The Crew List Service is a Benefit you receive as a Salty Dawg member and is available to you at any time for a rally passage, non-rally passage or individual cruising requirement. Utilize this service to find crew for long distance passaging or local cruising.
Please contact us if you need additional crew to lighten your load or if you desire to find an experienced leader. *We also encourage you to provide opportunity to less experienced candidates. Please be a mentor and share the joy of sailing with someone who desires to broaden their experience. That's what being a Salty Dawg is all about!
Please see the Frequently Asked Questions below for information about how the Crew List Service works, and contact our Crew Coordinator with questions.
To Get Started Finding Crew:
- FOR RALLIES
Check the Are You Looking for Crew box on your Boat Information form.
Or, send an email to our Crew Coordinator with your request. - FOR NON-RALLY PASSAGES OR INDIVIDUAL CRUISING REQUIREMENTS
Send an email to our Crew Coordinator with your request. - Our Crew Coordinator will send you a list of crew candidates with profiles and resumes. Please review profiles and interview desired candidates. (Please consider less experienced candidates)
- When you have selected your crew:
- FOR RALLIES, please complete your Float Plan and advise all crew to complete the Emergency/Waiver Form
- FOR RALLIES AND NON-RALLIES, please advice the Crew Coordinator of your selection(s) so we may remove the name from the Availability List and get them properly registered.
Please see the links and FAQ information below for more detail
Helpful Links
The Crew List (password-protected) - contact Crew Coordinator for password.
SDSA Crew List Service
FAQ for Captains
Welcome to the Crew List Service!
Below are answers to many questions concerning the Crew List Service.
- What is the Crew List Service?
The Crew List Service is managed by the Salty Dawg Sailing Association (SDSA) and is a service that connects Captains with Crew for a Salty Dawg Rally or a Member captain’s non-rally passage. It is not a delivery service. Captains may use this service for securing crew for extended offshore passages, coastal or local cruising. Captains utilize this service to find crew to assist with duties such as standing watch, to mentor fellow sailors, or to find an experienced leader. Crew utilize this service to broaden their sailing experience and satisfy their passion for sailing. As a non-profit educational and social sailing organization, we hope the crew service will be utilized to educate and assist sailors while fostering long term relationships.
- Does the SDSA vet captains or crew candidates?
No. The SDSA does not certify credentials or qualify crew/captains, and the SDSA does not accept responsibility or liability for actions on behalf of captains or crew. It is the sole responsibility of the captain and crew to determine qualifications and compatibility. Captains and crew should interview each other to determine qualifications and compatibility. Please ensure it is a mutual process.
- Who is eligible
SDSA Members are eligible to use the Crew List Service to choose crew or crew at no additional cost.
Anyone interested in crewing aboard a sailboat is eligible to participate as crew.
- Do crew candidates need to maintain sailing experience to participate?
No. The SDSA is a non-profit educational sailing association and part of our mission is to educate and mentor candidates who desire offshore experience. Crew candidates of all levels are welcome to participate.
- Is there a cost to participate in the Crew List Service?
Member captains are eligible to select crew or crew at no additional cost.
Crew candidates pay a nominal fee and there are two options:
1) “Crew Only” participants pay $20 which entitles them to crew in all Salty Dawg rallies and non-rally passages during their annual term.
2) Crew participants may join as a “Salty Dawg Member” at $75 which entitles them to full Salty Dawg Benefits and crew eligibility during their annual term.* All fees are reinvested into our non-profit organization to provide education, rallies and rendezvous events for participants.
* As we are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, your $75 Membership Dues may be considered tax deductible. (Ref. IRS Publication 1771)
- When do I need to contact the SDSA to find Crew?
You should contact the SDSA when you are 100% certain you will be undertaking a passage and have determined your crew requirement. The sooner you start your search for crew, the sooner you will find an appropriate match for your requirement. Please do not procrastinate in securing crew. Many candidates can’t accommodate late requests. There are many advantages in starting your search early.
- How do I indicate I need Crew?
For Rallies: Upon Registering for a Rally, on your Boat Information Form, select Yes to the line item titled “Are You Looking For Crew?” Or, you may contact us at crew@saltydawgsailing.org with your request.
For Non-Rally Passages or Local Cruising: Contact us at crew@saltydawgsailing.org with your request.
- How and when will I receive the Crew List?
Upon completing the above process, the Crew Coordinator will email you a list of available crew candidates.
The list will contain summary profiles and resumes. - What action do I need to take upon receiving the Crew List?
Review crew candidate profiles and resumes, then identify, contact and interview prospects. Select a candidate as crew.
For Rally Requirements: Advise the Crew Coordinator of your selection so we may register your selection and remove the name from the crew list. Advise all crew complete the rally Crew Emergency/Waiver Form.
For Non-Rally Requirements: Advise the Crew Coordinator of your selection. - What passage costs do I pay?
Generally, captains cover onboard costs and crew cover transportation cost to and from the boat. However, captain and crew may agree to other financial arrangements. There may be instances when a less experienced captain may desire to pay a very experienced crew candidate for their leadership skills. In this circumstance, the SDSA does allow the captain and crew to negotiate an appropriate cost. Please do not charge candidates for their participation. - May I charge crew list candidates a fee?
No. The SDSA is a non-profit educational association and the Crew List Service is provided as a service to assist captains seeking crew and as a service to crew who desire to broaden their sailing experience. - Does the SDSA provide detail of captains to crew?
No, generally not. It is the responsibility of the Captains to initiate contact with Crew and provide required information. - Who will provide my crew with information about the passage?
The captain is responsible for providing crew with detail, expectations and costs concerning the passage.
The SDSA will provide the crew with general information about rallies. - Do I need to inform the SDSA of my Crew selections
Absolutely Yes. Please Advise the Crew Coordinator of your selection(s). - How does the SDSA determine crew candidate availability?
For Rallies: We will contact crew candidates approximately 90 days prior to a Rally to determine their availability.
For Non-Rally Passages and Local Cruising: We will contact crew candidates upon notice of your requirement.
Crew candidates are responsible for informing and updating the SDSA about their availability. - How often is the Crew List updated?
The Crew List is generally updated within 24 hours of being notified of a change by a Captain or Crew Candidate. The validity of the list depends upon updates from Captains and Crew. Please revisit the list for updates. - Why am I not receiving a response from candidates?
There could be many reasons, ranging from an invalid email address to have already been selected to not interested or not available. The SDSA maintains no control over if and how a candidate chooses to reply. Our advice is to advise us that the candidate is not responding and move on to the next prospect. - How does the SDSA obtain Crew Candidates and what is their level of experience?
Most Crew Candidates join the SDSA via word-of-mouth or exposure to our website.
SDSA Crew candidates maintain diverse experience:- Some are new to sailing or have limited exposure and desire more experience. *We strongly encourage you to select a less experienced candidate if you already maintain experienced crew. Our Mission includes mentoring and you can assist by providing opportunity to a less experienced candidate.
- Some crew candidates maintain a mix of inland or coastal and/or offshore sailing experience and are seeking to broaden their experience.
- Some crew candidates maintain extensive blue water experience and have completed numerous offshore passages. Of this group, there are some that may charge for their service to assist less experienced captains. - How do I provide feedback about the Crew List Service
We want your feedback. Please send your feedback to crew@saltydawgsailing.org.