Sailing experience is not required, but is helpful of course.

I would like to have someone aboard who wants to learn how to cruise a liveaboard sailboat safely (all aspects) or get better at it, who wants to take part in sailing adventures (fishing, diving, lobstering, and such) in the Florida Keys, the Bahamas and the Caribbean.

Since cruising a non-new sailboat has often been defined by sailors in-the-know as "fixing your boat in exotic places", plan to spend a few days working on boat projects (or watching and learning) followed by a few days playing onshore or on the boat (i.e. fishing, lobstering, snorkeling, scuba, and so on). If you are good at boat projects and enjoy doing them, that would be a plus. Due to the salt, the sun and the waves, stuff breaks on boats far more often than on cars or in houses, so you at least have to be able to keep yourself entertained while I make the necessary repairs.

People are saying that I am a pretty good musician (singing / guitar) and since there would be quite a bit of room for your musical instruments in your stateroom, if you are a musician, that would be another plus. Maybe we could start a band? :-)

You will have your own aft stateroom (with queen-size bed), two large hanging lockers and a large lower storage locker with drawers. Also you will have your own private bathroom with shower.

A background check is required

usually cleancomfortablevery safevessel is survey certifiedvery spaciousshare experiencevisit remote placesseek adventurefulfill a dreamlearn a languageface challengeslive off the gridmulticultural

About the boat:

When prettied up (varnished and painted) this boat is what's called a "head-turner". It has classic, beautiful "lines". It is also, by design, a heavy-displacement modified-full keel "bluewater" cruising boat, i.e. it handles high winds and waves well, better than most production racer/cruisers. The trade-off is that it is not as fast as an equivalent length production racer/cruiser and it is old - technically an antique since it was built in 1987.

I am currently (and usually) the only person onboard the boat. I would like some volunteer help cruising in this boat because, other than easy bay daysailing, the boat is too large and heavy to safely sail solo on a long cruise.

About me:

Although I'm happy being alone, I'm a sociable, fun-loving, easy-going person who enjoys the company of others for long periods of time. I like getting to know people deeply as friends and can provide many references in this regard.

Before she died from brain cancer, I was married to my lovely, loving wife for 21 years. We raised our two children, who are both now “self-propelled”. We talk often and they sail with me occasionally.

If you are female, romance is NOT expected or encouraged, but I won't completely rule it out either. If you are male, I am accepting of gay crewmembers, but I'm definitely not gay myself and have no interest in that - sorry, not in my genes. Essentially, this offer is about sailing adventures and the liveaboard lifestyle, not romance adventures. I'm far more interested in teaching you to help me keep this boat (which, due to its many systems often feels like a small ship) running and cruising safely.

Cruising is sometimes difficult and dangerous. The ocean can be very unforgiving of mistakes, and I cannot protect you from all of them. You have to be willing to accept that risk as the price of adventure on the ocean. You will be required to sign a waiver to that effect.

That being said, I'm pretty good at teaching all kinds of people difficult and dangerous sports. Though I have no formal certification as a sailing instructor, I have taught many of my friends and family to sail and was considered an excellent flight instructor (my first career) and skydiving jumpmaster. I've lived aboard sailboats for the past 15 years. During that time, I've done most of my own maintenance, and I've gotten pretty good at it. I've been surfing, SCUBA diving and captaining sail and power boats since I was a teenager, and I've never been seriously hurt, nor to my knowledge have any of my flight students or friends/family onboard.

I am happy to teach you as much or as little as you like and since this is a volunteer unpaid position, you are free to leave at any reasonable and safe time.

This would be a good fit for someone who enjoys cooking OR who wants to learn all the skills and have all the fun without having to pay the price of entry for their own B.O.A.T (Break Out Another Thousand). :-)

clean & tidyeasy-goingenthusiasticfit & healthyfriendlyrespectfultrustworthyeager to learn & workpositive outlookopen mindedsense of humorcan follow ordersharmony

Most of us get seasick if conditions are bad enough, but if you get seasick EASILY this will probably not be a good fit.

Cruising, at least while sailing or motoring pretty much requires "clean and tidy" for safety reasons.