AKA Stressing at the start as usual...
Infinity... the first two days...
The first day on Infinity I felt I'd maybe made a huge mistake. I usually like to sail for free, crew in return for room and board, and Infinity is definately a "pay to play" boat. The captain had assured me before I arrived that you could be a guest for 80€/day or a crew for 20€/day but I was worried it might be a bit of a bait and switch type situation and, though I'd decided I was willing to pay 20€/day, there is NO way I'd be willing to pay 80... and, when I first got there, talking with the other crew, it seemed as if my worst fears might be justified. You have to work off your extra 60€ a day with "extra work" - and cooking, cleaning, and standing watch, which everyone does, even guests, doesn't count towards that. And my first impression was that often there just isn't that much "extra work" that needs to be done, or enough hours in the day when the captain is there to supervise. Sam, another Canadian, who'd been with the boat several months, and was obviously trying to do any and all available "extra work" admitted he'd not been able, despite his best efforts, to lower his fee to 20€/day... and I felt if he couldn't there'd be no way I could. I was tired and jet lagged and stressed and it was SO very hot and when I went in for a quick dip I got stung by jellyfish so my first day I felt I'd definately made the wrong choice and the boat I'd decided not to join was shining and air conditioned in my imagination. It had cost a lot to fly to the Marshall Islands and now it looked like it would cost a lot to be there. All the other crew were male and in their 20's. Even the captain's girlfriend was in her 20's. And the kids, ages 4 and 5, seemed to run wild fighting and throwing tantrums left and right. If I'd had internet and could have looked for a flight I might have left there and then (even though it had been SO expensive to fly in). But, despite stressing about money, I decided I'd stick it out for a month and see. The first month would be doing a loop round some of the outer atolls of the Marshalls coming back to Majuro.
A new boat is always hard at first, the stove is different as is the head (toilet) and learning all the little tweaks takes time. And I knew all this, but I couldn't remember why I'd chosen a boat that wasn't free when there are so many free boats out there. And, did I mention, it was hot, very hot! I wasn't happy.
Day 2 was better.
Clem got home (from a night on shore working on the internet) at 6 am and most if the crew were up shortly after ready to work but none of them, even those who had been there months, felt they could do anything without him so we all sat about for hours waiting for him to get up so we could start working and, when he did get up he was upset no one had started work.
I did some writing with Rhian, the 5 year old, which, even though she was only copying, she could "read" to her parents, and I said it was my audition as teacher and Clem, the captain, said "Yes!, it would be fantastic if I taught the kids for my extra work." So that was a huge weight off my shoulders - it meant I could do my "extra work" every day, at my own convenience, and without needing supervision or guidance or anyone having to explain the job or where the tools were or even having to compete with others to do it.
Also I learnt how to use the head, if not the stove, and chatted with the other crew who are all young and male but very interesting people (I remembered that last time I was on a boat with another Canadian woman my age it was a disaster) and I settled down a bit to the pace of life on a sailboat, where things happen when they do.
I suggested to Clem he leave a list of jobs we could do unsupervised the next morning which, though it seems merely common sense, everyone thought a brilliant idea.
So, as we're going to set sail at the very next weather window, I'm unlikely to have an update for at least another month... we'll be places with great diving but no internet whatsoever... But I'll let you know then if it all worked out and I've decided to stay on or if I'm going to slink home in April with my tail between my legs.
For now it looks great and I'm very optimistic...
My " audition", one of my charges on board in the main saloon, and the boat at anchor from the front.
Infinity... the first two days...
The first day on Infinity I felt I'd maybe made a huge mistake. I usually like to sail for free, crew in return for room and board, and Infinity is definately a "pay to play" boat. The captain had assured me before I arrived that you could be a guest for 80€/day or a crew for 20€/day but I was worried it might be a bit of a bait and switch type situation and, though I'd decided I was willing to pay 20€/day, there is NO way I'd be willing to pay 80... and, when I first got there, talking with the other crew, it seemed as if my worst fears might be justified. You have to work off your extra 60€ a day with "extra work" - and cooking, cleaning, and standing watch, which everyone does, even guests, doesn't count towards that. And my first impression was that often there just isn't that much "extra work" that needs to be done, or enough hours in the day when the captain is there to supervise. Sam, another Canadian, who'd been with the boat several months, and was obviously trying to do any and all available "extra work" admitted he'd not been able, despite his best efforts, to lower his fee to 20€/day... and I felt if he couldn't there'd be no way I could. I was tired and jet lagged and stressed and it was SO very hot and when I went in for a quick dip I got stung by jellyfish so my first day I felt I'd definately made the wrong choice and the boat I'd decided not to join was shining and air conditioned in my imagination. It had cost a lot to fly to the Marshall Islands and now it looked like it would cost a lot to be there. All the other crew were male and in their 20's. Even the captain's girlfriend was in her 20's. And the kids, ages 4 and 5, seemed to run wild fighting and throwing tantrums left and right. If I'd had internet and could have looked for a flight I might have left there and then (even though it had been SO expensive to fly in). But, despite stressing about money, I decided I'd stick it out for a month and see. The first month would be doing a loop round some of the outer atolls of the Marshalls coming back to Majuro.
A new boat is always hard at first, the stove is different as is the head (toilet) and learning all the little tweaks takes time. And I knew all this, but I couldn't remember why I'd chosen a boat that wasn't free when there are so many free boats out there. And, did I mention, it was hot, very hot! I wasn't happy.
Day 2 was better.
Clem got home (from a night on shore working on the internet) at 6 am and most if the crew were up shortly after ready to work but none of them, even those who had been there months, felt they could do anything without him so we all sat about for hours waiting for him to get up so we could start working and, when he did get up he was upset no one had started work.
I did some writing with Rhian, the 5 year old, which, even though she was only copying, she could "read" to her parents, and I said it was my audition as teacher and Clem, the captain, said "Yes!, it would be fantastic if I taught the kids for my extra work." So that was a huge weight off my shoulders - it meant I could do my "extra work" every day, at my own convenience, and without needing supervision or guidance or anyone having to explain the job or where the tools were or even having to compete with others to do it.
Also I learnt how to use the head, if not the stove, and chatted with the other crew who are all young and male but very interesting people (I remembered that last time I was on a boat with another Canadian woman my age it was a disaster) and I settled down a bit to the pace of life on a sailboat, where things happen when they do.
I suggested to Clem he leave a list of jobs we could do unsupervised the next morning which, though it seems merely common sense, everyone thought a brilliant idea.
So, as we're going to set sail at the very next weather window, I'm unlikely to have an update for at least another month... we'll be places with great diving but no internet whatsoever... But I'll let you know then if it all worked out and I've decided to stay on or if I'm going to slink home in April with my tail between my legs.
For now it looks great and I'm very optimistic...
My " audition", one of my charges on board in the main saloon, and the boat at anchor from the front.
