ManuelCruises

Malta to Australia

I plan to sail from Malta to Australia from June 2011 through February 2013 & offer you the opportunity to join the yacht for parts of the trip. In 2015, I will sail back, from Australia to the Mediterranean. The trip will be on fair cost sharing basis for the trip costs.

Please read on for more information:

Introduction

Ah...sailing! With fresh breezes, blue waters, bright sunshine, the thrill of adventure, and perhaps, most importantly, the camaraderie of keen sailors, there is nothing quite like a sailing adventure! And "adventure" is the operative word here. Many people think of sailing as something quite glamourous and a pastime reserved only for the rich and famous. But living on my sailboat is more like "camping on water" - because of the cramped accommodation, the necessity to sacrifice many "landlubber" luxuries and the certainty that everyone will get wet at the most inconvenient moments! Even if you know nothing about sailing - but, as long as you understand that my sailboat is not a four star hotel with French chefs, chamber maids or servants, then you are most welcome to read on - with the hope that you will come sailing with me.

Sailing from Malta to Australia

From June 2011 through February 2013, I plan to sail from Malta to Australia (to continue my studies there). We will start sailing westward from Malta through the Strait of Gibraltar and cross the Atlantic in late November / early December 2011, once the Atlantic hurricane season is over. Then we pass the Panama canal, and then proceed towards Australia through the Pacific. My intent is to spend most of the time at the Pacific, to sail to and explore the most beautiful islands.

• Meeting face-to-face and to go sailing for some time before the trip is required. Sailing novices / beginners may acquire the necessary experience aboard s/y Settima before casting off to Australia.
• Please note that once you have been accepted as a crew member, your cannot simply change your plans when or where to join or leave the yacht.
• Due to the unpredictably of weather conditions, it is impossible to plan an exact itinerary. But there will be "staging points" whereupon crew can embark & disembark.
• The trip will be on cost sharing basis. A contribution to the maintenance & operational costs of the yacht is requested, and your share towards this cost will depend on the number of crew onboard. A Boat Kitty contribution is requested from each Crewmember for their weekly share for expenses such as food, water, diesel and occasional port, mooring or custom fees etc. Costs such as air/land travel to and from the yacht, food & drinks ashore are the sole responsibility of each Crewmember.

My sailing philosophy

• I will steer clear of ports & marinas, whenever possible, to avoid having to pay expensive mooring fees.
• I find sailing most interesting without using the engine for covering distances. With the weather permitting, I prefer not to spend days, weeks or even months at anchor, but prefer to cast off for another island instead.
• I sail rain or shine. As soon as there is sufficient wind and the sea conditions are right, I weigh anchor. If there is no wind or the weather is bad, I am prepared to stay at anchor, to swim or to tour the local attractions onshore, but generally, with weather permitting, I start sailing from the early moment I rise from my berth. I only stop sailing when the weather no longer permits safe passage. I only want to take advantage of every possible moment to sail!
  

Crew qualifications

Do you have the "right stuff" to be a Crewmember aboard Settima? Carefully read the following list of what I look for in a great sailing companion. I am certainly interested in you, if:

• You really love sailing, preferring to sail from "dawn to dusk", and you are not interested in stopping every 2 hours to swim, to explore every meter of the coastline or to spend days "parked" at anchor;
• You don't mind being at sea for long passages during the day and night;
• You enjoy living on a sailboat for weeks or even months;
• You are friendly & have a sense of humour; and you are reliable & dependable (and would not withdraw your commitment without a just & serious reason);
• You are an uncomplicated sailor who doesn't mind "roughing it" by living with (and in!) saltwater; having very limited access to fresh water; eating simple food fare and sharing close-quarters with limited privacy;
• You don't need to visit marinas and ports or to keep 24 hour internet contact with friends and family;
• You are not looking for a Skipper or other Crewmembers to "serve you" by providing you with meals, drinks & entertainment;
• You are willing to assist the Skipper with all aspects of sailing the boat, such as setting the sails, tacking, jibing, anchoring and with sharing the duties of "helming" (steering) or "being on watch" over long distances, for great lengths of time;
• You are also willing to share the other, less glamourous, duties such as cooking & meal preparation, cleaning dishes, etc., (Attention Guys: Nothing will upset the onboard women more than your assumption that they are going to handle all the galley (i.e. kitchen) chores. Likewise, don't assume that the women can't handle their share of the deck work);
• You are convinced that sharing the expenses for such a "project" is simply fair; (I am not a Skipper who looks for crew because of being unable to handle my boat alone!);
• You understand that to "check each other out" before the sailing adventure Malta - Australia is very important, e.g. by joining my regular Med sailing trips;
• You are physically fit, a non-smoker, do not abuse drugs or alcohol, (and are willing to forego consummation while onboard), & are not easily prone to seasickness;
• You are willing to sign a disclaimer & assume liability for any damage you may cause;
• You are not looking for a "last-minute" holiday opportunity - this is difficult to arrange due to my scheduling, and it is quite dangerous, as we will not have had enough prior communication to be able to "check each other out";
• You and I are compatible sailors and we have similar attitudes towards sailing & the sailing lifestyle and you agree with the following list of responsibilities...

Skipper & Crew responsibilities

So, if you now believe that you possess the right qualifications and attitude to be a valued Crewmember aboard s/y Settima, then you are certainly encouraged to contact me to introduce yourself!

I LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING YOU ABOARD. AND MAY WE ALWAYS HAVE FAIR WINDS!