The Hitch-Hikers Guide to the Oceans

Publisher: Adlard Coles Nautical, 3rd Ed., 2000 £ 10.99

If you don’t own a yacht how do you go ocean cruising? One solution is to go Hitch-hiking, Alison Muir Bennett tells you how in this short but well researched book. The author has over twenty years practical cruising and crewing experience and has compiled all of the information that one would need to set out.

She covers the details of how to find a crew position, how to maximise your chances of being taken as crew and importantly where yachts gather and when. She sets your expectations of cruising life with sections on different types of skipper pointing out the differing psychologies of owners with boats named Sprit of Eskimo Nell and Morning Mist. You are equipped for your trip with sections on physical, mental, financial and administrative preparations. There are several useful charts indicating the popular cruising routes and the bottlenecks where boats are likely to wait for favourable conditions and extra crew.

The book concludes with a list of useful addresses and contact numbers. If ever you feel the need to hitch a ride on an ocean bound yacht or know someone who does then this is the book for you. - CRE

Page prepared 28 March 2000