While I’m quite happy sailing Sunny Spells on my own, doing so 24/7 is probably not the most sensible thing to do. So I advertised on FindACrew.net. The passage from Mooloolaba to Hamilton Island would take place during the school holidays, which must have suited a lot of people, because I was inundated with interest. Let’s face it, sailing the Whitsundays is not an unattractive prospect either! I was spoilt for choice, so I could select what I thought would be a good mix: one experienced sailor, who could be watch captain, and two competent crew, to be… competent crew! I also tried to match the ages, so they ended up all being in their late twenties.

Matching the personalities was harder to do. While I spoke with all of them on the phone, trying to judge their sailing experience, it is impossible to really assess personalities on the phone. All I can say is that it’s worked out great! Sarah, George and Vicky got on really well with each other and it’s been fun watching them work and play.

Everyone has participated one hundred percent and it has been great to see them settle into the boat and start working together as a team. The cooking has been fabulous and we have lived like kings. Even more remarkable has been the willingness with which everyone has pulled his/her weight when it came to cleaning up. The dishes always seemed to wash themselves and whenever we anchored the crew immediately, and without prompting, started cleaning and tidying the boat before relaxing. Very impressive!

I’ve obviously been very lucky, but finding these people certainly has restored some of my faith in humanity. It’s marvelous what you can find on the internet these days…