Every skipper knows the feeling. The plan is set, the boat is ready, but then a crew member cancels.
That's exactly what happened on this sailor's recent trip. One person dropped out close to departure, leaving an unexpected gap on board.
"We still had the minimum crew, so we could have gone ahead," he said. "But it would have been a lot harder."
In the past, that gap would likely have stayed empty.
The Usual Problem With Finding Crew
Before using Crew Match, this sailor's approach was the same as most: friends, friends of friends, and personal networks.
"If I didn't already know someone, I probably wouldn't have bothered looking," he explained.
Not because he didn't want crew, but because:
- It takes time
- Trust is hard to establish quickly
- Quality is uncertain
Most of the time, the effort was simply not worth it.
Trying SailTies Crew Match
With an open berth and a trip ready to go, he decided to post the sail on Crew Match.
What stood out almost immediately wasn't just the number of responses, it was the quality.
"Most of the responses were genuine, thoughtful, and helpful," he said.
Within a few days, he had found a suitable crewmember. In fact, the first strong responses arrived within an hour of posting.
"That was the moment I thought, this works."
Why Experience Visibility Mattered
One thing he noticed straight away was how valuable logged experience was in evaluating crew.
"Seeing experience, miles, and past voyages was very important," he said.
Even though not every applicant had fully documented their sailing history, having the option to see real voyages and logged miles created confidence and clarity early in the conversation.
Initial chats happened in SailTies, then naturally moved to WhatsApp once both sides were aligned.
The Outcome on the Water
The impact wasn't just logistical. It changed the feel of the trip.
"Having the right crew made the trip more fun," he said.
"We found someone who fitted so well that I'll definitely sail with him again."
Workload was shared, decision-making felt easier, and the overall experience improved, not because the boat changed, but because the team worked.
How Crew Match Fits Into Real Sailing Life
Crew Match hasn't replaced personal networks for this sailor and that's the point.
"I'll always build a crew through my personal network first," he said.
"But it's incredibly useful to know that if I have an extra space or two, I can easily find someone suitable and experienced through Crew Match."
It turns uncertainty into optionality.
Why He Recommends Crew Match
"Sailing is a team sport. It's all about community. Sailing with others is easier, more fun, and you build great relationships."
Crew Match doesn't just help trips happen; it helps sailors sail together, more often.
Real Sailors. Real Trips. Real Community.
Crew Match by SailTies helps skippers fill berths faster and helps sailors get on the water — without endless scrolling or last-minute stress.
Find crew. Join trips. Go sailing.
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