The advantages of being ‘just’ crew in action--two of these six sailors are owners stuck with the bills, the rest are along just for the stunning scenery and great sailing.

You don't need to own a boat to go sailing. One of literature's most well-known sailors didn't own a boat, but famously set out to sea as crew, aboard the Pequot in Moby Dick. Whenever Ishmael felt the world closing in on him, he searched out a position on a ship and headed out. If you've read more than the first chapter, you're most likely familiar with Ishmael's eloquent arguments for going to sea aboard someone else's ship, filling the sometimes less-than-glamorous position referred to collectively as "crew." Ishmael and I seem to share the opinion that there are strong reasons for putting to sea aboard someone else's vessel.

There are many factors outside of monetary concerns that might cause someone to prefer not to own a boat, such as the unavailability of a slip, or the dissent of a spouse, but happily, options are available for the sailor who finds himself boat-free, such as renting or bare boat chartering.

But perhaps the best option takes this truth into account: nearly all boats out on the water have someone aboard, at least informally, acting as crew. Sometimes, crewing for someone else might be a person's only chance at getting out on the water. Among the many benefits of acting as crew is the reduced expense of not having to pay for, well, almost anything. The substantial costs such as the boat itself, the monthly slip fee, insurance, club memberships, fuel, haul-outs, and gear upgrades, have been paid for by the owner. Not worrying about the cost of such things becomes significant when you hear exclamations like, "We just ran over the spinnaker!" or "Was that port light always cracked?" (I've had the experience of hearing both those things lately, although not aboard my own boat.) It is even customary for the skipper to buy the first round of drinks after a race.

It’s not exactly a free ride. In return, of course, the crew contributes in other ways, some material and some just sweat equity. The owner and crew on an overnight trip can agree in advance on what the crew can provide--ingredients for the meals or the liquor cabinet, a little money to help fill the tank, and so on. It's up to the crew to understand that it's appropriate to chip in from time to time, and to determine what's appropriate.

Boat yard bills, insurance bills, and more all factor into the cost of freedom. Unless you’re just crew..

Some other benefits of crewing may not be as obvious as the monetary savings, but they're equally important. For example, sailing with others naturally leads to an informal gleaning of new or different skills and techniques. This occasionally humbling fact is how sailing skills are passed down from sailor to sailor for generations. Additionally, the experience of sailing with a variety of different people helps hone your ability to work with different personality types. A very valuable crew trait is the ability to acclimate to different situations--true of working with people and of sailing in varied conditions. As important as it is to find a fair and competent skipper, it's equally important to be mindful of acting as competent and even-tempered crew. If you develop a reputation as a skillful sailor with considerate company on the water, the invitations you'll receive will outnumber the days you have available to accept them.

Despite basic universal points of sail and boat handling, all vessels handle a little differently. The more varied your experiences, the better the perspective you'll have on any boat you're aboard. Boat owners generally don't expect you to know their boat inside and out the first time you step aboard (and note: if they do, step back off!).

The best approach in crewing for someone else is to watch and learn. Sometimes, as I have found, you can even learn what not to do. The boat itself can even act as a teacher, as you experiment with sail trim, or inspect unfamiliar equipment. It's amazing how just a few different experiences can add to your body of knowledge. I recently made a list of all the boats I have ever sailed. I was surprised; not by the sheer number of boats, but by the enormous variety of experiences I'd had. I realized that I'd gained at least a little bit of sailing experience and knowledge aboard each one, simply by benefit of having been aboard as crew. For example, most of the anchoring I'd done was while single-handing my own boat. When cruising with a couple aboard their boat, I noted with interest that a fellow sailor had developed a system of simple hand signals to communicate back to the helm behind the dodger, his intentions in dropping the anchor properly. I hadn't considered that approach, but I incorporated it the next time I anchored with other crew aboard.

The most pleasant aspect of crewing for another captain is the social element involved. Crewing situations often lead to connections and friendships that might not otherwise be made. Although I own my own boat, I try to be available to crew for other people as often as I can, which has led to several good friendships. Sometimes, the experience of working together as a team can forge bonds between strangers, and I know one very happy couple who met years ago while racing as crew aboard J/24s. The race course might not be the most reliable romantic venue, but mysterious forces are sometimes at work out on the water.

Connecting with a solid crew is a great way to further hone your sailing skills.

Most crew organization takes place informally, on the docks or among friends, but the possibility exists of crewing on a cruising boat. Many sailing magazines publish "Crew Wanted" listings, wherein boat owners advertise for crew to help them on their journey. The ads are usually quite specific, stating the destination, the crew requirements, and what's expected of the crew in terms of contribution, monetary or material. Cruising as crew can be a fantastic way to see the world, sailing to destinations that would otherwise be too costly to visit. Casual, short-term positions can pop up informally, on the dock or the club house, but berths on a longer passage must be actively sought out and planned. There are many excellent resources available, filled with advice on cruising as crew. Greg Becker's "The Seagoing Hitchhiker's Handbook" is one such book, and reading through it might provide sufficient inspiration to give it a try. As he puts it, "The freedom is absolute, the life is almost free, and the experiences are incomparable." There are countless opportunities to connect with a skipper, and maybe find a suitable boat almost anywhere in the world. I'll admit there are days when, faced with an oppressive insurance bill or a stubborn through-hull, that setting to sea as crew seems preferable to the work of preparing a boat for cruising, and I sometimes wonder why I bought my own boat.

The next time the urge to "sail about a little and see the watery part of the world" sets upon you, whether going around the cans or around the world, consider sailing not as owner, captain, or cook, but simply as a member of the crew. It worked for Ishmael.