Hi lady sailor (or couple),

I am a Frenchman, retired in Europe after working as an international business consultant, based at the time in Sausalito, California.

I have sailed for over 30 years, in France, Australia, USA, Canada, Mexico, Hawaii, Polynesia , and now the Med.
I hold my French recreational captain license for boats up to 1,000 horsepower, worldwide. As well as the Swiss ocean skipper license. And my "small boat" certificate from the US Coast Guard Auxiliary. Also, PADI Ocean Diver card.

The boat is now based on the Med, in Southern France, but that could change.

I do not smoke or drink alcohol, but I am tolerant if you do... in moderation. I exercise regularly and feel interest towards some spirituality and respect for nature.

Romance is absolutely NOT presumed. I am single and not seeking romance.

I get along best with female crew and couples, definitely. I seek 1 or 2 ladies, or a couple, age not important. (Because of past failures, I do not take single men as crew, only men within a couple). A moderate handicap is OK, as long as safety is respected.

Occasionally, friends or family members may be on-board at the same time as you. I belong to "Voiles pour Tous", which offers day-sails to people with disabilities.

Note: I have used Find-a-crew for 16 years, with good success and good references (see below).

usually cleancomfortablevery safevery spaciousshare experienceseek adventurelive off the gridmulticultural

Catamaran on French Med. I can single-hand, but it's more fun to be in company, to share, learn & laugh. I prefer female crew & couples. 2 to 5 people on-board (sleeps 8). Not a party boat: we sail mostly, anchor out, relax & explore. Harbor-side fun too.

Plans for 2024
- June. From Montpellier to Nice
- July. French Riviera.
- August. To Gibraltar, via Balearics
- September. Algarve (S. Portugal) maybe Madeira
- October. Canarias islands
- November. Cape Verde islands
- December. Crossing the Atlantic to Barbados

Plans for 2025
- January-April Caribbean islands hopping, Northbound towards Virgin islands
- May. To USA Cape Cod
- June. To Azores
- July. To French Brittany
- August-September. To Montpellier, France, via Gibraltar.

Those plans are contingent on health regulations. Plans may change anyway, after discussion with the crew.

Until now, I cruised on my boat every Summer, from mid-May to early-October, in the Med, Black Sea and near-Atlantic. In addition, during the Northern Winter, I often sail in the Caribbean or South Pacific on friends' boats.

My longest crossings so far : the Pacific Cup race (San Francisco to Hawaii), crossing the North Atlantic (Canaries to Caribbean), The Azores High (Algarve - Azores - UK, Biscayne) and Polynesia (Marquesas to Tuamotus).

The boat is an Outremer 45 catamaran, extended to 48 feet. Originally built as an offshore racer, she won her category in the Transat (UK to USA). I bought her after that racing season and had her transformed for cruising, with all the amenities for comfortable life. So she is now heavier and a bit slower, but still a lively fun boat. (We came in second at the 2017 Outremer Cup, against bigger boats!).

She is very safe, certified by ORC (Ocean Racing Council rules). I single-hand her, but prefer to be in company. She can sleep 8 persons, though I prefer to stay under 5. Crew have their own cabins, with their bathroom, in the port hull. I use the starboard hull for owner's accommodations. I carry no diesel generator, as I use solar and wind energy extensively. I keep snorkels, a body board, fishing gear, a kayak and a paddle-board.

Economics: Unpaid position. But I pay all boat-related expenses. You are expected to pay your share of the food (usually simple healthy food) and the fuel. 20-25 €/day. Customary option: If you volunteer to be the cook, then you do not pay at all (but I never buy alcohol or junk food). The cook usually prepares a light lunch and hot dinner for 2 to 4 persons.

Personal safety equipment and some specialized clothing provided. Bring your free-spirit !
.

committedeasy-goingfit & healthyfriendlyrespectfultrustworthygood communicatortravel light (little luggage)eager to learn & workpositive outlookopen mindedsense of humorcan pay own expensesdon't mind cleaningcan follow orderswill not bring a bicycleharmony

We sail, as much as possible. Not much motoring and reasonable attention to sail tuning. We seek secluded anchorages to anchor out. Mind you, there is comfort on-board: large bunks, big hatches, 1 shower and 1 deck-spray for after-swimming... Plus fridge, stove, air fryer, water filters...

And every few days, we show up in port, for supermarkets, sight-seeing, restaurants, car rental, train trips…

But this is not a party boat. No sitting in marinas day after day. Any heavy drinking will be frown upon while on-board, none while navigating (but what you do on land is your own business). No loud music, whining, brooding, selfishness. But healthy fun, wit and laughter are most welcome!

You must be fit, agile, lively, active, optimistic, willing, nature-oriented, courteous.
Sorry, no clumsiness allowed at sea : dangerous... and frustrating for all. But a light handicap might be OK.

We all share into what has to be done: sailing, maintenance, house chores (incl. some cleaning), provisioning. Expect about one hour of daily work (besides sailing), very rarely more and often less.

Crew must either do or learn to do. No experience is necessary, if willing to learn.

I give the crew increasing responsibilities as soon as they master a skill. My pride is that the crew eventually feels self-confident and will leave the boat knowing much more than they did when joining.