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==Hitching a ferry=Yachts ='''Hitchhiking a ferryboat''' is easy. Simply ask drivers or truck drivers can be quite an endeavor for some but can be done if you can enter put the ferry right effort in their truck, they usually only have to pay for the vehicleit. See also [[:Category:Ferries]] for different routes It generally means finding sail boats that involve ferriesneed an extra hand on deck, and become part of their crew.
== Hitching a boat =='''Hitchhiking a With boats, the procedure of hitching is not so much about finding someone going to your destination, but more about finding the right boat''' can be quite an endeavor and/or captain for some but can be done if you put the right effort in it. Your best chances In general, a lot of captains are ready to become part of the take persons (crew. In the [[Caribbean]] it's not too hard members) on their boat to find sail boats that need an extra hand on deckaid with watch keeping, general tasks, or just purely for company.
With boatsFinding a boat can take you a lot of time. Mostly boat-hitchers try hanging out at the harbor for a week, the procedure of hitching is not so much about finding someone going talking to your destinationalmost anyone, but more about possibly finding the right boat and/or captain for you. In general, a lot of captains are ready pub where sailors tend to take persons (crew members) drink their beer. Another way people often get rides on their boat boats in the [[Bay Area|San Francisco]] area is to go to aid on the most mundane tasks, or just purely for companypier with some beers and offer them to folks who look like they are heading out.
Finding a Be prepared to change your schedules and plans accordingly. Unlike with cars, boat rides are not happening every day - it can take you from a lot couple of time. Mostly boat-hitchers try hanging out at the harbor for days to a week, talking couple of months to almost anyone, possibly finding find a pub where sailors tend to drink their beerboat. Another way people often get rides on boats in The weather can be unpredictable, and so can the [[San Francisco]] area is to go to length of the pier with some beers voyage. All these things together mean that you can't really plan on arriving at place X at time Y. Time takes a different shape and offer them to folx who look like they are heading outform on the seas.
Be prepared The best way of encountering a suitable ride is to change your schedules visit popular marinas and plans accordinglyanchorages that outbound captains frequent. Boat rides They are not happening every dayprobably there for overnighting, waiting for suitable weather and it can take days and days to reach your destinationwinds, unlike with carsprovisioning or repairing. The weather can They might be unpredictableshort of crew because of some force majeure (people change their plans and get seasick and so on. All these things together mean ..) - this means that you canthey could actually 't really plan on arriving at place X at time Y. Time takes a different shape and form 'need'' your hand on the seasboard.
Perhaps Be helpful and interested in their trade. Even if you do not have any experience in sailing, be honest with the best way of encountering a suitable ride is to visit popular marinas fact and state that outbound captains frequent. They you are probably there for overnighting or waiting for suitable weather and windseager to learn. Or possibly they're short of crew because of some force majeure (people change Show respect towards their skills, their plans boat and get seasick the seas and so onthe elements of nature.Learn about sailing, the races, the seasons and major routes..) This might mean that they could actually ''need'' your hand on boardBe willing to help for works needed before the departure, like cleaning the hull.
Then There are lots of good captains out there, with good intentions. But there are some websites that can be helpful lots of different "classes" of captains out there, lots of different boats for getting different purposes. So how do you find the good captains out from the right hasty, less benign ones? Well, start by analyzing how well they care for their crew and . Or their boat find each other. I would recommend CrewseekersHow prudent they are about security.net [http://crewseekers.net] since FindAcrew.net [http://findacrew.net] fools either you or the captain to pay exorbitant prices for the ability to communicateWhat kind of personal imbalance they might be experiencing based on their insistence on getting certain types of crew (like young, good-looking females).
For more info see [Read some very useful information from the captains' point of view [Userhttp:Paxus|Paxus//www.yachtmollymawk.com/2011/03/hitch-hiking-across-the-atlantic/ here]] his [[Sailboats|experiences]] hitching [[Sailboats]] in 1989/90.Don't let it get you pessimistic though: boat hitchhiking might take some effort and a long time, but it's definitely doable and amazing. It's generally a win-win situation for captains (needing crew) and hitchhikers (needing to travel). For the hitchhiker though, it allows you to have all the excitement of sailing, without all the pains of owning a boat.
== 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===Prerequisites===*'''Experience''': Experience in sailing is not necessary -although a huge plus in getting a quicker lift-, but participating in duties and life on board of course is obligatory!*'''Tolerance to seasickness''': Most people get motionsick on a boat, but the body gets used to it after a couple of hours or days. A few find out they can't stop if just take it. It's important that you find out how you deal with seasickness (and eventually find your own tricks to cope with it), and let the captain know it. *'''Some money''': These days many yachts will ask you to chip in for your food. Many boats ask 10 or €15 on food per day. The Atlantic crossing takes between 15 to 25 days, depending on boat and winds, so you wave 'll need around 150 to €300 for the crossing alone -count on at them from least a week in the bankmarina till you find your lift, too. The best place It is possible to get an entirely free lift food included, mostly on bigger yachts where you'll be needed to scrub the deck and polish the silver railing. During the ARC regatta you can even expect boats ask as much as €50 per day since inscription fees are pretty high.*'''Some stuff''': Head torche. Waterproofs and good shoes are recommended although they are very expensive and if you don’t have them you can wait -the boat you get might provide them. The Canary Islands are cheaper when compared with mainland Europe and in Gibraltar for example apparantly there are sailor’s “jumble sales” so you might pay less.*'''Language''': Obviously all foreign languages can help, but for the Atlantic crossing speaking at least some French can make a huge difference, since over 60 % of sailors on this route are French-speakers ===Online=== There a several online marine crew websites available that specialise in matching crew with boats. Find a Crew [http://findacrew.net] is the largest. Other options are Crewseekers.net [http://crewseekers.net] and Floatplan.com, or Vogue avec moi [http://www.vogavecmoi.com] and Bourse aux Equipiers [http://www.bourse-aux-equipiers.com], in french. ==Atlantic Crossing==Apart from making your way round the '''Caribbean''' or '''Polynesia''' by offering a "lock"hand onboard yachts which seems to be common and easy, where they have the most common route is the '''Atlantic crossing''' from Europe to the Americas (mostly to the Caribbean or Brazil). ===East-West from Europe==='''When to go''': Boats go with the trade winds that start to stop move from East to be adjusted West across the Atlantic in autumn. So the season is from ''September to January-February''. Top season is October, November. In the level end of November each year there is a regatta called ARC (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers) leaving from [[Las Palmas]]. There will be more boats than at any other time in the river-canalmarinas and it can be considered safer than leaving with a boat that is going unassisted. There will be more competition on finding a lift though, too. But they usually Be aware that for the past three to five years the winds have started to go haywire a restricted accesslittle bit, acting less predictably with more storms happening. This is most probably because of global climate change. The way most sailors comment on this is "the winds are going through a transitional phase to find a new rhythm". '''Departure points''':*[[France]]: South: Antibes North: [[Brest (France)|Brest]]*Southern [[Spain]]: If you are English speaking: obviously [[Gibraltar]], [[Malaga]].*[[Portugal]]: [[Lisbon]]: Marina de [[Cascais]], Marina Parque das Nações, Doca de Alcântara; Algarve: Marina de [[Lagos (Portugal)|Lagos]] *[[Canary Islands]]: The biggest marina is on Gran Canaria, in [[Las Palmas]].*[[Morocco]] to the Canary Islands: [[Essaouira]],[[Agadir]].*[[Senegal]]: [[Dakar]] and [[Casamance]] (see "Africa to America" further down).
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 ===East-West from Africa===If you don’t want to pay the ferry in [[Algeciras]] it is low but possible to sail to [[Africa]], although unless you are extraordinairily lucky, you’ll have to go via the Cape Verde islands which are a stopover for many trans-atlantic sailors. They are between 10 and 14 days from [[Gibraltar]]. From there you’ll have to catch a new boat drivers are usually open to travellersget to [[Senegal]] which is three days away. And during It is an experience in and of itself although maybe not the time needed perfect swap for a one-and-a-half hour long ferry ride that’ll cost you €25 You also miss out on [[Morocco]] and the crossing of the ''lock'' to operateSahara Desert, it is easy which are highlights of any visit to talk to them from the bankAfrica.
The cruising speed of '''Departure points'''*From '''Marocco''': '''Essaouira''' is your best bet, you can also try Agadir. No one crosses over directly from here though, all boats will be going somewhere in the vicinity ('''Canaries''' or '''Senegal''' for example) with other plans put up for later. *From '''Senegal''': '''Dakar''' or '''Casamance'''. With a very likely stopover on the '''Cape Verde islands'''.*If you want to take a riverboat flight to the '''Cape Verde islands''': the biggest marina is in '''Mindelo''' on '''Sao Vicente''', the second biggest one is on '''Sal''' where the international airport is circa 13 km/h. But counting *Since sub-Saharan Africa is out of the time spend in influence of the lockstrade winds you can hitch from Senegal almost all year round, although the main bulk of boats will be leaving when it can go down is top season in Europe, that is October to 6 km/hDecember.*There are three sailing clubs in [[Dakar]]. But as they stop “La Voile d’Or” with shallow water which therefore attracts catamarans only at night, the “CVD” (Club des Voiliers Dakar) where the majority of boats can be found and a third one also in the vicinity of the two ones mentioned. They are all situated not far from another to the South of the “Cap Vert” peninsula and the town centre. If you try to hitch from there it is still faster than walkingstrongly recommended you speak some French.
Plus==Pacific Crossing==The Pacific being about 6 times larger than the Atlantic, given the size this is a crossing that is never done without a stop over on at least one of the vehicle, it Polynesian Islands. The most likely end-point for most is very comfortable. And depending on what river you're cruising, it can also be very beautiful''Australia''' or '''New Zealand'''.
<!== Blogs and stories ==* [http://www.yachtmollymawk.com/2011/03/hich-hiking-across-the- probably not super usefulatlantic/ A skippers' point of view on people looking for a boat]* [http://www.boatinggreatbigscaryworld.cocom/howtohitchhikeaboat/ Short blog post called 'How to Hitchhike a Boat']* [http://www.canada.com/Hitchhiking+across+Atlantic/7523190/story.html Documentary called 'Hitchhiking across the Atlantic'], 2012* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u74Q-DOpX84 Le temps de prendre le temps], hitchhiker Kiko's documentary about hitchhiking across the Atlantic (french and portuguese). * [http://hitchhikershandbook.com/2014/11/18/boat-hitchhiking-across-the-atlantic/ Boat hitchhiking – 10 tips on hitchhiking across the Atlantic from Europe to the Americas'] by Gringo Ben in 2014.* [http://www.gelderlander.nl/voorpagina/nijmegen/daglog/5433553/Logboek-Liftend-over-de-wilde-baren.ece Hitching a boat - Weekly Blog (2010, in Dutch)]. A Weblog from two Dutch students hitchhiking across the world by ship.* [https://warmroads.de/en/hitchhiking-sailing-boats/ Hitchhiking sailing boats], May 2015* [http://www.voilesetvoiliers.com/grande-croisiere/une-bateau-stoppeuse-sur-l-atlantique-1-mes-dix-conseils-acidules-avant-de-partir/ 10 tips for boat hitchhiking across the Atlantic] (french)* [http://www.yachtmollymawk.com/2011/03/hitch-hiking-across-the-atlantic/ Catching a Ride Across the Atlantic] (2011). Excellent overview. How to Improve Your Chances of Being One of the Chosen Few.nz Boating Info Centre* see [[User:Paxus|Paxus]] his [[hitchhiking a sailboat|experiences]] hitching [[Hitchhiking a sailboat|Sailboats]]in 1989/90.*[http://www.latsandattsoceanpreneur.co Ocean Adventure Travel Blog] Has hitch-Sailing stories and 'How To's.' A blog from a seasoned sailboat hitchhiker.net
* [http://www.ships-for-sale.com Ships-for-sale.com]
* http://www.floatplan.com
Weblog of two Dutch students hitchhiking across the world by ship:== Books ==* [http://www.gelderlanderoceannomad.nl/voorpagina/nijmegen/daglog/5433553/Logboekco Ocean Nomad] ''The Complete Atlantic Sailing Crew Guide -LiftendHow to Catch a Ride & Make a Difference for a Healthier Ocean'' by Suzanne van der Veeken (2017) = Hitching a ferry ='''Hitchhiking a ferry''' is easy. Simply ask drivers or truck drivers if you can board the ferry in their truck, they usually only have to pay for the vehicle. See also [[:Category:Ferries]] for different routes that involve ferries.It's advised to find out in advance if they charge per vehicle (good) or for each passenger as well (bad). = Hitching a cargo ship =There are stories floating around of people who always know someone else who managed to go for free on a freighter, but the only reliable stories really date back to the seventies. Regulations and insurances made it much harder to work abord in exchange for the passage. Cargoship travelling is commercialized now virtually everywhere: for quite an expensive fare you can rent a cabin on them. = Hitching a fishing boat =It is generally very hard to hitch a fishing boat, even proposing your work abord -over-de-wilde-barenunless you know the captain, crew or boat owner. Most fishing boats leave and come back to the same harbor.ece = 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- Weekly Blog canal. But they usually have a restricted access. Apparently they do not operate at night (201010pm-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 Dutch)[[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.
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There's always the option of taking the sea route between two places. People have taken advantage of the seas for as long a time as civilizations have existed. '''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.
Be helpful assured that once you hit the marinas everything will be pretty obvious. You will meet other boat hitchhikers and interested in they will share their tradeinformation with you. Even if Basically you do not have any experience in sailing'll be putting up notices offering your help, be honest with pacing the fact and state that you are eager to learn. Show respect towards docks approaching people cleaning their skillsyachts, their boat and trying to make contact with sailors in the seas and the elements of naturebar etc. There are lots of good captains out there, with good intentionsTry to talk to as many people as possible. But there are lots of different "classes" of captains out there, lots of different boats for different purposes. So how do After a while everyone will know you and will give you find the good captains out from the hasty, less benign ones? Well, start by analyzing how good care they show at their crew. Or their hints as to which boat. How prudent they are about security. What kind of personal imbalance they might be experiencing based on their insistence on getting certain types of crew (like young, good-is looking females)for someone.
== Weblinks with information ==
* [http://www.cruiserfloatplan.co.za Cruiser Logcom Floatplan]is a free to join sailing community, has some great information for when and where to find a yacht and an interactive member map. * [http://www.cruisercruiserlog.co.zacom/forums/crewfinder.asp Cruiser Log], has some very useful info], [http://www.cruiser.co.za/crewfinder1.asp some specific for hitchhikers], including a rough guide of movements of cruising yachts* [http://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Hitchhiking_boats Detailed Account of hitching Yachts and cargo freighters on Wikivoyage]
* [http://www.7knots.com 7knots] has a practical way of finding boats
* [http://www.boatingoz.com.au/default.asp?Page=17927&MenuID=Classifieds%2F13099%2F0%2CCrew%5F%2D%5Funpaid%2F13104%2F0 Boating OZ], mostly in Australia, some Pacific
* [http://www.aferry.co.uk/ aferry] click on the map to see lots of ferry connections from all over [[Europe]]
* [http://gijsbos.com/boat-hitchhiking-a-dummies-guide Boat hitchhiking, a dummies guide]
== Resources for sailing ==* [https://www.couchsurfing.com/groups/sailing-sea-sun-and-blue-sky-fanatics CS Group: Sailing]. Forum about couch surfers and their interest in the Sea, Sun and the Blue Sky.* [https://www.couchsurfing.com/groups/vagabond->sailing CS Group: Vagabond Sailing]* [https://www.couchsurfing.com/groups/couchsailing-international CS Group: Couchsailing International]These sites might prove useful* [https://www.trustroots.org/tribes/sailors Trustroots's "sailors" tribe]* [http://www.7knots.com 7Knots]* [http://www.floatplan.com Floatplan]* [http://www.noonsite.com Noonsite - For seasonal info and ports etc]* [http://www.ybw.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=62 Yachting and Boating World Forums - Crewing Opportunities Forum] * [http://forums.sailinganarchy.com/index.php?s=f0124f6dac1ac971d0b14051150f9f62&showforum=11 Sailing Anarchy - Crewing Opportunities Forum]
* [http://www.cruisenews.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=13 Cruising Sailor - Crew Positions]
* [http://www.sailnet.com SailNet.com]
* [http://www.desperatesailors.com Desperate Sailors (free crew, boat, services and event finder)]
* [http://www.worldcruising.com World Cruising Club]
* http://www.windowsoncyprus.com/crew_list.htm
* http://www.sailingalternatives.org/crew.htm
* http://www.crewfile.com
* http://www.dockwalk.com
* http://www.partnersandcrews.com
* http://www.findacrew.net
* http://www.blueyachtmanagementcrewskeers.com
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