Help aboard a sailing catamaran: San Blas and Costa Arriba on the Caribbean Side of Panama

  • Favourited 3097 times
  • Last activity: 23 Mar 2024

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: 1 month or more

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    The sailing catamaran is based at the Linton Bay Marina at Puerto Lindo, on the Caribbean side of Panama, not far from the historic seaport of Portobelo. This catamaran is first-class, modern, 48 foot long, 25 foot wide, built in France 2008, refit in 2020, continuously updated, and is equipped with kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, boogie boards, a motorized dinghy, snorkeling gear, fishing rods, volleyball, guitar, yoga mats, Starlink Wi-Fi, DVD movies, CD or Bluetooth music, as well as books and magazines that are appropriate to learning and reading about sailing, navigation, etc... A Workawayer is always needed, living onboard, and may spend free time in the nearby area.

    The main areas of operation are the San Blas Islands (also known as Guna Yala), and Costa Arriba de Colon (Isla Grande, Isla Mamay, Vienes Azules, Playa Blanca, Lovers Canal and the Port and attractions of Portobelo).

    Capt. Fred sometimes arrives at the marina with family or friends to stay overnight on the boat, and sometimes sail nearby. Occasionally we make a family and friends voyage to-from San Blas, which can take a few days to a week or more.

    Other times the catamaran takes aboard guests for “paid, private charters" at San Blas from 1 to 10 days. When successive groups of guests arrive at San Blas, in high season, the catamaran might be at San Blas for several months. In low season we also do private charters at Costa Arriba, for marina overnights, daytrips, and charters of 1 to 3 days. Alternate captains to Fred often operate the private charters.

    When guests are aboard, the Workawayer is always busy, with duties such as first-class Mediterranean style cooking (including meat and fish) for as many as 10 persons (guests come in groups, know each other, and eat together), cleaning and making-up rooms before guest arrival, assisting guests with sports equipment, and of course will help sail the boat. At those times there is remuneration which is explained in the “help requested” section below. The outgoing Workawayer is responsible for training the incoming Workawayer before leaving.

    When guests are not onboard, the catamaran is normally tied up or at anchor in the marina, or at anchor at San Blas. Then opportunity involves living aboard while performing boat maintenance, social media updates, and occasional shopping or errands. Expect to be needed an average of 3 hours per day. Occasionally, there may be other crew or technicians onboard, but usually when without guests you will be the only person living onboard. So, when the catamaran is at the marina, there is usually time to enjoy Puerto Lindo, and nearby Portobelo, Isla Grande, and Cacique, along with water sports, and getting to know other boats and sailors in the marina. If the catamaran is stationed at San Blas, you will engage with the indigenous Guna Indians, snorkel the reefs, kayak, etc....

    The Workawayer interacts with many local, paid workers involved in such charters, who bring provisions from markets, and clean the outside of the boat, as well as expert technicians that maintain the boat structurally, mechanically, electrically, cosmetically, and look after the navigational electronics. At the San Blas islands, there are indigenous workers involved, to supply food (fresh fish, lobster, octopus), to build bonfires, to bring fuel and water, to sell their handicrafts and explain their craft to guests, and to help clean and maintain the boat, etc... In short, is a large and varied sailing community to learn from, and who will appreciate learning from you, your experiences, and the knowledge from other parts of the world that you bring.

    Upon your arrival, overlap with the outgoing Workawayer is normally arranged for training. Altogether, including training, you should consider a stay of 3 months minimum. There is also a 4-month maximum, so that you can experience some other travel opportunity or return home. Some Workawayers return a second, third, and even more times, and returning Workawayers are given priority over new applicants.

    Due to limited accommodations, only one Workawayer can be accommodated at time, except when an outgoing Workawayer is training an incoming Workawayer. Couples please do not apply, as this is simply not feasible. No pets.

    Also note that the meals are not vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, etc. For lunch and dinner, we normally include meat or fish, a vegetable or salad, some starch, and fruit or dessert.

    Your personal safety is most important, and additionally the security of the boat and equipment. While at the marina or at anchor, only you, Capt. Fred's family and friends, “charter” or “hotel” guests, an alternate captain, and other specific technicians or persons that are paid to perform work onboard are allowed onboard the boat. Sailors from other boats may invite you aboard their boats, and there are social areas at the marina and at San Blas, but other persons (such as friends from other boats) are not allowed aboard the catamaran, which you are there to enforce. You are the only person permitted to use the catamaran’s recreational and other equipment.

    This opportunity is not for Workawayers looking for much entertainment, nightlife, binge drinking, 'funsundays', etc... It is a serious community of sailors and supporting professionals interested in recreation, the sea, the culture, and protection of the environment. People are generally happy to share their experience with you.

    Finally, if you suffer from motion sickness (such as car sickness, sea sickness) this opportunity will not be pleasant. So best not apply.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    Hospitality/Tourism
    General Maintenance
    Help with Computers/ Internet
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Learn to sail or exercise your sailing skills as the itinerary may allow. Absorb the local history and culture. Time ashore will be available to explore Puerto Lindo and nearby Portobelo (where fortresses and cannons attest to the gold once shipped from the Americas to Spain, and the pirates that roamed to loot). Isla Grande is a popular holiday spot with cafes and a beach, is close to the Linton Bay Marina, often with folks visiting from Panama City. A range of PADI approved diving certification courses are available locally (Google "Reef Divers, Puerto Lindo, Panama" for course and cost information). Scuba diving is not permitted at San Blas, however, snorkeling is popular. While at San Blas, the rich culture of the indigenous Guna Indian population is there for you to absorb, and in return, they will learn from your worldly experiences. Occasionally you may need for a few days off to visit Panama City for visa-extension (usually before 3 months) or other needs, in which case a replacement needs to be arranged and agreed by Capt. Fred so that someone is always aboard or nearby to care for the boat. Workawayers need time to travel, which explains the 4-month maximum.

  • Help

    Help

    Most of the time, without guests aboard, the Workawayer works an average of 3 hours per day, either tied-up or at anchor nearby the marina, or at anchor at San Blas. Food and accommodation are always provided without charge to the Workawayer, along with expendables such as towels and linens, shampoo and conditioner, sunscreen, insect repellent, laundry detergent, etc..., and personal use of all sports equipment onboard.

    When paid "paid, private charter" or “paid hotel” guests are onboard (guests that are paying to be aboard, usually by the day), there is remuneration for the Workawayer of $100 per day (for San Blas) and $75 per day (for Costa Arriba). “Days” are counted by the number of days that the guests are actually paid for. When clients pay for a half-day, the remuneration to the Workawayer is also 50%. Additionally, Workawayers receive $100 (at San Blas) or $75 (at Costa Arriba) per charter (each group that comes and goes) to compensate for the extra effort to help prepare for and clean up after guests leave. So, for example, charter guests pay for 4 ½ days at San Blas, the Workawayer will receive $550. Two days at Costa Arriba would be $225. Occasionally, you will also receive gratuities from satisfied guests upon their departure.

    When there are "hotel" guests onboard who pay for overnight stays in the marina, there is remuneration of $50 per night to assist them for the number of days – nights that the guests are paying for, including preparation of their included breakfast, and to accompany them during water sports. For the extra effort to help prepare beforehand and clean up after departure, you will receive an extra $25 per room occupied. If additional meals (more than the included breakfast) are requested by guests and prepared by you, you will receive an extra $5 per person for lunch and $5 per person for dinner (we don't charge for rooms or meals for children under age 3). So, for example, 4 adults and one 2-year-old child occupy 2 rooms, pay for 2 nights, and order lunch and dinner onboard, you would receive: $50 x 2 days, plus $25 x 2 rooms, plus $5 x 4 persons x 2 meals = $190. Occasionally, you will also receive gratuities from those satisfied guests.

    When Capt. Fred together with family or friends are aboard (persons who have been invited by Fred but are not paying for a charter or hotel stay), when sailing to any location, or during stays in the marina, the remuneration is less: $50 per day or partial day that they are onboard, including preparation before arrival, all meals, activities, and clean up after. For the Workawayer, this is basically the same work as though paid guests were onboard. The remuneration for the Workawayer is less because there is no revenue for the boat.

    If the person staying aboard is only Capt. Fred (without family or guests), another crew member, a technician, or another Workawayer, these people are there to work or learn on the catamaran, and your assistance is needed, without remuneration. Meals are normally required but can be much less formal than the meals for guests.

    When an outgoing Workawayer is training an incoming Workawayer during charter, the remuneration is for the outgoing Workawayer. It should be clear here that it is the responsibility of the outgoing Workawayer to be sure the incoming Workawayer learns enough to be able to perform routine sailing, anchoring, and mooring functions, operate the motorized dinghy, as well as to prepare the traditional meals and deserts. In turn, the incoming Workawayer will assist the outgoing Workawayer with dishes and cleanup.

    Prior sailing experience is of interest ** but not required *** so please be clear about any prior sailing or boating experience in your inquiry, but don’t worry if you don’t have it. Also, please indicate your interest or experience with first-class Mediterranean style cooking for groups of up to 10 people, depending on the number of guests onboard, which is probably the most difficult part of this opportunity. There is a need to do basic social media posting, and the possibility to work on the website, do video editing, and other supporting functions while there are no guests onboard. So, if you have that interest or experience, please also include that. If you have any other specific experience that you are willing to share (creative writing, translations, specific computer programs, mechanical or electrical maintenance, painting, woodworking, etc...), please also explain. In any case, we will tailor the opportunity to suit your interests as much as possible.

  • Languages spoken

    English: Fluent
    Spanish: Fluent

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    A private cabin with private bathroom, when available. This is always possible without guests, at a marina or at anchor. When many guests are aboard, the accommodation that you were using may be needed for guests, at which time you will need to sleep in a single crew bunk or on sofa inside, or a sofa or hammock outside, with shared crew bathroom facilities. Food for Workawayers is the same as for the group aboard. We generally eat after the guests, to have time to serve them while they eat, and to know what remains after their consumption is known. When you are alone you can prepare what you like.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    You may enjoy swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, sun on a beach or the catamaran trampoline, snooze in a hammock, drive the outboard dingy, fishing, playing the onboard acoustic guitar, yoga, Starlink Wi-Fi, etc... (what you can do will depend on your interests, the location of the boat, and schedule). Equipment for these activities is provided onboard and is maintained by you. Keeping the snorkeling equipment clean between guests is important. There is no wind or kite surfing allowed in the areas where we sail. There is a DVD movie library, great UHD display, and a CD music library with great sound system and LED lights. Practice new recipes for cooking during upcoming charters. Make friends within the sailing community and within the indigenous Guna Indian population. Enjoy interaction with other boat crews, quiet time to meditate or study, fresh air and sun!

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    One

  • ...

    Hours expected

    Average 3 hours per day when alone, but much more when sailing or with guests onboard. When guests are onboard, there is remuneration for the Workawayer. Further information under “help details” below.

Host ref number: 415872424819

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