How do I start Crewing?
Whether you are new to sailing, or an experienced sailor, the CYCA may be able to assist you in finding your next crewing opportunity.
In many cases the best way to find a crew position is to turn up on race days, two hours or so before the start times shown and approach skippers directly or ask at the bar.
The CYCA has a crew liaison officer who maintains a whiteboard in the Sydney Hobart bar for each Twilight and Winter series races, where skippers and crew alike can match their details for the day’s racing. With well over 100 yachts competing each race within Sydney Harbour, most prospective crew are able to secure a position.
What about Crewing Offshore and Regularly?
Mysail.team provides a general availability option for use by both crew and owners who can post a notice looking for casual or regular crew across the CYCA sailing programs, as well as delivery crew opportunities.
Please note that registration involves a third-party provider.
The CYCA Sailing Office can not guarantee you a place on a yacht, and does not guarantee that crew invitations will be available at regular intervals.
mysail.team has the following event links active.
Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race
SailConnect simplifies the process of crew management. In less than 20 seconds, invite new or existing and know exactly who is coming. Communicate and Connect like never before.
The connection for crews, boats, skippers and potential sailors runs though a free app connected to yacht clubs and events which they hold and are involved in. With participating clubs being able to connect with users they are able to keep everyone up to date with events and crewing opportunities.
The CYCA Sailing Office can not guarantee you a place on a yacht, and does not guarantee that crew invitations will be available at regular intervals.
I want to compete in the Rolex Sydney Hobart or overnight races, what opportunities are there for me?
To be invited to crew in the Blue Water Pointscore races you will normally need to have had some offshore racing experience such as the Short Ocean or Ocean Pointscore, and your chances will be enhanced if you have some or all of the following: Cat 1 or Cat 2 Offshore experience or significant delivery passages; Australian Sailing Safety and Sea Survival Certification, current Senior / Apply First Aid qualifications, and Radio Certification such as the MROCP.
Your availability to participate in the Blue Water Pointscore Series (overnight distance races around 80-180nm) will often enhance your chances of gaining a position on a crew in the major yacht races.
Opportunities available for International crew are often limited as many yachts decide on crew well ahead of time and train regularly, however having your details on file at the CYCA will certainly improve your chances.
My skipper has asked me to update my crew details in the “offshore crew list”, how do i do that?
The CYCA presently utilises Top Yacht and the TopYacht Entry System (TES) for managing entry and crew details. Individual crew can log in here to add or update their crew information to assist owners in easily adding their crew details. It is however still the Owners/Skippers responsibility to ensure that the information they submit on the crew list is accurate and complete.
Please note that details collated by Top Yacht and the CYCA are separate to the Australian Sailing MySailor information managed by Australian Sailing.
