There are probably 30 crew agencies between Palma and Ft. Lauderdale, dozens of Facebook groups, social media and online sources. They help boat owners find crew. Ft. Lauderdale is a decent place to look for work in the winter, but if you don’t have a job by December and want a change of scenery, you can fly down to English Harbour, Antigua or Simpson Bay, St. Maarten (a larger community) and you might be able to snag a job for a holiday trip. Summer Season: Mediterranean & New England Being on charter means you don’t leave the boat, you can’t drink alcohol, you keep to your work duties, and otherwise stay inside your cabin. There was no definite design as many came from Porthleven, Mousehole, Looe and Mevagissey areas, and started life with a lug rig (foresail and mizzen)appropriate for their purpose, usually pilchard driving. On moving tothe Falmouth/Truro area, they were normally changed to gaff-rigged cutter to enable them to dredge for oysters. To the trained eye, these boats are easily recognised, with a Porthleven boat usually being full-bodied with a fine run aft, whereas the Looe and Mevagissey boats typically had finer lines and were a little deeper.

Two methods of dredging, with no mechanical means, are used by boats propelled by oars or working under sail. Although some boats may be fitted with an engine these can only be used to reach the dredging areas. Dredges are shaped bags made from metal rings towed astern by the boat and a dredging run is known as a drift. A sailing boat may make up to eight or nine drifts during dredging time and a rowing boat thirty or forty drifts. Generally, Americans visiting Europe get 3 months visa-free travel, while Europeans get 6 months in the U.S. The Racing Fleet has two classes of boats. The ‘B’ class for larger boats up to 29 feet hull length, with a bowsprit between 12 to 14 feet and up to 1000 square feet of sail. The ‘C’ class is for smaller boats up to 25 feet length, with bowsprits of 12 feet or less and 650 square feet of sail. At present there are eighteen ‘B’ class and nine ‘C’ class boats registered with the FWBA.

But if you can handle the workload, you’ll return with great memories, new friends, and a fat savings account. ★ In 1935 Evelyn was sold and for the next 30 years she had various owners along the coast who used her for fishing and recreational purposes with additions such as the fitting of a marine engine, a coachroof with cooking stove, a single bunk and heads. The term ‘Falmouth Working Boat’ is fairly recent and mainly applies now to the boats that race during the summer months. These versatile craft, originally given the name ‘Truro River Oyster Dredging Boats’, took their name from the occupation they were used for and the area in which it took place.

Don’t keep evidence of yacht job hunting with you nor electronically when you fly into America. It doesn’t have to be illegal to get you sent home! Living relics from a byegone age, the Falmouth Working Boats make an impressive sight, and there can be few who are not inspired by the beauty of these powerful gaff-rigged cutters under sail. Outwardly, little has changed in nearly 200 years, their existencebeing a direct result of the local harbour byelaws prohibiting the dredging of oysters by any mechanical means. Working under sail and oar during the winter months from October to March, these unique boats have survived to become the last of their kind in Europe. The size of the working fleet has fluctuated over the years, its fortunes directly related to the health of the delicate oysters which are ever prey to disease and pollution.

The fishery is within the Truro Port Fishery, an area of 2721 acres, which includes all parts of the Truro and Falmouth Harbours and the bed of the Truro, Fal and Tresillian Rivers. Yachting is one of the oldest industries in the world and still runs largely in a social context — the more people you meet, the better your chances. In the long standing tradition of shared boat ownership, there are thirty two Syndicate shares, but with some shares having been divided into half shares, there are 40 Syndicate members today. One of those members is Malcolm Hitchens, the Great-Great-Grandson of Frank Hitchens, the master shipwright who built Evelyn in 1898. Each member pays an annual subscription to pay for maintenance to keep Evelyn in good racing condition throughout the season. The Syndicate is managed by an elected committee of members who take responsibility for appointing skippers and ensuring that there are sufficient funds to provide for Evelyn’s upkeep. There is now a new chapter in Evelyn’s long life. Past and Present

I’ve worked in the yachting industry on and off for almost a decade while traveling on my own in the off periods. Yachting helped me travel the world both on and off the boats, “living the dream” as they say. If you’re on the exterior, expect the same detail and attention, but with boats you’ll have to dry everything you wash. Chamois chamois chamois! (Pronounced shammy; if you don’t know what it is… you soon will!) Working With Crew Agents

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Some boats charter (are available for rent) and others do not. If you want to work hard and earn more money, I recommend working on a boat that charters. On Saturday 29th July, our private quay will be awash with the vibrant colours of dragon boats at the prestigious annual sailing race. We’re aiming to use this exciting event as an opportunity to raise funds for Man Down , a Cornish mental health charity for men. We’ll be donating 10% of all food and drink profits to the charity. Pay can be higher on motor yachts, but not always. My advice, work a year on both and see which you prefer.

While looking for yacht jobs on a foreign-flagged vessel in America is not technically illegal, it’s frowned upon and not something you want to tell immigration officers. For further information about Working Boats see www.fwba.co.uk and www.evelynworkingboat.org The Barlett Blog Both old and new boats still work in oyster fishing or compete in the racing aspect of these traditional sailing vessels. At various times of the year Working Boats can be seen in the Fal Estuary either providing views of the practicality of oyster dredging or the excitement of racing. It is the combination of both tradition and innovation which will continue to ensure future sustainability and the preservation of the Working Boats of the Fal.

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Engineer – Upkeep and repair of engines and electrical components. Requires a proper engineering degree. It was a hard life on board a working narrowboat, and even the children had to pitch in. As Joan tells us: “There was only ever one salary paid to the father, but the whole family was expected to work, including the children once they were above the age of about six.”