Am I sane or crazy?

kananumpua · #1 (**permalink**) 01-09-2008

Here's the situation.

First off, forget the fact that I am still in college and don't have time to partake on this trip.

Over the holidays I went with my girlfriend's family on a chartered sailboat in the BVI's. The captain and his girlfriend had sailed, dove, or worked just about everywhere in the world over the last 16 years. So I don't really doubt their capabilities. It's my capabilities that are in question. Almost all of my sailing has been lake sailing over the last 4 years with some coastal sailing over the last year. About half way through the 10 day charter, he said that he lined up a spot for me to crew on an 82ft Oyster for a delivery. It's only 18 months old and absolutely beautiful. However the delivery is from St. Maarten to Portugal! He swears up and down that I'm ready for it but I'm over here shaking in my boots. I have only sailed out of site of land 2 times and the conditions were pleseant. I just keep thinking of all that could go wrong and how I wouldn't know what to do. Then I would not just be putting myself in danger but also the rest of the crew. I guess what I'm asking is how do you know when your ready to go or not?

artbyjody · #2 (**permalink**) 01-09-2008

The keyword - there is a crew. I say go for it, you'll be amazed at what you learn with the opportunity and awesome first experience. You'll learn quick

CharlieCobra · #3 (**permalink**) 01-09-2008

I doubt he wants ya to be the Captain or even the Watch Captain. He probably feels you're good enough to be crew as he's seen you in person. I say GO FOR IT! How often do ya get a chance at something like this?

TheFrog · #4 (**permalink**) 01-09-2008

A mentor once told me that if you are afraid of a new opportunity that stretches you it could very well be the right opportunity. If you had less experience you would not know enough to be questioning the advisability.

I envy you having this type of opportunity. You have what sounds like a good basis of sailing knowledge. The captain (with a strong background) handpicked you after observing you on a boat over multiple days.

Remember, you would not be captaining the boat across the ocean, you would be crew. Go read the adventures of bumfuzzle to see how truly inexperienced people can sail a boat around the world (scary, they had not even completed a single sailing class when they set out).

sailingdog · #5 (**permalink**) 01-09-2008

Basically, if he is willing to put up with a relative rookie as crew, I'd say go for it.

But, be aware that you probably get really seasick the first major storm you hit...

Sometimes, especially in a case like this, where you're not going to be completely dependent on just yourself... you should just go for it.

There's a big difference between crossing the Atlantic on a 82' Oyster, with an experienced captain and some experienced crew to back you, and trying to cross the Atlantic by yourself or with just another relatively inexperienced sailor along on a smaller boat.

Freesail99 · #6 (**permalink**) 01-09-2008

I so wanted to say "crazy" and explain how we have a poster on here who looks just like Dr. Phil......

sailortjk1 · #7 (**permalink**) 01-09-2008

Whats his number?
I'll go, damn 80 something Oyster?
Sounds like the experience of a lifetime.

usasophie · #8 (**permalink**) 01-09-2008

I am also still in college have NO experience sailing and yet my boyfriend and I just bought a 34ft formosa. You learn from experience not from sitting in an office doing paperwork. On an 82ft boat there will plenty of other, way more experienced crew on board to help. Go for it people, like myself, would kill for an opportunity like that. On the other hand if you dont have the passion your right it could be disaster. If you dont do it dont because you dont like sailing not because your nervous.

danjarch · #9 (**permalink**) 01-09-2008

Your fricky insane. Have fun

sailortjk1 · #10 (**permalink**) 01-09-2008

On a more serious note:
I for one have often wondered what it would be like to have made my living on the water.
One of my "what if" life scenerios includes ditching the 9 to 5 for the life of the big blue sea.

The oppurtunity presented to you might help you make such a decision.
Take the delivery, find out first hand what the life of a boat junkie is all about. If you hate it, so be it. No harm no foul.

If it suits you, than perhaps this is the perfect stepping stone for you to persue a life on the high seas. Others have done it and seem very happy with the life.

I still wish sometimes I had made that decision.
Best of luck.