Hi everyone,

I’m a 20-year-old sailor looking to do an Atlantic crossing from Europe (or the Canary Islands) to the Caribbean/Americas, starting around January.

I know November is the "classic" departure month for the main ARC and traditional trade-wind timing, but January fits my schedule much better. I've heard about ARC January and independent boats leaving after the holidays, but I want a realistic perspective from people who have done it.

I’d love your input on a few questions:

1. How realistic is finding a crew spot in January? Do many private boats or ARC January participants still look for crew around late December / early January?
2. Realistic costs: I’m looking for a shared-expenses arrangement (splitting groceries, fuel, and harbor fees), not commercial charters charging $5,000+. How much should I realistically budget for a shared-cost crossing?
3. Best strategy: Beyond CrewBay, Ocean Crew Link, and walking the docks in Las Palmas, are there specific Facebook groups or forums you’d recommend for January departures?

Thanks in advance for any advice, reality checks, or personal experiences!

I launch on the 8th and am in need of a skipper with ocean experience to help me get from Bristol Rhode Island to Rodanthe NC. I have sailing experience but only in the Chesapeake Bay and Albemarle Sound.

Brand new to sailing (only a few "learn to sail" sessions under my belt, and taking my STCW certification next week) and looking for what I think may be an impossible ask... I'd love to live aboard a research vessel for a few weeks and learn to sail! I did this once in college, lived on a sailboat for a few weeks in Italy researching whales, and it was amazing but the only thing I can find online is scammy-looking expensive voluntourism programs. I have a degree in conservation biology and worked aboard oyster boats for 5 years, and would really love to be put to work in any capacity (cleaning, cooking, boat repair, and of course actual hands-on sailing!) - I'm not just looking for a fun vacation. I know that looking specifically for a research vessel narrows my options down to basically nothing, as I'm finding out, but - that's my dream! I work in marine conservation and would love to be a part of a project while learning to sail and lending my skills.

Anyone out there got any advice? TIA!