Hi, my name is Simone, an enthusiastic, friendly, adventurous, optimistic, happy, fun and grateful lifeaholic.
I get it. I am like you. I LOVE the ocean. And I know you do, too. There is a certain kind of bliss we can only feel when we are near the sea. We love walking barefoot on the sand, letting the waves gently kiss our feet. The warmth on our back when the sun is high up is like fuel to our lungs. And we love our hair messy from the wind and salty from the water. We enjoy life on the blue, the wild open spaces, the bliss of buoyancy, the volatile, soul-powered wind. Sailing makes every sense work. We never feel more alive when we are there. Right there, in the powerful presence of the sea.The ocean sends thrills pulsing through us, it's call irresistible.
Laughter and life are celebrated with a healthy sense of humour. Because I get along well with people, work well in a team, remain calm and efficient in challenges and am great company, I am a good choice to help you in your next voyage short or long. I yearn to be on the water. SEE REFERENCE LETTER BELOW.
I am keen to continue voyaging and can fly to meet you.

clean & tidycommittedeasy-goingenthusiasticfit & healthyfriendlyrespectfultrustworthyconfident swimmerrarely/unlikely seasickgood listenergood communicatortravel light (little luggage)eager to learn & workpolitepositive outlookopen mindedsense of humorcan pay own expensesavailable on my owndon't mind cleaningcan follow ordersbuy my own boat one daylearn a language

Joining a rally boat or other to help sail and cruise is my aim. My intention is to assist as crew doing watch duties, night sailing, sail trimming, share cooking, to help with regular cleaning and maintenance and to practice navigation. My goal is to learn the knowledge and confidence to sail single-handed, knowing all aspects of boat handling, maintenance and care.
Circumnavigating the world by sailboat is my aspiration.

share experiencevisit remote placesseek adventurefulfill a dreamearn moneygain experiencelearn to sailsustainable traveltravel

I respect and take care of your pride and joy, your nice yacht and I am respectful of others and am considerate of eachother's space. I enjoy living on the sea full time.

Experience: Cruising and six blue water passages, (four on monohull, two on catamaran) total 4350Nm (nautical miles), bluewater hand helm shifts in big seas for four days due to auto pilot failure, night watch, Customs arrivals, cultural protocols, familiar with conserving and sharing water supply - (did six weeks onboard without water maker), regular boat cleaning and post-passage clean.

Advanced Sea Survival course & certificate.
RYA Day Skipper Practical course

My first passage as crew was from Bay of islands NZ to Denerau FJ on a Beneteau Oceanis with a couple. In the deep blue, having already lost our auto pilot, at 0400 with about a three metre swell we lost all power (lights, chart plotter - and all connected devices). I cherish this experience as I now know how I am likely to react in challenging problematic situations. In the darkness I quickly dismissed the initial fear as useless and my instincts clicked in. On helm, I used luffing to keep on course. The skipper chose to tack, then chose to tack back. I agree to always follow the instructions of the skipper without questioning them at the time the instruction is being given, especially in challenging situations. This has the potential to delay a necessary action and possibly jeopardise the safety of vessel and crew.
Most of the time sailing is relaxing and sometimes we must roll with the changes. I have much to learn and am open to absorbing your knowledge.

I am a magnet for beautiful people and experiences. Wonderful things happen.
When near land I enjoy visiting villages, walking the beaches or to an island's high point or I simply appreciate relaxing and taking in the beauty, feeling fortunate to have the peace and freedom to write, take photographs or read a book. I enjoy laughter.

Growing up in Hawaii has taught me to respect and appreciate the Ocean, it's power, and the vibrant life it holds. I am very comfortable to swim, bathe, fish, snorkel and have paddled three 80k Molokai channel passages in a 6-man outrigger canoe with in-water crew changes .

I have the availability to voyage for six months or longer and can leave with short notice. My small regular income allows me to contribute. I am interested to volunteer or be paid as crew depending on duties. I have a current New Zealand and American passports and I can fly to meet you for crew changes.

I have a positive outlook and great appreciation and last but not least, I do not snore :)

Contact me to assist you to achieve your dreams. I look forward to hearing from you.
Let’s get sailing!
Thank you for your consideration, Simone
* references available, see below,
contact details available on request.

On Tue, 9 Apr 2024 at 13:19, Jeff <*******> wrote:

SIMONE *********: A PASSION FOR SAILING – LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION

To Whom it May Concern,

Katie, my wife, and I have cruised on our Beneteau Oceanis 55 since August of 2020. In the spring of 2023 it was our intention to sail to Fiji and for that we wanted a crew member for safety and to ease the watch schedule.  It was with good fortune that we found Simone ********.

She was personable, friendly, experienced and eager to join our adventure north for what was expected to be a 6-7 day passage.  Having sailed with just Katie for some time now, we know it can be challenging to find someone that can join our routine smoothly.  Simone fit in right away bridging the sometimes delicate divide between joining the conversation and and being comfortable by and with herself.

On the morning of the 4th day, sometime after 0430, fortunately on my watch, the autohelm stopped working. I found that maintaining a course heading using the chart plotter was quite manageable, though it certainly took more concentration.

We changed the watches to 2 hours giving each person 4 hours off.  Good sleep was becoming valuable and elusive.  But spirits were high and we stayed on our close hauled course with 15 to 20 k winds.

That test came the following morning, strangely at about 0430 again! Simone was sleeping in the cockpit and I was at the helm when the batteries shut down and everything went dark, including the chart plotter!  This meant no more course heading to refer to. Simone woke up immediately and to my satisfaction was calm and collected, asking what was happening (I wasn't sure at that point) and what she could do.  During this commotion and total darkness Katie came up the companionway somewhat more agitated and concerned. 

About this time, using the Navionics chart on my phone, I felt that we might be better off, tacking and thereby make a course closer to our desired destination. To do this, we must furl in the genoa, to get it forward and around the staysail, before tacking.  For safety I turned on the engine.  Everyone helped on this well exercised process making our tack in 15-20kt winds and 2-3 meter seas.  It was a little bumpy.  After spending some time on the new tack, engine still running, I determined on the small screen of my IPhone that we were heading too far east now and our previous tack would be best, aware that the phone batteries would possibly drain with no way to re-charge.  The crew jumped right on it.  Thus we tacked again.  Once settled on our original tack, with Simone at the helm, close hauled heading up until the sails just begin to luff. I went down to see if I could resolve the power issue.  Turns out that since the engine had been running for 45 minutes to an hour, I simply turned the main power breaker and voilá!  I was surprised and baffled but quite pleased.

Needless to say, we kept the engine on for the rest of the day and watched the battery charge level very closely. We hand steered for the remainder of the passage.  Before long it seemed normal.  I tell this long story because it illustrates how Simone operated under pressure.  The problems we encountered could develop into a crisis with the wrong attitude.  These kinds of challenges are what show the true measure and provide invaluable learning opportunities.  Simone was solid as a rock, always remaining calm, looking for direction and following orders with care and efficiency.  She has a passion for sailing and adventure.  She is easy to be around and interested in many things.  There's nothing more a captain could hope for.

If you have any further question and need clarification, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,

Jeff *******