Balthasar Wyss, male, 58
Ref 77262
| Nationality: | United States |
| Currently based in: | Mercer Island, United States |
| Looking for: | Worldwide opportunities |
| Experience: | 0 ocean miles / 100 coastal miles |
| INTRODUCTION After 30+ years in business (high-tech) I would like to make my dream of sailing across oceans and exploring remote places a reality, taking an extended sabbatical from work. My preferred route is from the US/Mexico/Panama across the Pacific Ocean to French Polynesia/Melanesia/Australia/NZ, but I am open and flexible to other journeys, ideally sometime between mid-February to May 2024. I have basic sailing experience (US Sailing Association Basic Keelboat certification, ~100nm), and even participated once in a small sailing race which was a lot of fun. I am very interested in learning everything about sailing, navigation, and mechanics/electronics, as I am considering eventually buying my own sailing boat. I will pay for all my expenses and gladly contribute to the cost of sailing. MY BACKGROUND, INTERESTS & PLANS Originally from Switzerland, I have lived with my wife and 3 teenage boys for ~20+ years in the USA (first California, now Seattle), including a 2-year work assignment in Singapore. I like to think of myself as pretty easy-going, yet also hard-working, well organized and disciplined, clean, and generally getting along with people. I have a pretty good sense of humor, although telling jokes for some reason is not my strong suit. I eat just about anything and can cook basic meals (think pasta, salad, curry chicken, and cheese sandwiches), so no gourmet chef here (unfortunately). I am eager to be an active participant in any sailing journey, including doing day & night shifts, contributing to the maintenance of the boat, and getting the usual chores done. Sports is one of my passions (soccer, tennis, hiking, mountain biking, skiing/snowboarding, swimming), and so is modern art and architecture, I am a bookworm (mostly non-fiction) who also likes good conversations. I am looking to participate in a sailing adventure with an experienced captain who is open and motivated to share and teach her/his sailing know-how and experience. I did some wind-surfing when I was young (Sardinia), like scuba diving (Zanzibar, Philippines) and snorkeling, and more recently took on paddle boarding. My mother tongue is (Swiss) German, and I am fluent in English with basic French language skills. MY MOTIVATION & WHAT I AM LOOKING FOR Since I was a young kid and read about Robinson Crusoe I dreamed of one day sailing the oceans. I am looking to join an experienced sailor/crew that is open to helping me improve my sailing skills, teaching me the secrets of safely navigating a sailing boat, including all the things that go along with traveling cross-ocean. My favorite route would be crossing the Pacific Ocean from Mexico/Costa Rica/Panama/US/Ecuador to the Marquesas Island and on to French Polynesia, Fidji, and Australia/NZ. If you are a kind person, passionate about sailing and exploring the world, while also relaxed and easy to get along with, it would be great to hear from you. | |
| Smoking: | non-smoker |
| Relationship status: | married |
| Dietary requirements: | None. |
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| Number of years sailing: | 10+ |
| Sea miles sailed: | Ocean: 0 / Coastal: 100 |
| Nights at sea: | 1-10 |
| I have experience as: | Instructor (Ocean Sailing) |
| Sailing Skills | Experienced I have done this many times and am confident to help others less experienced. I am happy doing this day |
Competent I am competent doing this in daylight, or if there is someone more experienced with me |
Basic I have only done this a few times, but I am willing to learn |
None I have not done this before |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steer a compass course |  | |||
| Keep lookout/watch-keeping | | |||
| Trimming sails – mainsail and foresail/jib | | |||
| Reefing | | |||
| Working the foredeck – setting sails including spinnakers and cruising chutes | | |||
| Navigating with GPS and paper charts at sea | | |||
| Anchoring and handling anchors | | |||
| Cooking at sea | | |||
| Using dinghies with outboard motors | | |||
| Heaving-to and other heavy weather tactics | |
Other nautical or cruising skills |
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|---|---|
| Using VHF radio | |
| Using radar | |
