How to Travel for Free on a Sailboat

Thousands of sailboats travel the world's oceans every year. Some of them need help.

1 Acquire sailing experience if at all possible. Sailing small dinghies may not give you any advantage, but experience on larger boats, however limited, may set you apart from other candidates.

2 Prepare a resume. Sailing larger boats isn't all about sailing. Skills such as cooking, mechanical ability and medical training are often in great demand.

3 Search classified ads. Some national magazines and many local and regional publications list opportunities to travel by sailboat.

4 Travel to popular sailing centers. They are the best places to make contact with people who are setting out on a passage.

5 Search waterfront bulletin boards.

6 Speak with clerks at marine stores. They'll know who's planning to sail away in coming days.

7 Stake out sailing bars and restaurants. Sailors tend to congregate in certain eating and drinking establishments. These are great places to make contact.

8 Sell yourself. Once you identify a boat and owner who might want to take you along, you'll have to convince him or her your presence will make the trip substantially better. Your first trip will give you references and experience, which will make it easier to get yourself future berths.