Sailing looks fun...how do I get a ride?

February 4, 4:39 PMSF Sailing ExaminerEdward Killeen

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Most new crew get the best view on the boat.  ©Edward Killeen

It is hard to believe but getting people to go sailing can be difficult.  There are thousands upon thousands of boats sitting in their slips on even the most beautiful days.  There are even more people driving over the bridges looking out at the water thinking, "I wish I were out there."

The answer seems pretty simple.  Introduce boat owners to potential crew.  Introduce crew to boat owners.  Then go sailing.

Thanks to the miracle that is the Internet, we can do just that.  There are at least two major online crew lists for the San Francisco Bay: SFsailing and Latitude 38.  As a user of these crew lists, I can assure you they work.

The bigger of the two is SFSailing.  It is divided into five sections: racing, cruising, ocean cruising, pick-up and skipper.  It is important to know the distinction when you sign up.  The racing list will get you a ride even as a beginner, but the expectations are different.  A racing program is looking for someone who can make a commitment to sail at least one weekend per month.  The cruising list is for daysails and is generally more social.  Don't do ocean cruising until you know you like sailing.

The more personal list is Latitude 38.  Latitude 38 is the premiere sailing publication in the Bay Area, covering all topics from racing to cruising to boater issues.  Their online site, 'Lectronic Latitude, takes advantage of all that content and gives great updates on all things sailing 3 times a week.  It is more personal in that they host a crew party to go with the crew list, in fact the next one is Wednesday, March 11, 2009.  You can sign up for the crew list separate from the party as well.

The crew list party is considered to be a blast with between 150 to 300 people each year.  There are generally more people looking to crew than boats looking for crew (which makes sense given more than 1 person can be on a boat).  According to Richard Spindler, Publisher & Executive Editor of Latitude 38, "a lot of people in the Baja Ha-Ha got started with the crew list party.  We give everyone a tongue-in-cheek 'caution' about attendees getting married; it's happened a number of times, including one couple who met at the party, got married, bought a boat, and have been out cruising for more than 12 years!"

A few things about the crew lists are important.  Don't exaggerate your sailing skill and experience; skippers have specific needs for their races.  New sailors get rides; in fact, less experienced sailors get the best seat in the house.  Racing lists will ask for your weight, this isn't necessarily an invasion of your privacy, some classes have strict weight limits and it can be advantageous to have a heavier sailor or a lighter sailor depending on the wind conditions.  And ask the skipper about his or her experience, you need to be comfortable that the boat and crew are safe.

There will always be opportunities to sail on San Francisco Bay; boat owners are always looking for crew.  Check out these two lists as a first step to getting on the water.