Race Crew

Right guys, I've had enough of my UK sailing job and want a new one abroad racing in bluewater type regattas.
How do I go about joining a team?
As ever with these things, I hear its a case of 'who you know' and 'being in the right place at the right time!' hey?!!!
Bri

'Networking'???

Originally posted by Stefan Lloyd Networking = use your social network. Talk to people.

= stand around in yachtie bars, trying to get noticed. Drink more, come up with outrageous stories, name drop, etc...

Well it is hard to get paid for having fun. Generally, you get paid for doing what isn't fun, while the people having fun do it for, erm, fun, not money.

Just how many raceboats do you think there are based in the UK with a full-time professional crew: I mean an entire crew, not just one or two? I think it is zero. The number employing even one or two is probably less than a dozen and those people will have very special skills to offer: certainly including maintenance as well as sailing. I know sailmakers and others who make money out of coaching owners and crew of larger keelboats but, with one exception they don't make a living out of it, and that exception is a former Olympic medallist.

Outside the UK is different, but being paid to be on a very wealthy man's yacht is basically being a servant and not most people's idea of fun in the long run. 

The RORC site is great for finding boats looking for crew for RORC races but there isn't an earthly chance that any skipper you contact that way is going to offer to pay you, which is what this thread is about. It is far more likely they are going to ask you for a contribution to the boat's expenses. 

BtW I used to use the RORC list when I sorted the crew for a RORC boat for a few seasons and I've also used to the list to get on boats myself, so I think I know what I'm talking about here.