Global Hitchhiking III — How to Find Boats and Start Crewing
Websites, Facebook groups, VHF radio nets, and the power of word of mouth
In the last two articles, I introduced the concept of Global Hitchhiking and explained how to prepare for a life crewing on sailboats around the world. Now let’s dive into the practical stuff:
How do you actually find boats to crew on?
This article covers the full range of tactics I’ve used during my 3-year journey—online tools, social networking, good timing, and a little luck.
🌐 Crewing Websites
There are several websites designed to connect skippers with crew. Some are free, some paid, and they all work a bit like dating sites: you make a profile, boat owners make theirs, and you try to match based on goals, location, and timing.
Top Sites to Explore:
Instead of reviewing them all here, I recommend checking out the excellent breakdown by the link above for Coboaters. They compare and rate platforms and list the pros, cons, and costs, as well as list sites by geographic locations.
Real-Life Matchmaking Example: Floatplan
While no longer active, Floatplan.com was the first site that worked for me. I connected with Paul, a skipper sailing from Virginia to Aruba on a 60-foot ketch. At the time, I had just left my IT job and was looking for a next step.
Although delays pushed the trip past hurricane season, it gave me time to get certified in Spain—and when I returned, I joined Paul’s boat and helped him complete the passage. That one connection kicked off my global journey.
📱 Facebook Groups
Facebook groups are an underrated gem in the Global Hitchhiking world. I’ve used them to find multiple passages—especially long ones.
For example, I found my ride from Darwin to Grenada through a group called Indian Ocean Crossing. I posted my availability and route, and a skipper messaged me. A few months later, I was aboard.
Facebook Groups to Join:
Sailing and Cruising
Indian Ocean Crossing
Sail Southeast Asia
Pacific Sailing and Cruising
Grenada Yacht Crew
Grenada Cruisers Information
There are groups for every major body of water. Be proactive. Post a short pitch, including a picture and your experience, and where you want to go. Engage with groups, as you will learn lots of sailing skills and information in them.
📻 VHF Cruiser’s Net Radio
In many anchorages, marinas, and harbors with active cruising communities, there’s a scheduled VHF “Cruiser’s Net” where sailors check in, share resources, and announce crew needs.
In Grenada, Cruiser’s Net happens at 7:30 AM on Channel 66. I found a passage to Curaçao by listening in and following up.
Ask around when you arrive in a new port. These daily radio nets can be goldmines of opportunity.
👣 Walking the Docks
This one takes a little boldness. Simply walk along marina docks, introduce yourself, and ask if any boats are looking for crew—or know someone who is.
I’ve had limited success this way, but I’ve met other hitchhikers who’ve circumnavigated by doing this. The key? Be friendly, direct, and sell yourself.
At the very least, you’ll meet fascinating people and get to know the cruising scene.
🗣 Word of Mouth
This is probably the most effective method of all.
After finishing one leg of my journey, my skipper Paul met another sailor, Ted, who was preparing for a long trip from Panama to New Zealand. Paul passed along my name. I followed up. A month later, I was aboard Ted’s boat, sailing through the Panama Canal and heading to Tahiti.
The more boats you crew on, the more your network grows. Stay in touch with past skippers. Follow up. Keep putting yourself out there.
📌 Bulletin Boards
Many marinas, yacht clubs, and cruiser bars have physical bulletin boards where skippers and crew post notices. These often get overlooked, but they still work.
I’ve met people who scored passages by reading a flyer in a marina bar. It’s low-tech but still relevant.
Recap: Ways to Find Boats for Global Hitchhiking
✅ Websites (Crewbay, FindACrew, etc.)
✅ Facebook Groups (tailored to regions)
✅ VHF Cruiser’s Net Radio
✅ Walking the Docks
✅ Word of Mouth
✅ Marina Bulletin Boards
Try them all. Cast a wide net. And remember, the right boat at the right time might come from the most unexpected source.
Next Up in the Series
Learn about safety considerations when Global Hitchhiking.
🛟 Global Hitchhiking IV—Safety Considerations While Crewing
🚺 Global Hitchhiking V—Safety Considerations for Women Crewing
To return to previous articles in this series, the links are here:
🌍 Global Hitchhiking—How I Sailed Around the World Without Owning a Boat
🧭 Global Hitchhiking II—How to Prepare for Global Hitchhiking
Thanks for reading. If you enjoy posts like this—where travel, truth, and story all intersect—consider subscribing and following. I write about sailing, cybersecurity, AI, and adventure, with a few detours into the absurd.
⛵🧭
Matt Ray
Living Large by Living Little
About the Author
Matt Ray is a sailor, writer, and cybersecurity tinkerer. He once circled the globe by hitchhiking on sailboats—and somehow lived to write about it.
Note, this post was originally published on Medium. It has been completely revamped a republished here on Substack.