Paul Sommers, male, 73
Ref 48836
| Nationality: | United States |
| Currently based in: | Seattle, United States |
| Looking for: | Central & North America; Mediterranean & Black Sea; Western Europe & North Atlantic Islands; |
| Experience: | 10000 ocean miles / 30000 coastal miles |
| I am a retired economics/public policy professor who has never had enough time for sailing. I learned to sail at Cal Sailing Club - UC Berkeley. I have owned 8 sailboats, the last 3 being junk rigged. I have sailed junk rigged vessels from Seattle to Alaska and Mexico and back to Seattle, and from Nova Scotia, Canada, down the east coast of N. America, through the Carribbean and the Panama Canal, and up the west coast as far as Puerto Vallarta. I am planning a voyage on a new to me Benford 34 (look up Badger and Annie Hill if you are not famliar with this boat). I am renovating the boat in Ventura, CA and expect to head for Puerto Vallarta, Mexico by the end of March 2022, for Hawaii by the end of April, and for Seattle by the end of May. The vessel can accommodate the skipper and 2 crew members. Crew of any gender will be considered. Crew are needed to stand watches on a 24x7 basis, equally shared with me. Most of the steering will be done by an autopilot, so the crew just need to be able to use the chartplotter, autopilot, radar, and ais to keep the vessel on course and avoid collisions with other vessels, and adjust the sails for the prevailing wind and sea conditions. No drinking or drugs while underway, and non-smokers only please. The vessel has 2 VHF radios and an InReach satellite text communicator. No liferaft, but a portabote dinghy will be onboard, and we can work out arrangements to equip it as a pseudo-liferaft before departure. Crew are welcome to join the boat for just 1 leg or all 3. I am looking for congenial personalities, a willingness to learn about sailing a junk schooner, and help with cooking and cleaning as well as sailing the boat. Mechanical, electrical, sail repair or other relevant skills will be especially welcome. I will pay for all expenses on-board; crew are responsible for travel to/from the boat. You must have a valid passport, be of good health, and be willing to take on the risks inherent in ocean voyaging. Also, be prepared to provide your own foul weather gear, let me know about any special food requirements, and be willing to sign a risk waiver and provide health care information for use in emergencies. If you are interested, please contact me at [email protected]. | |
| Smoking: | non-smoker |
| Relationship status: | married |
| Dietary requirements: | None but vegetarian cuisine is likely onboard as refrigerator space is limited. Unless you are good at fishing ... |
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| Number of years sailing: | 10+ |
| Sea miles sailed: | Ocean: 10000 / Coastal: 30000 |
| Nights at sea: | 50+ |
| I have experience as: | Captain (Offshore) |
| 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 |
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| 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 | |
| Diesel engine maintenance | |
| Repairing or making sails | |
| Using radar | |
Voyage History |
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| Date | Boat | From/To | Miles | Role | # Crew | Rally |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Ganley 30 Junk | Nova Scotia/Puerto Vallarta, Mexico via Bajamas, W Carribbean, Panama Canal | 10 | Captain | 2 | |
| 2009 | Colvin Gazelle Junk Schooner | Seattle/Sea of Cortez, Mexico | 6000 | Captain | 3 | |
| 2007 | Colvin Gazelle Junk Schooner | Seattle/Sitka, AK | 2000 | Captain | 6 | |
| 2005 | Pacific Seacraft 35 | Seattle/Hawaii | 2800 | Crew | 4 | |
| 2003 | 34 ft. sloop marconi rig | Athens, Greece/Islands SE of Athens and return | 2000 | Captain | 4 | |
