notice will increase them greatly), visit Offshore Cruising Opportunities - http://www.sailopo.com/main.htm

There are many opportunities which are driven more by local circumstances, so where you are will shape them measureably. E.g. Orange Coast College operates a large coastal and offshore educational sailing program of first caliber...but it''s most convenient to folks living in So California, of course. Charter operations move boats between winter & summer cruising grounds twice a year, and crewing opportunities on those can be repeated multiple times. Manufacturers move boats routinely as driven by sales and, if a truck can''t get there, the boat will go on its own bottom 90% of the time. Many local/regional areas have sailing programs sponsored by local JC''s, by YC''s, by city/county Recreational Depts. and so on. You usually won''t find info on them here but rather by doing some local research. And finally, look for networking venues, e.g. by taking a refresher USCG basic seamanship or sailing course or U.S. Power Squadron course - good learning coupled with meeting others who may or may not be totally new to boating.

Good luck on finding a good berth!

Jack