Difference between revisions of "Hitchhiking a boat"

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* http://www.partnersandcrews.com
 
* http://www.partnersandcrews.com
 
* http://www.findacrew.net
 
* http://www.findacrew.net
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Weblog of two Dutch students hitchhiking across the world by ship:
 
Weblog of two Dutch students hitchhiking across the world by ship:

Revision as of 21:08, 7 May 2010

Boat hitching is propably more like working on the boat and by that paying the travelfee. It is difficult to get on harbour facilities. It is great when you know someone on the terrain. Ships and boats don't steam off every minute like cars. So be prepared and know what liner you want to get on. One could also write to shipping companies.

Hitching a ferry

Hitchhiking a ferry is easy. Simply ask drivers or truck drivers if you can enter the ferry in their truck, they usually only have to pay for the vehicle. See also Category:Ferries for different routes that involve ferries.

Hitching a boat

Hitchhiking a boat can be quite an endeavor for some but can be done if you put the right effort in it. Your best chances are to become part of the crew. In the Caribbean it's not too hard to find sail boats that need an extra hand on deck.

Finding a boat can take you a lot of time. Mostly boat-hitchers try hanging out at the harbor for a week, talking to almost anyone, possibly finding a pub where sailors tend to drink their beer. Another way people often get rides on boats in the San Francisco area is to go to the pier with some beers and offer them to folx who look like they are heading out.

For more info see Paxus his experiences hitching Sailboats in 1989/90.

Hitching a Barge

Some inland routes are navigable. Big rivers, canals... Barges and private boat cruise them. Barges are very long and flat boats that can carry thousands of tons of goods, slowly along the river. If you're not in a hurry they are easy to hitch.

Barges won't stop if you wave at them from the bank. The best place to get to them is a "lock", where they have to stop to be adjusted to the level of the river-canal. But they usually have a restricted access.

Apparently they do not operate at night (10pm-6am). If you go to the main gate, there should be a button to call the operator (only one person is usually operating). From my experience in Germany, they are very hitch-hiker friendly. If you explain to them what you're up to over the intercom, they let you in or even ask the boats for you over the radio.

Traffic is low but the boat drivers are usually open to travellers. And during the time needed for the lock to operate, it is easy to talk to them from the bank.

The cruising speed of a riverboat is circa 13 km/h. But counting the time spend in the locks, it can go down to 6 km/h. But as they stop only at night, it is still faster than walking.

Plus, given the size of the vehicle, it is very comfortable. And depending on what river you're cruising, it can also be very beautiful.

Weblinks with information


These sites might prove useful:

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Weblog of two Dutch students hitchhiking across the world by ship: