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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 paying for your fare that way.It is difficult to get onto 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 =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 board 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 ferries.It's advised to find out in advance if they charge per vehicle (good) or for each passenger as well (bad)need 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 [[Bay Area|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 folks 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.

Be helpful and interested in their trade. Even if assured that once you do not have any experience in sailing, hit the marinas everything will be honest with the fact and state that you are eager to learnpretty obvious. Show respect towards their skills, their You will meet other boat hitchhikers and the seas and the elements of naturethey will share their information with you. Learn aboput sailingBasically you'll be putting up notices offering your help, pacing the racesdocks approaching people cleaning their yachts, trying to make contact with sailors in the seasons and major routesbar etc. For example, the [[Azores|Azores islands]] off Portugal can be a good place Try to talk to get on as many people as possible. After a boat while everyone will know you and will give you hints as most boats stop there on the to or back from Caribbeanwhich boat is looking for someone.

Then there are Read some websites that can be helpful for getting very useful information from the right crew and boat find each other. I would recommend Crewseekers.net captains' point of view [http://crewseekerswww.net] since FindAcrewyachtmollymawk.net [http:com/2011/03/hitch-hiking-across-the-atlantic/findacrewhere].net] fools either Don't let it get you or 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 captain hitchhiker though, it allows you to pay exorbitant prices for have all the excitement of sailing, without all the ability to communicatepains 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'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. == Hitching Yachts == Apart from making your way round the '''Caribbean''' or '''Polynesia''' by offering a hand onboard yachts which seems to be common and easy, the most common route is the '''Atlantic crossing''' from Europe to the Americas (mostly to the Caribbean or Brazil). =Prerequisites=Prerequisites==

*'''Tolerance to seasickness''': Most people get motionsick on a boat, but often the body gets used to it after a couple of hours or days. A few find out they can't just take it and must break off their trip. 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. On Catamarans you will likely experience less symtoms of seasickness than on monohull sailing boats. There are drugs to cure some symptoms. Better pack some in advance especially in case you're planning a longer cruise and you don't yet know your reaction to exposure. Seasickness is no fun at all and can actually be dangerous for yourself and annoying for the rest of the crew, since you wont be able to fulfill any tasks below deck.*'''Some money''': These days most many yachts will ask you to chip in for your food. Most Many boats ask either 10 or €15 on food per day. The Atlantic crossing takes between 15 to 25days, depending on boat and winds, so you'll need around 150 to €300 for the crossing alone -count on at least a week in the marina till you find your lift, too. It is possible to get an entirely free lift food included, mostly on bigger yachts where you'l 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.*'''Things you'll needSome 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 and only if not you'll have to acquire 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.*Don'''Getting started''': Be assured that once you hit the marinas everything will be pretty obvious. You will meet other boat hitchhikers and they will share their information with you. Basically t forget your passport or ID, even when you'll re just travelling within Europe! The skipper must be putting up notices offering your help, pacing the docks approaching people cleaning their yachts, trying able to make contact with sailors in the bar etc. Try to talk to as many people as possible. After a while everyone will know you and will give you hints as to which boat is looking provide identification documents for someoneall crew members.

{{infobox|===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 [Freighter travel|Hitching Cargo-shipshttp://crewseekers.net]and Floatplan.com, or Vogue avec moi [http://www.vogavecmoi.com]|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 seventiesand Bourse aux Equipiers [http://www. Cargoship travelling is commercialised now virtually everywherebourse-aux-equipiers. For something like 50 pounds per day you can rent a cabin on themcom], in french.}}

*==Atlantic Crossing==Apart from making your way round the '''OnlineCaribbean''': There a several online marine crew websites available that specialise in matching crew with boats. findacrew.net is or '''Polynesia''' by offering a worldwide network of mariners hand onboard yachts which seems to be common and easy, the most common route is the largest of them all'''Atlantic crossing''' from Europe to the Americas (mostly to the Caribbean or Brazil).

=Atlantic Crossing==East-West from Europe===

*'''[[France]]''': South: Antibes North: [[Brest (France)|Brest]]*Southern '''[[Spain''']]: If you are English speaking: obviously [[Gibraltar]]/[[La Línea]] ("Alcaidesa Marina"), [[Malaga]].*[[Portugal]]: [[Lisbon]]: Marina de [[Cascais]], Marina Parque das Nações, Doca de Alcântara; Algarve: Marina de [[Lagos (Portugal)|Lagos]]

*'''[[Senegal''']]: [[Dakar]] and [[Casamance]] (see "Africa to America" further down).

 The Pacific being about 6 times larger than the Atlantic. Most boats leave America and go through the south Pacific Islands towards '''Australia''' or '''New Zealand'''. This is because of the trafe winds. '''East to West''' Boats normally leave from central America, this mostly '''Panama'''. '''West to East''' There are two different options from where boats start in the beginning of the year till mid of June.  '''Option 1''' Going through the south Pacific starting from '''New Zealand'''. The route is called theroaring forties. Most boats avoid going there as the weather conditions are very rough. Also without sailing experience or just a crossing little it is very unlikely that someone is never done without a stop over willing to take you on at least one of the Polynesian Islandsboard. The most likely end-point for most is  '''Option 2''' Starting in '''Japan''' boats will go towards '''Alaska''', '''AustraliaCanada''' or the Westcoast of the '''New ZealandUS'''. There are only 10 to 20 boats doing this route each year and most will start between the beginning of June and mid of June as it is not that incredible cold and the taifun season normally has not started yet.Most boats leave from Hokkaido, Kushiro but as there is no marina they will most likely be in Hakkodate before.'''Also make sure you got your B1 or B2 Visa for the US before departure as the Visa Waiver Program does not apply for private vessels and you would illegaly enter the US just holding your visa waiver.'''

* [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/en/index.php?title=Hitchhiking_boats 2012 Detailed Account of hitching Yachts and cargo freighters on Wikivoyage]

* [http://www.canada.com/Hitchhiking+across+Atlantic/7523190/story.html 2012 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://theoceanpreneur.com/hitch-sailing/atlantic-ocean-crossing-find-crew-spot-sailing-boat/ Top Tips on Hitchhiking the Atlantic] (based on 4x sailing across)* [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.* see [[User:Paxus|Paxus]] his [[hitchhiking a sailboat|experiences]] hitching [[Hitchhiking a sailboat|Sailboats]] in 1989/90.* [http://www.oceanpreneur.co Ocean Adventure Travel Blog] Has hitch-Sailing stories and 'How To's.' A blog from a seasoned sailboat hitchhiker.

 <!-- probably not super useful== Resources for sailing ==* [httphttps://www.boatingcouchsurfing.co.nz Boating Info Centre]*http:com/groups/www.latsandatts.net sailing-sea-sun-and-blue-sky-> These sites might prove useful:* [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=586 fanatics CS Group: Sailing - ]. Forum about couch surfers and their interest in the Sea, Sun and the Blue Sky fanatics].* [httphttps://www.couchsurfing.orgcom/groups/group.html?gid=21961 vagabond-sailing CS Group: Vagabond Sailing]* [httphttps://www.couchsurfing.orgcom/groups/group.html?gid=27248 couchsailing-international CS Group: Couchsailing International]* [httphttps://www.desperatesailorstrustroots.com Desperate Sailorsorg/tribes/sailors Trustroots's "sailors" tribe]

Weblog = Hitching a cargo ship =There are stories floating around of two Dutch students hitchhiking across 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 world by shipseventies. 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.  * [http://www= Hitching a fishing boat =It is generally very hard to hitch a fishing boat, even proposing your work abord - unless you know the captain, crew or boat owner.gelderlanderMost fishing boats leave and come back to the same harbor.nl/voorpagina/nijmegen/daglog/5433553/Logboek-Liftend-over-de-wilde-baren.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.