I love sailing, cruising the beautiful little bays in the Tropics, snorkeling with the fish and interacting with the cruising folks and locals. After a few days, time slows down and happiness just bubbles up. An ideal day for me is one where we sail off the anchor, never have to engage the engine, drop the hook in a new bay in time for a swim, and then enjoy a glass of wine while watching the sea birds feed at sunset.

When I find a place we like, I prefer to stay a while and enjoy it, rather than rushing off to the next place. I enjoy learning something about the history and culture of the people as well as the local wildlife. However, I'm safety conscious and will move the boat if I feel an anchorage is becoming unsafe. I also enjoy the passages, including the long ones. Just love being underway and under sail! Sailing, swimming, snorkeling, exploring new places, meetings the locals, enjoying our fellow cruisers - that is the life!

usually cleanvery safeshare experiencevisit remote placesseek adventurefulfill a dreamfind a soulmate/partnerlive off the grid

Desired Crew: My ideal crew would be a woman who enjoys going slow, gunkholing into new bays and harbors, meeting local people and fellow cruisers, swimming, snorkeling, cooking, and sharing wine at sunset. She could be experienced or not, but willing to learn and help out with boat tasks. She would have a positive attitude about life and would enjoy the out of doors and the water. Any nationality is OK, although some working knowledge of English would be helpful.

*Update #68: Finishing my year as Commander of the San Diego Sail and Power Squadron in mid-January, 2025, then will return to Hawaii and the boat. Last Summer I spent 2+ months aboard, tested out the new mains'l (awesome), and rebuilt the foredeck and lazarette hatches, among other projects. Liferaft and EPIRB were serviced. Sailed locally in Hawaii before returning to San Diego and responsibilities.

Vessel: The yacht is a Valiant 40, a strongly built cutter known for her seaworthiness and ability to circumnavigate the world in safety and relative comfort, even if short handed. The hull is thick fiberglass (GRP), and she is a good sailor even in light air or heavy seas. Her refit in 2018 included new rigging, through hulls, propane system, stove, head, ground tackle, radios, batteries, EPIRB, life raft, etc. Further updates were accomplished in 2020 and 2023. Full safety gear is aboard. Diesel engine was rebuilt in 2017. The vessel has an autopilot, 9 sails, pressurized water, refrigeration, shower, and good headroom.

She is solid. I skippered her from San Diego to Honolulu with a crew of two in 2018. I then somehow got talked into taking a job in Honolulu! Finally came to my senses and retired July 2021. Then did a week's cruise to Kauai and return. Upgrades in 2020 include a new dodger, bottom job, and installation of a new Monitor wind vane. In 2023, new shaft seal, autopilot drive arm, sonar transducer, wind instruments, solar panel and chart plotter. A new mainsail is being built as I write in 2024.

The Skipper: I am an excellent navigator (piloting, electronic and celestial) and seaman. I am easy going about recreation and life ashore, but strict about safety, navigation and seamanship aboard. I am a good teacher (I have been told) and enjoy passing on the art of the seaman. I am not a screamer, so don't worry. I am open to new ideas, but when it comes to handling the vessel, I like things done my way. The boat is supplied with an excellent wine cellar, and a glass of wine or spirits just before sunset is customary, but excess is frowned upon. NO DRUGS and No smoking.

I learned to sail at age 12 in Sunfish, and later raced on the Varsity Sailing Team at Annapolis in 44ft Luders yawls. I have seamanship and navigation training from the US Naval Academy and US Power Squadrons and have taught courses for the Power Squadrons. I held a US Coast Guard 50 ton Master's License 2013–2018. I've owned 4 sailboats and chartered many others. Currently, serving as Commander of San Diego Sail and Power Squadron.

My last boat, S/V Destarte', was an old fashioned Bristol Channel Cutter. I lived aboard her off and on for 11 years, after retiring, age 47, as a Navy Physician. I skippered her about 16,000 miles, 6000 single handed and 10,000 with a crew of 1 or 2 others at a time, both male and female. Starting in Seattle in 2005, we sailed from the San Juan Islands of British Columbia, to Mexico (2006 Baja Haha), and then cruised the Sea of Cortez and the Mexican Riviera through '08. Best three years of my life! Since then, I've alternated between work and cruising. In 2010, I made the passage from Mexico to French Polynesia with an excellent crew found here on Find-a-Crew, exploring the Marquesas, Rangiroa and Tahiti. Between then and 2016, I explored French Polynesia, and sailed to Suvarov Atoll, Am. Samoa, and Tonga single handedly. With various other crew, we sailed through the Tongan Ha'apai Group to Fiji, Futuna, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and Australia, where I sold her (the boat that is!). But, now I have a new, larger boat with more amenities. :-)

Like any red blooded man, I would be delighted to find an ocean loving woman for a Long Term Relationship, but I am not the type to pressure anyone, and failing that, would be glad to have a friendship with a gal or guy cruiser who was compatible. Yes, I too would like to find a soul mate. I'm healthy, bright, and ready for the next adventure.

clean & tidyfit & healthyfriendlyrespectfultrustworthyconfident swimmertravel light (little luggage)eager to learn & workpolitepositive outlookcan pay own expensesenjoy cookingdon't mind cleaningcan follow ordersharmony

1. Stand your watches and do your best. (I use the "Swedish" watch system for long passages: that is 6hr watches during the day and 4hr watches at night).

2. Be clean and help keep the boat clean and clutter free.

3. Be willing to help with maintenance. (I can fix most systems aboard, so you don't need mechanical skills, but, helping with scraping, painting, varnishing are big plusses.) Pull your share of the load. Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty.

4. If you can cook, play a musical instrument, or tell good stories, these are big plusses. Sense of humor a plus! (I like to sing, play uke, and tell stories.)

5. Pay your own way to the boat. I buy food and wine for the passages and pay any boat specific costs.

6. No drugs. No smoking.

7. Bring a sense of fun, adventure, and willingness to face any adversity with a smile. These will be reciprocated. :-)