The easiest way is through a sailing club: many clubs keep a crew list or noticeboard, and skippers are often short of crew for club races. Turn up, tell the skipper honestly how much experience you have, and be reliable.
Crewing is one of the best ways to gain experience, and there are usually more boats looking for crew than people offering. Club racing, especially evening and weekend races, is where most new crew start.
- Contact a sailing club. Many clubs keep a crew register, an online noticeboard or a list in the clubhouse where you can put your name down. Some run sessions where skippers and new crew meet before a race.
- Turn up. Arriving at the club before a race and asking around is often enough. Skippers who are a crew member short will usually take a willing beginner.
- Be honest about your experience. A skipper would much rather know you are new and give you a simple job than find out halfway through a manoeuvre.
- Be reliable. Arrive on time, and if you can’t make it, say so early. A crew member who turns up every week soon gets more interesting jobs.
When you are aboard, listen to the skipper’s safety briefing and ask where the lifejackets, the radio and the man overboard gear are kept if you are not told. Ask what your job is for each manoeuvre, and keep out of the way of the boom and the sheets when you are not sure. Bring your own lifejacket if you have one, suitable clothing and shoes, water and food.
Learn the calls the crew use, such as “Ready about” before a tack and “Ready to gybe” before a gybe, and answer when you are ready. Ask questions afterwards, when the boat is settled: most skippers are happy to explain what they did and why.
More in the book: Chapter 15, Your first race