female looking for work aboard

JLynn · #1 (**permalink**) 05-07-2009

Hi, I'm Jess from Florida. I'm a bit new to the sailing world, however i've always been VERY interested in it, and especially in owning my own boat eventually. Sounds silly, but I grew up living in preserved state parks, surfing, scuba diving, fishing, etc, so i've always made the ocean a huge part of my life, and to me, the ultimate thing for someone as free spirited as myself is to travel and live via sailboat! I'm currently living out of a suitcase, so i'm leaving no real ties behind, except for a vehical and lots of surfboards in storage.
I'm currently looking for work in the Cocoa Beach or St. Augustine area with or around boats, just to learn as much as possible, and I'm also looking to sail with anyone who needs a hand keeping the boat clean and tidy. As long as i'm not paying anything and i'm making a little bit of money and learning, i'm happy. It can be long term or short term. the sky is the limit.
I'm also a surfer, a musician (singer songwriter guitarist) so the guitar comes along, and i have a beautiful siamese himalayan cat less than a year old who actually isin't too bothered by the water. She's been going to the beach since she was born.
I'm up for traveling to other countries, and i do have a passport ready to go. Anything I can find to help me learn as much as possible (and of course help me pay for food, etc) is appreciated.
Thanks for having me!
Jessica
irishsurf at hotmail dot com

smackdaddy · #2 (**permalink**) 05-07-2009

Sup J'ly? Welcome to SN. I'm sure you'll find something.

BTW - what kind of guitar?

zz4gta · #3 (**permalink**) 05-07-2009

Jessica, change your email to read irishserf_at_hotmail.com or you may end up w/ a lot of spam.

Welcome, you could also keep an eye out on this link for tall ships
ASTA - Billet Bank

sailingdog · #4 (**permalink**) 05-07-2009

Welcome to Sailnet. I'd highly recommend you read this POST to help you get the most out of sailnet. I'd second what zz said about the e-mail address.. unless you like spam.

Be aware that small sailboats can be a relatively hostile environment for a guitar.

imagine2frolic · #5 (**permalink**) 05-07-2009

LOLOLOL,
Nice to meet you yet again.

.......i2f

JLynn · #6 (**permalink**) 05-07-2009

Thanks for the help everyone, I'm checking these links too.
As for the guitar, I'd only bring an older guitar, acoustic of course. It's actually a Texarcana (which are very cheap guitars) but the sound is awesome! But no worries. That thing has been through it all. If a sailing trip kills it, that's ok. I have others.

administrator · #7 (**permalink**) 05-07-2009

JLynn

Welcome to SailNet

I edited your email address in your post so that the search engine spiders and spam spiders don't harvest your email address from the post you made.

Folks who want to get in touch with you will figure it out.

ps: Cocoa is a nice place. I surfed there a few times when I lived in NSB back in the 70's.

sailingdog · #8 (**permalink**) 05-07-2009

Umm... edit your first post and get rid of the mailto: link in it... you can see that by clicking on the

in the advanced editing mode... otherwise, the spambots will still pick up the e-mail address.

The

switches between WYSIWIG and code views...

The admin missed the mailto: link...

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLynn

Thanks for the help everyone, I'm checking these links too.
As for the guitar, I'd only bring an older guitar, acoustic of course. It's actually a Texarcana (which are very cheap guitars) but the sound is awesome! But no worries. That thing has been through it all. If a sailing trip kills it, that's ok. I have others.

JLynn · #9 (**permalink**) 05-07-2009

oh! thanks again!!!

hellosailor · #10 (**permalink**) 05-08-2009

Hi Jess, and welcome to Alcoholics Anonymous. Oh, wait a minute, wrong forum.

Traveling to other countries with a pet--any pet--is going to be problematic. Cruising with a cat onboard, a stopper for many sailors who just don't want to know about livestock and litter boxes. And, sadly, cats don't understand "Stay out of the water when there's no lifeguard on duty!".

I'd suggest checking out the local yacht clubs to find out which ones have weeknight and weekend racing programs. Racers *always* are looking for pickup crew, and if you simply get to the docks before the boats are leaving (often an hour before race start times) wearing appropriate boat shoes, with your own sailing gloves, etc., there's usually someone who had crew cancel and is willing to settle for an eager willing body rather than nothing at all.

If you ask around, sometimes the clubs keep a "crew available" list, sometimes folks are willing to chat and just take you out for a day ride to help you get started.

Be honest about your experience, ask around, let folks know they can get you on short notice if they need crew, and you'll find you can pick up a lot.

If you're not interested in racing--do it anyway. Racing may have too much mucho and overdrive, but it also teaches you how to sail fast and sail well, and those skills transfer right over into cruising and daysailing.